Media

Here you’ll find our media releases and opinions about banking in New Zealand, along with our media appearances.

Media Appearances Media Releases Opinions

Hub banks will not close regional branches for rest of 2021

April 13, 2021 - The six banks participating in the Regional Banking Hubs trial are renewing their commitment to not close regional branches until the end of the year, when the trial concludes. The September 2019 announcement of the hubs pilot included a voluntary commitment to not close regional branches for the period of the trial. The full commitment... Read more »

Media Appearances

RNZ - Banks promise no further regional branch closures this year

April 13, 2021 - ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB and Westpac announced today they would honour an earlier commitment not to shut any regional offices until a pilot of four small-town banking hubs wraps up.

Media Appearances

Interest.co.nz - As mortgage deferral scheme ends banks may offer still struggling borrowers a further temporary payment deferral, extend the term of the loan to reduce repayments, or move borrowers to interest-only repayments

March 31, 2021 - The New Zealand Bankers’ Association says borrowers whose repayments were deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are still struggling, may get an additional temporary payment deferral, have the term of the loan extended to reduce repayments, or be moved to interest-only repayments for a period.

Media Appearances

Stuff - Covid-19 mortgage ‘holiday’ scheme ends, with 3700 mortgages still in repayment deferral

March 31, 2021 - New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said: “Banks are working closely with the few affected customers who still need help to get back on track.”

Media Releases

Loan repayment deferral scheme ends today

March 31, 2021 - The loan repayment deferral scheme introduced a year ago to help borrowers financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic ends today. The scheme allowed home and business loan repayments to be fully deferred temporarily. Deferrals were made possible by the Reserve Bank allowing these loans not to be viewed as in hardship. Credit reporting agencies also... Read more »

Media Appearances

Newsroom - Small apartment crisis: The fight back begins

March 16, 2021 - “Banks make their own individual risk-based assessments on all lending applications on a case-by-case basis. This will take into account the risk and security of the asset.”

Media Appearances

Stuff - Banks’ pledge $5 million to support budget mentors

March 10, 2021 - Beaumont said the money provided by banks would provide support and skills to financial mentors working with families.

Media Releases

NZBA and FinCap ink $5 million new partnership

March 10, 2021 - The New Zealand Bankers’ Association and FinCap have today announced a new partnership, with the banking industry contributing $5 million over five years to support the financial wellbeing of all New Zealanders. The collaboration agreement will provide funding for initiatives that will directly benefit the 200 services FinCap supports who provide financial advice to tens... Read more »

Media Appearances

Interest.co.nz - Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden says new whistle-blowing service offers bank staff ‘a safe and independent channel to sing out and raise concerns’

March 3, 2021 - The banks themselves support the dashboard and whistle-blowing service, with both projects having the backing of bank lobby group the New Zealand Bankers’ Association, the Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank.

Media Appearances

RNZ - Bank closures: Mayors deliver plea for more bank branches to Beehive

March 3, 2021 - “During the Covid-19 lockdowns, banks helped thousands of New Zealanders get better at using online and mobile banking. Those customers aren’t looking back. However, we know that some customers still prefer face-to-face banking, and that’s what this banking hub trial is designed to test.”