Governor accuses banks of 'scaring the public' (2024)

Governor accuses banks of 'scaring the public' (1)

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Governor accuses banks of 'scaring the public' (2)

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Jason Walls

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Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr accused banks of 'scaring the public' with their aggressive lobbying against the proposed capital requirement rules. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has taken a swipe back at the banks which have been putting the boot into the central bank over its proposed changes to capital requirements.

Speaking to MPs this morning at the Finance and Expenditure select committee, Orr accused banks of "scaring the public" with their aggressive lobbying against the proposed rules.

He said banks have been "suitably aggressive" in the way they have been discussing any capital requirement changes, particularly around the agriculture sector.

But the Bankers' Association said banks are just trying to strike the right balance between the risk and costs of any new rules.

Orr's comments come just weeks after Finance Minister Grant Robertson called for calm in the debate around capital requirements.

The Reserve Bank has proposed increasing the amount of money banks have to keep in their reserve.

Orr is worried about the "excessive" level of borrowing that has occurred over the past decade at a time when banks have been undercapitalised – not holding enough money in reserves.

Banks have pushed back hard against the proposed rules; none more so than ANZ.

It has warned that farmers may face higher borrowing costs if the proposed rules come into effect.

ANZ's most recent results show its share of New Zealand's $62.5 billion agricultural lending market stood at 28.5 per cent in February.

The Aussie-owned bank's chief executive, Shayne Elliott, has also threatened to review the "size, nature and operations" of New Zealand if the rules are imposed.

Although he didn't call out ANZ by name, Orr told MPs today some banks have been "suitably aggressive, and have been lobbying and scaring the public, particularly around the agriculture sector".

He said banks have been saying that the financial hit, as a result of any changes, would be much bigger than the Reserve Bank expected it would be.

But Orr anticipates any hit to bank margins as a result of the proposed rules would be equivalent to 0.2 per cent of their total margins.

"One of our major banks has been the one that has been the most aggressive in lending and the most under capitalised in the agricultural sector," he said.

The Governor's comments come just a week after Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones visited ANZ's head office in Australia to voice his concerns about threats the bank would reduce its banking footprint in the regions if the rules go ahead.

He also said he would listen to ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott's concerns around the proposed capital requirements.

Governor accuses banks of 'scaring the public' (3)

Speaking to Q&A on Monday, Jones said he came out of the meeting with an understanding that the bank would be passing any costs onto its customers.

"If those capital requirements go through, my interpretation of Mr Elliott is that they [ANZ] will significantly change the model of operation in New Zealand."

Jones added that the farming community would bear the brunt of any changes.

Bankers' Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said it was up to each bank as to how it responded if the rules come into effect.

"Our independent economic analysis suggests there will likely be tightening of lending in some parts of the economy such as small business and agriculture."

Orr's comments today was not the first time he had been critical of the bank's response to the proposed changes.

He has said he expected the strong critical response from the banks because he was aware of "the capability and resource" within the industry to lobby for the status quo.

"It is a very, very powerful industry."

"We're not trying to win votes, we're not trying to be popular, we're just trying to make sure people understand why we exist and the context."

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Governor accuses banks of 'scaring the public' (2024)

FAQs

What was the fear people had regarding the bank of the US? ›

The Bank was also dangerous to liberty, because its concentrated power gave it a “fearful influence” over citizens' lives and an unchecked sway over government, inviting corruption and oppression. Jackson copied Hamilton's headings into his private memorandum book.

Was a fear that banks would fail and led people to rush to them to withdraw their money? ›

A bank run is when the customers of a bank or other financial institution withdraw their deposits at the same time over fears about the bank's solvency.

What happened when people lost confidence in the US financial system that forced many banks to close called? ›

Thousands of banks failed during the Depression and loss of confidence caused anxious depositors to create "runs" on banks as they tried to withdraw their money before the banks collapsed.

Which early 20th century panic fueled the movement to create a central bank how was the panic overcome and what resulted? ›

The Panic of 1907 was a financial crisis set off by a series of bad banking decisions and a frenzy of withdrawals caused by public distrust of the banking system. J.P. Morgan, along with other wealthy Wall Street bankers, loaned their own funds to save the coun- try from a severe financial crisis.

When people panicked because of the banks what did they do? ›

In communities where these banks closed, depositors panicked and withdrew funds en masse from other banks. Panic spread from town to town. Within a few weeks, hundreds of banks suspended operations. About one-third of these organizations reopened within a few months, but the majority were liquidated (Richardson 2007).

What was Jefferson's opinion on the constitutionality of a national bank 1791? ›

Thomas Jefferson believed this national bank was unconstitutional. In contrast to Hamilton, Jefferson believed that states should charter their own banks and that a national bank unfairly favored wealthy businessmen in urban areas over farmers in the country.

Did banks fail when people rushed to withdraw their money? ›

Over a period of just two days in March 2023, the bank went from solvent to broke as depositors rushed to SVB to withdraw their funds, resulting in federal regulators closing the bank for good on March 10, 2023. SVB's collapse marked the second largest bank failure in U.S. history after Washington Mutual's in 2008.

What happens if I withdraw all my money from my bank account? ›

Withdrawal limits are set by the banks themselves and differ across institutions. That said, cash withdrawals are subject to the same reporting limits as all transactions. If you withdraw $10,000 or more, federal law requires the bank to report it to the IRS in an effort to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

Why do banks ask why you are withdrawing money? ›

Also the bank would like to know if you can explain what the withdrawal is for, to make absolutely sure that you are who you say you are. Usually withdrawals in cash aren't things that would cause them to be suspicious for money laundering, since money laundering involves money coming in and not out.

Is the government bailing out banks? ›

There have not been any bank bailouts in 2023 as of the time of this writing. However, the banking industry has experienced significant bank failures, including the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank and First Republic Bank.

Are credit unions safer than banks during recession? ›

bank in a recession, the credit union is likely to fare a little better. Both can be hit hard by tough economic conditions, but credit unions were statistically less likely to fail during the Great Recession. But no matter which you go with, you shouldn't worry about losing money.

How many US banks have failed? ›

There were 566 bank failures from 2001 through 2024. See Summary by Year below.

How did JP Morgan stop the Panic of 1907? ›

J.P. Morgan persuades other trust company presidents to provide liquidity to the Trust Company of America, staving off its collapse. Treasury Secretary George Cortelyou agrees to deposit Federal money in New York banks.

What two banks failed this week? ›

Two major California banks — Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic — have failed. While some banking industry leaders have said the immediate crisis is over, stock prices for other regional banks, including PacWest and Western Alliance, fell this week.

How many banks failed during the Panic of 1893? ›

These crises caused hundreds of national banks to suspend operations, constituting major disruptions of the financial system. In the Panic of 1893, roughly 575 banks either failed or temporarily suspended operations (Bradstreet's 1893).

How did people feel about the Bank of the United States? ›

Some, especially in the trans-Appalachian West, were suspicious of banks because they distrusted the paper money issued by them and because banks controlled credit and loans. To them, the Bank of the United States was the worst of them all: a greedy monopoly dominated by the rich American and foreign interests.

What did Andrew Jackson fear about the National bank of the US? ›

Jackson thought the Bank put too much power in the hands of too few wealthy American private citizens, and the majority of stockholders were foreign investors with allegiances to other governments.

Why did people oppose the Bank of the United States? ›

But farmers worried that the bank worked in opposition to the nation's democratic principles. Its opponents described it as a “many headed monster” and argued that the bank was actively creating an aristocracy that undermined the interests of ordinary people..

What were Jackson's concerns about the Bank of the United States? ›

Jackson's distrust of the Bank was also political, based on a belief that a federal institution such as the Bank trampled on states' rights. In addition, he felt that the Bank put too much power in the hands of too few private citizens -- power that could be used to the detriment of the government.

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