Bankwest shifts non-WA corporate customers

Bankwest is shutting its corporate banking services outside of Western Australia and moving customers to its parent, Commonwealth Bank.

Retail and non-managed small business customers nationwide will stay with the Perth-based lender, but those businesses with a relationship manager will be migrated to CBA's business and private banking unit.

All customers in WA will remain with Bankwest.

"CBA's growth plans and existing footprint, combined with excellent products and services, means that it is well positioned to support Bankwest non-WA based relationship managed business customers and help them grow," Bankwest managing director Rowan Munchenberg said.

Bankwest said a majority of its business banking staff would move across to Commonwealth Bank, but did not say what would happen to the rest.

Bankwest's profit fell 12 per cent to $355 million in the first half of the financial year, driven by higher loan impairment expenses and lower income.