Out damn loan sharks
Negating the temptation to turn to loan sharks was one of the motivations behind last week’s launch of a mobile BNZ branch in Kaikohe. The vehicle will offer banking services in Kawakawa, Paihia, Ra¯ wene, O¯ pononi, Cooper’s Beach and Mangonui.
BNZ Chief Customer Officer Paul Carter said the aim was to give Northland customers the chance to have “a quality face-to-face conversation with one of our people” to discuss their finances, learn how to use the bank’s digital services and Smart ATMs, and sort things like PIN numbers for cards.
The Mobile BNZ would attend events but would not carry cash. It would also facilitate access to BNZ’s Community Finance programme, run in partnership with Good Shepherd New Zealand, that offered access to no- and low-interest loans.
“We want to rid communities of loan sharks, who prey on our most vulnerable, by offering a much better alternative.”