HBOS Australia has opened the first two of 160 new branches on the east coast of the country. The Guardian

BankWest, HBOS's Australian subsidiary, will provide services to customers in Sydney and six branches in New South Wales will follow by the end of the year.

HBOS revealed its intention to take on Australia's ‘big four’ - National Australia Bank, Westpac, the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ - in July. The four control around 70% of the Australian market. The expansion will take the number of HBOS's Australian branches to 250.