Last call for cheques at Kiwibank
Kiwibank is encouraging customers to bank any remaining cheques before it goes cheque-free from the end of the month.
After announcing last May that it was phasing out cheque acceptance, the bank says it has seen a steady decline in the number of customers writing cheques.
With four weeks left, the bank is urging people to make any cheque-related deposits before February 28.
After that, customers will have to contact the cheque’s issuer and ask them to pay cash or make an electronic payment to a bank account. ‘‘If you receive regular payments by cheque, we suggest you contact the issuer to set up a direct payment,’’ Kiwibank chief customer officer Mark Stephens said.
Cheque use has declined significantly as customers move to faster, electronic forms of banking, although most major banks have indicated they will still process cheques for a fee.
BNZ announced last July that it would no longer send out cheque books automatically but they were still available on request. Inland Revenue stopped accepting post-dated cheques for tax payments last February.
More than 1800 customers had worked with Kiwibank staff to move to other forms of payment options, Stephens said.
‘‘Over the nine-month transition period we have contacted all known cheque users and we continue to work with those still using them to ensure they are ready for the change.’’ However, there were those who might receive a once-a-year bonus or dividend payment by cheque.
‘‘We would like to remind our customers cheques are not legal tender in New Zealand, they are instead a method of payment,’’ Stephens said.
‘‘If you owe someone money or want to pay for some goods or services, the receiver is not obliged to accept a cheque. Cash, as in notes or coins, are the only legal tender in Aotearoa.’’
Kiwibank teamed up with Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa to hold online banking courses around the country and supported Dora (Digital on Road Access), a wifi-enabled bus that provides online banking training in more remote communities.