- The New Zealand Bankers’ Association says borrowers whose repayments were deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are still struggling, may get an additional temporary payment deferral, have the term of the loan extended to reduce repayments, or be moved to interest-only repayments for a period.
- New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said: “Banks are working closely with the few affected customers who still need help to get back on track.”
- “Banks make their own individual risk-based assessments on all lending applications on a case-by-case basis. This will take into account the risk and security of the asset.”
- The banks themselves support the dashboard and whistle-blowing service, with both projects having the backing of bank lobby group the New Zealand Bankers’ Association, the Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank.
- “During the Covid-19 lockdowns, banks helped thousands of New Zealanders get better at using online and mobile banking. Those customers aren’t looking back. However, we know that some customers still prefer face-to-face banking, and that’s what this banking hub trial is designed to test.”
- New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said: “Branches are closing in some regional communities due to lack of demand. These changes are occurring because customers are banking differently – they can go online, call their bank or use an app.”
- “There’s no single solution to our current housing affordability issues, which is a complex challenge,” said Beaumont. “Potential responses include addressing both supply and demand issues. Today’s announcement is more about managing the demand side, and what mechanisms the Reserve Bank has available to do that.
- NZBA chief executive Roger Beaumont said the hub trials will run for 12 months and “Only then will we be able to assess if the communities where the trials are based found them useful, and whether they could form the basis of banking services in places where branches are no longer viable due to lack... Read more »
- New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said customers now preferred other ways of banking and the branches were no longer viable, “In some cases there may be fewer than 10 customers a day in these branches. That’s simply unsustainable.”
