By Webfit News
Auckland, 29 May 2026
Bank of Baroda New Zealand marked an important step in its digital banking journey today with the official launch of BOB World New Zealand, its new mobile banking app, at an event hosted at the Consulate General of India in Auckland.
The launch was jointly hosted by the Consulate General of India, Auckland and Bank of Baroda New Zealand Ltd, in the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, His Excellency Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Auckland, Bank of Baroda New Zealand leadership, community representatives, business leaders, valued customers and members of the Indian diaspora.
The event took place at Level 14, SAP Tower, 151 Queen Street, Auckland, and focused on the bank’s digital transformation, its growing role in New Zealand, and the wider opportunity created by stronger India-New Zealand economic ties.
A step forward for digital banking
The central moment of the evening was the formal launch of BOB World New Zealand, described as a new mobile banking app designed to provide a smoother, safer and more convenient banking experience for customers.
The app is expected to offer an improved user interface, biometric login, Face ID access, faster navigation, simplified payments and easier everyday banking functions. A presentation shown during the event described the transition from the earlier M-Connect platform to the new BOB World NZ app as a move toward a more modern, secure and seamless banking experience.
The presentation highlighted features such as instant interbank and within-bank transactions, simplified payments, remittance support for sending money to India, home loan information, fixed deposit and recurring deposit calculators, and access to flexible loan products.
The message was clear: Bank of Baroda New Zealand wants to strengthen its digital presence while continuing to serve customers who maintain financial, family, property and business links with India.
Sandeep Ketan: Trust, service and technology at the centre
Speaking at the event, Sandeep Ketan, Managing Director of Bank of Baroda New Zealand Ltd, reflected on the bank’s journey and the progress made over the past year.
He said the bank had brought new customers into its fold and had worked to align its product offerings, pricing and services more closely with expectations in the New Zealand banking market.
He highlighted NRI banking as one of the bank’s strongest areas, saying the team had helped many members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand connect with banking services in India. This included support with old accounts, claim settlements and money transferred to reserve funds or unclaimed funds over many years.
Mr Ketan said these were not just banking transactions, but real-life problems for customers and families.
He also acknowledged that the bank’s digital journey was still evolving. Compared with some larger banks in New Zealand, he said Bank of Baroda New Zealand may not yet have every feature or the same user experience, but the commitment to improvement was clear.
The launch of BOB World New Zealand, he said, was an important step in that direction.
He thanked the bank’s top management in India, IT teams in India and New Zealand, and all those who worked behind the scenes to make the launch possible. He also appealed to customers and the wider Indian diaspora to connect with the bank, give feedback and continue supporting its growth.
Chairman calls it a journey of trust
N.S. Venkataraman, Chairman of Bank of Baroda New Zealand, described the launch as more than a technology upgrade.
He said every strong institution is built through many small acts of trust, referring to the saying that little drops of water build the mighty ocean.
He acknowledged that Bank of Baroda is a large institution globally, but in New Zealand it remains relatively small compared with major local banks. However, he said the bank has a clear purpose, strong heritage and deep commitment to customers and the community.
Mr Venkataraman said the future of the bank in New Zealand would not be determined only by technology, capital or strategy. It would be determined by relationships, trust and the strength of the community that chooses to grow alongside it.
He said every account, home loan, business relationship and customer recommendation helps the bank grow. As the bank grows, he said, its ability to serve the community also grows.
Support from India and the business community
The event also included virtual addresses from senior Bank of Baroda officials in India, including representatives from international IT projects and international banking. Their remarks focused on the role of technology, customer experience and the bank’s wider international commitment.
Simon Bridges, Chief Executive of the Auckland Business Chamber and former Member of Parliament, also addressed the gathering.
He spoke warmly about the Indian community’s contribution to Auckland and New Zealand, especially in business and civic life. He noted that Indian New Zealanders have become an important part of Auckland’s business, social and community fabric.
Mr Bridges also mentioned that the Auckland Business Chamber recently appointed its first non-European chairman, an Indian New Zealander, describing this as a reflection of Auckland’s changing face and growing multicultural strength.
He said Bank of Baroda brings competition and energy into the New Zealand market and wished the new app every success.
Consul General: Community support matters
Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Auckland, praised the efforts of the Bank of Baroda New Zealand team and spoke about the importance of community support.
He said he had seen the bank’s leadership working hard across community events, encouraging people to trust the bank and understand its services. He acknowledged that customers had raised issues in the past around digital services, app experience and banking features, but said the bank had worked continuously to address those concerns.
Dr. Sethi also referred to the recently announced India-New Zealand free trade agreement as an exciting opportunity. He encouraged business leaders and community members to support the bank, connect it with wider communities and help strengthen its presence.
He said a stronger Bank of Baroda in New Zealand would be able to offer more services and create greater value for customers.
High Commissioner: A bridge between India and New Zealand
Her Excellency Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, congratulated Bank of Baroda New Zealand and its teams in New Zealand and India.
She said the launch reflected the connection between India’s digital transformation and New Zealand’s customer expectations. She highlighted India’s remarkable progress in digital banking and payments, including UPI, which has transformed everyday payments across cities, towns and rural areas in India.
She said it was encouraging to see Indian banking institutions overseas strengthening their digital capabilities and improving the customer experience.
The High Commissioner also said the Indian diaspora in New Zealand maintains strong emotional, family, financial, property, remittance, investment and business links with India. In this context, she said Bank of Baroda can play a useful role in supporting India-linked banking needs, including NRI banking, remittances and deposits.
She encouraged members of the diaspora to consider maintaining a meaningful banking relationship with Indian banks operating in New Zealand, while recognising that customers have several banking choices.
She said trusted financial institutions can play an important role in strengthening the financial corridor between India and New Zealand, especially as trade, investment, services and people-to-people links continue to grow.
Webfit News perspective
From a Webfit News perspective, this launch is important for more than one reason.
For many Indian New Zealanders, banking is not only about local transactions. It is also about maintaining a connection with India, supporting families, handling property matters, sending money, managing old accounts and navigating financial issues across two countries.
The launch of BOB World New Zealand shows how diaspora banking is changing. Customers now expect the same level of digital convenience from community-linked and international banks that they receive from larger local banks.
At the same time, the event also showed the human side of banking. Speaker after speaker returned to the same themes: trust, service, feedback, patience and community partnership.
A milestone, not the final destination
The launch concluded with a formal app launch ceremony, staff photographs and a vote of thanks by the bank’s team.
The overall message from the event was that BOB World New Zealand is not the end of the bank’s digital transformation. It is the beginning of another phase.
For Bank of Baroda New Zealand, the challenge now will be to keep improving the app, expand its features, respond quickly to customer feedback and remain competitive in New Zealand’s fast-moving banking sector.
For the Indian diaspora and wider business community, the launch offers another banking option with a strong India connection.
As India and New Zealand look toward deeper trade, investment and community links, institutions like Bank of Baroda New Zealand may have an increasingly important role to play in building financial bridges between both countries.
