Westpac chief executive George Frazis says confidence has returned and it is now time for businesses to invest for growth.
Mr Frazis has met more than 500 business leaders at 14 forums held around the country in recent weeks after the bank became concerned about confidence levels in the country.
He says a key finding from his trip is that regions with sound local leadership are more upbeat than those where leadership is lacking.
Mr Frazis says these areas also had businesses that were very involved with the community and concerned with how it developed, rather than just being worried about their own sales.
The most confident regions, Mr Frazis says, including Southland and Taranaki, are linked to agriculture, oil and gas, and have good infrastructure including an airport with additional flights.
He says Westpac's role is to convert confidence into business growth and his message is that now is the right time to be investing for growth. .
Mr Frazis says Westpac is also working at a local level, to help grow confidence in the economy and stimulate growth.
The bank is introducing education programmes for small to medium businesses and looking at ways to develop and recognise civic leadership.
Looking ahead, Mr Frazis expects the All Blacks' win at the weekend will help spur business confidence.