Taking care of your finances for the first time is made easy thanks to School Plus. It has everything you need to get started - fast.
- An everyday account for your daily banking and a savings account, all in one
- Interest paid on all balances
- No monthly account or transaction fees
- Cashpoint card for easy access to ATMs, EFTPOS, and Touchtone Phone Banking
- Online Banking (using the Internet)
- Mobile Phone Banking
- Special record book and free moneybox available
School Plus gives you a number of ways to deposit and withdraw money, and to keep track of your
balance.
Depositing and withdrawing
You can withdraw money at any National Bank branch. Once you are
13 years old, you can apply for a Cashpoint card. You can then also withdraw money at ATMs (money machines)
or pay for things at shops with EFTPOS.
Keeping track
Every few months we'll send you a statement which lists all the money you have put in
or taken out of your account, and the interest you have earned. If you register for Online Banking (using the
internet) or touchtone phone banking you can look at your statement any time on our web site. Or hear the balance
or a list of your transactions over the phone.
Using your Cashpoint card
At shops with EFTPOS, you or the shop assistant "swipes" your card through the EFTPOS terminal -
in some places you do it yourself. Then you use the keypad to select your School Plus account (press CHQ),
enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and press ENTER.
At an ATM you simply insert your Cashpoint card and enter your PIN. Then you follow the on-screen instructions
to withdraw the money you need.
Looking after your Cashpoint card
Once you get your Cashpoint card, you should look after it very carefully. If your card is stolen or lost, or
if someone else knows your PIN, tell us straight away. Contact your local branch or call us anytime day or night
on 0800 724 200.
Protecting your PIN
It's also very important to keep your PIN to yourself and secure by following these tips:
-
Don't tell anyone your PIN. "Anyone" includes family members and bank staff as well as friends
-
Don't choose a PIN based on personal details like your birthday, phone number or address. Don't use a
simple sequence such 1234, or one that has only two numbers like 3434
-
Don't write your PIN down anywhere. Please memorise it
-
Take care when keying in your PIN to prevent other people from identifying the numbers
Understanding Bank language
|
| ATM |
Automated Teller Machine, or money machine. You can withdraw money from ATMs using your Cashpoint card. |
| Automated transactions |
These include touchtone phone banking transactions, EFTPOS, money machines, automatic payments and direct
debits.
|
| Automatic payment |
Regular payments of a fixed amount that go directly out of your account so you don't have to handle cash
or write a cheque
|
| Balance
|
The amount of money you have in your bank account |
| Bearer |
The person who receives a cheque and deposits it in the bank |
| Clearing |
Processing a cheque that has been paid into your account |
| Credit |
When money is paid into your account it is called a credit (see 'debit' below) |
| Debit |
When money is taken out of your account to pay for something you've bought or repay money you owe it
is called a debit. Debit is also used to describe the state of your account when you are
overdrawn.
|
| Deposit
|
Putting money into your account (also known as a credit) |
| EFTPOS |
Stands for Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale. When you buy something by EFTPOS from a shop,
money is electronically moved from your bank account into theirs, with no cash changing
hands.
|
| Everyday account |
An account you use to access funds easily and take care of your everyday transactional needs
(also known as a cheque account)
|
| Interest
|
Extra money you earn on the money you have in your bank account
|
| Statement
|
A computer-printed page listing all the money that's gone in and out of your account
|
| Transaction |
Any deposit or withdrawal on your account |
| Waived
|
Fees that apply that are not charged |
| Withdrawal
|
Taking money out of your bank account (also known as a debit) |
Call 0800 26 77 26 or ask a staff member at any branch of The National Bank.
Take the first step and print out a School Plus Application Form complete it and take it into any branch.
It will save time if you have these items when you apply:
- Identification with a photo (e.g. passport, student ID card). Alternatively, two forms of non-photographic ID (e.g. birth certificate, cash card)
- If you can’t provide any of these, your parent, guardian or grandparent can visit the branch with you as your representative. They will be required to provide identification as above
- IRD number
- Verification of address (e.g previous bank statement, utility bill)
- Deposit to open your account (minimum $25).
Read our current .