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Not for syndication
BNZ is withdrawing checks by July of next year.
BNZ is giving its clients just over a year ‘s notice of its decision to eliminate checks.
The bank said it would no longer accept checks starting in July 2021.
By then, it would work with clients to ensure they had alternative ways of accessing banking services.
“The number of customers using checks has steadily declined in the past five years and the increasing use of online and digital services during the closing period has accelerated that decline,” said director of customer service Paul Carter.
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“We are giving ourselves and our clients many clues to work with and our teams will proactively work with clients over the next 12 months to help them understand the transition and available support options.
“We have workarounds for most services that traditionally use checks, and we will make sure that by July 2021 next year, everyone who uses checks has an alternative way to access banking services.”
ANZ said it also planned to remove controls over the next year, but had not confirmed the timing.
A bank spokeswoman said check usage had dropped 20 percent on-year between 201’7 and 2018 and had dropped from there. Fewer than 1 percent of ANZ customers used checks regularly.
Kiwibank stopped accepting checks in late February.
In a statement, Westpac said it did not have a specific schedule for the gradual elimination of checks, but its use had been declining for many years.
“We have been actively supporting our customers and communities to switch to digital payments, which can be faster, safer, and cheaper than check payments. We will continue to review all the ways we help our customers meet their needs. banking. “
ASB has been reached for comment.
