He pointed to the specific criteria behind the result.
“Consumer NZ recognised our strong customer-first approach, transparency, and robust consumer protections,” White said.
Second endorsement in as many weeks
The Consumer Trusted result lands as Heartland Bank marks 150 years of operating in New Zealand’s banking and finance sector, and comes shortly after another independent accolade.
Last month, the bank picked up the Canstar Bank of the Year – Savings Award for the ninth-year running. The recognition also coincides with continued growth in the underlying business: Heartland Bank’s reverse mortgage portfolio in New Zealand grew 15.2% to $1.33 billion as at 31 December 2025, reinforcing Heartland’s position as the dominant reverse mortgage provider in the market.
A reference point in a cautious category
Consumer NZ’s Consumer Trusted programme requires businesses to meet ongoing standards around transparency and customer protections to retain accreditation each year, rather than being a one-off award. A decade of continuous accreditation suggests Heartland’s reverse mortgage offering has consistently met those bars over an extended period.