Australia

Westpac is set to release US$9,200 loans to Australian homeowners to install sustainable and eco-friendly energy facilities.   The bank said Nov. 8 the loans support the Australian Government Green Loans Program and will give homeowners an opportunity to improve their energy and water use efficiency, according to The Sydney Morning Herald ."The Green Loans Program assists families to install solar, water saving and energy efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," a statement from Westpac said."It also has the potential to help around 360,000 Australian households save on energy and water bills."Westpac group executive for retail and business banking, Peter Hanlon, said the initiative was an investment into the future. "Sustainability is an integral part of Westpac's business strategy, having already reduced our emissions by 40 per cent between 1996 and 2008 with a further reduction of 30 per cent targeted by 2013," Mr Hanlon said.

Westpac head still optimistic on bank's performance next year as economic conditions improve.

Partnership will strengthen CDB's presence in Asia-Pacific region with ANZ as its agent.

Phil Chronican's diversity of experience described as a momentum booster for ANZ's domestic operations.

Government should exercise its regulatory role more strictly, said former Prime Minister Paul Keating.

In an effort to safeguard bank deposits, NAB looks forward to sell US$500 million in hybrid tier 1 to investors in Europe and Asia.

Yet despite his 6 percent salary rise, CBA chief Ralph Norris' short-term incentives were cut by 10 percent due to the bank's 1 percent slide in net profit.

The transaction aims to help ING pay its US$14.25 billion debt from the Dutch government.

Aussie Banks ready to wean themselves off the government guarantee on wholesale bank lending, ANZ Chief Mike Smith says.

First it was the NAB. Now the big four aussie banks are looking at cutting account withdrawn fees to appease customers.

ANZ Directors have chosen John Morschel to succeed Charles Goode as new chairman by February 2010.

Goldman Sachs is not known for getting the bad end of a deal, so it may be a surprise to learn Australia's NAB is buying its wealth management business for A$99 million.

ANZ appointed Joyce Phillips as Group Managing Director Strategy, M&A, Marketing and Innovation and will be part of ANZ’s Management Board.

Telstra has deployed a Salmat VeCommerce voice biometric solution, VeSecure, at the National Australia Bank—a first for the Australian banking industry.

Over the next few months Members Equity Bank will gradually introduce a new logo and colours to remind bankers that it is theirs.

ANZ appointed Susan Yuen and Vishnu Mohan as Chief Executive Officers of Hong Kong and North West Pacific, respectively. Mohan will also be ANZ’s Managing Director in Papua New Guinea.