Kirk Hope was appointed the head of lobby group the Bankers’ Association last year, so you’d expect him to have a better grip on his finances than the average New Zealander.
Retirement Commissioner
“One relevant factor in this discussion is whether it’s justifiable for farms as businesses to be treated differently from other businesses that find themselves in financial difficulty. Any proposal for a special mediation service for farms would need to provide a good rationale for establishing a sector-specific service,” Kirk Hope said.
New Zealand’s banking sector has spent roughly $90 million getting ready for a new anti-money laundering and terrorism financing law which kicks in at the end of next month.
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association today welcomed the election of Business NZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly as chair of the OECD’s Business and Industry Advisory Council (BIAC).
“It’s great that New Zealand has been recognised in this way, and to see this international group getting the benefit of Phil O’Reilly’s leadership and talent as a business advocate,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope.
Established in 1962, BIAC is an independent international business association which promotes business interests to OECD policy makers.
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association is a member BIAC’s finance sub-committee.
Kirk Hope advised concerned customers to speak to their banks as the fees were avoidable.
Bankers Association chief executive Kirk Hope said banks could live with a differential for first-home buyers, but any restrictions on bank lending might simply drive home buyers to more risky unregulated lenders.
Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope told Firstline the Budget was about getting back to basics.
The government continues to guide the economy in the right direction said the New Zealand Bankers’ Association today in response to Budget 2013.
“The government’s prudent fiscal approach to the economy, underpinned by our strong and stable banking sector, is crucial to our continuing economic momentum in a still fragile global economy,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope.
“The Budget announcement that the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Reserve Bank on macro-prudential tools builds on recent consultation with the banking sector, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Reserve Bank on the final shape of these tools.
“Concerns have been raised about the overheated Auckland housing market and we applaud the government’s move to address this through the Auckland Housing Accord. This is a positive initiative and recognises this is a supply-driven issue, not a credit-driven bubble.
“If it’s possible to meet the target of 39,000 new homes being consented in Auckland, and when we see the Christchurch rebuilding programme take off, then price pressures should start to ease as supply increases in these critical markets. This will lessen the need to apply any macro-prudential tools.”
The government also announced an intention to explore “micro-financing” partnerships with the financial sector to provide low cost small loans to those on low incomes.
“This would help protect low income families from loan sharks and provide access to responsible sources of lending. We welcome the government’s interest in this area and look forward to working with them on this issue and gaining a greater understanding of what is being proposed.”
“We would have welcomed a greater focus in the area of tax incentives for savings, which would support future economic growth. However we acknowledge the government’s commitment to achieving its surplus targets,” added Hope.
Chief executive Kirk Hope said, “We all have a role to play in the new anti-money laundering regime … This is about New Zealand’s international reputation and fighting crime.”