Bank Of New Zealand Announces Details Of A Million Dollar Plus Programme Of Support For Christchurch

Bank of New Zealand today announced a million dollar plus programme of support for the Christchurch region following yesterday’s earthquake.

BNZ CEO Andrew Thorburn said “We have provided a million dollars to donate to the region over the next few months. We’ve been talking to our staff, customers and local aid agencies in Christchurch to understand what we can do that will be genuinely useful and make a difference.

“We understand from talking to local support services that for many families provision of food, shelter and clothing is key, particularly with a forecast of bad weather. We have today donated $250,000 each to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross who are working locally to supply practical and immediate support. We’ve also spoken with Foodstuffs locally and agreed to work with them to provide food vouchers.

“Early feedback also said access to cash was key and we’ve had teams across the bank working to ensure as much of the ATM network as possible is available.” Currently 44 ATM’s are available and the list of those sites is on the BNZ website. Some BNZ stores will be opening this week, full details of which stores are open can be found on the website.

“Over the next three months all BNZ staff in the region will be given 5 additional paid volunteer leave days so that they can provide practical help in their communities.” Thorburn said.

In addition BNZ are offering a customer assistance package that will include waiving fees associated with restructuring debt, suspension of some payments for three months, extension of facilities, increased limits and more. Full details are available on the BNZ website.

A staff assistance package is also available.

Summary of assistance programme:

A one million dollar donation comprised of an immediate donation of;

$250,000 donation to the Salvation Army

$250,000 donation to the Red Cross

Foodstuffs vouchers

Assistance package for customers

Assistance package for staff

Five additional days paid volunteer leave over the next three months to work in the community.

ENDS

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