31 May: ANZ exited cheques.
With less than 1% of ASB customers' payments being made by cheque, ASB has now phased out cheques as a payment option. A number of other New Zealand banks have also phased out cheques during 2021.
Most of our customers now prefer the convenience, simplicity, and security of using online and mobile payment options, which are more secure and processed faster than cheques.
If a cheque-free New Zealand will change how you make and receive payments, read on to find out about the easy alternatives ASB can offer you.
If you have any questions, just give us a call. We're here to help.
Important Dates
Dates are accurate on 8 March 2021. Please confirm exit dates directly with other institutions.
May 2021
June 2021
25 June: Westpac exited cheques.
30 June: BNZ exited cheques.
August 2021
27 August: ASB exited cheques.
- ASB is no longer issuing cheque books with new accounts.
- Please check directly with other banks for more information about their cheque-free dates and how this may impact you.
- ASB will not issue or process any ASB cheques. ASB Bank Cheques issued before 28 May 2021 will be honoured, subject to the usual requirements.
Background FAQs
What do I do with unused cheques?
You should destroy any cheque books with unused cheques. They cannot be used for payment and there is no need to return them to ASB.
I have an ASB bank cheque, will you honour it?
If you have received a bank cheque, please deposit it as soon as possible. From 28 May 2021 ASB no longer issued bank cheques. Bank cheques issued before this date will be honoured (subject to the usual requirements).
What about cheques I receive from overseas?
From 15 November 2023, ASB will no longer accept Australian dollar cheques.
From 31 March 2024, ASB will no longer accept any other foreign currency cheques.
If you have any foreign currency cheques that you haven't yet deposited, please make sure you do this before these cut off dates.
If you regularly receive foreign currency cheques, or receive a cheque after these dates, you'll need to contact the cheque issuer and arrange to receive your overseas payments electronically, with an international money transfer. This is a faster, more secure way to receive international payments. You can see what details you'll need to provide the sender of funds here.
For more information on these changes, please visit our Foreign currency cheques page.
What can I do if I receive a cheque from another bank after that bank exits cheques?
You will need to take it back to the drawer / issuer and ask them to provide payment via another method.
Business and Charity FAQs
I’m a business owner and my customers used to pay by cheque. What should I do?
- Now is the time to set up alternative electronic payment methods. Have a look at the ASB Business Hub to find out more about accepting digital payments from your customers.
- Let your customers know that your business will no longer be accepting cheques, and let them know what other payment options are available such as credit/debit card, Online EFTPOS or internet/mobile banking.
- Update any business collateral such as flyers, invoices, posters and websites to remove cheques as a payment option.
- If your business used to use cheques, investigate other ways you can pay on our website.
What about charities?
If your charity relies on cheques to receive donations the most important thing is to get in touch with your supporters early about the change. Include an update in your regular communications to supporters, such as newsletters, emails and update your website.
- If you haven’t already, set up alternative electronic payment methods.
- Notify donors that the charity will no longer be accepting cheques and let them know what other donation options are available such as credit/debit card, Online EFTPOS or internet/mobile banking.
- Update any collateral such as flyers, posters and websites to remove cheques as a donation option.
- If you have an ASB Relationship manager, they will be able to walk you through our alternative banking options and can help you chose the right option to suit your banking needs, or you can pop into a local branch and one of our friendly team will be happy to help.
Payment FAQs
What are the benefits of paying (and being paid) electronically?
- Electronic transactions give you faster access to funds. The funds can be used as soon as the money appears in your account.
- Electronic transactions give you greater visibility over what’s happening in your accounts.
- Electronic payments can be scheduled to occur in the future on a selected date, or on a recurring basis.
How do I stay safe when banking online?
- Our internet banking and mobile options are safe and convenient.
- ASB takes the protection of your money seriously and we work every day to protect you from financial crime.
- Using secure passwords, encrypted web connections, net codes and automatically logging you out after inactivity are just a few examples of how we help to keep you safe online.
- Find out more about our security options here.
How can I receive payments?
- Offer your customers the convenience of paying online via credit/debit card, Online EFTPOS or internet/mobile banking.
- Direct credit is an electronic payment received into your ASB bank account from someone else's bank account. Find out how to set up payments through internet banking here
- Find out about overseas payments
Is it safe to share my bank account number?
- It is safe to share your bank account number and ask people to pay directly into your account.
- ASB has strict identification and verification requirements in place to make sure it’s not possible for anyone to draw funds out of your account using the account number only.
How do I register for internet banking and mobile banking?
Find out how to register for internet banking
Find out how to register for mobile banking
I don’t have internet banking and I’m apprehensive about sending cash. How can I pay someone securely?
You can complete all your everyday banking over the phone with ASB’s fast phone banking service. Find out more about Fastphone here.
I need help to make a payment.
Call our contact centre on 0800 803 804 and one of our friendly team will be able to guide you. Customers aged 65+ can call our priority line on 0800 272 119.
