News in brief: Major bank first in NZ to launch Chinese social network profile

Major bank first in NZ to launch Chinese social network profile… Luxury CBD apartments to rise in Christchurch… Major bank reveals first half results…

ASB first New Zealand Bank to launch Weibo account
ASB has broken new ground in being the first New Zealand bank to launch its own Chinese social network profile on Sina Weibo (Weibo) and become a verified user.

ASB general manager branch and international banking, Logan Munro is thrilled to join the Chinese social media platform, seeing it as a great way to interact with New Zealand’s burgeoning migrant market and increase its online presence in a new language.

“New Zealand is a wonderfully diverse multi-cultural nation, with a growing migrant population. A growing number of ASB’s customers are Chinese or are of Chinese origin and it makes sense to connect with our customers in their own language,” Munro says.

“We’re thrilled to be the first bank in New Zealand to obtain a verified Weibo account and we look forward to extending our suite of Chinese social media to better connect with our Chinese customers.”

Luxury CBD apartments to rise in Christchurch
Construction of a luxury boutique apartment building in Merivale, Christchurch will soon begin, and will include 14 of the largest and most luxurious apartments to be built since the 2011 earthquake.

Each apartment in the seven storey Millbrook Apartment complex to be built on 21 Carlton Mill Road is larger than the size of the average family home, providing 240m² of open living areas, three double bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen with butler’s pantry, separate office, separate laundry and generous secluded terraces. In addition each apartment will have two basement carparks.

Enquiries so far have come from those who are downsizing from large family homes, professionals looking for a large central city space, investors wanting to enter the premier real estate market and expats returning to Christchurch.

Due for completion mid-2017, Harcourts listing agent Tim Harris says the luxury apartments are unlike anything else currently available. 

“They are extremely spacious. 240m² is at least as big as the average Merivale townhouse, or bigger when you take into consideration two basement parking spaces are included. Most of the luxury apartments were destroyed during the earthquake so this is the first opportunity for apartment buyers looking upwards of $1.6m,” Harris says. 

ASB reveals first half result
ASB today reported a 7% increase ($474 million for the six months ended 31 December 2015) on statutory net profit after taxation (NPAT) on the prior comparative period . of. This represents 

ASB Chief Executive Barbara Chapman said home loan growth was improving to be in line with market. 

“The financial services industry is evolving rapidly as customers embrace digital technology to access and manage their finances,” Chapman said. “Providing our customers the most seamless and innovative mobile and online experiences remains a core strategic focus.”