Papua New Guinea's largest financial institution Bank of South Pacific wants to expand its banking network in the Pacific region to rival other lenders ANZ and Westpac.
BSP chief executive, Ian Clyne, says it has the largest operation in Solomon Islands and it's currently bidding for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Fiji assets.
But says that the bank's got plans to acquire the National Bank of Vanuatu among others.
"Given our cultural understanding and etc.. the Pacific is where we are looking. And the markets like Vanuatu is very interesting although it is a small country and the market is quite sophisticated. There are some interesting banks doing very well there. And of course Samoa. And also looking a bit further afield [to] Guam."
Ian Clyne says last year the BSP Bank declared a profit of close to 80 million US dollars.
