Local business take off with local support

As WBS celebrates 150 years, we’re reflecting on some local businesses we’ve given assistance to as they’ve established themselves. Our next story is that of Gareth Norris, from Jennian Homes Wairarapa.

Local property developer and builder Gareth Norris opened his first savings account with WBS when he was six years old. A number of years later he took out his first mortgage with us to buy his first home.

The managing director of Jennian Homes Wairarapa has most recently been using WBS to help finance his company’s expansion.

“It’s all about the relationship. I can talk to someone who understands the local market. It’s the simplicity of the relationship,” says Gareth when explaining why he continues to work with WBS.

Gareth stresses the real advantage of dealing with a local institution that has a Wairarapa focus.

“They understand the Wairarapa and Wellington market really well,” he says.

WBS is currently supporting three major projects for Jennian, “and they have been exceptional to deal with on all of them.”