BNZ

Office address: Level 4, 80 Queen Street, Auckland City, Auckland, 1010
Website: www.bnz.co.nz
Year established: 1861
Company type: banking
Employees: 5,000+
Expertise: personal banking, business banking, institutional banking, private bank, home loans, credit cards, KiwiSaver, investments, personal loans, insurance, travel and foreign exchange, mortgage advice
Parent company: National Australia Bank
Key people: Dan Huggins (MD and CEO), Anna Flower (executive), Penny Ford (executive), Karna Luke (executive), Dean Schmidt (executive), Kate Skinner (executive), Peter MacGillivray (executive and CFO)
Financing status: N/A

Bank of New Zealand, headquartered in Auckland, is one of New Zealand's biggest banks with 160 years of service. Employing over 5,000 people, the bank provides personal, business, institutional, and private banking. Reporting a $762 million profit for the six months ending 31 March 2024, their mission is to help New Zealanders navigate towards a better future.

History of BNZ

BNZ was established in 1861, opening its first office on Queen Street, Auckland, and a second in New Plymouth the same year. In 1862, it acquired the central Government account from the Union Bank. During World War I, over 50% of the bank’s staff enlisted in the Expeditionary Forces and were reinstated to their positions post-war.

In 1992, the bank was acquired by National Australia Bank (NAB), becoming its subsidiary while retaining local governance. By the late 1990s, the firm moved its head office to Auckland, launched Internet Banking, and introduced BNZ Private Banking. By June 2022, it had grown to become the second-largest bank in New Zealand.

Products and Services of BNZ

The bank offers a range of financial products and services tailored to various needs. Key offerings include:

• home loan: options include fixed rate, floating rate, offsetting, and revolving credit to suit different borrower preferences
• first home buyers: specialised support and products designed to assist individuals purchasing their first home
• property investment: financial solutions and advice for those investing in real estate
• manage your loan: tools and services to help customers effectively manage their home loans
• calculators: online calculators to help estimate mortgage payments and other financial calculations
• personal loans: unsecured loans for personal needs, such as education or renovations
• insurance: comprehensive insurance products to protect assets and financial well-being
• business banking: tailored banking services and products for small to large businesses
• institutional banking: financial services designed for large institutions and corporations

In addition to these offerings, BNZ places a strong emphasis on online security. The bank provides resources to help customers avoid tax scams and recognise fraudulent activities, ensuring their financial safety in the digital age.

Culture at BNZ

BNZ is dedicated to serving customers and helping communities prosper through strong values, diverse teams, and exceptional people. From personal banking to global business, they proudly support customers and communities across New Zealand. The bank embodies their Mātāpono principles daily, ensuring their work reflects these values, and provides staff benefits including:

• Life at BNZ: wellness platform, resilience tools, counselling service, vaccinations, inclusions
• leave: six weeks' annual leave, 26 weeks' parental leave, enhanced sick leave, bereavement leave
• flexibility: flexible agreements, schedules, locations, and dress codes
• Nau Mai ki te Pēke o Aotearoa: a welcoming and proud culture supporting New Zealanders
• high-performance team: supportive environment focused on getting things done right while having fun

The bank is committed to the country's social, cultural, and financial wellbeing, giving back to communities, fostering involvement, and celebrating diversity. Their participation in events where thousands of New Zealanders come together highlights their dedication to Aotearoa's cultural and ethnic diversity. Their initiatives reflect this commitment:

• Diwali Festival: attracts over 60,000 people annually in Auckland
• Lantern Festival: marks Chinese New Year, attracting over 170,000 attendees in Auckland
• Breakers: Aotearoa's club in the Australian National Basketball League
• Northern Kāhu: supports young women in basketball
• Kiwi Hoops: introduces basketball to 26,000 kids annually

BNZ’s sustainability vision is to build a resilient, regenerative, and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand. Their strategy, Te Pae Tawhiti, focuses on kaitiakitanga (caring for the environment) and manaakitanga (caring for people). The bank's commitment is evident in their initiatives:

• Kaitiakitanga: accelerating the transition to a net zero emissions economy and supporting environmental regeneration
• Manaakitanga: growing financial wellbeing, driving digital inclusion, and supporting resilient housing
• building an inclusive workplace: promoting diversity, gender equality, and empowerment
• BNZ Foundation: supporting charities and social enterprises to enhance biodiversity and financial wellbeing

The bank is committed to being the best bank for shareholders and customers, operating under the NAB Group. Governed locally by a fully empowered board, the company adheres to strict regulatory standards. This governance ensures customer protection and compliance with laws against financial crime.

About BNZ CEO Dan Huggins and Key People

Dan Huggins serves as BNZ's managing director and CEO since October 2021. He held significant roles at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, McKinsey & Company, Fonterra, and ASB. Huggins holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and a masters of engineering management from Northwestern University.

The key people assisting the CEO in operating and leading the company include:

• Anna Flower, serving as an executive, personal and business banking, focuses on delivering tailored banking solutions for individuals and businesses
• Penny Ford, as an executive, corporate and institutional banking, manages relationships and services for large corporate clients and institutions
• Karna Luke, an executive, customer, products and services, oversees customer experience and the development of banking products
• Dean Schmidt, acting as executive, commercial services and responsible business, ensures the bank's commercial operations align with responsible business practices
• Kate Skinner, as an executive, digital, data and analytics, leads the bank's digital transformation and data strategy
• Peter MacGillivray, an executive and CFO, manages the bank's financial operations and strategy

The Future at BNZ

BNZ remains resilient amid economic challenges, reporting strong financial results for the recent period. The bank saw growth in lending and deposits, with significant investments in personnel and digital capabilities. CEO Dan Huggins emphasised the company's commitment to supporting customers through high interest rates and cost of living pressures.

The bank has partnered with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to launch a framework facilitating housing on iwi land, supporting Māori homeownership. This initiative will help hapū members secure home loans for housing projects. The project marks a significant step towards the company’s goal of fostering community development and supporting families, as detailed in their recent collaboration.