Hikes interim dividend, considers more payouts Sets target to bring down annual costs to A$8 bln by 2023 Australian banks recovering rapidly from COVID slump (Adds CEO’s quote, cost reduction goal, share move)
SYDNEY, May 5 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) said it would consider returning capital to shareholders as its first-half profit more than doubled, boosted by the release of funds it had set aside previously to cover potential COVID-19 losses.
Australian banks started recovering from the pandemic earlier than global peers, as the country’s success in controlling the virus combined with near-zero interest rates and high government spending lifted consumer confidence and the housing market.
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Alexis George to leave ANZ | ForeignAffairs co nz
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SME Recovery Loan Scheme to provide critical boost
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