Briefs: ANZ Asia story a hindrance in Australia, FirstMac appeals to High Court and more

22 June 2012 4:39PM

Briefs,

• ANZ's managing director of corporate and commercial, Mark Whelan, told the Financial Review that some competitors were telling clients the bank was no longer interested in domestic-only businesses and that some staff were confused by its Asian strategy. "The message has got a little confused with some staff and potentially some customers," Whelan said.

• FirstMac is seeking to leave to appeal to the High Court over adverse decisions of lower courts that set aside mortgages provided through low doc loans, The Australian reported.

• Ken Christie, chief financial officer of Bank of New Zealand for the last five years, will leave the bank to rejoin National Australia Bank. His new job at NAB is yet to be announced, Interest.co.nz reported. BNZ is also yet to select a new CFO.

• Banks in the UK may be able to access term debt under the Government's "funding for lending" program for as little as 1.2 per cent, the Financial Times reports. The rate at which banks can borrow money would start at the baseline Libor rate plus 125 basis points and fall to a minimum possible surcharge of 25 basis points.

• Bank Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding on cross-border banking supervision with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. The agreement was effective from earlier this month.