The bank stepped up for small businesses at an "incredibly difficult" time, general manager says
ANZ has swept the awards at Canstar’s Bank of the Year awards, showing that the bank was a highly valued partner for small business owners in New Zealand.
ANZ won Bank of the Year, Small Business; Bank of Year Business Credit Cards; and Most Satisfied Customers Merchant Services, Small Business.
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“Through this time of stress and uncertainty, ANZ clearly stepped up for small business,” said Jose George, Canstar New Zealand general manager. “Our research shows how incredibly difficult the last few years have been, but many small businesses are now looking to the future and how they can evolve and thrive in this changed world.”
Canstar’s annual small business survey, part of the analysis to find SME owners’ best banking partners, revealed that a quarter of New Zealand’s small business owners plan to expand their business over the next year, with many also looking to improve their technology and hire staff, despite concerns about cashflow and an uncertain economic forecast.
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Lorraine Mapu, ANZ managing director for business banking, said the bank was committed to supporting and helping grow New Zealand businesses.
“We value the trust placed in us by our customers and it is wonderful to see our support for small businesses recognised with these three Canstar awards,” Mapu said. “COVID-19 had been tough on many businesses and their owners, and we’ve seen real strength and resilience from the sector.”
Mapu said that over the past year, ANZ’s team of business bankers has proactively engaged with over 10,000 small business customers, to understand what support they need as New Zealand emerges from the pandemic.
“We found a significant number had outgrown their existing arrangements and were eager to scale up,” Mapu said. “Confidence is coming back, and we are seeing that translate into investment.”
