Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Kiwibank vs SBI Card
SBI Card
Kiwibank
Higher score in this comparison
Where Kiwibank and SBI Card differ
| Compare | KiwibankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | SBI CardReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | NZ$0 | ₹0 to ₹9,999 |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.5% | 1.99% to 3.5%Lower |
| Card type | Debit | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Card network (Visa).
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Key differences
- Kiwibank scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at SBI Card: 1998 vs 2001.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at SBI Card: 1.99% to 3.5% vs 2.5%.
- Support channels: only Kiwibank offers Email, Chat, Help centre.
Our verdict on each
Kiwibank
Kiwibank suits New Zealand customers who already bank with the brand and want everyday spending and borrowing on one relationship. The credit card carries an annual fee of NZD 0 and an APR of 12.9%, so it only suits you if you clear balances rather than carry them.
SBI Card
SBI Card suits business users in India who want a Visa credit line and a balance transfer route, though the pricing runs high. The APR of 45% is the figure to weigh, and the annual fee of INR 499 sits on top of it every year.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Annual fee NZD 0 and monthly fee NZD 0 sit against a currency conversion fee of 2.5%. | 8.8Annual fee INR 499 and APR 45% against free annual fees on Wise, £0, and Chime Card, $0. |
| Offer | 9.9Higher | 8.1The offer is the balance transfer option, fee 2% with an intro period of 2, on Visa network visa. |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 9.0 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Kiwibank: 1. Additional countries for SBI Card: 1.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 130 of 1020 | 35 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 5 of 35 | 1 of 35 |
| Business debit cards | 34 of 201 | 12 of 201 |
Also worth a look
eToro has currency conversion fee at 0%, against 2.5% for Kiwibank and 1.99% to 3.5% for SBI Card.
eToro reviewWhere these facts come from
Kiwibank
- kiwibank.co.nz: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- glimp.co.nz: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- wise.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
SBI Card
- sbicard.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Virtual card, Travel |
| Audience | Business | Business |
| 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 |
Credit cards
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | NZ$0 | ₹499 |
| APR | 12.9%Lower | 45% |
| Rewards type | None | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | No annual fee | Not confirmed |
| Balance transfer intro period | 6 monthsHigher | 2 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 1%Lower | 2% |
| Credit needed | Not confirmed | Excellent |
| Perks | 55 days interest free on purchases | Not confirmed |
| Card kind | Credit | Credit |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kiwibank | SBI Card | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 2.5%above the median | 1.99% to 3.5%above the median | 1% |
Median across 387 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Kiwibank
Pros
- The credit card has an annual fee of NZD 0 and the everyday Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0
- Purchases get an interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases, which suits clearing balances in full each cycle
- Help is offered on phone, email and chat, including phone, email, chat and a help centre
Cons
- The rewards type on the credit card is none, so everyday spending earns nothing back
- The currency conversion fee of 2.5% ranks 192 of 259 brands compared
- A balance transfer charges a fee of 1% and lasts 6, so the saving is short lived
SBI Card
Pros
- Balance transfers are available, with a fee of 2% over an intro period of 2.
- Runs on the Visa network, so the card is accepted wherever Visa is taken: visa.
- Virtual card and travel features are both listed, which suits spending abroad: virtual card and travel.
Cons
- The APR is 45%, which ranks 123 of 133 brands on rate.
- An annual fee of INR 499 applies, against £0 on Wise and $0 on Chime Card.
- Support runs on phone only, so there is no listed written channel for questions.
Who each suits
Kiwibank
Who it suits
- Kiwibank account holders in New Zealand who want a Visa card for everyday spending with a monthly fee of NZD 0
- People planning a large purchase and paying it off inside the interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases
- Business users of a Visa debit card, since the card is aimed at a business audience
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who spend abroad often, since the currency conversion fee is 2.5%
- Shoppers who want cashback, since the rewards type is none
- Borrowers carrying a balance past the 6 intro period, who pay 12.9% and might prefer the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card
SBI Card
Who it suits
- Business owners in India who want a revolving Visa line and a balance transfer route for existing borrowing.
- Travellers who want a business card with travel features from a long established Indian issuer.
- Applicants with an excellent credit history, excellent, who can carry a high APR without strain.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, if the annual charge decides it: the annual fee is £0 against INR 499 here.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, whose annual fee is $0, for applicants building a credit history from scratch.
- Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card), with an annual fee of $0, if the lowest annual charge matters most.
Country by country
| Country | Kiwibank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| India | No | Yes |
| New Zealand | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Kiwibank
What does it cost to keep a Kiwibank card?+
The credit card has an annual fee of NZD 0 and the everyday Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0, so holding either costs nothing on its own. Borrowing on the credit card is what costs money, at an APR of 12.9% on any balance you carry.
What is the interest-free period on purchases?+
Purchases get an interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases, which is one of the longer runs on the market and suits people who clear the balance each cycle. Any unpaid amount after that period is charged at the standard rate of 12.9%.
SBI Card
What does an SBI Card cost to hold and borrow on?+
The annual fee is INR 499 on the cards in the range that charge an annual fee, and the APR is 45%. Borrowing at that rate is the main cost, and it sits at 123 of 133 brands in this comparison. Monthly fees run INR 0 to INR 9,999 on top, so the price depends on the card you pick.
What does it cost to spend in another currency?+
Currency conversion fees run 1.99% to 3.5% across the range and apply whenever a purchase is made abroad. Spending in the local currency avoids the conversion charge. Travel features are listed, virtual card and travel, though the conversion rate still applies to foreign transactions on any card in the range.
Other options to compare
SBI Card
Kiwibank