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