Are you a student going to study in New Zealand? Are you wishing to open a local bank account in New Zealand? If the answer to both these questions is yes, then this blog is for you! The Cooperative Bank, NZ has a history of providing top facilities to its customers. Along with top Tertiary and student accounts, low-fee and low-interest credit cards, as well as affordable mortgage and personal loan rates, there is much more to like. This article contains all the information you need to open an account in New Zealand, including the actions to take before doing so, as well as the benefits of doing so.
| Bank Type | Cooperative Bank |
| Account Fee | NA |
| Limit for interest-free overdraft | NZ$1,000 |
| Interest rates of personal loans | 6.99 – 17.75% p.a. |
| Transfer Fee | No Transfer Fee |
Must Read: STUDENT LOAN FOR NEW ZEALAND
Table of contents
About Cooperative Bank
The Cooperative Bank, NZ is owned by its customers in New Zealand. It offers regular banking services, small business banking, deposits, savings, loans, insurance, and loans. The Co-operative Bank, NZ which was founded in 1928 as the Public Service Investment Society before changing its name to PSIS, became a registered bank in October 2011. In New Zealand, the bank had about 161,000 customers as of 2017.
The Bank is a co-operative, and as such, its members own it. The bank’s primary goal is to serve its members. The Cooperative Bank returned $2.1 million in excess profit to its clients in July 2019. It has returned more than $12 million to its members since 2013.
Advantages of Having an Account in Cooperative Bank, NZ
These banks provide a number of benefits, including giving underserved areas access to banking services. Let’s examine some of the main benefits of cooperative banking in more detail now:
1. Alternative Source of Loans: Cooperative banks serve rural communities by offering loans at lower rates than traditional lenders, who typically charge higher rates of interest. As a result, the students are shielded from the money lenders’ monopoly.
2. Promotes Savings and Investment: Cooperative banking has made it possible for rural residents and international students to invest their money more instead of hoarding it. Long-term advantages for the rural population’s financial management will result from this.
3. Improvement in Farming Practices: Because cooperative banks’ loans have lower interest rates, rural residents can now use those funds to improve their farming practices, such as by buying seeds, chemical fertilisers, and other inputs.
4. Easy Access with varieties of services: One of the oldest and most reputable banks, Co-operative Bank has a 95-year relationship with its customers. It offers a conventional banking system that is simple to use for clients of all ages. Through a network of 34 locations located around New Zealand and an ATM network, the bank offers a broad range of banking and financial services.
Must Read: EVERYTHING ABOUT FTS ACCOUNT NEW ZEALAND
Types of Accounts in NZ
Both domestic and foreign students in New Zealand have access to a variety of accounts.
- Current account: With a current account, you can put your money safely with the bank and get access to it anytime you need to. You should use them to pay your bills, buy groceries, or go out to dine since they are made for everyday use. Along with a current account, you’ll typically get a debit card that allows you to purchase at stores all throughout New Zealand and withdraw cash from ATMs. Over half of all transactions in the country use debit cards, which are extremely common.
- Student bank account: Some banks provide unique accounts with all the advantages of current accounts plus a few extra bonuses that are intended just for students. You won’t often be charged any additional service or transaction fees, which can total quite a bit of money in normal circumstances. In specific circumstances, you can also request for an overdraft with no interest.
- International student bank account: International student bank accounts provide identical services to normal student bank accounts, with the exception that you cannot request an interest-free overdraft and that you are entitled to benefits that are only available to international students.
- Savings account: If you’ll have access to bigger amounts of money, opening a savings account in addition to a current account is a smart option. By saving a portion of your income each week, you may establish healthy financial habits and earn more on your deposits because these accounts typically have higher interest rates.
Relevant Read: CHEAPEST INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER: FROM AUSTRALIA, UK, USA, IRELAND AND OTHER TOP COUNTRIES
How to open an account
It is simple to open a bank account in New Zealand from abroad, but once you get there, you’ll need to go to a branch to activate it. When managing procedures in New Zealand, non-residents and international students are often required to show proof of their visas.
As an international student, if you want to open an account with Cooperative Bank, you need to visit a bank branch in New Zealand. To make your process easy, follow the steps below:
- Visit the nearest cooperative bank branch in Newzerkad.
- Further, you should contact a branch manager or any associate of the cooperative bank who can help you open an account.
- Bring your passport, student visa, address proof, and passport-size photographs for verification.
- Lastly, fill out the application form for opening a student account, and your account will successfully open.
Documents Required
Here is the list of mandatory documents that you need to have with you at the time of your visit to the branch for account opening.
- A copy of a valid Passport
- Proof of Address
- IRD Number (Inland Revenue Department)
- Passport
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter’s Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India
- The letter of acceptance is evidence that you are enrolled in a university in New Zealand.
Must Read: ANZ INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER: TIME, RATES, LIMIT, DETAILS, PROCESS
Pros and cons of Co-operative Bank
| Pros | Cons |
| Send money via phone, online, or in-branch. | There is a 4% exchange rate premium. |
| Transfers made via SWIFT can be made practically anywhere in the world. | Transfers made outside of the EEA and the US are subject to intermediary fees. |
| SEPA payments are free, but there will be a markup based on the exchange rate. | Low-cost USD payments may take 5 days, and SWIFT transfers may take 4 days. |
Important Things to Know Before Banking NZ
Few New Zealanders pay for everything with cash. Many people use Internet banking to make direct transfers for bill payments. Here are some things you should be aware of, as an international student, before banking in New Zealand.
- Most banks immediately issue EFTPOS cards. Even if your name may not be embossed on the card, you can use it right away.
- Additionally, in New Zealand, you need a strong credit rating to be approved for a credit card or to borrow money. You will be required to provide proof of your credit history. The documentation required to demonstrate your creditworthiness can be discussed with your New Zealand bank.
- Since the 1980s, when the government embraced free market principles, the New Zealand dollar has undergone significant fluctuations.
- Lastly, in New Zealand, the majority of bank accounts offer interest on credit balances. Interest is paid at a higher rate on term deposits and savings accounts.
Relevant Read: HOW TO PAY YOUR UNIVERSITY FEES BY WORKING 20 HOURS/WEEK?
FAQs
Ans. Cooperative banks have a number of advantages, some of which are listed below:
As a result, the rural populace is shielded from the money lenders’ monopoly.
Students can now invest and save more thanks to cooperative banking, rather than hoarding their money. Long-term advantages for the rural population’s financial management will result from this.
Ans. New Zealand’s Best Bank Accounts are as follows:
ANZ Bank.
ASB.
BNZ.
Kiwibank.
Rabobank.
SBS
Ans. When dealing with formalities in New Zealand, non-residents are frequently required to present documentation of their visas. It is very simple to open a bank account in New Zealand from abroad, but once you get there, you’ll need to go to a branch to activate it.
Stay in tune with FlyFinance to stay informed about study abroad loans and international money transfers. Lastly, if you are interested in studying abroad, avail of these services by connecting with us at 1800 572 126.
