Safe Exit

Banks are broadening their approach to financial wellbeing.

Many now have specialist customer care teams that can provide you with tailored support. 

The banks listed below have publicly available information about economic harm and/or family violence. 

If your bank isn’t listed here, it will still have someone you can talk to about economic harm. Contact your bank directly to talk to someone about your situation.

Getting Support

Getting Support

Banks are broadening their approach to financial wellbeing.

Many now have specialist customer care teams that can provide you with tailored support. 

The banks listed below have publicly available information about economic harm and/or family violence. 

If your bank isn’t listed here, it will still have someone you can talk to about economic harm. Contact your bank directly to talk to someone about your situation.

Shielded sites

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.

Click here to learn more about The Shielded Site project

BNZ

Life moments

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We partner with BNZ to provide Good Loans for people on limited incomes.

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
  • Learn more

    Domestic and economic harm banking response

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    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.
    Learn more

    Monitoring accounts

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    BNZ is also monitoring 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.
    Learn more

    Kiwibank

    Information

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    Kiwibank provides information about managing your money, savings and debt, experiencing financial hardship, as well as information about financial and elder abuse - which includes recognising abuse, keeping safe online, setting up and access to accounts, and where to get help.
    Learn more

    Exceptional circumstances support

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    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.

    No interest loans

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    We have partnered with Kiwibank to provide no-interest loans through Aviva, a family violence agency in Christchurch, as part of supporting families to become free from family violence.
    Learn more

    ASB

    Support finder

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    By answering a few questions in ASB’s mobile banking app, the Support Finder can help connect you with the government benefits and services you may be eligible for.
    Learn more

    Elder abuse

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    ASB provides its 'Safe and Savvy' guide to help older people avoid abuse, scams and fraud.
    Learn more

    Family violence

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    ASB’s guide Family violence: Impact of the Covid-19 provides information what financial abuse is and how to get support.
    Learn more

    Westpac

    Navigating trying times

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    As well as being a Shielded Site, they have information and support for financial hardship, separation, family violence, financial abuse and elder abuse under navigating trying times.

    Westpac also has a 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.
    Learn more

    Life and money

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    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
  • Learn more

    ANZ

    Financial wellbeing

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    ANZ provides a section on financial wellbeing, which 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.
    Learn more

    Exceptional circumstances support

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    ANZ is also working closely with Women’s Refuge to support women 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.
    Learn more

    Did you find this useful?

    We are a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the financial and social wellbeing of New Zealanders.
    The resources on this website are provided free of charge to make sure they are available for people who need them.
    If your organisation found these resources helpful, please consider making a donation to ensure we can continue supporting those people who need our help.

    You can also make a donation, or set up a recurring donation, by contacting us directly

    accounts@toolkit.goodshepherd.org.nz

     
     
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    We provide loans for essential items but not for cash, vacations, or normal household bills like food or future rent.

    To apply for one of our Good Loans you must be:

    STOP - Please confirm your eligibility

    We provide loans for essential items but not for cash, vacations, or normal household bills like food or future rent.

    To apply for one of our Good Loans you must be: