The National Bank - Our company

The National Bank

logo-National Bank

The National Bank of New Zealand is consistently rated one of New Zealand's top performing bank brands in terms of customer satisfaction, according to ACNielson's Consumer Finance Monitor. With over 900,000 customers, The National Bank holds leading positions in the home lending, small business and rural markets.

The National Bank was founded in London in 1872 and shared many directors with Lloyds Bank. Soon afterwards, the Bank opened its first New Zealand branches in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.

In 1873, The National Bank took over the 13 branches of the then ailing Bank of Otago, providing a source of valuable farming contacts. In 1963, The National Bank opened its 100th branch.

The National Bank purchased the New Zealand farmers' bank, the Rural Bank, in 1992, and Countrywide Bank in 1998.

Black Horse logo

The distinctive Black Horse logo is a key icon of The National Bank's visual identity. It had its beginnings in London in 1677 when it was first adopted by Humphrey Stockes, a goldsmith and 'keeper of the running cashes', an early term for banker. When Lloyds Bank took over the site in 1884 it became the symbol of Lloyds Bank and then The National Bank of New Zealand in 1978, when Head Office transferred from London to New Zealand.

The Black Horse, Shield Device, and Colour Green trade marks are used by The National Bank of New Zealand under licence from Lloyds TSB Bank plc following the acquisition of The National Bank of New Zealand Limited from Lloyds TSB Group by the ANZ Group in 2003.

In the community

The National Bank is proud to be the official bank of New Zealand Cricket, and sponsor of all international cricket in New Zealand - The National Bank Series. The 2009/10 season marks the tenth season of our sponsorship, and we are committed to continuing and enhancing our support of New Zealand's summer game. As well as our association at the elite level, we are also involved with junior cricketers at grass root levels. These are opportunities to nurture our summer game, and help develop the stars of tomorrow.

The Cancer Society's Daffodil Day is one of The National Bank's most prominent and important sponsorships. The National Bank team has wholeheartedly supported Daffodil Day since 1990, and The National Bank is pleased to be Principal Sponsor of such a worthwhile cause. Daffodil Day proceeds are allocated to cancer research, prevention and education, and over many years of involvement staff have raised over $13 million through their fundraising effort for the Cancer Society.

The National Bank is proud to put something back into the rural communities we serve. We support activities and events that are important to the community and that make a positive contribution to rural life. The National Bank is a strategic partner of the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays^® at Mystery Creek in Hamilton and since October 2003 has been the Principal Sponsor of The National Bank Young Farmer Contest, showing our commitment to developing New Zealand's future farm and agribusiness leaders. We are also pleased to be associated with The National Bank Country Calendar - the longest-running television programme in New Zealand. For over 40 years it has provided a chronicle of rural life and is watched by townies and rural folk alike.