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

Most deferred loans ‘back to normal’

November 30, 2020 - More than two thirds of consumer loans that had principal and interest repayments deferred due to the impact of Covid-19 were now ‘back to normal’ said the New Zealand Bankers’ Association today. At the same time, nearly 40% of consumer loans that had reduced repayments were now back on track. “As we near the end... Read more »

Media Appearances

Spinoff - Can ‘hubs’ make up for the erasure of small-town banks?

November 27, 2020 - Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said staff at the hubs will be trained to recognise potential financial elder abuse, and there will be systems in place to report concerns.

Media Appearances

Stuff - Robertson opening banking hub in Martinborough

November 27, 2020 - Robertson hoped the trials would be successful because he admitted online banking had meant many smaller branches were closing. “It’s not economic for the banks to keep branches open absolutely everywhere, so rather than have nothing, we’ve got the possibility of a hub like this.”

Media Appearances

Newshub - ‘A nightmare’: Regional banking hubs face criticism as branches shut down around the country

November 27, 2020 - “There are some banks in small communities that I’ve heard of that don’t even have 10 customers a day. That’s unsustainable.”

Media Appearances

TVNZ - A look at the possible future of banking in small New Zealand towns

November 27, 2020 - A new banking hub launched today in Martinborough is being described as the possible future of banking in small New Zealand towns.

Media Appearances

Stuff - Reserve Bank raises spectre of wave of ‘managed sales’ of homes in March

November 27, 2020 - “Since March banks have been working proactively with customers who were financially impacted by Covid-19. Banks will continue to work with affected customers, including the relatively few who still have fully deferred loans.”

Media Appearances

Bay of Plenty Times - Mortgage wars: How homeowners are saving tens of thousands

November 14, 2020 - New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said interest rates were at historic lows. “That’s good news for households and businesses looking to borrow. The flip side is that investors, including people who rely on interest income, get a lower rate of return on bank deposits.”

Media Appearances

NZ Adviser - FIRST Union welcomes trial of regional banking hubs

November 5, 2020 - FIRST Union supports the trial of banking hubs in four New Zealand regions as the country seeks to maintain face-to-face services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, retain jobs in banking, and ensure that rural areas don’t lose vital infrastructure.

Media Appearances

NBR - Dealing with the digitally disenfranchised

November 2, 2020 - ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB, and Westpac are all taking part in the year-long trial being coordinated by industry body the Bankers’ Association.

Media Appearances

NZ Adviser - Major banks join forces to launch banking hubs in regional communities

October 30, 2020 - “I am delighted to see that this unique partnership of six banks looking at innovative ways to support smaller communities is ready to go,” said Roger Beaumont, the chief executive of the New Zealand Bankers’ Association.