Bank profits drop 20%
Net profit across the sector fell by 20.4% in the March quarter, compared with the three months to December. The period included the first week of New Zealand's nationwide lockdown.
The banking sector recorded a net profit of $895.6 million in the first three months of the year, but was hit with a "considerable" $659.2 million increase in impaired assets, KPMG said.
While profits fell significantly, the advisory firm warned the worst was yet to come.
"The visible impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has only just started to be seen on the sector result and there is no doubt there will be further challenges to come," said KPMG's John Kensington, author of the report.
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