“NBS has never been just about financial services. It’s about people, relationships and place first and foremost,” Gina says. “Supporting our clients is at the heart of everything we do, and a big part of that is giving back to the communities and organisations where they live, work and play. Their community is our community, which
is why – unlike other financial institutions – NBS shares a large percentage of our profit
back into our communities.” Over the past decade, NBS has invested more than $8 million – $1.198 million this past financial year – into communities across the South Island as well as their own time and energy.
A recent highlight was the Rabbit Island Beach Clean-Up, where staff gave their time to protect a much-loved local space. Another was stepping up as the naming rights sponsor for the biennial NBS Nelson Dancing for a Cause, which sees 10 amateur dancers from within the Nelson Tasman community partner with 10 professional dancers and compete to raise money for the Nelson Tasman Hospice. The event culminated in a dazzling dance showcase in front of a passionate audience and raised a record $670,000.
General Manager, Commercial Banking, Howie Timms wants people to think of
NBS as their community asset. “Every time you choose NBS for your personal, business or community banking services, you help us keep that cycle of giving going,” Howie says. “Whether you’ve banked with us for generations or only just joined, the trust you place in us means we can continue to make a difference in the lives of the people and places we care about. There’s no better time than the holidays to acknowledge and celebrate those achievements.” “The Fifeshire Foundation, which NBS has supported for over 20 years, does amazing mahi in our region. This organisation gives hundreds of grants every year to people in our community who are suffering hardship and need a helping hand to get through. Knowing that my contribution to the success of NBS ultimately contributes back to an organisation like the Fifeshire Foundation is hugely rewarding. And I know that’s the case for each and every one of the NBS team of 100 who work towards making a difference in their region.”
“Supporting our clients is at the heart of everything we do, and a big part of that is giving back to the communities and organisations where they live, work and play.”
— Gina Dellabarca, NBS Chief Executive.
Within NBS sits a growing team of dedicated staff – people who live by the values of trust, respect, community and integrity that underpin NBS. Many have called NBS home for decades, while others such as General Manager Retail Banking and Client Experience Linda Sullivan and Regional Manager Tania Beckwith are newer faces to the NBS family. One of those people is longtime NBS staff member and Nelson Branch Manager Jen Low. An outdoorsy, active relaxer, she’s helped clients through all sorts of changes since 2017. “We know a lot of people have just been finding their footing again this year. Over the past 12 months, we’ve helped many people into their first homes, supported local businesses with lending and partnered with schools, charities and community groups to reinvest in the regions we serve. As cost-of-living pressures intensified, we responded not just with financial products, but with compassion and flexibility to help everyone build and plan for a bright future.
These are the moments when our values are tested and when they matter most,” Jen says proudly. “Unlike finance companies and trading banks, we were built by the people, for the people – we’re owned by our members, not shareholders. And what makes NBS truly special is that we get to put our profits back where it matters, in our communities. Being local isn’t just about having branches on the ground – though I love the daily touchpoints that happen in them. It’s lovely to really know and support our clients and their families.” Gina says she’s proud that growth within the NBS team means the organisation can continue to provide high-quality service and continue its legacy of giving back to its communities.
Each year, NBS staff can choose their own Community Day to volunteer for a cause that matters to them. Gina says, “Earlier in the year, I joined the hard-working group of volunteers planting trees along the Te Mamaku Native Corridor, close to Tasman. An amazing 35,000 native trees have been planted along 3.5 kilometres of highway and we’re so proud to have played a part in making this project so successful.”
“The end of the year is always a time for reflection, and what I’ve learned throughout my first year at NBS is how connected the organisation is to its roots – all 162 years of them. It’s been a great pleasure and privilege to connect with the many people whose lives NBS has touched. As we grow internally, we can continue to grow for our communities as well.”
“Being local is about showing up for clients through good, old-fashioned service, investing back and being a trusted partner through all of life’s moments. As we look ahead to 2026, I wish all of our clients and the community organisations they’ve helped support a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday period.”