Belief changes to child banking requirements will affect teens the most

The Government's making it easier to sign children up for a bank account, saying the current laws are unnecessarily difficult - in an attempt to prevent serious crime.

It's one of the first steps in Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee's revamped anti money-laundering regime.

My Mahi founder Jeff King says New Zealand would be in a good place, if all young people had a bank account.

He says those aged 15-to-16 are looking for their first part-time job, and need an account.