NZ Banking's First-Ever Web Site For Children

Wednesday, 19 June 2002, 9:27 am
Press Release: ANZ Bank

Tuesday 18 June 2002

ANZ Launches NZ Banking's First-Ever Web Site For Children

ANZ has launched a new feature on its web site called "Beany Island" - the first child-specific on-line web site for a New Zealand bank.

Beany Island has been designed to appeal to children by using fun facts and interactive activities and games to teach them about money, saving and how banks work.

Far-removed from the common formal interface and design used by other banks and businesses, the new site employs a group of cartoon style characters to help children navigate around Beany Island.

Beany Island is the next stage of development for the Bank's ANZ Beanstalk account which has proved massively popular since its launch in February 2002. The ANZ Beanstalk account was designed specifically for children under 12 years of age and not only provides children with a fun pack when they open their account but in addition has no transaction or monthly base fees.

ANZ Head of Group Marketing Robin Hickman says ANZ Beanstalk sets more realistic savings targets for children than what has been available in the past, rewarding them with a tiered interest structure and attractive interest rates. "Other than providing some fee waivers for children, most banks have largely neglected children's banking needs," says Ms Hickman. "The ANZ Beanstalk account has been well received, and we are pleased to now be able to offer the first children's banking web site.

"Alongside providing specialist accounts that recognise the unique needs of children Bank's should also take a more proactive approach in educating young New Zealanders about money. We hope that Beany Island and the other educational material that is given to our ANZ Beanstalk customers will get them into good savings and money management habits from a young age."

Visit the Beany Island web site at www.anz.com/nz/beanstalk.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited

Get on top of your money

ANZ has been helping New Zealanders get on top of their money ever since we opened for business in 1840. We were New Zealand's first bank and today we have a large network of full-service branches and ATMs, and talented people across the country.

We're passionate about helping our customers make their money work harder and equipping them to make better financial decisions. Whether it's travelling the world, buying a home, building a business, investing for the future or protecting their family's future, we use our financial strength and expertise to help make it happen.

Through our sponsorships, our Staff Foundation and thousands of staff volunteer hours each year, we support causes that make a difference to New Zealanders.

Contact ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited

• Phone - 0800 269 296
• Website - www.anz.co.nz/personal/
• Join Us - Switch to ANZ
• More about - Home Loans
• More about - Credit Cards
• More about - Personal Loans
• More about - Business Banking
• Work it out - Mortgage Calculators