ASA rejects complaint over ASB's 'KIWI BANK' ad campaign, but not unanimously

The Advertising Standards Authority has rejected formal complaints against ASB that its recent advertising "KIWI BANK" campaign was misleading to consumers. However, a minority of the complaints board held that the advertising may create confusion and could thereby mislead or deceive consumers. ASB's "We've been a KIWI BANK since 1847" advertisements drew a number of complaints from the public, which noted that ASB was wholly owned by Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Complaints also noted ASB's use of 'KIWI BANK' had a close association to competitor Kiwibank, which is owned by the New Zealand government. Here is the ASA's ruling: ASB Advertising Complaint