BNZ ranked bank of the year

As a rule of thumb, a $1 per kg drop in the milk price equates to approximately $2 billion less income for dairy farmers.

BNZ has been named bank of the year for everyday banking by consumer organisation Canstar.

The bank was chosen from nine others evaluated by Canstar's Brisbane based analysis team.

Evaluation was based on banks' highest rating (based on Canstar star ratings) credit card and transaction account products, as well as online functionality, and availability of branches and ATMs.

The report said BNZ's YouMoney banking system allowed customers a high level of control over their accounts and the ability to personalise their banking.

It also said the bank offered a range of credit cards with competitive rates and rewards points systems.

BNZ's 434 ATMs and 178 branches across the North and South islands made accessing money easy for customers, the report said.

"While usage of branches and ATM's is declining, they are still an important resource that customers need access to."

BNZ's about to be introduced TouchID system also got a mention - though it was not considered in the judging process.

The system will allow customers using the bank's app on an iPhone 6 to login using their fingerprint, rather than a pin number.

Last year the award was taken out by Westpac and by Kiwibank in 2013.

Other banks included in the evaluation included ANZ, ASB. Co-operative bank, Heartland Bank, Kiwibank, NZCU Baywide, SBS Bank, TSB Bank and Westpac.

By the numbers:
117 million: The total number of electronic card transactions in New Zealand per month
28: The average number of electronic transactions per person aged 15 and over, per month
1 billion: The number of people predicted to be using mobile banking by 2017
590 million: The number of people using mobile banking two years ago.

Average bank fees according to Canstar research:
• An average monthly account fee of $2.67 for personal transaction accounts
• An average branch cash deposit or withdrawal fee of $0.53 for deposits and $0.92 for withdrawals
• An average ATM withdrawal fee of $0.23
• Average internet bill pay fees of $0.22
• Average Eftpos transaction fees of $0.23