If you suspect an invoice scam you should phone or visit the merchant or service provider to confirm the payment details are right and that you are paying the person you think they are.
Finance and Expenditure Committee
Minister for Disability Issues Hon Carmel Sepuloni today launched the New Zealand Bankers’ Association’s revised guidelines to help banks meet the needs of older and disabled customers.
“We’ve come a long way since these guidelines were first launched back in 2009. Back then they were voluntary for our banks. All of our retail members have now committed to follow the revised guidelines by January 1st, 2020,” says New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont.
“This is a reflection of how banks have stepped up in recent years to help ensure they’re meeting the needs of all their customers. That’s essential because customers are at the very heart of banking in New Zealand.”
The revised guidelines use clearer language and flow from the banks’ promise in the Code of Banking Practice to do their best to meet the needs of all their customers.
In the revised guidelines banks commit to:
- train staff to understand and help meet the needs of older and disabled customers, and
- consider older and disabled customer needs when
- publishing banking information
- designing physical banking spaces, and
- developing ATM and electronic banking services.
Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni welcomes the mandatory guidelines and says they’re in line with this Government’s focus on increasing accessibility for all New Zealanders.
“We know that one in ten people over 65 will be subject to some form of elder abuse – with over 50% of this being financial abuse. This is also a concern for the disability community. Ensuring that all banks have guidelines to mitigate potential abuse of the elderly and the disabled is essential to protecting them from harm,” Carmel Sepuloni says.
NZBA consulted its Older and Disabled People Focus Group in developing the revised guidelines.
“We think we’ve landed on a solid document that will deliver tangible results for our older and disabled customers,” says Beaumont.
The revised guidelines are available here:
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The individual work plans for each bank have all been signed off at the highest level. That means there is buy-in from the very top of these financial institutions to make sure they’re meeting regulator and public expectations.
All banks with sales incentives have committed to remove or address them for frontline salespeople and their managers, with some having already removed sales incentives.
All 11 banks involved in the Bank Conduct and Culture review by the Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank have responded with individual work plans.
“While I cannot disclose the information in each work plan, I can confirm that all banks with sales incentives have committed to remove or address them for frontline salespeople and their managers. Others have already removed sales incentives,” says New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont.
Regulators expect affected banks to implement changes to their incentives programmes no later than the first performance year after 30 September 2019.
“We are pleased the review found no evidence of widespread misconduct and culture issues across the industry here.
“Nonetheless it found there was work to do to put better systems and processes in place to ensure good customer outcomes. We understand the urgency of providing reassurance to the public and regulators. That’s why we have acted quickly.
“The individual work plans for each bank have all been signed off at the highest level. That means there is buy-in from the very top of these financial institutions to make sure they’re meeting regulator and public expectations,” says Beaumont.
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Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
New Zealand Bankers’ Association members have committed $1 million to the Our People, Our City Fund, which will meet the immediate and long term needs of the families most directly affected.
The New Zealand banking industry has donated $1 million to those affected by the 15 March shooting in Christchurch that claimed the lives of 50 people.
The banking industry has today contributed $1 million to the Christchurch Foundation’s Our People, Our City Fund to meet the long and short term needs of the families most affected by Friday’s terror attacks.
New Zealand Bankers’ Association chair David McLean said the industry shared the sense of shock of all New Zealanders and wants to support the families now and in the future.
“The banking industry is appalled by the horrific attacks in Christchurch on Friday and stands alongside Cantabrians at this terrible time.”
Finance Minister Grant Robertson acknowledged the “generous contribution” from New Zealand’s banks to support families who are going through immeasurable grief and suffering.
“This stands alongside the generosity of individual New Zealanders supporting the people affected by this attack,” Grant Robertson said.
David McLean said the contribution came from across the banking sector.
“New Zealand Bankers’ Association members have committed $1 million to the Our People, Our City Fund, which will meet the immediate and long term needs of the families most directly affected. New Zealanders can join us in donating to this important cause. Donations can be made at most banks around New Zealand.
“Those who have lost loved ones should contact their bank to see how they can be best supported during this difficult time.”
Amy Carter, chief executive of the Christchurch Foundation, welcomed this initiative.
“The Christchurch Foundation is pleased to be working with the NZBA and its members to support the families of this tragic event, both now and into the future. A contribution of this scale is incredibly generous. Thank you to the banks and the NZBA.”
The account number to donate to is: 15-3976-0091104-80. Donations can be made online or at most bank branches.
The banking industry’s contribution to the Our People, Our City Fund has been made in accordance with Islamic principles and in consultation with the Muslim community.
More information about the Christchurch Foundation is available here:
https://christchurchfoundation.org.nz/
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