Challenge Bank

Challenge Bank was an Australian bank. It was established in April 1987 when the Hotham Permanent Building Society of Victoria and Perth Building Society of Western Australia merged.[1][2] It produced one of the most iconic ads of the 1980s.[3] In December 1995 it was purchased by Westpac.[4] In May 1996, the Victorian business was sold to the Bank of Melbourne that in turn was purchased by Westpac in 1997.[5][6] The Challenge Bank brand was retired in the early 2000s.

References

  1. BNZ buyer of 7pc stake in Challenger Canberra Times 16 July 1988 page 17^
  2. Historical Series Breaks Reserve Bank of Australia^
  3. ashley schooneman. challenge bank ad 2016-09-13, retrieved 2025-08-24^
  4. Our History Westpac^
  5. Westpac reports $565 million profit in first half 1996 Westpac 14 May 1996^
  6. Westpac and Bank of Melbourne (Challenge Bank) Act 1996 Government of Victoria^