Top agri lender

The inaugural CANSTAR Best Agribusiness Bank New Zealand award was presented to National Bank's managing director of commercial & agri Graham Turley by CANSTAR New Zealand national manager, Derek Bonnar.

National Bank was named winner ahead of four other agribusiness banks for overall value and the quality of the products and services it offers New Zealand's rural sector.

"It is a great honour for National Bank to be named Best Agribusiness Bank," says Turley.

"The award is testament to the commitment and hard work of our people. Their knowledge, experience and relationships in the rural sector has enabled us to provide a range of products and services that best meets the needs of rural businesses and rural people.

"Together, National Bank and ANZ are New Zealand's biggest rural lender and have the most extensive rural banking network.

"We are constantly looking at ways to grow the industry and support the people in it, such as our new $120 million start-up package for young farmers."

Strengths highlighted by the awards judges include customers' access to a force of 173 dedicated agribusiness managers plus a 24-hour agribusiness call centre and free farming seminars.