Major banks in New Zealand announced assistance packages for customers in the Canterbury region. Details differed but included: a deferral of interest for three months, waiver of early withdrawal costs for term deposits; a waiver of fees on new loans; and a notional willingness to lend more money to local businesses, as long as the customer meets normal credit criteria.Bank of New Zealand also said it would cut its profit margin on temporary overdrafts and would consider waiving penalty fees on late payments on credit cards.More than a dozen bank branches are closed in Christchurch until further notice.Westpac, with eight branches shut, is the bank most affected by the earthquake. ANZ and National Bank each said three branches would be shut. ASB said two branches would be shut. Bank of New Zealand only provided a list of branches that will be open, so it's not clear how many will be shut this week.Of local financial institutions, Pyne Gould, a finance company, has its head office in the central district. CBS Canterbury, a building society that plans to merge with Pyne Gould to form a new bank, has its head office in Riccarton, a district less affected by the quake.