Shane Jones appeals for banks to help the provinces

Shane Jones has met with the Reserve Bank Governor to see what can be done. Photo / Andrew Warner

The Regional Economic Development minister says his appeal for big trading banks to stay open in the provinces is not a political stunt.

Shane Jones has met with the Reserve Bank to see what can be done, with the Governor Adrian Orr warning him it would be very hard to get Australian banks to operate in an uneconomic way.

Shane Jones told Mike Hosking that he is just raising the issue

" I am just asking a question about what the future is of banking services in regional New Zealand and whether the Reserve Bank has a role working with me to try and remedy the situation."

Listen to Mike Hosking interview Shane Jones below: