WSB was based on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
The bank operated for the good of its users and was touted as a ‘preventative to squandering’.
In exchange for an exclusive regional franchise the bank received a government guarantee against default (Killerby & Smith, 2001).
However it was quickly purchased by ASB Bank as the latter sought to expand and the brand disappeared from the West Coast.
[citation needed] The former Hokitika branch and head office building has been preserved and is registered as a category 2 historic place by Heritage New Zealand.