NZE:WBC

Australian Federal Court Hits Westpac With AU$26 Million Fine Over Hardship Failures

The Australian Federal Court ordered Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) to pay AU$26 million in civil penalties after failing to respond to over 200 online hardship requests within the time required by law over 2017 to 2023, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.The requests were from customers of Westpac and its St George Bank, Bank SA, and Bank of Melbourne subsidiaries who were struggling to meet repayments on products including home loans, credit cards, personal loans and car loans, the regulator said.The company made admissions of contravention during the proceedings and compensated affected customers with over AU$1.7 million in remediation costs, the regulator said.In an emailed statement to, a Westpac spokesperson said the company self-reported the issues in 2022 and 2023 and completed a remediation program, including refunds of fees and charges, debt waivers and payments for non-financial loss. The bank received roughly 695,000 requests for hardship assistance over the period."Westpac acknowledges the Court's decision. We again apologise to any customers who were affected. We are deeply sorry we let them down," the spokesperson said.The bank's Australian shares were down 2% in recent Wednesday trade, while its New Zealand shares shed about 3%.

Lending of up to NZ$1.2 Billion to be Made Available Under Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme, New Zealand Finance Minister Says

New Zealand's new Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme is expected to make up to NZ$1.2 billion of bank loans available to businesses to eliminate or reduce their dependency on gas, the country's minister of finance, Nicola Willis, said in a statement on Monday.The maximum value of a supported loan under the scheme will be NZ$50 million. A business must be a current user of reticulated New Zealand natural gas with annual gas consumption of at least 1,000 gigajoules to be eligible for lending under the scheme.The scheme is expected to be available for three years, with loans expected to be repayable within 10 years, subject to terms agreed between banks and borrowers.The country's Budget 2026 sets aside NZ$48 million to cover potential losses from the scheme, and the government will guarantee 80% of each supported loan in order for banks to pass on lower interest rates to borrowers.

Market Chatter: Australian Banks' May Reporting Season 'Underwhelming,' Operating Conditions Shifting Rapidly, Morgan Stanley Says

Australian banks' reporting season in May was "underwhelming" and they faced a rapid and material shift in operating conditions, according to Morgan Stanley analysts Richard Wiles and Sally Hong, the Australian Financial Review reported Wednesday.Morgan Stanley downgraded fiscal 2027 cash earnings-per-share estimates by 4% since March as revenue growth slows, credit demand weakens, and loan losses gradually rise, reversing an upgrade in February.Three hikes in the official cash rate, proposed changes to property-related tax measures in Australia's federal budget, as well as the impact of the global energy shock all contribute to the uncertainty in outlook for banks, per Morgan Stanley.The investment firm preferred ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) over Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC), National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB), and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA).(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Westpac Banking to Issue SG$500 Million of Tier 2 Subordinated Instruments

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) will issue SG$500 million worth of 3% subordinated instruments due 2038 on Tuesday, according to a same-day filing with the Australian bourse.The instruments are expected to qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital under Basel III rules, per the filing.The company said it plans to use the proceeds from the issue for general corporate purposes.Westpac Banking's Australian and New Zealand shares each gained 1% in recent Tuesday trade.

Westpac Banking Says State Street Reduces Stake

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) received notice that State Street and its subsidiaries decreased their holdings in the company to 7.76% from 9.42%, according to a Friday filing with the Australian bourse.State Street and its subsidiaries now own 265.6 million shares in the company, the filing said.

Market Chatter: Westpac Cutting 94 Jobs After Transitioning to Single Investment Platform

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) has informed Australia's Finance Sector Union that it will cut 94 jobs as a result of the decommissioning of its Asgard investment platform, the Australian Financial Review reported Tuesday.The bank has completed the migration of customers from Asgard to BT Panorama in a move that simplifies its structure to one in-house wealth management platform, according to the report.BT Chief Executive Matt Rady reportedly said the company attempted to retain as many employees as possible through training and transfers to different divisions."The current changes relate to BT's head office and operational functions as we reset how we are structured following the Asgard migration, transitioning to an operating model designed for a single platform," Rady was quoted as saying.Westpac did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

NZX Midday Sector Update: Consumer Services Stocks Advance, Financial Sector Struggles

Consumer services stocks advanced nearly 1% at midday Friday.Skycity Entertainment Group (NZE:SKC, ASX:SKC) gained nearly 1% in recent trade.On the flip side, the financial sector struggled, shedding almost 4%.Westpac Banking (NZE:WBC, ASX:WBC) shares fell nearly 5% in recent trade.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Finance Advances, Distribution Services Decline

Finance shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising over 4% by midday Wednesday.Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) gained 5% in recent trade.The Reserve Bank of New Zealand on Wednesday said that New Zealand's four largest banks would maintain capital buffers even in a stress scenario where the unemployment rate peaks at 10.5%, gross domestic product declines by 6.5%, and house prices fall by 35%.Meanwhile, the distribution services sector shares fell past 3%.Vulcan Steel (NZE:VSL, ASX:VSL) was down 3% in recent trade.

Westpac's Total Capital, CET1 Capital Up Year on Year in March Quarter

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) total capital and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital both increased year-over-year in the March quarter, according to a Tuesday Australian bourse filing.The bank's total capital in the three months to March came in at AU$98.54 billion, up from the AU$97.14 billion it reported in the year-ago period. Its CET1 capital for the period clocked in at AU$56.94 billion, rising from the AU$55.01 billion it reported for the March 2025 quarter.Its CET1 ratio for the March quarter was 12.4%, compared with a ratio of 12.2% in the prior-year period. It reported a liquidity coverage ratio of 132% for the quarter, compared with 135% in the same period in the previous year.

Westpac Banking Posts Higher Fiscal H1 Adjusted Earnings, Net Operating Income

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) reported Tuesday fiscal first-half earnings of AU$1.014 per share excluding notable items, up from AU$0.998 a year earlier.Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of AU$1.Net operating income for the six months ended March 31 was AU$11.28 billion, compared with AU$10.99 billion a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected AU$11.33 billion.The board declared an interim dividend of AU$0.77 per share, up from AU$0.76 a year earlier, payable June 26 to shareholders on record as of May 11.

Westpac Banking Posts Fiscal H1 EPS (Excluding Notable Items) of AU$1.014, Net Operating Income of AU$11.28 Billion

Westpac Banking Opens Fourth Regional Service Center in New South Wales

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) opened its fourth regional service center in Yass, New South Wales, the banking and financial services firm said in a statement on Wednesday.The Yass service center follows the completion of new centers in Moree, also located in New South Wales, Leongatha in Victoria, and Smithton in Tasmania, the statement said.The firm also plans to expand its Community Banking Service pilot program to Walcha, New South Wales, by May, per the statement.Westpac shares fell nearly 1% in recent trade in Australia, and fell past 1% in New Zealand.

Westpac NZ Offers Relief to Flood-Affected Whanganui, Wellington Customers

Westpac Banking's (NZE:WBC, ASX:WBC) New Zealand unit is providing financial support to customers affected by severe flooding and landslides across the Whanganui and Wellington regions, including temporary loan repayment suspensions and hardship assistance measures, according to a Tuesday statement by the bank.Support measures may include temporarily suspending loan principal repayments, deferring credit card payments, and providing hardship assistance such as lower repayment amounts, short-term overdraft access, and early access to term deposit funds.Business and agricultural customers may be eligible for up to three months of relief on loan and credit card payments, while consumer customers can receive home loan payment suspensions or other customized support based on their situation.

Australian Banks Back Interest-Free Loans Under Australian Government Program

Australian banks support the roll-out of interest-free loans to businesses through the government's AU$1 billion Economic Resilience Program under the National Reconstruction Fund, the Australian Banking Association said in a statement on Monday.Businesses in identified priority sectors with an annual turnover of AU$100 million or less can secure a zero-interest loan of up to AU$5 million under the program, the banking group said.Banks participating in the program include the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA), National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB), Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC), and ANZ Group (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ), per the statement.Commonwealth Bank shares fell nearly 1% in morning trade in Australia, while National Australia Bank shares were down past 3%.Meanwhile, Westpac Banking and ANZ Group shares fell nearly 1% in recent trade in New Zealand.

Westpac Banking's Downward Annual Guidance Signals Caution as Credit Conditions Hold, Says Jefferies

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) is faring well with solid fundamentals, but its recent annual earnings guidance cut calls for a cautionary glance on weaker net interest margin, Jefferies said in a note on Tuesday.The bank revised its fiscal 2026 earnings per share down by 3%, dragged down by lower first-half net interest margin due to reduced markets and treasury contribution, one-off costs from the sale of its RAMS mortgage portfolio, and higher loan impairment charges.The investment firm said that provisions increased despite improving asset quality, pointing to a more defensive macroeconomic stance.Analysts at Jefferies also expect Westpac's New Zealand segment to be negatively affected by currency weakness in the first half, creating a modest headwind to earnings.Jefferies reaffirmed a hold rating on Westpac Banking and lifted the price target to AU$34.92 from AU$34.88.

New Zealand Shares Flat Despite Hopes of US-Iran Peace Talks; Winton Land Secures Approval for Ayrburn Screen Hub Under Fast-Track Act

New Zealand shares ended flat on Tuesday while most Asian stocks saw gains as investors hope for a US-Iran peace agreement.The S&P/NZX 50 Index was little changed to close at 13,017.26.Dialogue between the US and Iran is "still alive," even after the failed negotiations that took place in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to a Monday Reuters report, citing sources familiar with the matter.Also, US ​President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran "called this morning" and wants to make a deal, but he will not agree to an agreement that does not forbid Iran from having a nuclear weapon, according to a Monday Reuters report."The failed weekend talks did not produce a deal, but they also did not close the door on diplomacy, ​and that is enough for equities to keep pushing higher for now," said Charu Chanana, Saxo's ⁠chief investment strategist, as quoted by Reuters in a separate report.In domestic news, the share of first home buyers' property purchases in New Zealand in the March quarter was over 27%, buoyed by lower house prices, reduced mortgage rates, and policy measures, Cotality said.In corporate news, Winton Land (NZE:WIN, ASX:WTN) received conditional approval from the expert panel for the Ayrburn Screen Hub under the Fast-track Approvals Act, with the decision now subject to a 20 working day appeal period.Westpac Banking (NZE:WBC, ASX:WBC) will boost credit provisions for customers in energy-intensive sectors due to the volatility and economic uncertainty created by the Middle East conflict.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Distribution Services Rise, Finance Declines

Distribution services shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising almost 2% by midday Tuesday.Shares of Vulcan Steel (NZE:VSL, ASX:VSL) rose nearly 2% in recent trade.Meanwhile, the finance sector fell 1%.Westpac Banking (NZE:WBC, ASX:WBC) was down almost 2% in recent trade.

Australian Banks Take 'Decisive Action' to Disrupt Transactions Supporting Illicit Tobacco Trade, Austrac Says

Australia's banks took "decisive action" to disrupt the financial flows supporting the country's illicit tobacco trade after Austrac and the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette (ITEC) Commissioner asked them to strengthen monitoring and reporting under their existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, the regulator said in a Tuesday statement.They asked lenders to scrutinize high-risk transactions linked to tobacco retailers, including cash deposits and EFTPOS activity, according to Austrac Chief Executive Brendan Thomas.Almost 90% of banks and authorized deposit taking institutions responded to Austrac's request, per the statement, and around 20% of the reporting entities exited high-risk customers with exposure to illicit tobacco, while others imposed enhanced controls and monitoring arrangements to manage identified risks.Commonwealth Bank of Australia's (ASX:CBA) shares gained about 1% in recent Tuesday trade, ANZ Group Holdings' (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) Australia shares shed 1%, and Westpac Banking's (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) Australia shares fell 2%.

ASX Preview: Australian Shares to Rise on Renewed US-Iran Talks Optimism; Qantas Airways Raises Fiscal 2026 Fuel Cost Forecast

Australian shares are poised to rise on Tuesday after oil markets were shaken by escalating Middle East tensions, as the US moves to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.US President Donald Trump said Iran had reached out to restart negotiations after failed weekend talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, as investors weighed the risk of further disruption to global energy supplies.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1%, 1.2%, and 0.6%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, Australia's wages rose 0.8% in the March quarter while employment added about 23,000 jobs, pointing to a steady but gradually cooling labor market with wage growth stabilizing near a new baseline, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) said in a Monday report.In corporate news, Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) now expects fuel cost for the second half of fiscal 2026 to be AU$3.1 billion to AU$3.3 billion, as February jet refining margins peaked at about $120 per barrel.Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) will boost credit provisions for customers in energy-intensive sectors due to the volatility and economic uncertainty created by the Middle East conflict.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.4% or 34.6 points to close at 8,926 on Monday.

Westpac Banking to Boost Credit Provisions for Customers in Energy-Intensive Sectors

Westpac Banking (NZE:WBC, ASX:WBC) will boost credit provisions for customers in energy-intensive sectors due to the volatility and economic uncertainty created by the Middle East conflict, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian and New Zealand bourses.Interest rate volatility had an impact on treasury and markets net interest margin, which fell to 7 basis points in the fiscal second quarter of 2026 from 15 basis points in the fiscal first quarter, per the filing. At the same time, a 6% depreciation of the New Zealand dollar weighed on both revenue and costs.The increase in credit provisions is expected to result in a credit impairment charge of 10 basis points of average gross loans, while the ratio of collectively assessed provisions to credit risk-weighted assets is expected to rise to around 129 basis points, the bank said.Westpac, which reports half-year 2026 results on May 5, said a notable item related to transaction costs for the sale of its RAMS mortgage portfolio lowered its reported net profit after tax by AU$75 million.