How to Export Bank Transactions to CSV in NZ
A practical guide to exporting your bank transaction history as a CSV file, and using it to track spending — without connecting your bank account directly to any app.
Try MyFinanceWhat is a CSV file?
CSV stands for comma-separated values. It's a plain text file format for storing simple, table-like data — in this case, a list of your bank transactions, usually one row per transaction, with columns like date, description and amount.
Unlike a PDF statement, a CSV file is easy for software (or a spreadsheet) to read automatically, which is what makes it useful for tracking spending without re-typing every transaction by hand.
Why someone might export bank transactions
Exporting your transaction history gives you a copy of your own data that you can review, organise, categorise, or import into a spreadsheet or budgeting tool — without needing to hand your online banking login to a third party.
It's a useful step whether you're building a budget, doing a one-off review of your spending, preparing figures for tax or accounting purposes, or just trying to understand where your money actually goes each month.
How the export process generally works
Every NZ bank's internet banking looks a little different, but the underlying process is usually similar.
- Log in to your bank's internet banking (or app, if it supports exports).
- Open the account you want to export transactions from.
- Look for an "export," "download," or "statement" option.
- Choose a date range for the transactions you want.
- Select CSV as the file format, if more than one option is offered.
- Download the file to your device.
We're deliberately not giving bank-specific click-by-click instructions here. NZ banks have different interfaces and export options, and menu names change over time. We plan to publish separate, verified guides for ASB, ANZ, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank.
What information a transaction CSV usually contains
Exact column names vary by bank, but most transaction CSVs include something like this:
| Field | Typically contains |
|---|---|
| Date | The date the transaction occurred or was processed |
| Description | The merchant name or a description of the transaction |
| Amount | The transaction amount, often negative for money out |
| Balance | Account balance after the transaction (not always included) |
Importing the CSV into MyFinance
Once you've exported a CSV, bringing it into MyFinance is straightforward.
- In MyFinance, go to Settings and choose Import CSV.
- Select the CSV file you exported from your bank.
- MyFinance recognises several NZ bank formats automatically, or falls back to a generic importer.
- Review the imported transactions before they're added.
- Transactions are categorised automatically based on rules you can edit.
MyFinance also checks for duplicates, so importing an overlapping date range from a later export shouldn't double up your transactions.
Tracking spending from imported transactions
Once transactions are in and categorised, MyFinance turns them into a clearer picture of your finances.
Spending
See spending broken down by category, month by month.
Budgets
Set a budget per category and track actual vs budget.
Net worth
Property, savings, investments and debt, combined.
Debt
Track mortgages and other debts, including payoff progress.
CSV vs a direct bank connection
Some budgeting apps connect directly to your bank account. MyFinance doesn't — it works from a CSV you export yourself.
Exporting a CSV
You choose when to export, and exactly what gets shared with the app.
Direct bank connection
An app connects to your bank and pulls transactions automatically.
Neither approach is right for everyone — it's a genuine trade-off between convenience and how much access you want to share, and it's worth deciding what matters more to you.
What to do if your bank doesn't offer CSV
Not every account or every bank offers a CSV export option in every situation. If that happens to you, a few options are worth trying:
- Check whether a different file format is offered (some banks export to formats other than CSV first)
- Check whether the export option is only available on desktop internet banking rather than the mobile app, or vice versa
- Contact your bank's support to ask what export options are available for your account
- Add transactions manually in MyFinance — useful for cash spending or accounts without an export option
Keeping transaction files organised
A little organisation goes a long way once you're exporting files regularly:
- Use a clear file name that includes the account and date range
- Keep exports in one folder, rather than scattered across downloads
- Import fairly soon after exporting, while the date range is still fresh in your mind
- Don't worry about occasionally overlapping date ranges — MyFinance's duplicate detection handles that
Frequently asked questions
What is a bank transaction CSV?
A CSV (comma-separated values) file is a simple text file listing your transactions, usually one per row, with a date, description and amount. Most NZ banks let you export your transaction history from internet banking in this format.
How do I export my bank transactions to CSV in NZ?
The exact steps differ by bank, but generally you log in to internet banking, open the account you want, look for an export or download option, choose a date range, and select CSV as the file format.
Does every NZ bank support CSV export?
Most major NZ banks offer some form of transaction export, though the exact options and file formats vary by bank. If your bank doesn't offer CSV directly, some offer other formats, or you can add transactions manually.
Is exporting a CSV safer than connecting my bank account?
Exporting a CSV means you choose exactly what to share and when, without giving a third-party app your online banking login. Whether that matters to you is a personal choice — it simply keeps you in control of what's shared.
How do I import a CSV into MyFinance?
In MyFinance, go to Settings and choose Import CSV, then select the file you exported from your bank. MyFinance recognises several NZ bank formats automatically, and a generic importer covers others.
What if I import the same transactions twice?
MyFinance checks for duplicate transactions during import, so re-importing a file that overlaps with previous data shouldn't create doubled-up entries.
Can I still track spending if my bank doesn't offer CSV export?
Yes. You can add transactions manually in MyFinance, which works for cash spending or accounts that don't offer an export option.
Ready to import your transactions?
Try MyFinance free — export a CSV from your bank and see your spending, budgets and net worth in one place.