Bendigo left out of Hayne lending hunt
Bank of Queensland and Suncorp will be the subject of case studies at the banking royal commission later this month, alongside all four regulars ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac.This round of hearings "will consider the conduct of financial services entities in respect of their dealings with small and medium enterprises, in particular in providing credit to businesses. The hearings will also explore the current legal and regulatory regimes, as well as self-regulation under the Code of Banking Practice," the commission said.Three topics were set out late yesterday by the commission for these hearings relating to bank conduct towards customers: responsible lending to small businesses; the approach of banks to enforcement, management and monitoring of loans to businesses: and product and account administration.Two more topics are more policy oriented. The first is "Extension of unfair contract terms legislation to small business contracts" and the final "the Code of Banking Practice". The latter topic will rope in the Australian Banking Association to give evidence. ASIC will be back, more than once. APRA is not mentioned as an expected witness.Bankwest, a popular choice, will feature in one segment of CBA's two examinations.