Why? Because as well as being proud Kiwis, we’re also very proud to be a mutual bank which means we’re owned by you - our customers. So that’s why everything we do, every decision we make, is all about you.

News and Stories

Want to know what SBS Bank is really about? Keep up with all the latest SBS and community news right here on our News and Stories page. From sponsorships and events to promotions and media releases, get all the information you could want straight from the source itself.

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Media

For the latest SBS media releases and media and event contacts, visit the SBS Media Centre

Our story

It all started in 1869 when one of our founders, James Walker Bain, battled his way across 204km of wilderness to walk from Dunedin to Invercargill. James was determined to give the people of the south a way to keep their shillings, florins and pounds safe as well as an opportunity to get a mortgage and own a home.

His passion was to build a financial institution owned by the people (Members) who used its services – a mutual. And that’s exactly what we still are today – with branches, people and 24/7 banking right across New Zealand, we’re a mutual bank owned by our Members (customers just like you) and here for New Zealanders. 

We’ve stuck it out and stuck to our belief that banking is all about putting people first. And we’ve got 150 years under our belts to prove it. 

Our purpose

Our purpose is Helping Kiwis find a place to call home. As a member-owned New Zealand bank, we’re very much in the heart of our communities.

Our Sponsorships

At SBS we are extremely proud to support a wide range of groups and clubs in our local communities. As a member-owned bank we wear our hearts on our sleeves and we want to ensure we're doing the right thing for our community every single day, and that's a great feeling. From arts and culture, to sports and recreation, and community organisations, we love to support Kiwis doing amazing things in our own backyard.

More about our Sponsorships

Our Sustainability Focus

We believe that we have a duty and a desire to consider the wider community and the part we can play as a good corporate citizen. We welcome Members questioning the purpose, impact and values of who they deal with, including us. There is a real quest for a deeper, more authentic and genuine relationship with businesses and this philosophy has served to reinforce that our 150-year old way of doing things is what people still want from their bank.

We’re committing to do more through our Sustainability and partnership programmes and to how we can support those people or organisations doing good things in the communities we operate in - we want to be good for the communities in which we operate. To find out more about our Sustainability focus view our Sustainability section on this website by clicking here.

Our people

There’s something a little bit different about our people. That’s because we’re all part of a genuine Kiwi story with such a proud heritage and an exciting future, helping our fellow Kiwis get ahead.

Meet our leadership team and board 

Check our career options on our careers page

SBS Group

There’s more to us than meets the eye. SBS is more than a bank, we’re also part of a group of three other specialist companies here to support your everyday needs in finance, investing and insurance.

Learn more about the SBS Group

Annual reports and disclosures

For all our current and past Annual Reports and Disclosure documents, click here.

Security

When you’re with SBS, you’re placing your trust in us so together we keep your money and your details safe. That’s a partnership we take very seriously. Read more here, including helpful hints.