New Zealand Bankers’ Association (NZBA) is pleased to announce that Kirk Hope will step into the role of chief executive of the NZBA at the end of March, taking over from acting chief executive Martin Philipsen.

A Wellington-based banking professional with over a decade of experience in the New Zealand financial services sector, Kirk Hope is a Victoria University Law School alumni and former head of regulatory affairs and government relations at Westpac. He joins NZBA after two years serving as executive director of the Financial Services Federation, an industry advocacy body representing 36 of the largest financiers in New Zealand.

NZBA Council chairman Andrew Thorburn welcomes the appointment of Kirk Hope to this pivotal leadership role within the New Zealand banking industry.

“Kirk has the full spectrum of experience required to manage this portfolio with comprehensive understanding of legal, regulatory and industry processes, hands on experience in banking and at the NZBA, and is well versed in managing multiple stakeholders.”

Hope will take over the helm of the NZBA at the end of March from Martin Philipsen who was appointed acting chief executive in December 2011.

Finance and Expenditure Committee

The Co-operative Bank has joined the New Zealand Bankers’ Association bringing the total number of member banks to 13.

New Zealand Bankers’ Association acting chief executive Martin Philipsen welcomed the new member bank. “We are pleased to have New Zealand’s newest registered bank join us. Having The Co-operative Bank on board strengthens our role as the voice of the New Zealand banking industry,” said Philipsen.

“As a bank that is owned by its customers, it will be great to represent their voice within the New Zealand Bankers Association” said The Co-operative Bank chief executive Dr Girol Karacaoglu.

Established in 1928, and formerly known as PSIS, The Co-operative Bank became a registered bank in October 2011.

As the industry’s voice, the New Zealand Bankers’ Association supports a safe and successful banking system that benefits New Zealand. Member banks work together on non-competitive industry issues. Membership of the Association is open to any bank registered under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989.

Other New Zealand Bankers’ Association members are ANZ National Bank, ASB Bank, Bank of New Zealand, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Citibank, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Kiwibank, Rabobank New Zealand, SBS Bank, TSB Bank, and Westpac New Zealand.