Australian banks to pass on financial hit from levy to customers and shareholders

CBA CEO said "there is no middle option to absorb costs".

According to Reuters, Australia's biggest banks will pass on the financial hit from a new A$6.2 billion ($4.60 billion) tax to their customers and shareholders, the companies said on Monday in their first detailed responses to the surprise levy.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country's No. 1 lender, described the tax on liabilities unveiled in last week's federal budget as an "unfair penalty" in a submission to a government consultation process.

"The realities of running a business, whether small or large, are that higher costs are either passed on to customers through reduced service levels or higher pricing, or to shareholders through lower returns," CBA CEO Ian Narev said in the submission. "There is no middle option to absorb costs."

Read the full story here.

Join Asian Banking & Finance community
Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you dight and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

Top News

RCBC posts ₱1.517t in assets in strong Q1 2025 performance
The report showed a QoQ increase in both solo and consolidated assets. On a solo basis, RCBC’s total assets rose to ₱1.509t.
Lending & Credit
HSBC enhances entrepreneurial wealth proposition in Hong Kong
It has launched two programmes to support businesses and private banking clients.
Citi launches AI tools for Hong Kong employees
One tool can summarise, compare, and translate multiple documents at the same time.
ZA Bank welcomes passage of Hong Kong stablecoins bill
They are engaged in in-depth discussions with several potential stablecoin issuers.