Westpac NZ Becomes First Bank to Accept Zespri Shares as Lending Security
Westpac NZ has become the first New Zealand bank to receive approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to secure and leverage kiwifruit growers' Zespri shares.
The new van joins two others already in service in Canterbury and Southland as part of the bank's attempts to improve face-to-face banking services in regional New Zealand.
It will make regular visits to Paihia, Kawakawa, Mangawhai, Waipu and Wellsford with specially trained bankers on board to provide customers with non-cash services including opening accounts, loan applications, support with using onine channels assisting with various other enquiries.
Helen Ryder, Westpac NZ's managing director consumer banking & wealth, says the bank is excited to be launching its third van.
"Online banking continues to grow in popularity, but there will always be times when customers prefer to chat to a banker face-to-face," Ryder says.
She says the community banking vans allow the bank to provide that support to smaller communities, adding that "it's great to be launching this service in Northland".
"This is our first van in the North Island and I know our bankers are really looking forward to connecting with people in the communities they’ll be visiting," Ryder says.
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“We see the community banking vans as complementing our extensive regional branch network, which is the joint-largest of the country’s four major banks. Another way we provide support is through our community banking services in public spaces such as libraries and community centres throughout the country.”
Ryder says the Southland and Canterbury van services have proved popular within the communities they visit.
“The Southland van has been on the road since May 2025 and we continue to get lots of positive feedback.
“Our Canterbury service launched last month so it’s still relatively early days, but again the local communities have told us they’re really happy we’re there and we’re seeing customers visit us for help with everything from opening accounts through to support with using online banking.
“We want to help customers to connect with us in the way that best suits them, whether that’s online, in one of our branches or by visiting a van or other community banking service,” she says.
For full details of locations and schedules for all Westpac community banking services, visit http://www.westpac.co.nz/personal/ways-to-bank/community-banking.
