Getting support from banks
Banks are broadening their approach to financial wellbeing.
Many now have specialist customer care teams that can provide you with tailored support.
Many banks have publicly available information about economic harm and/or family violence. If your bank isn’t listed below, it will still have someone you can talk to about economic harm.
Contact your bank directly to talk to someone about your situation.
Find immediate safety information on a Shielded Site
BNZ, Westpac, ANZ and ASB all have a support feature called The Shielded Site.
A Shielded Site means there is an icon at the bottom of every webpage that provides a link to immediate safety information for family violence and economic harm. This includes confidential online chat support if needed, with a specialist family violence service – that leaves no evidence on your device.
If you need to use it, simply click on the shield icon at the bottom of the webpage.
Learn more about The Shielded Site project, including information and confidential online chat support.
Get support from BNZ
Find information on different life moments
As well as being a Shielded Site, the BNZ website provides information about different ‘Life Moments’ including financial difficulty and hardship.
It also includes information on:
- Starting out
- Managing money
- Becoming a couple
- Investing for the future.
Read more about BNZ’s life moments.
Find out about BNZ’s domestic and economic harm banking response
We have been working with BNZ and family violence agencies to pilot BNZ’s dedicated domestic and economic harm banking response. This specialist team works closely with external services to provide a pathway to support.
Read more about what to do when you’re experiencing financial difficulty – BNZ.
How BNZ responds to banking transactions that include abusive comments
BNZ monitors banking transactions that include abusive comments that may be used as a way of threatening, intimidating or harassing other customers.
Its customers who receive payments with abusive messages are encouraged to contact the bank to report them. The bank has a range of responses to deal with this behaviour including cancelling banking services in extreme cases.
Read more about how BNZ tackles abusive transactions.
Get support from Kiwibank
Find tools, guides and resources
Kiwibank provides information about managing your money, savings and debt, experiencing financial hardship, and information about financial and elder abuse. This includes recognising abuse, keeping safe online, setting up and access to accounts, and where to get help.
Find out more about Kiwibank’s Thrive HQ tools, guides and resources.
Get exceptional circumstances support
If you are unable to provide the necessary ID or proof of address required when opening a new personal bank account with Kiwibank, there is an exemption process available for exceptional circumstances – such as economic harm or family violence.
Although there is no guarantee that the application will be approved it is certainly worth contacting them for a chat.
Get support from ASB
Connect with eligible government benefits and services
By answering a few questions, ASB’s Support Finder can help connect you with the government benefits and services you may be eligible for.
Try ASB’s Support Finder.
Help older people avoid abuse, scams and fraud
You can find out how to help older people avoid abuse, scams and fraud in ASB’s ‘Safe and Savvy’ guide.
Find out about family violence and financial abuse
You can find information about what financial abuse is and how to get support on the ASB website.
Get support from Westpac
Find information to help you navigate trying times
As well as being a Shielded Site, Westpac have information and support for financial hardship, separation, family violence, financial abuse and elder abuse.
Westpac also has an Extra Care Programme that provides extra support and information for people who approach the bank with significant life challenges, including family violence and economic harm.
Read more about navigating trying times – Westpac.
Find information on life and money
Westpac provides information about ‘Life Moments’ to help customers understand different stages of life.
It includes information on:
- Starting out
- Setting up for life
- Getting back on your feet financially
- Managing unplanned moments.
Read more about life and money – Westpac.
Get support from ANZ
Find information on financial wellbeing
ANZ’s information on financial wellbeing includes a questionnaire and rating score to let you know how you are doing financially, along with additional information and support for financial difficulties and hardship.
Read more about financial wellbeing – ANZ.
Get support with exceptional circumstances
ANZ works with Women’s Refuge to support women to become more financially independent and escape domestic violence.
It has made account opening procedures more flexible, allowing women referred by Women’s Refuge to set up an account if they don’t have a copy of their ID or have no permanent address.
Listen to Women’s Refuge: