New Zealand bank account prefix
New Zealand bank account numbers in NZD follow a standardised format of 16 digits:
- a prefix representing the bank and branch (six digits), otherwise known as the Bank code;
- the body (seven digits); and
- the suffix representing the product/account type (three digits).
While the New Zealand format is similar to Australia's Bank State Branch, the two systems are not interchangeable.
New Zealand bank account numbers in foreign currencies vary by bank.
Background
The origins of the format lay in the establishment of the Databank Systems Limited, a company set up by a consortium of competing banks New Zealand, to provide computing resources (development and operational) for the consortium members.[1]
Bank codes are coordinated by Payments NZ who administer the Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS). The scope of BECS includes direct debits, automatic payments, bill payments, and direct credits.[2] Payments NZ also administer the following payment systems in New Zealand:[3]
- Paper Clearing System
- High Value Clearing System
- Consumer Electronic Clearing System
Format of account numbers
Account numbers are generally presented in the format PPPPPP-BBBBBBB-SSS where P equals prefix, B equals body and S equals suffix. Where a bank displays the suffix as two digits, a leading zero is added to create the full 16 digit account number (for example, PPPPPP-BBBBBBB-SS would become PPPPPP-BBBBBBB-0SS).
This format allows customers to open multiple accounts using a common account number where only the suffix changes. Exceptions apply to credit card and loan products.
Account number prefix
Bank accounts are prefixed with six digits, two indicating the bank and four which indicate the branch. The table below shows which banks are allocated which bank prefix. The symbol ^ denotes banks that are no longer trading under their own name and/or are defunct. A current list of branches as their associated bank/branch numbers is available for download from the Payments NZ website.
| Bank name | Bank prefix | Branch range |
|---|---|---|
| ANZ | 01 | 0001–5699 |
| ASB | 12 | 3000–3499 |
| BNZ | 02 | 0001–1299 |
| Citibank | 31 | 2800–2849 |
| Countrywide^ | 25 | 2500–2599 |
| HSBC | 30 | 2900–2956 |
| Kiwibank | 38 | 9000–9499 |
| National Australia Bank | 08 | 0000–9999 |
| National Bank of New Zealand^ | 06 | 0001–1499 |
| NZACU | 03 | Agency arrangement via Westpac |
| PostBank^ | 11 | 5000–8999 |
| RaboBank New Zealand | 03 | 0001–1999 |
| Trust Bank Auckland | 21 | 4800–4899 |
| The Cooperative Bank | 02 | 1242, 1246, 1248 (agency arrangement via BNZ) |
| TSB Bank | 15 | 3900–3999 |
| Trust Bank Bay of Plenty^ | 18 | 3500–3599 |
| Trust Bank Canterbury^ | 16 | 4400–4499 |
| Trust Bank Central^ | 20 | 4100–4199 |
| Trust Bank Otago^ | 14 | 4700–4799 |
| Trust Bank Southland^ | 13 | 4900–4999 |
| Trust Bank South Canterbury^ | 19 | 4600–4649 |
| Trust Bank Waikato^ | 17 | 3300–3399 |
| Trust Bank Wanganui^ | 22 | 4000–4049 |
| Trust Bank Wellington^ | 23 | 3700–3799 |
| United Bank^ | 29 | 0000–9999 |
| Westland Bank^ | 24 | 4300–4349 |
| Westpac | 03 | 0001–1999 |
Account number suffix
The table below shows the account number suffixes as introduced by Databank Systems Limited from 1969.[1]
| Type of account | Sufffix |
|---|---|
| Cheque Account | 00 |
| Number 2 Account | 02 |
| Fixed Account | 03 |
| Savings Account | 30 |
| Credit Card Account | 40 |
| Thrift Club Account | 50 |
| Term Deposit Account | 81 |
See also
- Bank code
- Bank State Branch, the bank code format used in Australia
- Databank Systems Limited
- ISO 9362, the standard for SWIFT codes, international bank identifiers
- Routing transit number
- Sort code, a number used in the United Kingdom
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Databank Systems Limited, Computing a Nation, c1988, 16 page booklet
- ↑ Payments NZ website, description of Bulk Electronic Clearing System, accessed 30/05/2013
- ↑ Payments NZ website, list of all payment systems, accessed 30/05/2013