Author: Philip vanDyk

Kirk Hope: NZ’s biggest banks sued

NZ Bankers Association chief executive Kirk Hope talks to Mike Hosking about the news NZ’s biggest banks are being sued using class action for a collective $1 billion.

Bankers’ Association welcomes interim Retirement Commissioner

The New Zealand Bankers’ Association has today welcomed the appointment of interim Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell. “Diane brings a wealth of experience to the role from both the banking and regulatory sides of the financial sector,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope. “Diane has great skills in strategic development and delivering financial… Read more »

NZ banks face class suit over $1 billion in default fees

“Our banks communicate very clearly on fees, which is a reflection of our very competitive banking sector. The fees being singled out are avoidable, and our industry has also made it easy for customers to switch banks if they feel the fees they’re paying are too high,” New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope… Read more »

Talk of legal action jumps the gun

Talk of legal action today relating to bank fees fails to take into account differences between the New Zealand and Australian banking sectors. “Australian legislation around civil suits is very different from what we have in New Zealand. We are surprised the lawyers running this don’t appear to know about these differences. We also note… Read more »

Sector weighs Reserve Bank lending tools

Reading between the lines of what the Reserve Bank has said about the macroprudential tools it is working on, regulating loan-to-value ratios would not be its favoured option, believes the Bankers’ Association.

Profitable banks should be viewed as ‘Olympic medallists’

In response to the report, New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope said that local banks are “among the best funded and regulated in the world, and fiercely competitive. That’s good for New Zealanders and our economy,” said Hope.