An Overview of Bankwest’s Credit Cards

Bankwest offers a really competitive selection of credit cards, each offering unique benefits including low rates, no annual fee, attractive rewards or the premium advantages of gold and platinum cards. Check out the Bankwest cards on our comparison table and see if there is a card that suits you and your finances.

A Brief History of Bankwest

Bankwest started business as the Agricultural Bank of Western Australia in 1895, created by the Government of Western Australia to lend money and support the state’s farmers. The company became a full trading bank in 1945, and then spent the next 50 years expanding its retail and commercial banking operations across Western Australia.

In 1990, the bank incorporated and in 1994 changed its name to the Bank of Western Australia Limited, trading under the familiar name of Bankwest. In 1995, the bank was privatised and subsequently bought by Bank of Scotland, which itself merged with Halifax Group to form HBOS in 2001. In 2008, HBOS signalled its intentions to sell Bankwest, and the entire operation was sold to Commonwealth Bank of Australia in a deal worth A$2.1 billion. The deal was completed in 2009.

Bankwest Today

Bankwest is a fully owned subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank Group, one of the major players in Australian financial services. Bankwest serves more than 1 million retail customers, operates 139 stores, 72 Business Banking Centres and 79 Home Loan Specialists.

The bank offers a full range of personal and business banking services including Private Banking Services, Bankwest Business and Retail divisions. Other parts of the bank’s diverse market operations include housing and agribusiness services. It is an important financial institution in Western Australia, and is also growing in stature nationwide.

Personal Banking

Customers can use a full range of personal banking services including everyday transaction accounts, savings and term deposits, credit cards, home loans, personal loans, insurance, investment and financial advice.

Business Banking

Bankwest provides flexible funding and specialist advice to help business customers with any size of operation. Experts are available to offer help with starting a new business, restructuring an existing business, growing business finances and cash flow, and increasing working capital. Their range of business products and services includes loans, accounts, deposits, credit cards, international trade, private banking and transaction services.

Bankwest Credit Cards

Bankwest offers a selection of credit cards to suit different types of cardholder, each with its own advantages. Whatever your financial plans and circumstances, spending habits and lifestyle, there could be a Bankwest card that’s suitable for you. Check out the different deals on our comparison table including the low rate Bankwest Lite MasterCard; the no annual fee Bankwest Zero MasterCard; and the rewards and premium benefits of Bankwest’s Gold and Platinum credit cards.

Q: Which of their offers has a low purchase rate? A: A the time of writing, the Bankwest Lite MasterCard offers Australia’s lowest MasterCard purchase rate at 10.75% p.a., making it one of the very best deals available if you are looking for a low purchase rate credit card.

Q: I want to make a balance transfer, which card is best for me? A: If you want to transfer a balance from a non-Bankwest credit card, Bankwest’s Lite MasterCard could be a good choice for you. You can transfer an existing debt from a third party financial institution and pay a lower interest rate, potentially saving plenty of money and improving your financial health. You should be aware, however, that the rate increases at the end of the introductory period.

Q: I want to save on annual fees, which card should I choose? A: Bankwest’s range of Zero credit cards are extremely competitive, each offering the everyday benefits of a MasterCard credit card without the annual fee. Depending on your financial circumstances and income, you can choose between the Zero MasterCard, Zero Gold or Zero Platinum, all of which have no annual fee.