One firm has joined the New Zealand Bankers’ Association as an affiliate member, as part of its commitment to thought leadership in the sector.
Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has joined the New Zealand Banker’s Association as an affiliate member, in an effort to stand by their banking clients.
Banking partner Kate Lane said that the decision was part of the firm’s commitment to thought leadership in the sector.
“We want to live up to that commitment to our clients,” she told NZ Lawyer.
“We need to be part of this organisation, which they think is very important, so really we are doing it to be able to go to our clients and say, ‘we understand your pain’ and ‘[we are]standing next to you in an advocacy role as you try and influence policy’.”
Lane said the firm has a significant financial services practice and as an affiliate member, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts will have a non-voting seat at the table influencing the future of the sector.
“You get enormous access to information from them as to what the regulatory priorities of the organisation are and then how you can help in influencing regulatory outcomes on those,” she said.
“A lot of being a member is about understanding where the priorities of the banking sector lie and making sure we understand that in a holistic way.”
New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Karen Scott-Howman said the membership shows the firm’s commitment to the banking sector.
“We are delighted to have Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, one of New Zealand’s premier and most established law firms, join us as an affiliate member,” she said.
“Affiliate members provide valued services to the banking sector, and this affirms the commitment of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts to continue as an active contributor to the industry.”
The firm is the eighth affiliate member to join the organisation.
“We’ve worked with the NZBA a lot over time and it seemed, since we have similar goals… we thought it was time to stand next to them by being a member as well, rather than just advocating on the same matters,” Lane said.
