By 1993, circulating $3 notes were only backed by 5% of their face value in NZD, and coins were not backed at all. Meanwhile, the rate of currency issuance, and governmental budget deficits, had increased such that the national debt was nearly double annual GDP. Eventually commercial banks refused to convert the currency to New Zealand dollars resulting in capital flight and an economic crisis. This prompted the government to revert to using the New Zealand dollar as the country's currency in April 1995. Cook Islands dollar banknotes other than the $3 notes ceased to be legal tender, although they remained convertible to New Zealand dollars at the Cook Islands Treasury until 2005.