Question about banking.
Any advice on which NZ bank people prefer or really haven’t liked. Moving in December and looking to open an account to transfer some funds over from UK.
Thanks in advance!
BNZ, ANZ, ASB and Westpac are all very easy to open from the uk as a migrant account. I wouldn’t do bank to bank transfer though , I would use someone like hifx or transferwise. You will get less fees and much better rates
BNZ, ANZ, ASB and Westpac are the big 4 that have the most ATMs and branches. However most NZ banks are quite competitive. Here is a bit of background and website links of all banks in New Zealand.
1. ANZ Bank New Zealand
ANZ New Zealand is easily the largest banking group in the country. It is a subsidiary of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited of Australia. Business is carried using renowned brands like AZN, UDC Finance, ANZ Securities, and ANZ Investments. At the moment, the ANZ group of companies finances more than 30% of home loans and accounts for 1% of New Zealand GDP. In addition, as many as 20% of New Zealand’s finance and insurance workforce work for the company. The Wellington based bank operates close to 200 branches and over 600 ATMs. As of 2016, the bank’s asset base stood at a staggering US $660 billion.
Official website: https://www.anz.co.nz
2. ASB Bank
This Auckland based bank was established more than 170 years ago as Auckland Savings Bank. ASB Bank manages over 120 branches and 600 ATMs in New Zealand. The financial services offered by the bank include: fund management, investment banking, mortgages, insurance services and retail and corporate banking services. The bank employs about 5,000 people and is one of the most heavily capitalized banks. Its asset base hit NZ$64 billion in 2012. In 2016, the bank’s net profit hit US $660 million. The bank runs a subsidiary called Sovereign Limited BankDirect.
Official website: https://www.asb.co.nz
3. Kiwibank
The Auckland based bank was incorporated as recently as 2001. Kiwibank’s parent company is the state owned Kiwi Group Holdings that operates several financial services firms strewn all across New Zealand. It offers a host of financial services, including retail banking services that target individual account holders and Small Micro Enterprises in the country. The bank manages a large network of more than 260 branches and 250 ATMs. Kiwibank also boasts a sizable workforce of more than 2,500 people. In 2016, the bank’s asset portfolio stood at US $14 billion.
Official website: https://www.kiwibank.co.nz
4. Bank of New Zealand
The bank is one of the oldest in New Zealand having been established in 1861. BZN is also among the top four largest banks here and employs a strong workforce of over 5,000 people. The bank operates more than 150 branches in New Zealand alone. Its core services are retail and business banking services and institutional banking. The retail banking products include personal loans, credit cards, mortgages and international banking services. The company’s parent company is the National Australia bank. In 2016, the Bank of New Zealand reported close to US $200 million in net profits.
Official website: https://www.bnz.co.nz
5. Cooperative Bank
The Cooperative bank’s core offerings include savings, small business banking, loans and insurance. The Wellington based bank operates over 200 branches and employs 2,500 people. The bank commenced its operations in 1965. To enhance service delivery, the bank offers several enhanced digital services, including internet banking, phone banking and text banking. Cooperative bank is among the fastest growing in the country. An asset evaluation conducted in 2016 showed the bank made US $345 million net profit while its asset base totaled US $1.7 billion.
Official website: https://www.co-operativebank.co.nz
6. SBS Bank
This New Zealand registered company began offering services in 1869. However, it only gained banking registration in 2008. The bank’s head offices are located in the southwestern city of Invercargill. The services offered by the bank include internet and phone banking, managed funds, insurance services and the traditional commercial and residential lending. The other services include property and private wealth management. The bank has a workforce of 250 employees and 13 branches. SBS bank’s total asset stood at US $2.5 billion in 2016.
Official website: https://www.sbsbank.co.nz
7. Rabobank New Zealand
The bank was established back in 1898 as a farmers and community bank. Robobank New Zealand operates a lucrative corporate banking arm that offers a wide scope of service, including corporate lending, asset based finance trade and commodity finance. The bank has a highly competitive online and mobile banking operation. Its debt capital markets division is dedicated to supporting strategic needs of investors. The bank posted a net profit of US $65 million in 2016. Its calculated asset portfolio was valued at US $8.2 Billion during the same year.
Official website: https://www.rabobank.co.nz
8. TSB Bank
TSB is one of the oldest and most trusted banks in New Zealand. The Plymouth based bank has been operating for the last 165 years. TSB bank employs more than 240 people in its 25 branches across New Zealand. The services offered by the long running bank include commercial and rural banking, insurance services, investment banking and loans. TSB Bank made a profit of USD30 million in 2016 on the back of an asset base totaling US $4.7 billion.
Official website: https://www.tsb.co.nz
9. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – NZ
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand gave Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – New Zealand the license to operate in New Zealand in 2013. ICBC’s broad range of financial products and services include: account management, mortgages, trade finance and international settlement. The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) listed bank serves more than 400 million personal banking customers and 4.5 million corporate customers across its vast network of correspondent banks, domestic institutions and overseas institutions.
Official website: http://nz.icbc.com.cn
10. Westpac New Zealand
Westpac New Zealand provides mainstream banking services such as housing loans, savings accounts, insurance, debt consolidation services and credit card protection. The Auckland based bank was founded in 1861. Today, Westpac New Zealand manages a vast network of over 160 branches and 450 ATMs. Westpac New Zealand Ltd employs about 5,000 in all its subsidiaries. The largest subsidiaries include Westpac NZ Operations Ltd and Westpac New Zealand Group Limited. The bank made of net profit of more than US $610 Million in 2016.
Official website: https://www.westpac.co.nz