Kiwibank branches out

By KEVIN TAYLOR

Kiwibank will start the second phase of its branch rollout next week.

The state-owned bank has already opened 140 branches in NZ Post corporate stores, and the next phase involves at least 100 more branches in post franchises.

Although some franchises objected to having a branch because of the potential cost to their businesses, it appears many have now come on board after NZ Post sweetened its deal to pay fit-out costs.

Over a fortnight from next Tuesday, 21 franchise branches will open throughout the country.

Kiwibank chief executive Sam Knowles said that by the end of next month the bank would have the largest bank branch network in New Zealand.

He said the bank was now moving back into places which had lost branches in recent years, including towns in the Wairarapa, Canterbury and the Far North.

nzherald.co.nz/kiwibank