BNZ gives popular Canterbury Future Hub a physical presence

BNZ gives popular Canterbury Future Hub a physical presence

From today Cantabrians will have a full onsite specialist team assisting them through each facet of the earthquake recovery process. The BNZ Future Hub, on the corner of Cashel Street and Fitzgerald Avenue, brings together BNZ residential banking specialists, CERA’s Residential Advisory Service, insurance experts from IAG, Aon and the EQC, independent legal professionals, chartered accountants and a property firm.

BNZ has been operating this unique advisory service by phone and video-conferencing since August but has extended the service to include onsite presence.

BNZ Director Retail Andy Symons says the BNZ Future Hub is a place for everyone, BNZ customer or not, to meet with a specialist team which can help them navigate their way through the often complex processes associated with rebuilding their lives.

“The BNZ Future Hub has been designed to provide practical help and provide Cantabrians with information and support to make the important financial decisions they face, enabling them to get a feeling of control back in their lives,” he says.

“We’ve helped many Cantabrians already, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We realised that we could help even more people by giving the service a physical home where people can visit to access the array of help available in one place at the same time.”

Mr Symons says that since August the Future Hub team has helped more than 1500 Cantabrians to embark on the next stage of their lives.

“The team has assisted with EQC settlement issues affecting mortgages, getting repairs underway during the insurance settlement process, finding alternative accommodation while repairs are undertaken, negotiating with insurers, increasing understanding of EQC settlements and payout protocols, and helped with white, green and red zone issues.

“A family waited for three years in an earthquake-damaged home with no roof. Fed up, they wanted to know if they should take a cash settlement from their insurer and just move on. The BNZ Future Hub team gave the customers clarity and got them underway for the repairs without affecting their claim.

“A Port Hills family’s house was under the threat of boulders falling and they had been living in temporary accommodation for two years. The Future Hub helped the family purchase a new home and move in while they were waiting for their insurance to be sorted,” says Mr Symons.

In collaboration with the Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service, support also includes temporary accommodation and counselling, WINZ, assistance packages, Red Cross, ACC, IRD, Business Recovery and immigration services.

The hub also offers a suite of meeting rooms and free wifi and is available for community groups during business hours.

ENDS

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