Media Releases

Media Releases

Banks to start rolling out Confirmation of Payee in November

- New Zealand’s retail banks will start rolling out the new Confirmation of Payee service by the end of November this year, says the New Zealand Banking Association. It will be a phased delivery to customers to ensure proper testing and customer satisfaction. Confirmation of Payee will provide bank customers with an extra level of reassurance... Read more »
Media Releases

Bank customers resilient in the face of economic headwinds

- Bank customers are managing their money relatively well in the current economic conditions according to retail banking insights released today by the New Zealand Banking Association. The insights from January to June this year showed customers continued to use credit cards prudently and were maintaining home loan repayments. Of the 2.23 million customers who had... Read more »
Media Releases

Banks increase funding to support farmers in need

- Banks are stepping up to fully fund the Farm Business Advice Fund for farmers who are under considerable business pressure, as well as continuing their sponsorship of the National Rural Support Trust. The Farm Business Advice Fund was established in 2020 to provide up to $6,000 for farmers in need to obtain financial or business... Read more »
Media Releases

Banking industry welcomes spotlight on regulatory barriers to competition

- The New Zealand Banking Association today welcomed the Commerce Commission’s final report on its market study into personal banking services, especially its focus on regulatory barriers to increased competition in the sector. New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says: “The Commission has taken a well-informed and considered approach to the market study, which... Read more »
Media Releases

Banks welcome removal of consumer lending regulations

- The banking industry welcomes the government’s removal of affordability regulations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, and update of the Responsible Lending Code, to help improve access to lending. New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says: “We are pleased to see the removal of overly prescriptive affordability assessments. This will help... Read more »
Media Releases

Banks on track to start confirmation of payee roll out

- New Zealand’s retail banks are on track to start rolling out a confirmation of payee service by the end of the year, says the New Zealand Banking Association. “We’ve just completed a competitive selection process and now have a preferred provider for the service. We won’t be able to announce the name of that provider... Read more »
Media Releases

New home loans rise despite economic conditions

- The number of new home loans increased by nearly 30% in the six months to December 2023 according to retail banking insights released today by the New Zealand Banking Association. There were 52,504 new home loans from June to December, which is an increase of 29.8% compared to 40,438 new loans in the previous six... Read more »
Media Releases

Banks welcome changes to consumer lending law

- The banking industry welcomes changes to consumer lending law announced by the government today. New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says: “We welcome the removal of overly prescriptive affordability assessment requirements because it should help fix the one-size-fits-all approach that treated all types of lending and borrowers the same. “The change still means... Read more »
Media Releases

Banks seek government support for Anti-Scam Centre

- The banking industry has asked the government to support a New Zealand Anti-Scam Centre, as part of a response to recent ministerial requests on scam prevention. In a letter to commerce and consumer affairs minister Andrew Bayly, New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont asked the government to consider leading scam prevention in New... Read more »