Interest off bonanza

Back from left, Marife Laureta, Westpac Cranbourne bank manager Suzie Roncari, Westpac regional general manager Maureen O'Reilly, front, Farah, Ryan and Hailey Laureta celebrate the Laureta family winning a home loan competition. Picture: GARY SISSONS

By BRIDGET COOK

A CRANBOURNE family is one step closer to the great Australian dream after winning a competition to have chunk of their home loan paid off.
Ryan Laureta was announced as one of the winners of Westpac competition to have 12 months of interest paid on his home loan – which works out to save him about $17,000.
Mr Laureta, who is a personal care assistant for a local nursing home, said that the prize couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I was absolutely astounded to hear that I had won a year’s worth of interest off my home loan,” he said.
“At the moment, my partner and I are trying to balance work and life as one of us needs to be at home to look after the kids.
“This prize will really help us move forward as a family.”
Westpac’s Retail Bank general manager Gai McGrath said the competition was designed to help 200 lucky Australians own their home sooner.
“Congratulations to all of the winners,” she said.
“Westpac is committed to partnering with Australians on their path to long-term wealth and we are thrilled to be able to help Mr Laureta and his family get so much closer to owning their home.”
The competition was open to Westpac customers who successfully applied for a new home loan, investment property loan or equity access loan and was drawn in July.