Business Law Reform Bill Gives Credit Unions Room for Growth
AUCKLAND, Monday, 20 November 2006. New Zealand Credit Unions will be granted greater flexibility in the administration
of their businesses with the passing of the Business Law Reform Bill.
“These changes are an encouraging sign and a clear indication that the Government, and the various political parties,
recognise the important role that Credit Unions play in helping people better their lives. We sincerely thank the
Minister of Commerce and her officials for their commitment to the New Zealand Credit Union Movement,” says Doug
McLaren, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Association of Credit Unions.
The Association has been lobbying for changes to the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act since 1999. The changes
passed will allow Credit Unions to determine their own administrative matters.
The sections of the Bill passed relating to Credit Unions are:
Allowing Credit Unions to determine their own common bond which is needed to identify who can join specific Credit
Unions based on their geographical location or affiliation to an employee group or other select groups;
Allowing charities and incorporated societies to become Credit Union members;
Allowing Credit Unions to determine the minimum deposit a member must have with a Credit Union;
Removing the requirement to specify service charges in Credit Unions’ rules and providing the mechanism for the Credit
Union to set their fees, levies, or charges without calling for a meeting of members
Allowing Credit Union associations to provide new services to Credit Unions without Ministerial approval.
“Credit Unions will be able to better meet market demands, in a more timely manner, to provide financial services to New
Zealanders who choose to use New Zealand owned Credit Unions as an alternative to other banking providers,” says Mr
McLaren.
The Association will be making a submission to the Ministry of Economic Development’s Review of Financial Products and
Providers to ensure that a second set of changes to the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act 1982 are included in
the review. These changes are crucial to the long-term development and sustainability of the New Zealand Credit Union
Movement.
New Zealand Association of Credit Unions
The Association was established in 1961 as the Credit Union League and later changed its name in 1989. It acts as the
main trade association for Credit Unions in New Zealand and provides a range of products and services to its Member
Credit Unions. Its 39 Member Credit Unions operate in more than 95 locations nationwide serving over 175,000 New
Zealanders. The Association is a member of the World Council of Credit Unions and an affiliate of the Credit Union
Services Corporation of Australia Ltd. The New Zealand Association of Credit Unions is a registered financial
cooperative and is not a registered bank.
ENDS