Banking system frequently asked questions
Q. Where do I find a list of New Zealand banks?
A. There is a list of banks registered in New Zealand in the Banking System area of this website. All banks operating here must be registered with the Reserve Bank and are required by law to disclose their financial condition each quarter.
Q. Does the Reserve Bank offer bank accounts or credit cards?
A. No, we don’t. We suggest you contact a New Zealand registered bank or financial institution.
Q. Where do I find information about the market share of a bank?
A. The Reserve Bank does not supply any information on the market share of banks. We suggest you contact the bank concerned if you wish to find out this sort of information.
Q. How are NZ banks supervised?
A. See the section Banking System Oversight on this website.
Q. Where can you obtain a copy of a bank's disclosure statements?
A bank's Key Information Summary is displayed in, and available (free of charge) from each bank branch or agency. A bank is also required to make available or display a Key Information Summary on its internet web site, if it has one which includes any information which is primarily directed at its New Zealand customers, or potential customers.
A bank's General Disclosure Statement and Supplemental Disclosure Statement are available on request, free of charge, from any of its branches or agencies within five working days, or immediately if a request is made at a bank's head office. The Reserve Bank does not supply copies of disclosure statements. However we do offer a pamphlet Your bank's disclosure statement - what's in it for you.
Q. How do I register a bank?
A. Read the Banking Supervision Handbook for details.
Q. Does the Reserve Bank offer deposit insurance?
A. No. New Zealand does not have an explicit deposit protection scheme in any shape or form. There are no statutory or regulatory provisions in New Zealand that impede the ability of creditors outside New Zealand from having an equal claim on the assets of a bank incorporated in New Zealand, in the event of that bank's failure.
Q. Where do I find credit card statistics or other financial system data?
A. See the last two questions on the Statistics frequently asked questions page.
