Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Kiwibank vs SBI Card
SBI Card
Kiwibank
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | KiwibankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | SBI CardReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | NZ$0 | ₹499 |
| APR | 12.9%Lower | 45% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 6 monthsHigher | 2 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 1%Lower | 2% |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.5% | Not confirmed |
| Rewards type | None | Not confirmed |
| Credit needed | Not confirmed | Excellent |
| Perks | 55 days interest free on purchases | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Kiwibank scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at SBI Card: 1998 vs 2001.
- APR is lower at Kiwibank: 12.9% vs 45%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Kiwibank: 1% vs 2%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Kiwibank: 6 months vs 2 months.
- Support channels: only Kiwibank offers Email, Chat, Help centre.
Our verdict on each
Kiwibank
Kiwibank suits New Zealand bank customers who want a plain everyday card, with a NZD 0 monthly fee on the Visa debit card and rewards listed as none. Costs stay light at home, but a currency conversion fee of 2.5% makes overseas spending the trade-off to weigh.
SBI Card
SBI Card is a credit card for Indian applicants with excellent credit, and the balance transfer option is the reason to look past its steep borrowing cost. It charges an APR of 45% and an annual fee of INR 499, with help on phone.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherAPR 12.9% on the credit card and a balance transfer fee of 1% for 6. | 8.8Annual fee INR 499 and APR 45% push costs up, with a balance transfer fee of 2% the only relief. |
| Offer | 9.9Higher | 8.1A 2 month balance transfer window is the whole offer, and phone support adds little. |
| Trust | 9.1Higher | 8.9 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 325 of 1594 | 52 of 1594 |
| Credit cards | 106 of 421 | 19 of 421 |
| Balance transfer cards | 11 of 32 | 2 of 32 |
Moving a 3,000 balance
Kiwibank
30
1% of 3,000
SBI Card
60
2% of 3,000
Kiwibank comes out 30 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Business | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Kiwibank Limited | SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited |
| Headquarters | New Zealand | India |
| Founded | 2001 | 1998Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Phone |
Loans
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Lender type | Direct lender | Not confirmed |
| Loan types | Personal | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | NZ$0 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 12.9%above the median | 45%highest quarter | 11.635% |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 6 monthslowest quarter | 2 monthslowest quarter | 12 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 1%below the median | 2%below the median | 3% |
Median across 486 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Kiwibank
Pros
- The Visa debit card carries a monthly fee of NZD 0 and ranks 1 of 422 on that measure.
- Support covers phone, email and chat, so you can reach a person in the way you prefer.
- Purchases on the credit card can run interest free, with 55 days interest free on purchases.
Cons
- Spending abroad is costly: the currency conversion fee is 2.5%, which ranks Kiwibank at 196 of 258.
- The credit card has a rewards type of none, so spending earns nothing back.
- The debit card is aimed at business customers, so personal shoppers get less from it.
SBI Card
Pros
- A balance transfer charges 2% and runs for 2 months, the one lower interest route on the card.
- Card type is credit, and the issuer has been issuing cards since 1998.
- Support runs on phone for anyone who wants to talk a balance down with the issuer.
Cons
- An APR of 45% makes any carried balance costly, and the annual fee of INR 499 ranks 223 out of 312.
- Support runs on phone only, so no written or online help route is listed.
- The credit bar is excellent, and only 5.6% of cards in the credit card comparison ask for as much.
Who each suits
Kiwibank
Who it suits
- New Zealand bank customers who want an everyday Visa debit card without a monthly charge.
- People who want a credit card with an interest-free purchase window and an annual fee of NZD 0.
- Borrowers moving an existing balance who can use the 6 introductory window.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, if you convert currency often, because a currency conversion fee of 2.5% pushes Kiwibank down the fee ranking.
- bunq, if your spending sits outside New Zealand, since bunq's monthly fee is €0 while Kiwibank's card serves a single market.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, if you want the card secured, since Kiwibank offers a debit card and a credit card instead.
SBI Card
Who it suits
- Indian applicants with excellent credit who want to shift an existing card balance onto a lower interest option.
- Borrowers who plan to clear the moved balance inside the 2 month low interest window.
- Cardholders who would rather call phone than work through online self service.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise and bunq, which show annual fees of £0 and €0, suit spending that carries no borrowing cost.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, with an annual fee of $0, suits applicants building a credit record rather than moving a balance.
- bunq, with an annual fee of €0, suits anyone who wants a card without paying for a balance transfer option.
Country by country
| Country | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| India | No | Yes |
| New Zealand | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Kiwibank
What does the Kiwibank debit card cost each month?+
The Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0, which is why Kiwibank ranks 1 of 422 on that measure. The card is a debit card on the visa network, so the monthly charge is the only regular cost listed.
What does it cost to spend in another currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 2.5% on the debit card, and Kiwibank sits at 196 of 258 on that measure. Spending in New Zealand on the card avoids that cost, so the card suits local use. Travellers who convert often should weigh the fee before applying.
SBI Card
What does SBI Card charge each year?+
The annual fee is INR 499, on a card that is a credit product rather than a charge card. Interest builds only if a balance is carried, so clearing the statement in full avoids the rate. The balance transfer route adds 2% on top, and that fee is the figure to weigh against the annual cost.
What is the APR on an SBI Card?+
The APR is 45%, which is high against the wider credit card set, where the card ranks 128 out of 138. Paying in full each month means the rate is never charged. Anyone planning to carry a balance should treat 45% as the true cost of this card.
Other options to compare
SBI Card
Kiwibank