Briefs: ANZ awarded a Thai banking licence, Australia a big AIIB stakeholder, Summerhayes to leave S

Banking Day staff
  • Thailand's Ministry of Finance has awarded ANZ a full banking licence, which will allow it to upgrade its presence from a representative office to a subsidiary and transact in local currency. ANZ said in a statement that ANZ Thai would be an important addition to its Asian network, providing support to the growing trade and investment flows in and out of the country. The former chief executive of ANZ Philippines, Panadda Manoleehakul, has been appointed ANZ Thai CEO.
  • Australia's A$930 million contribution to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank makes it the sixth largest shareholder in the bank, according to an ABC report. Treasurer Joe Hockey joined representatives from 50 countries at a ceremony in Beijing on Monday to sign the bank's articles of agreement. Australia will make its contribution over five years.
  • Suncorp has announced a number of management changes in its life insurance division, including the departure of Suncorp Life chief executive Geoff Summerhayes in September. Vero New Zealand chief executive Gary Dransfield has been appointed interim CEO of Suncorp Life. Paul Smeaton, who is currently manager of statutory claims in the commercial insurance division, will take over from Dransfield.
  • Most of the news in the home loan market over the past couple of months has been about lenders tightening their underwriting. AMP Bank has seized the opportunity to try and grab some market share by launching a A$1000 cash-back offer for new customers taking out an owner-occupier loan. The offer is available for customers applying for a Professional Pack loan before the end of September. The money will be deposited into an offset account when the loan is settled.