Summary of submissions and next steps
This consultation closed on 25 September 2023.
We intend to publish submissions and a summary of submissions before the end of 2023.
In between our formal consultations, we will continue engaging the banking sector on our policy and operational development through bilateral meetings and workshops. You can also email us at [email protected].
About the consultation
The Deposit Takers Act (DTA) modernises New Zealand’s regulatory framework to help ensure the safety and soundness of deposit takers.
The legislation also introduces a new Depositor Compensation Scheme (DCS) so depositors can have confidence their deposits, in the event of a deposit taker failure, are eligible for compensation up to $100,000 per depositor, per institution. The DCS will be funded by an industry levy set by the Minister of Finance and will be prioritised ahead of the rest of the legislation coming into effect, with the DCS intended to commence by late 2024. We are undertaking this consultation to support the introduction of the DCS.
Find out more about the DTA and how the DCS protects depositors
What we asked for feedback on
We asked for feedback on 2 key issues to support the introduction of the DCS:
- Statement of Funding Approach
- Levy Framework
Statement of Funding Approach
Treasury is leading the Statement of Funding Approach (SoFA) consultation. The DTA requires the Minister of Finance to publish a SoFA for the DCS at least every 5 years. The SoFA is the funding strategy for the DCS, and will set out its:
- estimated costs
- a target size for the DCS fund (if any)
- the timeframe to reach this target
- requirements for the investment of the fund, and
- a proposed approach to managing the Crown’s financial position on the DCS.
Levy Framework
The Reserve Bank is leading the Levy Framework consultation. The Levy Framework consultation paper asked for feedback on approaches to setting the deposit taker levy to build up the DCS fund over time in line with the SoFA. Such approaches include risk-based levies or flat-rate levies applied to protected deposit amounts. We also asked for feedback on determining a proxy for protected deposit amounts in the early years of the DCS.
Why we asked for feedback
This consultation feedback will help to ensure a robust funding approach and Levy Framework is in place to ensure the DCS can meet the commitment to protect depositors. This will contribute to a well-functioning, resilient, and efficient financial system by increasing public confidence in the financial system and preventing depositors from facing hardship in the unlikely event their deposit taker fails.
Working with the Treasury
The Reserve Bank and Treasury have worked closely together on this consultation. As the DCS funding strategy and Levy Framework are related matters, the Treasury and Reserve Bank will share submissions from each consultation. People who wanted to make submissions on both the Treasury’s statement of funding consultation paper and the Reserve Bank’s Levy Framework consultation paper could send both submissions to either agency.
Consultation materials
Read the SoFA consultation paper on the Treasury website
Levy Framework consultation paper (PDF, 745KB)