Australia

ANZ seen to bid for entire KEB stake

Nomura “would be surprised” if ANZ is not considering making takeover bid after lender raises $1.6mln.

ANZ seen to bid for entire KEB stake

Nomura “would be surprised” if ANZ is not considering making takeover bid after lender raises $1.6mln.

ANZ inaugurates Chengdu unit

Lender aggressive in China expansion as it seeks for $5bln purchase of KEB's 57% stake.

Westpac allots $100mln to boost retail division

Move follows lender's appointment of 670 managers in an effort to increase division's competitiveness.

Regulator approves ANZ Bank's $373mln China unit

Plans to set up 20 branches in three years as it targets stronger foothold in China.

HSBC names Paul Bloxham Chief Economist Australia and New Zealand

Reserve Bank of Australia experience brings in strong understanding of Australian macroeconomic policy formulation to lender.

National Australia junks bid for Axa Asia

Regulator's blocking of NAB-AXA deal paved way for AMP offer as insurer remains strategically attractive.

Westpac provides online investors global access

Lender enables its 250,000 online customers to access to over 30 markets with new product suite.

Westpac names Jane Kittel BankSA CEO

Kittel to replace Rob Chapman after being general manager of lender's Pacific Banking division.

Commonwealth Bank offers $1.4bln of bonds

Lender's largest bond sale in its home market since March 3 is due in 2013.

International regulatory caravan moves on, but destination remains unclear

Last month's G20 meeting in Toronto did little to dispel the uncertainties surrounding proposals for new internationally harmonised financial regulation and revised capital standards for banks and other intermediaries.

National Australia to upgrade web presence

Lender to sign up Twitter and YouTube as it goes for more tools, resources and richer content.

Commonwealth Bank begins India operations

Lender taps the homeland of 400,000 Indian population in Australia.

A competitive tax regime for Australian investment funds

The Australian Government’s recent response to the report on Australia as a Financial Centre prepared by the Australian Financial Centre Forum chaired by Mark Johnson includes some encouraging news for Australia’s managed funds industry seeking to attract further investments from offshore funds.

Regulator to consult market on NAB's AXA bid

NAB hopes to ease the concerns of the regulator through its revised offer.

Commonwealth Bank unveils its property guide iPhone app

Lender anticipates favourable reception customers who want to tap 95% of Australia's residential homes market.

Westpac plans raising $3bln from dollar-denominated notes sale

Lender eyes to sell $1bln of three-year notes and $2bln of five-year notes.

NAB hits rivals on neglecting business credit

Commonwealth retaliated with claim that NAB performed dismally and foregone opportunity when mortgage market boomed.