WESTPAC Banking Corporation has taken its rural services to villagers on outer islands in the North.
Last week, a team from Suva and Labasa were in Udu Point area to set up electronic fund transfer facilities.
With services expected to open next week, the villagers cannot wait because it will mean saving on travelling expenses.
Udu district representative Maikeli Sauwaqa said the service would benefit them.
“This would greatly benefit not only the district of Udu but villagers from the neighbouring Cawaro district,” Mr Sauwaqa said.
“This will also assist the social welfare beneficiaries in the area as they would save a lot of money from travelling to Labasa.”
Qaranivai Village elder Viliame Bulisawa said he was grateful to Westpac, the Government and to the owners of Also Island, Jim and Kyoko Bandy, for the EFTPOS service being taken closer to them.
He said having bank services closer to their doorsteps was something they never dreamt of.
The Westpac team also visited Duavata Secondary School to inform the teachers of the new initiative.
School principal Seleima Lesi said this was great news.
“This would be so convenient for us teachers in Duavata as we would not have to make those expensive trips to Labasa to access bank services,” Ms Lesi said.
“Teachers here have to take out time to go to Labasa to withdraw so they could purchase their basic grocery needs but now with EFTPOS here, they could just travel five minutes by boat to withdraw from Also Island.
“Normally, teachers hire a $150 truck to Labasa to go access bank services; the provision of this bank is all the more convenient.”
Westpac Everywhere Banking Officer team member from Suva Vodo Shaw said the EFTPOS services on Also Island would open next week.
