90 | WBS - Hyslop Homes T T Bernadette Cooney WBS - helping its community to prosper Jacob and Anastasia took their business plan to WBS, which agreed to support their housing development plan. “At a time when big banks are closing branches and becoming less accessible, we’re becoming more accessible.” T T to page 92 BUILDING Locally owned lending and investment provider, WBS, has marked 150 years of helping their communities prosper through sound investment strategy, competitive lending rates and generous community grants. As a mutual building society, WBS is owned by its members and the WBS Charitable Trust. They’re 100% local and their profits go back into the local community. They offer personalised loans to people in the residential and commercial sector, and highly competitive deposit rates to their investors. “Our greatest strength is being local and knowing our region and our people,” says WBS Head of Marketing and Community Investment, Melissa Wardell. WBS finances people buying or building new homes, including first home buyers and those renovating existing homes. They also support people looking to grow their business and provide finance for commercial properties and property developments. “We lend where we know, so that means widely through the Wairarapa and into Manawatu, the Kapiti Coast and some areas in Wellington,” says Melissa. “We get to know our clients well and work alongside them to achieve their goals.” Unlike many large banks that are reducing their physical presence, WBS maintains a high street presence, welcoming customers with personalised care. Located at 125 Queen Street, Masterton, WBS ensures accessibility through in-person visits, phone consultations and online applications, embodying their commitment to putting people first. “At a time when big banks are closing branches and becoming less accessible, we’re becoming more accessible and creating closer community connections. It’s the people and their ambitions that are important to us,” says Melissa. Among the builders that WBS partners with are Masterton locals Jacob and Anastasia Hyslop of Hyslop Homes. Jacob is a contractor and machine operator and Anastasia an architectural drafter. The couple initially began building spec homes with the support of their bank. With land availability tightening, it became harder to find suitable land for their projects, so they sought some land to purchase and do the developing themselves. They approached their bank with a well-prepared development plan but were declined the finance they needed. Jacob and Anastasia weren’t deterred so easily . They took their business plan to WBS, who had a closer look, did the math and agreed to support their housing development plan, which today is Pohutukawa Place, Masterton. *?14,16/ 6-A 7; ;-67@)>16/ /WEG 9ZEQNY^ )UUQNESHJX KTW 9ZEQNY^ *ZNQIX × >WEIJ 8WNHNSL )[ENQEGQJ EY 6J\GTQIX # $% %#&& NSKTmSJ\GTQIX HT S_ !# 9ZJJS =Y 5EXYJWYTS
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