Liam Dann: Could we make Westpac a Kiwi bank? 3 Apr, 2021 05:00 PM 5 minutes to read In 1996 Trust Bank sold out to Westpac in a deal worth $1.2 billion. Photo / 123RF In 1996 Trust Bank sold out to Westpac in a deal worth $1.2 billion. Photo / 123RF OPINION: I bank with it. And as a customer I couldn't care less who owns it. But as a supporter of the New Zealand economy and financial markets I'd love to see it back in local ownership. My preferred option would be to see the government take a cornerstone stake via the Super Fund and ACC, merge it with Kiwibank and list it on the NZX.