Treasury's advised the Government of three options to boost Kiwibank's capital to better compete with the Australian-owned banks.  

They include borrowing money for Crown investment, third party investment, or an Initial Public Offering on the share market.  

It comes in response to the Commerce Commission market study on personal banking. 

Massey University Business School associate professor Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking if Kiwibank is bigger, it can operate at a similar level to the other big banks.  

But, she says, whether it actually makes a real difference in how the sector operates won't be known unless it happens. 

LISTEN ABOVE