The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has approved Nelson Building Society as the first nonbank member of the Exchange Settlement Account System following a review of its 30-year-old access criteria. The change allows approved nonbank entities to settle payments directly in risk-free central bank money without using a commercial bank as an intermediary. Nelson Building Society, a nonbank deposit taker, is operational after completing system testing and onboarding. The Exchange Settlement Account System is one of two wholesale financial market infrastructures operated by the Reserve Bank and settles retail and wholesale payments between financial institutions.
2026-09-08Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Reserve Bank of New Zealand admits Nelson Building Society as first nonbank member of its settlement system
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has admitted Nelson Building Society as the first nonbank member of the Exchange Settlement Account System. Revised access criteria allow approved nonbank entities to settle directly in central bank money without a commercial bank intermediary.