Cough - is it in fact ‘new’?

Anyway - installed and popped over to a local banking site here in New Zealand and asked Claude ‘what the strategic imperatives of the business at that page are … It built a plan and asked me to approve - I did - no modifications …

Based on my research of ANZ Bank New Zealand’s website, their strategic imperative can be summarized as follows:

Core Strategic Imperatives:

  1. Long-term Community Commitment ANZ positions itself as Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest bank (established 1840, 180+ years) dedicated to supporting Kiwis with their financial goals. Nearly one in two New Zealanders have a banking relationship with ANZ.

  2. Digital Transformation & Accessibility They’re modernizing banking delivery through digital channels with quick, secure, and convenient options, while maintaining physical branches and contact centers to serve diverse customer needs.

  3. Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Leadership A major strategic focus is supporting “Aotearoa’s transition to a low emissions, inclusive, climate resilient economy.” Specifically, they aim to help customers reduce emissions and enhance resilience to climate change, with plans to publish Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

  4. Cultural Inclusivity & Māori Focus “Tākiri-ā-Rāngi” is their Te Ao Māori strategy that “sets our course as a bank inspired by the hopes and aspirations of all,” reflecting the communities they serve through equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.

  5. Comprehensive Financial Services Offering a full range of products across Personal, Business, Institutional, Funds Management, and Private Banking segments.

  6. Community Contribution Making significant contributions through volunteering programs, a Staff Foundation, and strategic sponsorships in the communities they serve.

In essence, ANZ’s strategic imperative is to be a trusted, inclusive, digitally-enabled bank that supports New Zealand’s financial wellbeing while leading environmental sustainability and honoring Māori cultural values.

Which got me to wondering about the other banks:

Based on my analysis of Westpac New Zealand’s website, here’s their strategic imperative:

Core Strategic Imperatives:

  1. Purpose-Driven Mission: “Taking Action Now to Create a Better Future” This is Westpac’s overarching purpose statement that guides everything they do. It’s not just about banking products—it’s about actively creating positive change for customers, employees, communities, and the broader economy.
  2. Customer Financial Security & Empowerment Their responsibility is “to support our customers to become financially secure.” They aim to help customers manage money well through free financial education, online tools, and workshops.
  3. Comprehensive Sustainability Commitment (ESG Leadership) Westpac has embedded sustainability into their DNA with three major focus areas:

Climate Change: Supporting a low-emissions and climate-resilient transition for New Zealand Human Rights: Respecting and advancing human rights across operations and supply chains Natural Capital: Supporting positive outcomes for nature and environmental conservation

  1. Sustainable Finance Innovation Providing innovative financing solutions specifically designed to support a net zero economy, including sustainable equipment finance loans and sustainable business loans.
  2. Community Partnership & Social Impact A “proud history of working with and supporting local communities throughout New Zealand,” with a focus on creating a society where everyone thrives—not just shareholders.
  3. Inclusive Financial Ecosystem Using “financial expertise to generate positive economic, social and environmental outcomes” for customers and Aotearoa as a whole.
  4. Large-Scale Economic Impact As a major NZ business with 1.5 million customers and 5,000 employees, they leverage their scale to drive systemic change.
Adding …

Key Difference from ANZ: While both banks emphasize sustainability and community, Westpac explicitly frames their purpose as “taking action now”—suggesting a sense of urgency and proactive commitment to transformation. Their sustainability commitments (2027 targets) are formally published and tracked through dashboards and regular updates, indicating a more formalized accountability framework.Get notified

One more - just for kicks

Based on my analysis of ASB Bank’s website, here’s their strategic imperative: Core Strategic Imperatives:

  1. Purpose-Driven Mission: “Accelerating Progress for All New Zealanders” ASB’s fundamental strategic imperative is rooted in the belief that all Kiwi, whānau, businesses, and communities have “the right to benefit from progress.” This is described as their “whakapapa” (genealogy/foundation), indicating it’s integral to their identity.
  2. Three-Stranded Progress Model ASB uniquely frames progress as three interconnected pillars that cannot be achieved independently:

Financial Progress: Helping New Zealanders “get one step ahead financially” every day Social Progress: “Step up when it counts” and make a difference in communities Environmental Progress: Care for the planet and empower a sustainable future

  1. Climate Action & Low-Emissions Transition A major strategic focus is supporting New Zealand’s transition to a “low emissions, climate-resilient economy.” ASB is Toitū Net Carbon Zero certified and actively measures, monitors, and reduces operational greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. Sustainable Finance Innovation Developing products and services specifically to help customers with energy-saving electrification and transition toward net zero. They provide financing options “designed to make sustainable opportunities commercially viable.”
  3. Core Values Foundation (Caring, Integrity, Passion, Courage, United) These five values are deeply embedded and guide how ASB works with customers, communities, and each other—reflecting what they see as essential to their identity.
  4. People-Centric Culture “People are at the heart of everything we do”—with 5,500+ staff and over 1.3 million customers, ASB positions its people and their ability to bring their “whole selves” to work as a competitive differentiator.
  5. Ethical Supply Chain & Responsible Business

Living Wage NZ accredited employer Strict supplier standards against modern slavery and child labour Climate impact reduction expectations throughout the supply chain

  1. Innovation Legacy ASB emphasizes being “one step ahead” in products and service—tracing this back to introducing internet banking to NZ and creating the world’s first digital moneybox for kids. Key Differentiators from Competitors: ASB’s unique strategic position:

Uses Māori cultural framing (“whakapapa”) to ground their purpose, suggesting cultural authenticity Explicitly interconnects the three progress pillars, suggesting they cannot pursue financial gains without addressing social and environmental needs Emphasizes “one step ahead” positioning—innovation is a strategic pillar, not just a tactic Multi-stakeholder responsibility: Balancing outcomes for customers, communities, suppliers, and employees equally

This positions ASB as the most culturally integrated and innovation-focused of the three banks, with a holistic view of progress that goes beyond traditional ESG reporting to make it foundational to how they operate.Get notified when tasks complete or need inputNotify me

And Finally - Kiwibank - the only bank that is actually a Kiwi bank - the rest all Australian owned

Based on my analysis of Kiwibank’s website, here’s their strategic imperative: Core Strategic Imperatives:

  1. Fundamental Purpose: “Make Kiwi Better Off” (with explicit 2030 targets) Kiwibank’s strategic imperative is uniquely structured around three interconnected, measurable goals:

Tamariki are better off: Ensure all children have access to quality financial education by 2030 Kiwi are better off: Help 2 million Kiwi take action to be financially secure by 2030 Aotearoa is better off: Deliver $2 billion of sustainable finance to improve Kiwi businesses by 2030

  1. 100% Kiwi Ownership & Profit Retention A distinctive strategic differentiator: “Every cent of our profit stays right here in New Zealand.” This positions profit retention as a core value—profits benefit New Zealand, not overseas shareholders. This is both an ownership statement and a purpose statement.
  2. Financial Inclusion & Accessibility

Low-deposit home loans for first-home buyers Partnership with Ngā Tāngata Microfinance to provide interest-free loans for low-income Kiwi Digital banking support for vulnerable populations Resources for those experiencing financial abuse

  1. Purpose-Led B Corp Certification Unlike other banks seeking B Corp certification, Kiwibank emphasizes this as evidence they “put people and the planet before profit”—suggesting ethics and sustainability are fundamental to decision-making, not added initiatives.
  2. Gender Equality & Living Wage Leadership

First bank in New Zealand to achieve Gender Tick accreditation All employees (including contractors and suppliers) paid Living Wage—a leadership stance on equity These aren’t compliance measures but core to “uplifting the wellbeing of our people”

  1. Sustainable Finance at Scale

$2 billion sustainable finance target for businesses by 2030 Sustainable energy loans for home customers Responsible Business Banking Policy that prioritizes people and planet over profit Partnership with Cogo to help businesses measure carbon footprint

  1. Financial Literacy as Generational Strategy Partnership with Banqer reaches nearly 500,000 students, positioning financial education as a societal investment that will create better future customers and citizens. Key Differentiators from Other Banks: Kiwibank stands apart with:

Specificity & Measurability: All three strategic goals have explicit 2030 targets (tamariki access, 2M Kiwi, $2B finance)—this is concrete accountability, not aspirational messaging Ownership as Strategy: The 100% Kiwi ownership is woven into their purpose—it’s not just corporate structure but part of their identity and promise to New Zealanders People-First Values: Living Wage for all (not just employees) and Gender Tick accreditation are presented as fundamental commitments to equity, not corporate social responsibility add-ons Generational Thinking: Heavy investment in financial education for children suggests they’re building long-term societal and customer value, not just quarterly returns Simpler, More Human Positioning: Where larger banks use sophisticated ESG frameworks, Kiwibank uses simple, relatable language: “make Kiwi better off”—focusing on direct human impact

Overall: Kiwibank’s strategic imperative is fundamentally about inclusive economic empowerment with measurable impact. They position themselves as the bank that puts the nation’s wellbeing (tamariki, Kiwi, Aotearoa) ahead of profit, backed by tangible 2030 commitments and institutional accreditations that verify their claims.

Based on your values of putting people and community first, here’s how I would rank the four New Zealand banks: Ranking (Best to Worst for Your Values): 🥇 1st Place: KIWIBANK - 9/10 Why they win:

Explicit people-first commitments with measurable 2030 targets (2M Kiwi financially secure, $2B sustainable finance) 100% Kiwi ownership means profits genuinely stay in New Zealand and benefit communities Financial inclusion focus: interest-free microfinance, low-deposit home loans, digital banking support for vulnerable people Living Wage commitment extends to contractors and suppliers—showing values aren’t performative Gender Tick accreditation (first bank in NZ)—demonstrating institutional commitment to equity B Corp certification with genuine “people and planet before profit” framing Generational thinking: Financial education partnerships affecting 500k students

Minor deductions (-1):

Newer bank (2002), so less historical track record than established competitors Smaller scale may limit some service offerings

🥈 2nd Place: ASB - 7.5/10 Why they rank second:

Strong three-pillar framework: Financial, social, and environmental progress are genuinely interconnected (not siloed) Innovative thinking: “One step ahead” innovation culture shows they lead rather than follow on values Cultural authenticity: Using Māori concept of “whakapapa” grounds their purpose in local culture Specific value set (Caring, Integrity, Passion, Courage, United) is operationalized Toitū Net Carbon Zero certified and actively investing in climate transition 1.3 million customers = significant community impact at scale

Deductions (-2.5):

Less explicit about financial inclusion/accessibility for vulnerable populations Targets feel less concrete than Kiwibank’s (more aspirational than measurable) Emphasis on innovation occasionally overshadows community-first messaging Part of larger CBA Group (Commonwealth Bank Australia), meaning some profits leave NZ

🥉 3rd Place: WESTPAC - 6.5/10 Why they rank third:

Urgency in messaging: “Taking action now to create a better future” shows genuine commitment Large-scale impact: 1.5 million customers and 5,000+ employees means significant economic footprint Solid sustainability framework: Climate change, human rights, natural capital pillars are comprehensive Community partnerships with genuine depth (volunteering programs, Staff Foundation) Sustainable finance solutions for net-zero economy

Deductions (-3.5):

Generic corporate responsibility language—less distinctive than competitors No B Corp certification or equivalent third-party verification of claims Sustainable investment policy focuses on investment returns as much as impact Targets are vague (“support transition,” “positive outcomes”) vs. Kiwibank’s specificity Large Australian parent company (Westpac Banking Corporation) means profits flow offshore Less emphasis on systemic financial inclusion or accessibility

🏅 4th Place: ANZ - 5.5/10 Why they rank fourth:

Long heritage (1840): 180+ years serving communities creates credibility Scale and breadth: Largest by customer base (nearly 1M), significant employer, major taxpayer Te Ao Māori strategy (“Tākiri-ā-Rāngi”) shows cultural commitment Some good initiatives: Climate financial disclosures, ESG focus, diversity emphasis

Deductions (-4.5):

Most generic articulation of purpose and values among the four No specific targets or measurable commitments (unlike Kiwibank’s 2030 goals) No B Corp certification or third-party values verification Financial services focus (KiwiSaver, investments) somewhat disconnects them from accessibility-first positioning Australian parent company (ANZ Group) means significant profit leakage offshore Less distinctive on financial inclusion or community-first positioning ESG feels like compliance box-ticking rather than cultural integration Longest history sometimes means more legacy thinking vs. innovation

Summary Scorecard: BankScoreKey DifferentiatorKiwibank9/10100% Kiwi ownership + measurable people-first targets + verified B CorpASB7.5/10Innovative, culturally grounded, integrated three-pillar approachWestpac6.5/10Scale of impact, but generic messaging and offshore ownershipANZ5.5/10Longest history, but least distinctive values alignment

The Verdict: If people and community come first for you, Kiwibank is the clear choice at 9/10. They’re:

✅ Explicitly people-focused with measurable targets ✅ 100% Kiwi-owned (no offshore profit leakage) ✅ Verified through B Corp certification ✅ Inclusive toward vulnerable populations ✅ Most transparent about their commitments

ASB is a respectable #2 if you value innovation and cultural integration alongside community impact. Westpac and ANZ, while solid banks, are oriented more toward profit maximization with community responsibility as an add-on rather than foundational.Get notified when tasks complete or need inputNotify meAsk before acting