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{{short description|Australian multinational bank}}
{{Infobox_Company
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
|company_name = Commonwealth Bank of Australia
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2015}}
|company_logo = ]
{{Infobox company
|company_type = Public (ASX:)
| name = Commonwealth Bank of Australia Limited
|company_slogan = '''''Determined''''' ''to be different''
| logo = Commonwealth Bank logo 2020.svg
|foundation = ] as a government bank<br>] as a public company
| logo_size = 120px
|location = {{flagicon|Australia}} ], ]
| image = Tumbalong Park DSC08472 (cropped).jpg
|key_people = ], ]<br>], ] and ]
| image_size = 280
|area_served = {{flagicon|AUS}} ]<br>{{flagicon|NZL}} ]<br>{{flagicon|Fiji}} ]<br>{{flagicon|Indonesia}} ]
| image_caption = Heaquarters at Commonwealth Bank Place, ], ]
|num_employees = 37,000 (Full-time equivalent)
| type = ]
|industry = ]
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{ASX|CBA}}|] component}}
|products = Banking, financial and related services
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|AU000000CBA7}}
|revenue = {{profit}} $28.564 billion ] (])
| foundation = {{unbulleted list|{{Start date and age|1911|12|22|df=yes|br=yes}}<br/>(government bank)|{{Start date and age|1991|9|12|df=yes|br=yes}}<br/>(public company)}}
|net_income = {{profit}} $3.928 billion ] (])
| industry = ]
|subsid = ], Colonial First State Investments Limited, ], ] and CommInsure
| products = {{hlist| ] | ]| ]| ]| ]| ]| ]| ]| ]| ] | ] | ]| ]s| ]s }}
|homepage =
| hq_location = Commonwealth Bank Place South, 11 Harbour Street
|intl = yes
| hq_location_city = ]
| hq_location_country = Australia
| num_locations = {{unbulleted list|709 ]|1,916 ]}}
| num_locations_year = 2024<ref name="FY" />
| areas_served = {{hlist|Australia|China|European Union|Hong Kong|Indonesia|Japan|London|New Zealand|New York|Singapore}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/our-company/international-branches.html |access-date=5 October 2024 |website=commbank.com.au |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065848/https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/our-company/international-branches.html |url-status=live |title=International locations}}</ref>
| ratio = 12.3% (2024)<ref name="FY" />
| profit = $9.8 billion
| rating = AA- (2024) <ref>{{cite web |website=commbank.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005081149/https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/investors/credit-ratings.html |url-status=live |archive-date=5 October 2024 |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/investors/credit-ratings.html |access-date=5 October 2024 |title=Credit ratings |at=Standard & Poor's}}</ref>
| profit_year = 2024<ref name="FY" />
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|]<br/>(])}}
| operating_income = $21.17 billion
| income_year = 2024<ref name="FY">{{Cite report|date=14 August 2024|title=2024 Annual Report|location=Commonwealth Bank Place South, Harbour Street, Sydney NSW|url=https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank-assets/investors/docs/results/fy24/2024-Annual-Report_spreads.pdf|access-date=5 October 2024|publisher=Commonwealth Bank of Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065728/https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank-assets/investors/docs/results/fy24/2024-Annual-Report_spreads.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2024|url-status=live|pages=2, 3, 138, 139, 308, 310}}</ref>
| assets = {{AUD}}1.254 trillion
| assets_year = 2024<ref name="FY"/>
| members = 17.6 million
| members_year = 2024<ref name="FY" />
| equity = {{AUD}}73.08 billion
| equity_year = 2024<ref name="FY"/>
| num_employees = 53,000+
| num_employees_year = 2024<ref name="FY"/>
| divisions = {{Collapsible list|title=CommBank divisions|Business Banking|Institutional Banking and Markets|Retail Banking Services<ref name="FY"/>}}
| subsid = {{Collapsible list|title=CommBank subsidiaries|]|]|]|CommInsure|]|]}}
| website = {{URL|commbank.com.au}}
}} }}
The '''Commonwealth Bank of Australia''' ('''CBA'''), also known as '''Commonwealth Bank''' or simply '''CommBank''', is an Australian ] ] with businesses across ], ], the ], and the ]. It provides a variety of ]s, including retail, business and institutional banking, ], ], insurance, investment, and broking services. The Commonwealth Bank is the largest Australian listed company on the ] as of July 2024, with brands including ], Colonial First State Investments, ] (New Zealand), ] (CommSec) and Commonwealth Insurance (CommInsure).<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.asx.com.au/markets/trade-our-cash-market/equity-market-prices/top-50-market-cap/|title = ASX 50 List / Market Capitalisation Accurate on: 28 July 2024|date = 28 July 2024|access-date = 28 July 2024|website = ASX 50|publisher = ]}}</ref> Its former constituent parts were the '''Commonwealth Trading Bank of Australia''', the '''Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia''', and the '''Commonwealth Development Bank'''.


Founded in 1911 by the ] and fully privatised in 1996, the Commonwealth Bank is one of the ] Australian banks, with the ] (NAB), ] and ]. The bank was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 12 Sep 1991.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fool.com.au/2022/03/25/how-much-were-cba-shares-when-they-first-floated/ | title=How much were CBA shares when they first floated? | date=25 March 2022 }}</ref>
The '''Commonwealth Bank''' of Australia ({{asx|CBA}}) is one of the largest financial institutions in ], founded in 1911 by the Australian Government. The bank was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1991 and was fully privatised in 1996.


The former global headquarters of Commonwealth Bank were the ] on the corner of ] and ], ], which was refurbished from 2012 for retail and commercial uses, and (from 1984 to 2012) the ] on ], which was sold in 2012 to ]. The headquarters were then moved, splitting between two locations; Tower 1 of 201 Sussex Street and the Commonwealth Bank Place; a new complex of two nine-storey buildings in ] on the western side of Sydney's city centre.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-22|title=Commonwealth Bank Corporate Office|url=http://corporateofficehq.com/commonwealth-bank-corporate-office/|access-date=2021-09-15|website=Corporate Office HQ|language=en-us}}</ref> In 2022, the headquarters were consolidated into the Commonwealth Bank Place, with Tower 1 of 201 Sussex Street remaining as a secondary head office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commonwealth Bank head offices through the years |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2020/11/commonwealth-bank-head-offices.html |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.commbank.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
With businesses in New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom. Commonwealth Bank provides a variety of financial services including retail, business and institutional banking, funds management, superannuation, insurance, investment and broking services. Commonly referred to as the '''Commonwealth Bank''' (or Commbank), The Commonwealth Bank is now the second largest Australian listed company on the ] as of January 2008 with brands including Colonial First State Investments Limited, ] (New Zealand), Commonwealth Securities Limited (CommSec)and Commonwealth Insurance Limited (CommInsure).


In 2018, findings from the ] have indicated a negative culture within the bank, amid allegations of fraud, deception, and money laundering, among various other crimes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/cocaine-girls-million-dollar-fraud-what-the-commonwealth-bank-lender-did-next-20180511-p4zeqt.html|title=Cocaine, girls, million-dollar fraud: What the Commonwealth Bank lender did next|first=Chris Vedelago, Cameron|last=Houston|date=11 May 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
==History==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=October 2007}}
]


In 2022, the Commonwealth Bank held the 49th position in the "Top 1000 World Banks".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebanker.com/Top-1000-World-Banks-Australian-banks-stay-top-in-Asia-Pacific-1641898201|title=Top 1000 World Banks - Australian banks stay top in Asia-Pacific|publisher=The Banker|date=2022-01-11|access-date=2024-03-06}}</ref> As of August 2024 it is listed as the 66th largest company in the world by market cap.
===Foundation and early history (1911-1941)===
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia was founded by an Australian ] in ] called Commonwealth Bank Act. Bank ] was the policy of the ] ] Government. In a rare move for the time, the bank was to have both savings and general bank business. The bank was also the first bank in Australia to receive a Federal Government guarantee. The bank's earliest and most strenuous proponent was the flamboyant American-Australian Labor politician, ], and its first Governor was Sir ].


==History==
The first branch (the ] branch) of the bank opened on ], ]. In an agreement with ] that exists to this day, the bank also traded through post office agencies. In ] it merged with the state savings bank in ] and by 1913 it had branches in all six states.
===Foundation (1911–1919)===
{{See also|Reserve Bank of Australia}}
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia was established by the ''Commonwealth Bank Act 1911'', introduced by the ] ] government, which favoured bank ], with effect on 22 December 1911.<ref name="CN_MP-TDMP2-R-02">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rba.gov.au/about-rba/history/|title=Reserve Bank of Australia : A Brief History|website=rba.gov.au|access-date=5 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="CN_MP-TDMP2-R-03">{{Cite web|url=http://advance-australia.com.au/upfiles/the_story_of_the_commonwealth_bank.pdf|title=Story of Commonwealth Bank|access-date=5 December 2018|archive-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301131035/https://advance-australia.com.au/upfiles/the_story_of_the_commonwealth_bank.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a rare move for the time, the bank was to have both savings and general bank business. The bank was also the first bank in Australia to receive a federal government guarantee. The bank's earliest and most strenuous proponent was the flamboyant American-Australian Labor politician ], and its first governor was Sir ].


The bank opened its first branch in ] on 15 July 1912.<ref>{{cite book|title=Australia Through Time|publisher=Random House Australia|year=2004|isbn=0-75931-002-5|page=191}}</ref> In an agreement with ] that exists to this day, the bank also traded through post office agencies. In 1912, it took over the ], and by 1913 it had branches in all six states.
In ] the bank moved its head office to ]. It also followed the Australian army into ] where it opened a branch in ] and agencies elsewhere.


In 1916, the bank moved its head office to ]. It also followed the Australian army into ], where it opened a branch in ] and agencies elsewhere.
In ], the bank assumed the responsibility for the issue of Australian bank notes from the Department of Treasury, the beginning of its acquisition of ] powers.


===Central bank (1920–1959)===
In ], the Commonwealth Bank merged with the state savings bank in ].
{{more citations needed|paragraph|date=July 2021}}
] (1916-1960)]]
In 1920, the bank began acquiring ] powers when it took over the responsibility for the issue of Australian bank notes from the Department of the Treasury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://about.commbank.com.au/group_display/0,1922,CH2054,00.html |title=Commonwealth Bank – History – A brief history of the Commonwealth Bank |publisher=About.commbank.com.au |access-date=2012-07-14}}</ref> Also in 1920, the Commonwealth Bank took over the ].


In 1924, the federal government of ] sought to place further checks and limits on the powers of the governor of the bank, and passed the ''Commonwealth Bank Act, 1924'', which created a seven-member Board of Directors comprising the governor, the Secretary of the Treasury, and six directors "actively engaged in agriculture, commerce, finance or industry", and a Chairman of the Board elected annual from its members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commonwealth Bank Act 1924 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C1924A00015 |website=Federal Register of Legislation |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=19 December 2022 |date=20 August 1924}}</ref> The first six board members were appointed on 10 October 1924: ], ], ], ], Richard Samuel Drummond, and John McKenzie Lees.<ref name=board1>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232474493 |title=Government Gazette Appointments and Employment |newspaper=] |issue=75 |location=Australia, Australia |date=16 October 1924 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=1954 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16169893 |title=COMMONWEALTH BANK. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=4 October 1924 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Garvan was appointed as the first chairman on 13 October 1924.<ref name=garvan>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201426560 |title=Commonwealth Bank. |newspaper=] |issue=687 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=14 October 1924 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In ] the government transferred to the bank the savings bank business of the Government Savings Bank of New South Wales (est. ]) and the current account and fixed deposit business of the Rural Bank Department. The bank also acquired the State Savings Bank of Western Australia (est. ]).


In 1931, the bank board came into conflict with the ] government of ]. The bank's chairman Sir Robert Gibson refused to expand credit in response to the ], as had been proposed by Treasurer ] unless the government cut pensions, which Scullin refused to do. The conflict surrounding this issue led to the fall of the government, and to demands from Labor for reform of the bank and more direct government control over monetary policy.
===Central Bank (1920-1960)===
The bank's role in central banking expanded gradually after 1920. In 1931, the bank board came into conflict with the ] government of ]. The bank's chairman ] refused to expand credit in response to the ] (as had been proposed by Treasurer ]) unless the government cut pensions, which Scullin refused to do. Conflict surrounding this issue led to the fall of the government, and to demands from Labor for reform of the bank and more direct government control over monetary policy.


Also in 1931, it took over the savings bank business of the ] (est. 1871), the current account and fixed deposit business of the NSW Rural Bank Department, and the State Savings Bank of Western Australia (est. 1863).
In 1942, the Commonwealth Banking Corporation (CBC) suspended its operations in ] as the Japanese Army captured many of the towns in which it operated, and bombed ]. The bank resumed operations later, possibly in ].


In 1942, the Commonwealth Banking Corporation (CBC) suspended its operations in ] as the ] captured many of the towns in which it operated, and bombed ]. The bank resumed operations later, possibly in 1944.
The Commonwealth Bank received almost all central bank powers in emergency legislation passed during ] and at the end of the war it used this power to begin a dramatic expansion of the economy. This was also the aim of the Government at the time, which colossally expanded immigration programmes. To respond to this, the bank established a Migrant Information Service. Predictably, the bank also expanded during this period, in just five years it opened hundreds of branches throughout Australia and in ] the bank established a branch in the ].


The bank had many branches across Papua New Guinea including Port Moresby, Boroko, Rabaul, Lae, Wau, Bulolo, Goroka, Kavieng, Madang, Mount Hagen, Kundiawa, Popondetta, and Wewak. On Bougainville, there was Kieta, Panguna, Arawa and early on a part-time sub-branch at Loloho. It maintained those facilities to support trade, local business, government, and small savers.
In ] and ], there was a controversy concerning the dual function of the bank as the central bank on the one hand and a general bank on the other. As a result of this, the bank was split, giving the reserve bank function to the ] and the general bank function to the Commonwealth Banking Corporation.

The Commonwealth Bank received almost all central bank powers in emergency legislation passed during ] and at the end of the war, it used this power to begin a dramatic expansion of the economy. This was also the aim of the federal government at the time, which attempted to compel the Australian states to conduct their banking with the Commonwealth under the ''Banking Act 1945'' (Cth), but the High Court in ''Melbourne Corporation v Commonwealth'' (1947) 74 CLR 31, blocked this move.

In August 1945, the federal government of ] passed the ''Commonwealth Bank Act, 1945'', which repealed the 1925 act and abolished the Board of Directors, returning full executive control of the bank to the governor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commonwealth Bank Act 1945 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C1945A00013 |website=Federal Register of Legislation |date=3 August 1945 |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>

The government also dramatically expanded immigration programs. In response, the bank established a Migrant Information Service (later known as the Australian Financial & Migrant Information Service, or AFMIS). The bank expanded during this period, and in just five years it opened hundreds of branches throughout Australia and in 1951 it established a branch in the ].

In 1958 and 1959, there was a controversy concerning the dual functions of the organization, operating as the central bank on the one hand and a commercial bank on the other. As a result, the government separated the two roles, creating the ] to exercise the central bank function, and leaving the Commonwealth Banking Corporation to operate purely as a commercial bank. Those commercial functions were exercised by the organization's constituent sections: the Commonwealth Trading Bank of Australia, the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia, and the newly formed Commonwealth Development Bank.


From 1958 to 1976 the Commonwealth Bank operated savings bank agencies in the ]. From 1958 to 1976 the Commonwealth Bank operated savings bank agencies in the ].


===Diversification (1960-1983)=== ===Diversification (1960–1991)===
]
A new Commonwealth Development Bank was established in ] and during the ] the bank diversified its business into areas like insurance and travel. It established a finance company, the Commonwealth Bank Finance Corporation in ]. The bank also became more heavily involved in foreign currency trading and international banking in general.
A new Commonwealth Development Bank was established in 1960 and during the 1970s the bank diversified its business into areas like insurance and travel. It established a finance company, CBFC in 1974. The bank also became more heavily involved in foreign currency trading and international banking in general.


The bank actively supported the introduction of ] in the years leading up to ] and, like most banks, it gradually converted its paper records onto a new computer-based system. The bank created the first ] in Australia in ] when it established ]. In later years the bank began offering ] (]) and ] (]) cards as well. The bank actively supported the introduction of ] in the years leading up to 1966 and, like most banks, it gradually converted its paper records onto a new computer-based system. The bank created the first ] in Australia in 1974 when it established ]. In later years the bank began offering ] (1984) and ] (1993) cards as well.


In 1974, as ] approached independence, the bank formally handed over its PNG operations to the newly created and government-owned ] (PNGBC). The bank retained a restricted branch in Port Moresby that it finally closed in 1982. In 1974, as ] approached independence, the bank formally handed over its PNG operations to the newly created and government-owned ] (PNGBC). The bank retained a restricted branch in Port Moresby that it finally closed in 1982.


In 1981 the bank transferred its operations in the ] to the ], which operated as a joint venture (51-49, Commonwealth and Government of the Solomon Islands). In 1981 the bank transferred its operations in the ] to the ], which operated as a joint venture (51% Commonwealth Bank, 49% Government of the Solomon Islands).


In 1989 the bank acquired 75 per cent of ] in ].
===Deregulation(1983-1991)===
In 1989 the bank acquired 75% of ] in ].


In 1991 the bank acquired the failing Victorian Government-owned ] (est. 1842). In 1991 the bank acquired the failing Victorian Government-owned ] (est. 1842).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dixon|first=Robyn|author-link=Robyn Dixon (journalist)|date=2019-08-23|title=From the Archives, 1990: Victoria sells debt-laden State Bank|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/from-the-archives-1990-victoria-sells-debt-laden-state-bank-20190819-p52iml.html|access-date=2021-08-11|website=]|language=en}}</ref>


===Privatisation and the Colonial merger (1990-2001)=== ===Privatisation (1991–present)===
]
Between 1991 and 1996 the Australian government fully privatised Commonwealth Bank. It is a public company, but one of the few such companies in Australia whose official name does not end in 'Limited'.
]; the Commonwealth Bank's headquarters from 1990-2009<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=John|first=Danny|title=Commonwealth Bank head offices through the years|url=https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/|website=Commonwealth Bank - Newsroom}}</ref>]]
Between 1991 and 1996 the Australian Government under the ] fully privatised the Commonwealth Bank. The first share offer in 1991 was valued at $1,292 million, the second in 1993 for $1,700 million and the third was sold for $5,000 million in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/eropa/unpan001420.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 November 2013 |archive-date=9 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909213215/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/EROPA/UNPAN001420.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is a public company, but one of the few such companies in Australia whose official name does not end in 'Limited'.


In 1994 Commonwealth sold its shares in ] to ]. In 1994 Commonwealth sold its shares in ] to ]. In 1994, Commonwealth took a 50% share in PT Bank International Indonesia.


On 10 March 2000, the Commonwealth Bank and Colonial Limited announced their intention to merge, with seven Commonwealth Bank shares being offered for twenty Colonial Shares. The merger received final approval from the Supreme Court of Victoria on 31 May 2000 and was completed on 13 June 2000. This brought into the fold Colonial’s stake in ], the former National Bank of Fiji. The bank also acquired the remaining 25% of ].
In 1994, Commonwealth took a 50% share in PT Bank International Indonesia.


Banking opportunities in Asia saw the Bank in 2000 acquire full ownership of PT Bank International Indonesia and rename it (PT Bank Commonwealth). This bank now has over 16 branches and has opened several FX shops to cater to Commonwealth Bank clients who are tourists in ].
On 10 March 2000, the Commonwealth Bank and Colonial First State Investments Limited announced their intention to merge, with seven Commonwealth Bank shares being offered for twenty Colonial Shares. The merger received final approval from the Supreme Court of Victoria on 31 May 2000 and was completed on 13 June 2000. This brought into the fold Colonial’s stake in ], the former ]. The bank also acquired the remaining 25% of ].


In 2005, the bank established strategic co-operation agreements with two Chinese banks, Jinan City Commercial Bank and ]; it took an 11% stake in Jinan Commercial, and a 19.9% stake in Hangzhou Commercial. Commonwealth also established a representative office in ], ].
===The bank today (2000 +)===
Commonwealth Bank was awarded Bank of the Decade in November 1999 and also named Best Bank at the ] Awards for the years 1996, 2000 and 2002.


On 27 January 2006, the bank acquired the remaining 49% stake in Colonial National Bank (Fiji).
Banking opportunities in Asia saw the Bank in 2000 acquire full ownership of PT Bank International Indonesia and rename it (]). This bank now has over 16 branches and has opened several FX shops to cater to Commonwealth Bank clients who are tourists in ].
]
At the beginning of 2008, Commonwealth Bank opened a branch in ] (Saigon). Then in October, Commonwealth announced that it had purchased ] and St Andrew's Insurances from their parent company ] for ]2.1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/news/media-releases/2008/081008-news-bankwest-acquisition.aspx|title=Commonwealth Bank of Australia to acquire Bank West and St Andrew's|author=Commonwealth Bank|year=2008|access-date=2008-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012083229/http://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/news/media-releases/2008/081008-news-bankwest-acquisition.aspx|archive-date=12 October 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bankwest.com.au/about-us/our-journey|title=BankWest and St Andrew's sold to Commonwealth Bank|author=Bank of Western Australia Limited|year=2020|access-date=2020-10-27}}</ref> The acquisition was scheduled to be completed in early 2009, subject to regulatory approval. Lastly, on 24 December, Commonwealth announced that it had, in joint ] with ], purchased ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,24840570-462,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224164234/http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0%2C27753%2C24840570-462%2C00.html|url-status=dead|title=Aussie Home Loans and Commonwealth Bank to buy Wizard Home Loans|archive-date=24 December 2008}}</ref> As part of the deal, the Commonwealth Bank will acquire Wizard mortgages up to the value of ]4 billion. Commonwealth Bank held about 30 percent of the loan business of financial advisory company ] when it collapsed in January 2009.<ref name="Osborne1">{{cite news|url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-business/storm-financial-collapse-plan-outlined-20090810-ef9y.html|title=Storm Financial collapse plan outlined|last=Osborne|first=Paul|date=10 August 2009|work=The Age (Melbourne)|access-date=15 January 2010}}</ref>


In December 2009, Commonwealth sold ] to ].
In 2005, the bank established strategic co-operation agreements with two Chinese banks, ] and ]; it took an 11% stake in Jinan City, and a 19.9% stake in Hangzhuo. Commonwealth also established a representative office in ], ].


The bank transferred its ] service desk from ] in ] to ITS (]) in ] in March 2012. The bank will change from ] and ] ATMs to ] ATMs over the coming years.
On 27 January 2006 the bank acquired the remaining 49% stake in Colonial National Bank (Fiji)


The bank is the only financial services organisation to appear in the Dream Employers' top 20 list of preferred employers for 2010 and 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreamemployers.com.au/dreamemployerawards/|title=The Dream Employers|access-date=2013-02-16|year=2011|publisher=Dream Employers|archive-date=9 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409122902/http://www.dreamemployers.com.au/dreamemployerawards/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 7 December 2007 the bank won its skirmish with ] over bragging rights to the title of "Australia's most convenient bank".


During the ] it was discovered that the Commonwealth Bank had charged dead people for financial advice services.<ref>{{cite news|title=Commonwealth Bank defends 'good decision' not to tell customers about data breach|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/commonwealth-bank-confirms-loss-financial-records-20m-customers/9720928|access-date=3 May 2018|work=ABC News|date=2 May 2018|language=en-AU}}</ref> On 9 May 2018, Commonwealth Bank settled an interest rate rigging case brought by ] for $25 million. In the settlement, the bank admitted it engaged in "unconscionable conduct" and manipulated the bank bill swap rate five times between February and June 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-09/cba-and-asic-to-settle-rate-rigging-case/9742152|title=Commonwealth Bank and ASIC to settle interest rate-rigging case|date=9 May 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=9 May 2018|language=en-AU}}</ref>
At the beginning of 2008, Commonwealth Bank opened a branch in ] (]).


On 16 November 2023, the bank announced divestment of PT Bank Commonwealth to ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2023/11/pt-bank-commonwealth.html | title=Divestment of PT Bank Commonwealth }}</ref>
==Bank structure==
===Retail Banking Services===
The role of this division is to focus on meeting the financial needs of personal and small business customers with accessible and affordable banking


==Controversies==
===Premium Business Services===
===Environmental===
This division provides wealth and relationship management for the Bank's premium clients. ] – one of Australia’s leading online broking services is part of this division
Commonwealth Bank is one of the major Australian banks known to be financing and profiting from activities destructive to the Great Barrier Reef, something the bank has been facing increased public scrutiny over since a 2013 report by Market Forces;<ref>{{cite web|title=Financing Reef Destruction; How banks are using our money to destroy a national icon|url=http://www.marketforces.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/MF_Financing_Reef_Destruction.pdf|website=Market Forces|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308100154/http://www.marketforces.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/MF_Financing_Reef_Destruction.pdf|archive-date=8 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> the ''Sydney Morning Herald'' had this to say:<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hannam|first1=Peter|title=Big banks finance reef destruction, activists claim|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/carbon-economy/big-banks-finance-reef-destruction-activists-claim-20130501-2iu3x.html|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=2 May 2013}}</ref>


{{block quote|''Australia's big four banks are leading lenders to the massive expansion in coal and gas shipments through the Great Barrier Reef, contradicting their own pledges to curb carbon emissions and preserve sensitive environmental areas. ... The CBA, meanwhile, highlighted its achievement to cut carbon emissions from operations by 35,000 tonnes in 2012. A single bulk carrier shipment of coal exported from Australia would result in final emissions of four times those savings.''|Julien Vincent, campaigner with Market Forces, May 2013.}}
===Wealth Management===
Wealth Management brings together the Groups funds management platform, master funds, superannuation, insurance and financial advice business support. Colonial First State, Colonial First State Global Asset Management and CommInsure all form part of Wealth Management


In 2014, CBA and the big four Australian banks faced increased pressure to end their support for reef-threatening mining projects, as surveys have shown that "the big four banks would be risking customers shifting up to $236 billion in household deposits if they were to finance a project like the Abbot Point expansion".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Saunders|first1=Amanda|title=Australian banks face more pressure over support for coal projects|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/australian-banks-face-more-pressure-over-support-for-coal-projects-20140710-zt14p.html|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 July 2014}}</ref>
===International Financial Services===
The Bank places emphasis on offshore growth opportunities and provides banking, insurance and investment services in these overseas locations


In late 2014, it "was revealed was advising Indian coal miner Adani on its proposed development in Queensland's Galilee basin",<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chatterjee|first1=Dev|title=It's Branson vs Adani in Australia; Virgin promoter to protest Adani's mining project in Australia, saying it will damage the Great Barrier Reef|url=http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/11/27/policy-politics/cba-gun-galilee-coal-mine-advisory-role|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Business Standard|date=9 May 2015}}</ref> while by 2015, it has been reported that "all the major American and European banks have refused funds to the project, citing environmental damage".<ref>{{cite news|title=CBA in gun for Galilee coal mine advisory role|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/it-s-branson-vs-adani-in-australia-115050800809_1.html|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Business Spectator|date=27 November 2015}}</ref>
==International operations/activity==
The Commonwealth Bank's international presence is in both developed and developing countries. Some of these include:
* Retail banks in New Zealand (ASB Bank), Indonesia (PT Bank Commonwealth), Fiji (Colonial National Bank) and China (11% of ] and 19.9% of ]).
* Commonwealth Bank branches in ], ], ], ], ] and ].
* Wholly owned life insurance operations in New Zealand (Sovereign Insurance and Fiji (Colonial Fiji Life)
* Joint venture life insurance businesses in Indonesia (Astra CMG); China (China Life CMG) and Vietnam (Bao Minh CMG)
* First State funds management business in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Fiji, China and Indonesia
* Representative offices in ], ], ] and ].


In May 2015, a report by Market Forces showed that CBA is the single biggest lender to fossil fuel projects within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area during the six-year period from 2008 to 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=van de Pol|first1=Will|title=Commbank biggest lender to coal and gas in the Reef|url=http://www.marketforces.org.au/Commbank-biggest-lender-to-coal-and-gas-in-the-Reef|access-date=16 May 2015|publisher=Market Forces|date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521052001/http://www.marketforces.org.au/Commbank-biggest-lender-to-coal-and-gas-in-the-Reef|archive-date=21 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Almost immediately following, protests were held at over fifty CBA branches in Australia and around the world.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news|last1=Milman|first1=Oliver|title=Australia's banks have 10% loans in risky fossil fuels, says investment adviser|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/20/australias-banks-have-10-loans-in-risky-fossil-fuels-says-investment-adviser|access-date=20 May 2015|work=The Guardian|date=20 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ong|first1=Thuy|title=Environment campaigners protest in central Sydney over Commonwealth Bank investment in fossil fuel projects|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-20/group-against-commbank-fossil-fuel-investment-protest-in-sydney/6484328|access-date=20 May 2015|agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=20 May 2015}}</ref> Billboards, hoardings and branch signs were revised to read "Coal Bank" and company slogans changed to highlight its investment in fossil fuels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Iain |date=2022-03-23 |title=Australian Actions at the Point of Assumption |url=https://commonslibrary.org/australian-actions-at-the-point-of-assumption/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Products and services==
The Commonwealth Bank is Australia's largest retail bank and offers customers a range of products and services, including loans, credit cards, transaction and savings accounts. It has a wide presence in Australia with the largest branch and ATM network. It also offers services to people planning to move to Australia.


Later in May, a report by MSCI showed that while other banks are reducing their funding for fossil fuel projects, Australia's largest banks are ramping up this same funding; '']'' reported:<ref name="theguardian.com"/>
The Bank's service of business customers, ranging from small business owners to large institutional clients, is diverse and draws upon the products and services offered by all divisions of the Commonwealth Bank group.


{{block quote|''Australia's largest banks have committed about 10% of their known loan arrangements to the financing of risky fossil fuel projects that may become 'stranded' if the world is to avoid disastrous climate change, new research has estimated.''|'']'', May 2015.}}
==Industry awards and recognition==
The Commonwealth Bank is consistently the recipient of many highly regarded and well recognised awards. These include:
* Awards for Excellence – Best Bank in Australia (Euromoney)
* Best Online Banking Website – NetBank (Australian NetGuide Magazine)
* Best Commercial Bank in Australia (AsiaMoney)
* Product Innovator of the Year – CALIA+ Product (Money Magazine)
* Fund Manager of the Year – Colonial First State (Personal Investor Magazine Awards)
* Winner, Best Rated Balanced Fund – Balanced Fund (Money Magazine)
* Best Life Insurance Product (Australian Banking and Finance Magazine)
* Best General Insurance product for Home and Contents Insurance (Australian Banking and Finance Magazine)
* Best Project Finance Deal, most innovative deal (Finance Asia)


===2008 financial planning scandal===
==Environment==
In October 2008, former CBA financial planner alleged to the ] (ASIC) and subsequently a Senate Inquiry, the extent of the misconduct of CBA's financial planning arm, Commonwealth Financial Planning Limited (CFPL), but it was not until 16 months later that ASIC would launch an investigation.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|title=The man who blew the whistle on CBA|url=http://www.afr.com/p/business/financial_services/the_man_who_blew_the_whistle_on_gXRai1FAdK3vNJAKv22z0N|access-date=15 July 2014|date=28 June 2014|first1=Clancy|last1=Yeates|first2=James|last2=Eyers|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701095502/http://www.afr.com/p/business/financial_services/the_man_who_blew_the_whistle_on_gXRai1FAdK3vNJAKv22z0N|archive-date=1 July 2014}}</ref> "There was forgery and dishonest concealment of material facts," the Senate Inquiry found in its report.<ref>{{cite book|title=Performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/senate/economics/asic/final_report/~/media/committees/senate/committee/economics_ctte/asic/final_report/report.pdf|date=26 June 2014|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630093718/http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/senate/economics/asic/final_report/~/media/committees/senate/committee/economics_ctte/asic/final_report/report.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2014|url-status=live|access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> They concluded a Royal Commission or Judicial Inquiry as it was deemed ASIC lacked the investigative powers required to uncover the full extent of the allegations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Senators demand inquiry into CBA|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/senators-demand-inquiry-into-cba-20140626-3awgo.html|access-date=15 July 2014|work=]|date=27 June 2014|first1=Adele|last1=Ferguson|first2=Ben|last2=Butler|authorlink1=Adele Ferguson}}</ref> A week following the Senate Inquiry, CEO Ian Narev publicly apologised while announcing a compensation scheme.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|title=CBA sorry 'too little, too late'|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/cba-sorry-too-little-too-late-20140703-3bbhy.html|date=4 July 2014|first1=Adele|last1=Ferguson|authorlink1=Adele Ferguson|first2=Ben|last2=Butler|access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Former CEO Ralph Norris also conceded that he was aware of problems within CFPL acknowledging the presence of rogue financial planners but rejected the assertion of a conspiracy to cover it up.<ref>{{cite news|title=Former CBA boss Norris blames scandal on 'rogues'|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/former-cba-boss-norris-blames-scandal-on-rogues-20140713-3bv1g.html|first1=Jamie|last1=Freed|first2=James|last2=Eyers|access-date=15 July 2014|work=]|date=14 July 2014}}</ref> CBA has been criticised in the Senate for appointing Dr. Brendan French, who was the General Manager of Group Customer Relations before, as the head of the Open Advice Review program.<ref>{{Citation|title = Commbank CBA Brendal French - all mentions at Senate Inquiry|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMNsQend2-Y|date = 2014-06-04|access-date = 2016-01-21|last = The Real Dr Brendan French}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = CBA executive running compensation scheme moves to new role|url = http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/cba-executive-running-compensation-scheme-moves-to-new-role-20151127-gl9l1w.html|work = ]|first = Clancy|last = Yeates|date = 27 November 2015|access-date = 2016-01-21}}</ref> The CBA defended Dr. Brendan French successfully in a defamation lawsuit in 2015;<ref>{{Cite news|work=]|title=CBA executive awarded $300,000 after 'hellish' bullying|first=Marianna|last=Papadakis|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/cba-executive-awarded-300000-after-hellish-bullying-20151207-glhm8f|date=2015-12-07|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref> the decision was a single judge decision and was not appealed after the defence was withdrawn.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-21|title=The Tragic Story of Brendan French|url=https://classlessactions.com/2021/07/21/what-levitt-robinson-did-to-brendan-french/|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Levitt Robinson Classless Actions|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723030306/https://classlessactions.com/2021/07/21/what-levitt-robinson-did-to-brendan-french/}}</ref> Criticism has also been leveled at the fact that Dr. Brendan French was formerly a member of the board of directors of the ] and is now working in CBA with respect to customer complaints.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fsi.gov.au/files/2014/08/name_withheld.pdf|last=Financial System Inquiry|title=Extension of unfair contract term protections to small business -submission|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126232837/http://fsi.gov.au/files/2014/08/name_withheld.pdf|archive-date=26 January 2016|date=6 June 2014|access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref>
===Environmental concerns===
In ], the Commonwealth Bank came under fire by the ] for its 16% stake in the controversial ] company ], which is involved in the logging of old growth forests. The Commonwealth Bank has retorted that it does not itself hold any direct investment in Gunns Limited, but instead has invested in Gunns through its funds management businesses, on its behalf.<ref>Commonwealth Bank position on Gunns Limited,
9 October 2002. Accessed: 30 October 2006. </ref> The Wilderness Society claims the Commonwealth Bank is the second biggest shareholder in Gunns, and at a Gunns shareholder general meeting in August 2003, the Commonwealth Bank has used its shareholder voting rights to vote against a resolution which would have stopped the company from destroying old growth forests<ref>The Wilderness Society: National Day of Action against the Commonwealth Bank. 29 Oct 2003. Accessed: 30 October 2006. </ref>.


===2016 $76m Ponzi scheme===
Commonwealth also owns an 8.2% share in the ]<ref>Environment Australia: Corporate profile of Hazelwood power station. Accessed: 30 October 2006. </ref>, the most polluting power station<ref>WWF: Hazelwood tops international list of dirty power stations, 13 Jul 2005. </ref> in Australia and the industrialised world.
In 2016, it was revealed that some CBA staff were implicated in an alleged $76m ] fraud.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Commonwealth Bank staff implicated in alleged $76m fraud|url = http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/commonwealth-bank-staff-implicated-in-alleged-76m-fraud-20160204-gmllia.html|website = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 4 February 2016|access-date = 2016-02-13}}</ref> The alleged architects of the scam were professional poker player Bill Jordanou and accountant Robert Zaia.


===Insurance division scandal===
===Environmental initiatives===
It was reported alleged systemic issues about the insurance division of CBA. A claimant who suffered a heart attack and nearly died had his claim declined based on an outdated medical definition in his insurance policy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-03-04|title=CommInsure denying heart attack claims due to outdated definition|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-05/comminsure-denying-heart-attack-claims/7218818|access-date=2020-06-11|newspaper=ABC News|language=en-AU}}</ref> The company admitted this decision was a bad judgement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-03|title=CBA's CommInsure admits to 'poor judgement' over medical definition updates|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/cbas-comminsure-admits-to-poor-judgement-over-medical-definition-updates-20170303-gupzqh|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref> The insurer also "refused to pay total permanent disability (TPD) and terminal illness claims on the chance that a dying person facing organ failure may have their life saved by a transplant, and that a person can claim their life insurance if they are declared terminally ill by two doctors and deemed likely to die within 12 months."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2016/comminsure-exposed/heart-attack/|title = You can't trust CommInsure - Part 1|last = Ferguson|first = Adele|website = www.smh.com.au|access-date = 2016-03-05}}</ref> In March 2016, ASIC announced it would be investigating CBA about the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afr.com/business/asic-to-investigate-cbas-life-insurance-arm-20160305-gnbmox|title=ASIC to investigate CBA's life insurance arm|website=Financial Review|date=6 March 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref> After the serious allegations were aired in an episode of '']'' two parliamentary inquiries were conducted.<ref>{{Citation|title=Money for Nothing|date=2016-03-07|url=https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/money-for-nothing-promo/7217116|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> One into the life insurance sector,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inquiry into the life insurance industry|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Corporations_and_Financial_Services/LifeInsurance|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Parliament of Australia|language=en-AU}}</ref> and another into protection of whistleblowers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Whistleblower protections in the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Corporations_and_Financial_Services/WhistleblowerProtections|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Parliament of Australia|language=en-AU}}</ref> The inquiries found that no staff involved in the wrongdoings were fired. The only person who suffered a consequence was the whistleblower who had tried to do the right thing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McConnell|first=Pat|title=Dr Benjamin Koh – Australian of the Year 2017?|url=http://theconversation.com/dr-benjamin-koh-australian-of-the-year-2017-56012|access-date=2020-06-11|website=The Conversation|date=9 March 2016 |language=en}}</ref> There were also calls for a ] into the insurance industry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/comminsure-scandal-cause-for-royal-commission-labor-says/7228136|title=Calls for Royal commission into 'disgraceful' CommInsure|website=ABC News|date=7 March 2016|language=en-AU|access-date=2016-03-07}}</ref> The Financial Services Royal Commission was eventually called and found widespread issues. The Commonwealth Bank was called the gold medallist for ripping off customers by the counsel assisting the royal commissioner.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-18|title=CBA 'gold medallist' of big five for charging fees for no service|url=https://www.afr.com/opinion/cba-the-gold-medallist-of-the-big-five-for-charging-fees-for-no-service-20180418-h0yxvj|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref>
The Commonwealth Bank has demonstrated its commitment to the environment through its support of various initiatives.


===Money laundering scandal===
*Conservation Volunteers Australia: Leveraging the power of ordinary Australians who want to make a difference. the Commonwealth Bank Green Ambassadors program awards young people for being actively involved in improving their environment
In August 2017, the financial intelligence agency ] (AUSTRAC) launched civil proceedings in the ], alleging that CBA had breached money laundering and terrorism financing laws on 53,700 occasions. The breaches related to the bank's use of intelligent deposit machines (IDMs) between November 2012 and September 2015—the bank claimed that a programming error allowed depositors to instantly credit cash deposits to their accounts, whilst failing to report amounts over $10,000 to AUSTRAC, and not enforcing any limits to the number of transactions.<ref name="austrac">{{cite news|title=CBA accused of money laundering, terrorism financing breaches |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-03/cba-risks-massive-fines-over-law-breaches/8770992|access-date=14 August 2017|work=ABC News|date=3 August 2017|language=en-AU}}</ref>
*Great Barrier Reef foundation – Coral Futures: This program enables over 375 marine science students to study coral in the reef itself, contributing to the education of future coral reef scientists. The partnership shows the emphasis the bank places on the education of young Australians as well as a sustainable environment.
*Bank Environmental Policy: All bank staff and premises are guided by a policy which outlines methods to make efficient use of energy, water and paper to reduce the direct impact of the business on the environment
*World First toner-recycling scheme: This is an industry acknowledged and sponsored toner recycling scheme which aims to reduce the high level of waste. Through this scheme, 100% of toner product is recycled and diverted from landfill.


===Bank bill swap rate allegations===
==Community support and sponsorships==
{{See also|Libor scandal|Interbank lending market}}
===Sport sponsorships===
ASIC commenced legal proceedings in the Federal Court on 30 January 2018 alleging manipulation of the ] swap rate (BBSW). The BBSW rate is the rate of interest that banks charge to lend money to each other, and is a key interest rate used as the benchmark for interest rates on a number of products, most notably business loans, currency derivatives and floating rate bonds. It is alleged that the manipulations took place on three specific occasions in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=ASIC sues Commonwealth Bank for interest rate fixing on eve of royal commission |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2018/01/30/commonwealth-bank-bbsw-asic/ |access-date=31 January 2018 |work=The Newdaily|date=31 January 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
*Cricket: The Commonwealth Bank has expanded its involvement in cricket, sponsoring the one-day international series. The bank is also the principal sponsor of Women’s Cricket at all levels since 1998, including the Australian Women’s Cricket team, the "Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars", and the Australian Women’s Youth team, the "Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars".
*Netball: The Commonwealth Bank has been supporting the development of netball in Australia since 1997. The Commonwealth Bank is the major sponsor of the premier domestic netball competition, and provides support at the grass roots level through the Commonwealth Bank Netball Development Fund.


===Australian of the Year Award=== ===BankWest commercial loan book===
The change from ] to ] capitalisation requirements, due to take effect on 1 January 2009, required to increase its ] (share capital) by an additional A$17 billion. BankWest's owner HBOS lent this money to Bankwest, but required the money be repaid to meet HBOS's own capital requirements.<ref name="hearing20151202">{{Cite web|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=COMMITTEES;id=committees/commjnt/44a392b3-aad7-41f3-86c1-d72a6045ce4a/0001;query=Id:%22committees/commjnt/44a392b3-aad7-41f3-86c1-d72a6045ce4a/0000%22|title=ParlInfo - Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services : 02/12/2015 : Impairment of customer loans|publisher=Parliament of Australia|last=Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services}}</ref>
The Commonwealth Bank is the major sponsor of the ] and has supported the program since 1979. The Awards recognise the achievements of Australians and the contributions they have made to their community. There are four Award categories - Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (60 years and over), Young Australian of the Year (16 to 25 years) and Australia’s Local Hero.


HBOS, therefore, agreed to sell BankWest to Commonwealth Bank (CBA) in October 2008. The sale completed on for A$2.1 billion on 19 December 2008, and required Commonwealth Bank to repay the capital HBOS had loaned Bankwest.<ref name="hearing20151202"/>
===The Commonwealth Bank Foundation===
This foundation encourages developments in education, in particular the financial literacy skills of young Australians. It aims to create awareness, skill and understanding of the benefits of a more financially literate community. One of the initiatives is the Bank’s Student Banking Program introduced in 1931 to teach young people the basic skills of money management and encouraging them to save.


One of the provisions of the sale agreement was an ability for CBA to claim a price adjustment. A loan was later found to have been impaired at the time of purchase but had not been identified to Commonwealth Bank by HBOS as impaired during the acquisition.<ref name="hearing20151202"/>
===Community partnerships===
The Commonwealth Bank has established partnerships with many community organisations providing education and greater access to services for all Australians. This support is spread across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia, in such fields as:
* Health research: Breast Cancer Institute of Australia, Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
* The Arts: Opera Australia, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Country Arts South Australia
* Social Welfare: Legacy Badge Day Appeal, St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol, Wesley Mission Disability Services, Council on the Aging
* Disaster Relief: Australian Red Cross
By combining a commitment these varied fields, the partnerships have achieved positive, sustainable outcomes for the Australian community.


Commonwealth Bank declared 1,958 out of 26,000 BankWest commercial loans impaired (in default of the loan terms),<ref name="hearing20151202"/> with a total face value of $17.9 billion. As they were deemed to be in breach of their loan conditions, the bank was able to charge increased interest rates, or require early repayment.<ref name="hearing20151202"/>
===Staff Community Fund===
The Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund was established in 1917 when a group of Bank employees got together to fund the provision of children's cots during World War One. This continues today through the Staff Community Fund. The fund now has over 3,000 members (current and retired) who contribute fortnightly. Money is also raised through special fundraising days such as National Smile Day and one-off donations. The fund has donated over $5 million to various charities over the past ten years. The Bank meets the Fund’s administration costs, so that every dollar raised goes directly to the cause.


Commonwealth Bank lost A$2 billion on defaulted loans that were not repaid<ref name="hearing20151202"/> (2.1% of the loan book, in comparison to an average of 0.4% across the ]).<ref name="hearing20151202"/> Of the defaulted loans, the calling-in of 117 resulted in the borrowing company going into receivership.<ref name="hearing20151202"/>
As well as raising money Bank staff volunteer their time for the charities they support. These include:

*National Smile Day: Make every day a smile day! Donations accepted in-branch enable the Clown Doctors to continue the wonderful work of bringing fun and humour to children’s wards across Australia.
Borrowers complained that they had complied with the monetary conditions of the loans: they had kept up interest payments and repayments, and disputed whether it was reasonable to apply penalty interest and require early repayment for non-monetary issues (for example, not having invested the funds for the purpose borrowed, or no longer having adequate security to back the loan).
*Midnight Basketball: Keeping Kids off the Streets engages underprivileged children in the Redfern area each Saturday night between 7:30pm and 12am, playing basketball and participating in specific workshops such as drug, alcohol and anger management as well as financial skills and finding employment.

The Australian Parliament requested that the Parliament's ] conduct an inquiry into the matter,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Corporations_and_Financial_Services/customer_loans|title=The impairment of customer loans|last=Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services|publisher=Parliament of Australia}}</ref> which reported on 4 May 2016.

The committee concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that impairment of loans was related to an attempt to 'claw back' any of the BankWest purchase price.<ref name="bankwestreport">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Corporations_and_Financial_Services/customer_loans/Report/b01|title=Executive summary|last=Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services|publisher=Parliament of Australia}}</ref> However, it did find that "in a minority of cases" there was abuse of the asymmetry of power between the bank and the borrower.<ref name="bankwestreport"/> The committee recommended that there be improvements in the consistency of lenders' valuation of property used as security for loans.<ref name="bankwestreport"/>

===Dollarmites===
Dollarmites was the Commonwealth Bank's school banking program. In a 2020 Report, the ] (ASIC) recommended against these programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Review of school banking programs |url=https://asic.gov.au/media/5893493/rep676-published-15-december-2020.pdf |website=ASIC Australia |publisher=Australian Securities and Investments Commission |access-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429025934/https://asic.gov.au/media/5893493/rep676-published-15-december-2020.pdf |archive-date=29 April 2021 |date=15 December 2020 |quote=Young children are vulnerable consumers and are exposed to sophisticated advertising and marketing tactics by school banking program providers.}}</ref>
The ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Victorian Government bans financial institutions running school banking programs like Dollarmites |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-29/victoria-bans-banks-running-school-programs-like-dollarmites/12932290 |website=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=29 April 2021 |date=29 November 2020}}</ref> and later the ]<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKenna |first1=Kate |title=Commonwealth Bank Dollarmites program ditched from Queensland schools after review |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-26/queensland-school-banking-commonwealth-dollarmites-ditched/100095502 |website=ABC News |publisher=Australia |access-date=29 April 2021 |date=27 April 2021}}</ref> planned to stop allowing these programs in their state schools. Consumer group ] continued to lobby for more State governments to also ban the banking program from public schools.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cornish |first1=Chris |title=Why are bureaucrats against teaching children to save? |url=https://spectator.com.au/2021/05/why-are-bureaucrats-against-teaching-children-to-save/ |website=Spectator Australia |publisher=Spectator |access-date=2 June 2021 |date=20 May 2021}}</ref>
Finally in 2021, after the ] banned it too, the Commonwealth Bank announced the end of the program.<ref>{{cite web |author1=David Adams |title=The Dollarmites are officially dead, the Commonwealth Bank has confirmed, as states turn on the school banking program |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/dollarmites-school-program-ends-commonwealth-bank |website=Business Insider Australia |access-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027113602/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/dollarmites-school-program-ends-commonwealth-bank |archive-date=27 October 2021 |date=27 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jarni Blakkarly |title=Commonwealth Bank drops Dollarmites |url=https://www.choice.com.au/money/banking/everyday-banking/articles/commonwealth-bank-drops-dollarmites |website=Choice |publisher=Choice Australia |access-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026114825/https://www.choice.com.au/money/banking/everyday-banking/articles/commonwealth-bank-drops-dollarmites |archive-date=26 October 2021 |date=25 October 2021}}</ref>

A subset of Commonwealth Bank staff were found to be fraudulently use the bank’s money, loose change, or their own money to illegitimately activate Youthsaver accounts for financial gain. According to '']'', "They would do so when parents had signed up their kids for school banking, often referred to as Dollarmites, but had not deposited money into the account within 30 days. If no deposit had been made, the sign-up would not count towards sales targets and financial rewards."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Adele |date=2018-05-18 |title=Dollarmites bites: the scandal behind the Commonwealth Bank's junior savings program |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/dollarmites-bites-the-scandal-behind-the-commonwealth-bank-s-junior-savings-program-20180517-p4zfyr.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

==Headquarters==
Commonwealth Bank has moved through many different offices, starting off in Melbourne (Collins Street), then moving to Martin Place in Sydney's CBD. In 2009, CBA moved into Darling Park Tower 1. During the Sydney Covid-19 lockdown in 2020-2022, CBA moved staff into their new offices, CBP North, and CPB South (Commonwealth Bank Place North and South), on Harbour Street, near Tumbalong Park. In October 2023, CBA occupied levels 14-21, and 27 of DP1 (Darling Park Tower 1). By the end of 2023, CBA moved the remaining staff from levels 14-21 out of DP1.

As of October 2024, all Commonwealth Bank staff members work out of CBP South, CBP North, The Foundry (Redfern, NSW), Axel (Redfern, NSW), or CBS (Commonwealth Bank Square), with the exception of the remaining staff in DP1.

==Bank structure==

===Customer Service Network===
]
This division delivers financial services to personal and small business customers. It provides bank accounts and credit products to consumers.

===Premium Business Services===
Premium Business Services was formally split into two departments in 2009, Institutional Banking & Markets (IB&M) and Business & Private Banking (B&PB). IB&M includes areas of the bank that provides services to Institutional Clients and Global Markets. B&PB includes areas of the bank that provides services to Business customers and private banking customers.

===Wealth Management===
Wealth Management brings together the Groups funds management platform, master funds, superannuation, insurance and financial advice business support. ], Colonial First State Global Asset Management and CommInsure all form part of Wealth Management. CBA has been granted a ] authority, enabling it to continue to receive default superannuation contribution from 1 January 2014.

==Executive leadership==
===Governors/Chief Executive Officers===
The following individuals have been appointed to serve as chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, or precursor titles:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Past leaders|url=https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/our-company/history/past-leaders.html|access-date=30 June 2017|website=commbank.com.au}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable" width="60%" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%;"
!style="width: 5%" data-sort-type="number"|Order
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="text"|Name
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="text"|Title
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Term start
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Term end
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Time in office
|-
|1||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG}}||rowspan=6|]||{{start date|1912|06}}||{{end date|1923|06}}||{{age in years and days|1912|06|01|1923|06|30}}
|-
|2||]||{{start date|1923|06}}||{{end date|1926|10}}||{{age in years and days|1923|06|30|1926|10|30}}
|-
|3||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KB}}||{{start date|1926|10}}||{{end date|1938|02}}||{{age in years and days|1926|10|30|1938|02|28}}
|-
|4||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CBE}}||{{start date|1938|03}}||{{end date|1941|03}}||{{age in years and days|1938|03|31|1941|03|31}}
|-
|5||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CMG}}||{{start date|1941|07}}||{{end date|1948|12}}||{{age in years and days|1941|07|01|1948|12|31}}
|-
|6||]||{{start date|1949|01}}||{{end date|1960|01}}||{{age in years and days|1949|01|01|1960|01|01}}
|-
|7||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CBE}}|| rowspan="5" |]||{{start date|1960|01}}||{{end date|1965|03}}||{{age in years and days|1960|01|01|1965|03|31}}
|-
|8||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CBE}}||{{start date|1965|05}}||{{end date|1976|08}}||{{age in years and days|1965|05|31|1976|08|31}}
|-
|9||]||{{start date|1976|08}}||{{end date|1981|08}}||{{age in years and days|1976|08|31|1981|08|31}}
|-
|10||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}||{{start date|1981|08}}||{{end date|1987|03}}||{{age in years and days|1981|08|31|1987|03|31}}
|-
|rowspan=2|11||rowspan=2|] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO|CB}}||{{start date|1987|03}}||{{end date|1990|12}}||{{age in years and days|1987|03|31|1990|12|31}}
|-
|rowspan=5|]||{{start date|1991|01}}||{{end date|1992|06}}||{{age in years and days|1991|01|01|1992|06|30}}
|-
|12||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}||{{start date|1992|06}}||{{end date|2005|09}}||{{age in years and days|1992|06|30|2005|09|30}}
|-
|13||] {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KNZM}}||{{start date|2005|09}}||{{end date|2011|11}}||{{age in years and days|2005|09|01|2011|09|30}}
|-
|14||]||{{start date|2011|12}}||{{end date|2018|04}}||{{age in years and days|2011|12|01|2018|04|08}}
|-
|15||]||{{start date|2018|04}}||''incumbent''||{{age in years and days|2018|04|09}}
|}

===Chairs of the Board===
{|class="wikitable sortable" width="60%" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%;"
!style="width: 5%" data-sort-type="number"|Order
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="text"|Name
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Term start
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Term end
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Time in office
!style="width: 10%" data-sort-type="number"|Notes
|-
|1||]||{{start date|1924|10|13|df=y}}||{{end date|1926|08|30|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1924|10|13|1926|08|30|df=y}}||<ref name=board1/><ref name=garvan/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175688522 |title=COMMONWEALTH BANK. |newspaper=] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=31 August 1926 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite AuDB |last=Nairn|first=Bede|title=Garvan, Sir John Joseph (1873–1927)|year=1981|issue=8 |id2=garvan-sir-john-joseph-6284 |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|GBE}}||{{start date|1926|09|13|df=y}}||{{end date|1934|01|01|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1926|09|13|1934|01|01|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202539094 |title=COMMONWEALTH BANK. |newspaper=The Age|location=Victoria, Australia |date=22 September 1926 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16325707 |title=COMMONWEALTH BANK CHAIRMAN. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=14 September 1926 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite AuDB |last=Schedvin|first=C. B.|title=Gibson, Sir Robert (1863–1934)|year=1981|issue=8 |id2=gibson-sir-robert-6310 |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
|3||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG}}||{{start date|1934|01|04|df=y}}||{{end date|1945|08|21|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1934|01|04|1945|08|21|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17037951 |title=COMMONWEALTH BANK. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=5 January 1934 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17037941 |title=NEW CHAIRMAN. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=5 January 1934 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62861911 |title=COMMONWEALTH BANK BOARD ENDS |newspaper=Townsville Daily Bulletin |location=Queensland, Australia |date=21 August 1945 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17950789 |title=LAST SITTING OF THE COMMONWEALTH BANK BOARD |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|location=New South Wales, Australia |date=21 August 1945 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17950796 |title=Bank Board's Last Action |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=21 August 1945 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite AuDB |last=Steven|first=Margaret|title=Reading, Sir Claude Hill (1874–1946)|year=1988|issue=11 |id2=reading-sir-claude-hill-8167 |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
|colspan=6|'''Board abolished, 1945–1960'''
|-
|4||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KBE}}||{{start date|1960|01|01|df=y}}||{{end date|1965|11|12|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1960|01|01|1965|11|12|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240885723 |title=Commonwealth Banks Act 1959. BANKING (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS) ACT 1959. |newspaper=] |issue=43 |location=Australia, Australia |date=9 July 1959 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=2413 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=MR>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article241001199 |title=Commonwealth Banks Act 1959-1963. |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette |issue=98 |location=Australia, Australia |date=10 December 1964 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=4926 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|-
|–||Geoffrey Rushworth (''acting'')||{{start date|1965|11|12|df=y}}||{{end date|1966|10|27|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1965|11|12|1966|10|27|df=y}}||<ref name=MR/>
|-
|5||]||{{start date|1966|10|28|df=y}}||{{end date|1975|02|13|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1966|10|28|1975|02|13|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article241038876 |title=Commonwealth Banks Act 1959-1965. |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette |issue=96 |location=Australia, Australia |date=10 November 1966 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=5627 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240557558 |title=Commonwealth Banks Act 1959-1968 |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette |issue=6 |location=Australia, Australia |date=29 January 1970 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=611 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|-
|6||]||{{start date|1975|02|14|df=y}}||{{end date|1984|12|21|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1975|02|14|1984|12|21|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240779335 |title=Department of the Treasury Commonwealth Banks Act 1959-1974 COMMONWEALTH BANKING CORPORATION BOARD |newspaper=Australian Government Gazette. General |issue=G11 |location=Australia, Australia |date=18 March 1975 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240750630 |title=Department of the Treasury Commonwealth Banks Act 1959 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS, CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMONWEALTH BANKING CORPORATION BOARD |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. General |issue=G1 |location=Australia, Australia |date=9 January 1979 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=41 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240728019 |title=Commonwealth Banks Act 1959 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMONWEALTH BANKING CORPORATION BOARD |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. General |issue=G8 |location=Australia, Australia |date=28 February 1984 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=771 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|-
|7||]||{{start date|1984|12|21|df=y}}||{{end date|1988|03|07|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1984|12|21|1988|03|07|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240738477 |title=Commonwealth Banks Act 1959 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMONWEALTH BANKING CORPORATION BOARD |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. General |issue=G38 |location=Australia, Australia |date=24 September 1985 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=3633 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|-
|8||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}}||{{start date|1988|03|08|df=y}}||{{end date|1999|10|31|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1988|03|08|1999|10|31|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240614133 |title=COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Commonwealth Banks Act 1959 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO BE CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMONWEALTH BANKING CORPORATION BOARD |newspaper=Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. Government Notices |issue=GN10 |location=Australia, Australia |date=23 March 1988 |accessdate=19 December 2022 |page=444 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|-
|9||John Ralph {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}||{{start date|1999|11|01|df=y}}||{{end date|2004|11|05|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|1999|11|01|2004|11|05|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |title=CBA chairman to step down |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/cba-chairman-to-step-down-20040917-gdjram.html |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=17 September 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Commonwealth Bank chair retires |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-17/commonwealth-bank-chair-retires/553356 |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=ABC News |date=17 September 2004}}</ref>
|-
|10||John Schubert {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}||{{start date|2004|11|05|df=y}}||{{end date|2010|02|01|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|2004|11|05|2010|02|01|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oldfield |first1=Stewart |title=CBA rivals circle as Schubert takes chair |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/cba-rivals-circle-as-schubert-takes-chair-20041214-jlg5z |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=The Australian Financial Review |date=14 December 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |title=CBA chairman Schubert to retire |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-06/cba-chairman-schubert-to-retire/1381674 |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=ABC News |date=6 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Danny |title=Schubert steps down from CBA |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/schubert-steps-down-from-cba-20090806-ebhe.html |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=7 August 2009}}</ref>
|-
|11||David Turner||{{start date|2010|02|01|df=y}}||{{end date|2016|12|31|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|2010|02|01|2016|12|31|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |title=Australia Commonwealth Bank names Turner as chairman |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/commonwealth-idUSSYU00698020090806 |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=Reuters |date=6 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Murdoch | first=Scott | title=David Turner becomes CBA chairman | website=] | date=6 August 2009 | url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/david-turner-becomes-cba-chairman/news-story/477c160eb5eed695f76348df9e0cf9c4 | access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hutchens | first=Gareth | last2=McGowan | first2=Michael | title=Commonwealth Bank board asked former chairman to return fees, inquiry told | website=] | date=21 November 2018 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/21/commonwealth-bank-board-asked-former-chairman-to-return-fees-inquiry-told | access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>
|-
|12||] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}||{{start date|2017|01|01|df=y}}||{{end date|2022|08|09|df=y}}||{{age in years and days|2017|01|01|2022|08|09|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |title=Commonwealth Bank announces appointment of new Chairman |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/guidance/newsroom/CBA-announces-new-chairman-201610.html |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=Commonwealth Bank of Australia |date=12 October 2016 |format=Media Release}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yeates |first1=Clancy |title=Commonwealth Bank of Australia appoints Catherine Livingstone as chairman |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/commonwealth-bank-of-australia-appoints-catherine-livingstone-as-chairman-20161012-gs06mz.html |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
|-
|13||Paul O’Malley||{{start date|2022|08|10|df=y}}||''Incumbent''||{{age in years and days|2022|08|10|df=y}}||<ref>{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Danny |title=CommBank's Chair-elect Paul O'Malley |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2022/04/Paul-OMalley-Profile.html |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=Commonwealth Bank of Australia |date=27 April 2022 |format=Media Release}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eyers |first1=James |last2=de Kretser |first2=Ayesha |last3=Thomson |first3=James |title=O'Malley eyes CBA challenges with Livingstone to retire |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/cba-chairman-catherine-livingstone-to-retire-20220427-p5age4 |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=The Australian Financial Review |date=27 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Mina |title=CBA announces new chairman |url=https://www.brokernews.com.au/news/breaking-news/cba-announces-new-chairman-280094.aspx |access-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=Australian Broker |date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
|}

==International operations==
The Commonwealth Bank's international presence includes:
* Retail ] (]), ] (CommBiz) and Indonesia (99% of PT Bank Commonwealth)
* Banking investments in China (20 per cent in both Qilu Bank and ]) and Vietnam, (20 per cent stake in Vietnam International Bank)
* County banks in Hebei and Henen Provinces of China (15 branches and 8 sub-branches)
* Commonwealth Bank branches in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]
* Joint venture life insurance businesses in Indonesia (PT Commonwealth Life) and China (37.5% stake in BoCommLife)
* First State funds management business in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, United States and Dubai
* Representative office in ]
* A Global Capability Center in ], ]

==Products and services==
The Commonwealth Bank is Australia's largest retail bank and offers customers a range of products and services, including loans, credit cards, transaction and savings accounts. It has the largest branch and ATM network.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.finder.com.au/biggest-atm-network-australia|title=The biggest ATM network in Australia revealed {{!}} finder.com.au|last=Liu|first=Shirley|date=2016-02-25|work=finder.com.au|access-date=2018-02-14|language=en-US}}</ref> It also offers services to people planning to move to Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/can/moving-to-australia.html|title=Moving to Australia - CommBank|website=www.commbank.com.au|language=en|access-date=2018-02-14}}</ref>

===NetBank===
The Commonwealth Bank offers online banking services through NetBank. NetBank allows customers to transfer funds, manage accounts, access assets and liabilities and also manage savings and saving goals.<ref name="Online Banking">{{cite web|title=Online Banking - Commonwealth Bank|url=https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/online-banking.html|website=Commonwealth Bank|access-date=13 February 2018}}</ref> NetBank is also offered with a mobile app available for ] and ].{{fact|date=August 2023}}

===Beem It===
] is an instant payment free-to-download mobile application owned by Commonwealth Bank, ] and ] later sold to Eftpos Australia. It offers an instant payment transfer service between registered users of the app regardless of which bank they are with. The app's main features include options to pay, transfer, request and split money.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Beem It {{!}} Pay Request Split|url=https://www.beemit.com.au/|access-date=2020-09-03|website=Beem It|language=en}}</ref>


==Subsidiaries== ==Subsidiaries==
'''Australia''' ===Australia===
* ]
* ]
* CommInsure * CommInsure
* ] * ]
* HomePath
* ]


===Asia Pacific===
'''New Zealand'''
* PT Bank Commonwealth (Indonesia)

===New Zealand===
* ] * ]
* ]


===Turkey===
'''Asia Pacific'''
* TR Commbiz (Turkey)
* ] (Fiji)

* PT Bank Commonwealth (Indonesia)
== Sponsorship ==
Commonwealth Bank has been sponsoring ] for the women's game since the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VerdictStaff |date=2021-09-20 |title=Commonwealth Bank extends sponsorship deal with Cricket Australia |url=https://www.retailbankerinternational.com/news/commonwealth-bank-extends-sponsorship-deal-with-cricket-australia/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Retail Banker International |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2021, Commonwealth Bank secured a four-year partnership deal with ] for the naming rights of the women's national football teams as the Commonwealth Bank ], Commonwealth Bank ], and Commonwealth Bank ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2021 |title=Commonwealth Bank and Football Australia partnership to elevate the women's game |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2021/04/commonwealth-bank-football-australia-partnership.html |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.commbank.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Miranda |date=2021-04-13 |title=Commonwealth Bank backs Matildas in naming rights deal |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/commonwealth-bank-backs-matildas-in-naming-rights-deal-20210413-p57ip0 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2022, ] announced that Commonwealth Bank has signed on as an official supporter for the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Kalila |date=2022-11-14 |title=CommBank named official bank supporter of 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/commbank-named-official-bank-supporter-of-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-764891 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Mumbrella |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Inside FIFA |date=13 November 2022 |title=Commonwealth Bank announced as FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ Official Supporter |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/media-releases/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.com/commonwealth-bank-announced-as-fifa-womens-world-cup-australia-and-new |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Profits By Year ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Profit
|-
|'''2010'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $6.1 billion
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last= |date=2014-08-12 |title=Commonwealth Bank posts record $8.7b profit |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-13/commonwealth-bank-posts-record-8.7-billion-dollar-profit/5667292 |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref>
|-
|'''2011'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $6.8 billion
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|'''2012'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $7.1 billion
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|'''2013'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $7.8 billion
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|'''2014'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $8.7 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commonwealth Bank FY14 Annual Results |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/content/shared/newsroom/2014/08/long-term-priorities-drive-growth.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
|-
|'''2015'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $9.1 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eyers |first=James |date=2015-08-12 |title=Commonwealth Bank posts record $9.14b profit, seeks to raise $5b |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/commonwealth-bank-of-australia-to-raise-5b-posts-record-profit-20150810-givpwe.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|'''2016'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $9.4 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 CBA Full Year Results |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/content/shared/newsroom/2016/08/fy16-results-media-release |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeates |first=Clancy |date=2016-08-10 |title=Commonwealth Bank full-year profit hits new high |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/cba-fullyear-profit-rises-3-per-cent-to-945-billion-20160809-gqom6x.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|'''2017'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $9.8 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial results |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/newsroom/financial-results-2017.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2017-08-08 |title=CBA announces $9.9b profit amid money laundering scandal |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-09/commonwealth-bank-announces-rise-in-profits-amid-allegations/8788280 |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref>
|-
|'''2018'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Decrease}} $9.2 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full year 2018 financial results - CommBank |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/newsroom/FY2018-financial-results.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2018-08-07 |title=CBA profit takes a dive as bank spends $1.1b on penalties and costs |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-08/commonwealth-bank-profit-falls-4-per-cent/10088166 |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref>
|-
|'''2019'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Decrease}} $8.4 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full year 2019 financial results - CommBank |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/newsroom/fy2019-financial-results.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2019-08-06 |title=CBA profit slides 8pc to $8.6b as sales fall and costs rise; bank to exit coal |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-07/cba-full-year-profit-down-8pc-dividend-flat/11388718 |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref>
|-
|'''2020'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Decrease}} $7.3 billion
|<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Full year 2020 financial results - CommBank |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/newsroom/financial-results.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Ben |date=2020-08-12 |title=Commonwealth Bank reports 11% profit fall but remains optimistic about Covid economic rebound |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/12/commonwealth-bank-reports-11-profit-fall-but-remains-optimistic-about-covid-economic-rebound |access-date=2023-08-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2020-08-11 |title=CBA makes $9.6b profit, but coronavirus recession is about to bite |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-12/commonwealth-bank-full-year-profit-matt-comyn/12547702 |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref>
|-
|'''2021'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $8.65 billion
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|'''2022'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $9.6 billion
|<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Washington |first=David |date=2022-08-10 |title=Commonwealth Bank cautious despite profit of nearly $10 billion |url=https://indaily.com.au/news/business/2022/08/10/commonwealth-banks-profit-jumps-to-nearly-10-billion/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=InDaily |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|'''2023'''
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Increase}} $10.16 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBA delivers improved financial outcomes through continued focus on customers |url=https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2023/08/cba-full-year-23-results.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.commbank.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Jonathan |date=2023-08-08 |title=Commonwealth Bank posts record $10bn profit amid rising stress for borrowers |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2023/aug/09/commonwealth-bank-posts-record-1016bn-profit-amid-rising-stress-for-borrowers |access-date=2023-08-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
|}


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Business|Banks}}
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{{div col end}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
<div class="references-small">

<references />
==Further reading==
</div>
* {{Cite book|last1=Phillips|first1=Bronwyn|title=100 Years Together|last2=Hock|first2=Peter|publisher=Focus Publishing|year=2011|isbn=978-1921156632|location=]}}


==External links== ==External links==
* - Official site {{Commons category|Commonwealth Bank of Australia}}
* {{Official website|https://www.commbank.com.au/}}
* - ASB Bank's official site
* {{URL|https://www.asb.co.nz/|ASB Bank}}
*
* * {{URL|https://www.bankwest.com.au/|Bankwest}}
* * {{URL|https://www3.colonialfirststate.com.au/|Colonial First State}}
* {{URL|https://www.commsec.com.au/|CommSec}}
* digitised and held by the National Library of Australia
* {{URL|https://www.commbank.info/|CommBank Info}}
* {{URL|https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-37147970|Commonwealth Bank ephemera}}
* {{URL|https://www.commbiz.com.au/|CommBiz Turkey}}
{{Finance links
| name = Commonwealth Bank of Australia
| symbol = CBA
| reuters = CBA.AX
| yahoo = CBA.AX
| google = CBA:ASX
| bloomberg = CBA:AU
| asx = CBA
}}


{{Commonwealth Bank}}
{{S&P/ASX 50}} {{S&P/ASX 50}}
{{Banks in Australia}}
{{Portalbar|Companies|Banks}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 17:41, 24 December 2024

Australian multinational bank

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Limited
Heaquarters at Commonwealth Bank Place, Darling Quarter, Sydney
Company typePublic
Traded as
ISINAU000000CBA7
IndustryFinancial services
Founded
  • 22 December 1911;
    113 years ago (1911-12-22)
    (government bank)
  • 12 September 1991;
    33 years ago (1991-09-12)
    (public company)
HeadquartersCommonwealth Bank Place South, 11 Harbour Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Number of locations (2024)
Areas served
  • Australia
  • China
  • European Union
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • London
  • New Zealand
  • New York
  • Singapore
Key people
Products
Operating income$21.17 billion (2024)
Net income$9.8 billion (2024)
Total assetsA$1.254 trillion (2024)
Total equityA$73.08 billion (2024)
Members17.6 million (2024)
Number of employees53,000+ (2024)
Divisions CommBank divisions
  • Business Banking
  • Institutional Banking and Markets
  • Retail Banking Services
Subsidiaries CommBank subsidiaries
Capital ratio12.3% (2024)
RatingAA- (2024)
Websitecommbank.com.au

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), also known as Commonwealth Bank or simply CommBank, is an Australian multinational bank with businesses across New Zealand, Asia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It provides a variety of financial services, including retail, business and institutional banking, funds management, superannuation, insurance, investment, and broking services. The Commonwealth Bank is the largest Australian listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange as of July 2024, with brands including Bankwest, Colonial First State Investments, ASB Bank (New Zealand), Commonwealth Securities (CommSec) and Commonwealth Insurance (CommInsure). Its former constituent parts were the Commonwealth Trading Bank of Australia, the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia, and the Commonwealth Development Bank.

Founded in 1911 by the Australian Government and fully privatised in 1996, the Commonwealth Bank is one of the big four Australian banks, with the National Australia Bank (NAB), ANZ and Westpac. The bank was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 12 Sep 1991.

The former global headquarters of Commonwealth Bank were the Commonwealth Trading Bank Building on the corner of Pitt Street and Martin Place, Sydney, which was refurbished from 2012 for retail and commercial uses, and (from 1984 to 2012) the State Savings Bank Building on Martin Place, which was sold in 2012 to Macquarie Bank. The headquarters were then moved, splitting between two locations; Tower 1 of 201 Sussex Street and the Commonwealth Bank Place; a new complex of two nine-storey buildings in Darling Harbour on the western side of Sydney's city centre. In 2022, the headquarters were consolidated into the Commonwealth Bank Place, with Tower 1 of 201 Sussex Street remaining as a secondary head office.

In 2018, findings from the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry have indicated a negative culture within the bank, amid allegations of fraud, deception, and money laundering, among various other crimes.

In 2022, the Commonwealth Bank held the 49th position in the "Top 1000 World Banks". As of August 2024 it is listed as the 66th largest company in the world by market cap.

History

Foundation (1911–1919)

See also: Reserve Bank of Australia

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia was established by the Commonwealth Bank Act 1911, introduced by the Andrew Fisher Labor government, which favoured bank nationalisation, with effect on 22 December 1911. In a rare move for the time, the bank was to have both savings and general bank business. The bank was also the first bank in Australia to receive a federal government guarantee. The bank's earliest and most strenuous proponent was the flamboyant American-Australian Labor politician King O'Malley, and its first governor was Sir Denison Miller.

The bank opened its first branch in Melbourne on 15 July 1912. In an agreement with Australia Post that exists to this day, the bank also traded through post office agencies. In 1912, it took over the State Savings Bank of Tasmania, and by 1913 it had branches in all six states.

In 1916, the bank moved its head office to Sydney. It also followed the Australian army into New Guinea, where it opened a branch in Rabaul and agencies elsewhere.

Central bank (1920–1959)

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The Commonwealth Trading Bank Building (1916-1960)

In 1920, the bank began acquiring central bank powers when it took over the responsibility for the issue of Australian bank notes from the Department of the Treasury. Also in 1920, the Commonwealth Bank took over the Queensland Government Savings Bank.

In 1924, the federal government of Stanley Bruce sought to place further checks and limits on the powers of the governor of the bank, and passed the Commonwealth Bank Act, 1924, which created a seven-member Board of Directors comprising the governor, the Secretary of the Treasury, and six directors "actively engaged in agriculture, commerce, finance or industry", and a Chairman of the Board elected annual from its members. The first six board members were appointed on 10 October 1924: Sir John Garvan, Sir Robert Gibson, Sir Samuel Hordern, Robert McComas, Richard Samuel Drummond, and John McKenzie Lees. Garvan was appointed as the first chairman on 13 October 1924.

In 1931, the bank board came into conflict with the Labor government of James Scullin. The bank's chairman Sir Robert Gibson refused to expand credit in response to the Great Depression, as had been proposed by Treasurer Edward Theodore unless the government cut pensions, which Scullin refused to do. The conflict surrounding this issue led to the fall of the government, and to demands from Labor for reform of the bank and more direct government control over monetary policy.

Also in 1931, it took over the savings bank business of the Government Savings Bank of New South Wales (est. 1871), the current account and fixed deposit business of the NSW Rural Bank Department, and the State Savings Bank of Western Australia (est. 1863).

In 1942, the Commonwealth Banking Corporation (CBC) suspended its operations in Papua New Guinea as the Imperial Japanese Army captured many of the towns in which it operated, and bombed Port Moresby. The bank resumed operations later, possibly in 1944.

The bank had many branches across Papua New Guinea including Port Moresby, Boroko, Rabaul, Lae, Wau, Bulolo, Goroka, Kavieng, Madang, Mount Hagen, Kundiawa, Popondetta, and Wewak. On Bougainville, there was Kieta, Panguna, Arawa and early on a part-time sub-branch at Loloho. It maintained those facilities to support trade, local business, government, and small savers.

The Commonwealth Bank received almost all central bank powers in emergency legislation passed during World War II and at the end of the war, it used this power to begin a dramatic expansion of the economy. This was also the aim of the federal government at the time, which attempted to compel the Australian states to conduct their banking with the Commonwealth under the Banking Act 1945 (Cth), but the High Court in Melbourne Corporation v Commonwealth (1947) 74 CLR 31, blocked this move.

In August 1945, the federal government of Ben Chifley passed the Commonwealth Bank Act, 1945, which repealed the 1925 act and abolished the Board of Directors, returning full executive control of the bank to the governor.

The government also dramatically expanded immigration programs. In response, the bank established a Migrant Information Service (later known as the Australian Financial & Migrant Information Service, or AFMIS). The bank expanded during this period, and in just five years it opened hundreds of branches throughout Australia and in 1951 it established a branch in the Solomon Islands.

In 1958 and 1959, there was a controversy concerning the dual functions of the organization, operating as the central bank on the one hand and a commercial bank on the other. As a result, the government separated the two roles, creating the Reserve Bank of Australia to exercise the central bank function, and leaving the Commonwealth Banking Corporation to operate purely as a commercial bank. Those commercial functions were exercised by the organization's constituent sections: the Commonwealth Trading Bank of Australia, the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia, and the newly formed Commonwealth Development Bank.

From 1958 to 1976 the Commonwealth Bank operated savings bank agencies in the New Hebrides.

Diversification (1960–1991)

1980s logo

A new Commonwealth Development Bank was established in 1960 and during the 1970s the bank diversified its business into areas like insurance and travel. It established a finance company, CBFC in 1974. The bank also became more heavily involved in foreign currency trading and international banking in general.

The bank actively supported the introduction of decimal currency in the years leading up to 1966 and, like most banks, it gradually converted its paper records onto a new computer-based system. The bank created the first credit card in Australia in 1974 when it established Bankcard. In later years the bank began offering MasterCard (1984) and Visa (1993) cards as well.

In 1974, as Papua New Guinea approached independence, the bank formally handed over its PNG operations to the newly created and government-owned Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (PNGBC). The bank retained a restricted branch in Port Moresby that it finally closed in 1982.

In 1981 the bank transferred its operations in the Solomon Islands to the National Bank of Solomon Islands, which operated as a joint venture (51% Commonwealth Bank, 49% Government of the Solomon Islands).

In 1989 the bank acquired 75 per cent of ASB Bank in New Zealand.

In 1991 the bank acquired the failing Victorian Government-owned State Bank of Victoria (est. 1842).

Privatisation (1991–present)

Logo used until 2020
48 Martin Place; the Commonwealth Bank's headquarters from 1990-2009

Between 1991 and 1996 the Australian Government under the Keating government fully privatised the Commonwealth Bank. The first share offer in 1991 was valued at $1,292 million, the second in 1993 for $1,700 million and the third was sold for $5,000 million in 1996. It is a public company, but one of the few such companies in Australia whose official name does not end in 'Limited'.

In 1994 Commonwealth sold its shares in National Bank of Solomon Islands to Bank of Hawaii. In 1994, Commonwealth took a 50% share in PT Bank International Indonesia.

On 10 March 2000, the Commonwealth Bank and Colonial Limited announced their intention to merge, with seven Commonwealth Bank shares being offered for twenty Colonial Shares. The merger received final approval from the Supreme Court of Victoria on 31 May 2000 and was completed on 13 June 2000. This brought into the fold Colonial’s stake in Colonial National Bank, the former National Bank of Fiji. The bank also acquired the remaining 25% of ASB Bank.

Banking opportunities in Asia saw the Bank in 2000 acquire full ownership of PT Bank International Indonesia and rename it (PT Bank Commonwealth). This bank now has over 16 branches and has opened several FX shops to cater to Commonwealth Bank clients who are tourists in Bali.

In 2005, the bank established strategic co-operation agreements with two Chinese banks, Jinan City Commercial Bank and Hangzhou City Commercial Bank; it took an 11% stake in Jinan Commercial, and a 19.9% stake in Hangzhou Commercial. Commonwealth also established a representative office in Bangalore, India.

On 27 January 2006, the bank acquired the remaining 49% stake in Colonial National Bank (Fiji).

Tower 1, 201 Sussex Street; headquarters from 2010-2022 and now a secondary head office

At the beginning of 2008, Commonwealth Bank opened a branch in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Then in October, Commonwealth announced that it had purchased Bankwest and St Andrew's Insurances from their parent company HBOS for A$2.1 billion. The acquisition was scheduled to be completed in early 2009, subject to regulatory approval. Lastly, on 24 December, Commonwealth announced that it had, in joint partnership with Aussie Home Loans, purchased Wizard Home Loans. As part of the deal, the Commonwealth Bank will acquire Wizard mortgages up to the value of A$4 billion. Commonwealth Bank held about 30 percent of the loan business of financial advisory company Storm Financial when it collapsed in January 2009.

In December 2009, Commonwealth sold Colonial National Bank to Bank of South Pacific.

The bank transferred its ATM service desk from HP Enterprise Services in Adelaide to ITS (Armaguard) in Sydney in March 2012. The bank will change from NCR and Diebold ATMs to Wincor Nixdorf ATMs over the coming years.

The bank is the only financial services organisation to appear in the Dream Employers' top 20 list of preferred employers for 2010 and 2011.

During the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry it was discovered that the Commonwealth Bank had charged dead people for financial advice services. On 9 May 2018, Commonwealth Bank settled an interest rate rigging case brought by ASIC for $25 million. In the settlement, the bank admitted it engaged in "unconscionable conduct" and manipulated the bank bill swap rate five times between February and June 2012.

On 16 November 2023, the bank announced divestment of PT Bank Commonwealth to Bank OCBC NISP.

Controversies

Environmental

Commonwealth Bank is one of the major Australian banks known to be financing and profiting from activities destructive to the Great Barrier Reef, something the bank has been facing increased public scrutiny over since a 2013 report by Market Forces; the Sydney Morning Herald had this to say:

Australia's big four banks are leading lenders to the massive expansion in coal and gas shipments through the Great Barrier Reef, contradicting their own pledges to curb carbon emissions and preserve sensitive environmental areas. ... The CBA, meanwhile, highlighted its achievement to cut carbon emissions from operations by 35,000 tonnes in 2012. A single bulk carrier shipment of coal exported from Australia would result in final emissions of four times those savings.

— Julien Vincent, campaigner with Market Forces, May 2013.

In 2014, CBA and the big four Australian banks faced increased pressure to end their support for reef-threatening mining projects, as surveys have shown that "the big four banks would be risking customers shifting up to $236 billion in household deposits if they were to finance a project like the Abbot Point expansion".

In late 2014, it "was revealed was advising Indian coal miner Adani on its proposed development in Queensland's Galilee basin", while by 2015, it has been reported that "all the major American and European banks have refused funds to the project, citing environmental damage".

In May 2015, a report by Market Forces showed that CBA is the single biggest lender to fossil fuel projects within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area during the six-year period from 2008 to 2014. Almost immediately following, protests were held at over fifty CBA branches in Australia and around the world. Billboards, hoardings and branch signs were revised to read "Coal Bank" and company slogans changed to highlight its investment in fossil fuels.

Later in May, a report by MSCI showed that while other banks are reducing their funding for fossil fuel projects, Australia's largest banks are ramping up this same funding; The Guardian reported:

Australia's largest banks have committed about 10% of their known loan arrangements to the financing of risky fossil fuel projects that may become 'stranded' if the world is to avoid disastrous climate change, new research has estimated.

— The Guardian, May 2015.

2008 financial planning scandal

In October 2008, former CBA financial planner Jeff Morris alleged to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and subsequently a Senate Inquiry, the extent of the misconduct of CBA's financial planning arm, Commonwealth Financial Planning Limited (CFPL), but it was not until 16 months later that ASIC would launch an investigation. "There was forgery and dishonest concealment of material facts," the Senate Inquiry found in its report. They concluded a Royal Commission or Judicial Inquiry as it was deemed ASIC lacked the investigative powers required to uncover the full extent of the allegations. A week following the Senate Inquiry, CEO Ian Narev publicly apologised while announcing a compensation scheme. Former CEO Ralph Norris also conceded that he was aware of problems within CFPL acknowledging the presence of rogue financial planners but rejected the assertion of a conspiracy to cover it up. CBA has been criticised in the Senate for appointing Dr. Brendan French, who was the General Manager of Group Customer Relations before, as the head of the Open Advice Review program. The CBA defended Dr. Brendan French successfully in a defamation lawsuit in 2015; the decision was a single judge decision and was not appealed after the defence was withdrawn. Criticism has also been leveled at the fact that Dr. Brendan French was formerly a member of the board of directors of the Financial Ombudsman Service and is now working in CBA with respect to customer complaints.

2016 $76m Ponzi scheme

In 2016, it was revealed that some CBA staff were implicated in an alleged $76m Ponzi scheme fraud. The alleged architects of the scam were professional poker player Bill Jordanou and accountant Robert Zaia.

Insurance division scandal

It was reported alleged systemic issues about the insurance division of CBA. A claimant who suffered a heart attack and nearly died had his claim declined based on an outdated medical definition in his insurance policy. The company admitted this decision was a bad judgement. The insurer also "refused to pay total permanent disability (TPD) and terminal illness claims on the chance that a dying person facing organ failure may have their life saved by a transplant, and that a person can claim their life insurance if they are declared terminally ill by two doctors and deemed likely to die within 12 months." In March 2016, ASIC announced it would be investigating CBA about the allegations. After the serious allegations were aired in an episode of Four Corners two parliamentary inquiries were conducted. One into the life insurance sector, and another into protection of whistleblowers. The inquiries found that no staff involved in the wrongdoings were fired. The only person who suffered a consequence was the whistleblower who had tried to do the right thing. There were also calls for a Royal Commission into the insurance industry. The Financial Services Royal Commission was eventually called and found widespread issues. The Commonwealth Bank was called the gold medallist for ripping off customers by the counsel assisting the royal commissioner.

Money laundering scandal

In August 2017, the financial intelligence agency Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) launched civil proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia, alleging that CBA had breached money laundering and terrorism financing laws on 53,700 occasions. The breaches related to the bank's use of intelligent deposit machines (IDMs) between November 2012 and September 2015—the bank claimed that a programming error allowed depositors to instantly credit cash deposits to their accounts, whilst failing to report amounts over $10,000 to AUSTRAC, and not enforcing any limits to the number of transactions.

Bank bill swap rate allegations

See also: Libor scandal and Interbank lending market

ASIC commenced legal proceedings in the Federal Court on 30 January 2018 alleging manipulation of the bank bill swap rate (BBSW). The BBSW rate is the rate of interest that banks charge to lend money to each other, and is a key interest rate used as the benchmark for interest rates on a number of products, most notably business loans, currency derivatives and floating rate bonds. It is alleged that the manipulations took place on three specific occasions in 2012.

BankWest commercial loan book

The change from Basel I to Basel II capitalisation requirements, due to take effect on 1 January 2009, required BankWest to increase its Tier 1 capital (share capital) by an additional A$17 billion. BankWest's owner HBOS lent this money to Bankwest, but required the money be repaid to meet HBOS's own capital requirements.

HBOS, therefore, agreed to sell BankWest to Commonwealth Bank (CBA) in October 2008. The sale completed on for A$2.1 billion on 19 December 2008, and required Commonwealth Bank to repay the capital HBOS had loaned Bankwest.

One of the provisions of the sale agreement was an ability for CBA to claim a price adjustment. A loan was later found to have been impaired at the time of purchase but had not been identified to Commonwealth Bank by HBOS as impaired during the acquisition.

Commonwealth Bank declared 1,958 out of 26,000 BankWest commercial loans impaired (in default of the loan terms), with a total face value of $17.9 billion. As they were deemed to be in breach of their loan conditions, the bank was able to charge increased interest rates, or require early repayment.

Commonwealth Bank lost A$2 billion on defaulted loans that were not repaid (2.1% of the loan book, in comparison to an average of 0.4% across the Big Four Australian banks). Of the defaulted loans, the calling-in of 117 resulted in the borrowing company going into receivership.

Borrowers complained that they had complied with the monetary conditions of the loans: they had kept up interest payments and repayments, and disputed whether it was reasonable to apply penalty interest and require early repayment for non-monetary issues (for example, not having invested the funds for the purpose borrowed, or no longer having adequate security to back the loan).

The Australian Parliament requested that the Parliament's Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services conduct an inquiry into the matter, which reported on 4 May 2016.

The committee concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that impairment of loans was related to an attempt to 'claw back' any of the BankWest purchase price. However, it did find that "in a minority of cases" there was abuse of the asymmetry of power between the bank and the borrower. The committee recommended that there be improvements in the consistency of lenders' valuation of property used as security for loans.

Dollarmites

Dollarmites was the Commonwealth Bank's school banking program. In a 2020 Report, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) recommended against these programs. The Victorian Government and later the Queensland Government planned to stop allowing these programs in their state schools. Consumer group Choice continued to lobby for more State governments to also ban the banking program from public schools. Finally in 2021, after the New South Wales Government banned it too, the Commonwealth Bank announced the end of the program.

A subset of Commonwealth Bank staff were found to be fraudulently use the bank’s money, loose change, or their own money to illegitimately activate Youthsaver accounts for financial gain. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, "They would do so when parents had signed up their kids for school banking, often referred to as Dollarmites, but had not deposited money into the account within 30 days. If no deposit had been made, the sign-up would not count towards sales targets and financial rewards."

Headquarters

Commonwealth Bank has moved through many different offices, starting off in Melbourne (Collins Street), then moving to Martin Place in Sydney's CBD. In 2009, CBA moved into Darling Park Tower 1. During the Sydney Covid-19 lockdown in 2020-2022, CBA moved staff into their new offices, CBP North, and CPB South (Commonwealth Bank Place North and South), on Harbour Street, near Tumbalong Park. In October 2023, CBA occupied levels 14-21, and 27 of DP1 (Darling Park Tower 1). By the end of 2023, CBA moved the remaining staff from levels 14-21 out of DP1.

As of October 2024, all Commonwealth Bank staff members work out of CBP South, CBP North, The Foundry (Redfern, NSW), Axel (Redfern, NSW), or CBS (Commonwealth Bank Square), with the exception of the remaining staff in DP1.

Bank structure

Customer Service Network

A Commonwealth Bank branch office

This division delivers financial services to personal and small business customers. It provides bank accounts and credit products to consumers.

Premium Business Services

Premium Business Services was formally split into two departments in 2009, Institutional Banking & Markets (IB&M) and Business & Private Banking (B&PB). IB&M includes areas of the bank that provides services to Institutional Clients and Global Markets. B&PB includes areas of the bank that provides services to Business customers and private banking customers.

Wealth Management

Wealth Management brings together the Groups funds management platform, master funds, superannuation, insurance and financial advice business support. Colonial First State, Colonial First State Global Asset Management and CommInsure all form part of Wealth Management. CBA has been granted a MySuper authority, enabling it to continue to receive default superannuation contribution from 1 January 2014.

Executive leadership

Governors/Chief Executive Officers

The following individuals have been appointed to serve as chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, or precursor titles:

Order Name Title Term start Term end Time in office
1 Sir Denison Miller KCMG Governor June 1912 (1912-06) June 1923 (1923-06) 11 years, 29 days
2 James Kell June 1923 (1923-06) October 1926 (1926-10) 3 years, 122 days
3 Sir Ernest Riddle October 1926 (1926-10) February 1938 (1938-02) 11 years, 121 days
4 Sir Harry Sheehan CBE March 1938 (1938-03) March 1941 (1941-03) 3 years, 0 days
5 Hugh Traill Armitage CMG July 1941 (1941-07) December 1948 (1948-12) 7 years, 183 days
6 Dr H. C. Coombs January 1949 (1949-01) January 1960 (1960-01) 11 years, 0 days
7 Ernest Richardson CBE Managing Director January 1960 (1960-01) March 1965 (1965-03) 5 years, 89 days
8 Sir Bede Callaghan CBE May 1965 (1965-05) August 1976 (1976-08) 11 years, 92 days
9 Sir Ronald Elliott August 1976 (1976-08) August 1981 (1981-08) 5 years, 0 days
10 Vern Christie AO August 1981 (1981-08) March 1987 (1987-03) 5 years, 212 days
11 Donald Sanders AO CB March 1987 (1987-03) December 1990 (1990-12) 3 years, 275 days
Chief Executive Officer January 1991 (1991-01) June 1992 (1992-06) 1 year, 181 days
12 David Murray AO June 1992 (1992-06) September 2005 (2005-09) 13 years, 92 days
13 Sir Ralph Norris KNZM September 2005 (2005-09) November 2011 (2011-11) 6 years, 29 days
14 Ian Narev December 2011 (2011-12) April 2018 (2018-04) 6 years, 128 days
15 Matt Comyn April 2018 (2018-04) incumbent 6 years, 270 days

Chairs of the Board

Order Name Term start Term end Time in office Notes
1 Sir John Garvan 13 October 1924 (1924-10-13) 30 August 1926 (1926-08-30) 1 year, 321 days
2 Sir Robert Gibson GBE 13 September 1926 (1926-09-13) 1 January 1934 (1934-01-01) 7 years, 110 days
3 Sir Claude Reading KCMG 4 January 1934 (1934-01-04) 21 August 1945 (1945-08-21) 11 years, 229 days
Board abolished, 1945–1960
4 Sir Warren McDonald KBE 1 January 1960 (1960-01-01) 12 November 1965 (1965-11-12) 5 years, 315 days
Geoffrey Rushworth (acting) 12 November 1965 (1965-11-12) 27 October 1966 (1966-10-27) 349 days
5 Sir Roland Wilson 28 October 1966 (1966-10-28) 13 February 1975 (1975-02-13) 8 years, 108 days
6 Finlay Crisp 14 February 1975 (1975-02-14) 21 December 1984 (1984-12-21) 9 years, 311 days
7 Sir Brian Massy-Greene 21 December 1984 (1984-12-21) 7 March 1988 (1988-03-07) 3 years, 77 days
8 Tim Besley AC 8 March 1988 (1988-03-08) 31 October 1999 (1999-10-31) 11 years, 237 days
9 John Ralph AO 1 November 1999 (1999-11-01) 5 November 2004 (2004-11-05) 5 years, 4 days
10 John Schubert AO 5 November 2004 (2004-11-05) 1 February 2010 (2010-02-01) 5 years, 88 days
11 David Turner 1 February 2010 (2010-02-01) 31 December 2016 (2016-12-31) 6 years, 334 days
12 Catherine Livingstone AO 1 January 2017 (2017-01-01) 9 August 2022 (2022-08-09) 5 years, 220 days
13 Paul O’Malley 10 August 2022 (2022-08-10) Incumbent 2 years, 147 days

International operations

The Commonwealth Bank's international presence includes:

  • Retail banks in New Zealand (ASB Bank), Turkey (CommBiz) and Indonesia (99% of PT Bank Commonwealth)
  • Banking investments in China (20 per cent in both Qilu Bank and Bank of Hangzhou) and Vietnam, (20 per cent stake in Vietnam International Bank)
  • County banks in Hebei and Henen Provinces of China (15 branches and 8 sub-branches)
  • Commonwealth Bank branches in London, New York City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Auckland, Turkey and Mumbai
  • Joint venture life insurance businesses in Indonesia (PT Commonwealth Life) and China (37.5% stake in BoCommLife)
  • First State funds management business in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, United States and Dubai
  • Representative office in Hanoi
  • A Global Capability Center in Bangalore, India

Products and services

The Commonwealth Bank is Australia's largest retail bank and offers customers a range of products and services, including loans, credit cards, transaction and savings accounts. It has the largest branch and ATM network. It also offers services to people planning to move to Australia.

NetBank

The Commonwealth Bank offers online banking services through NetBank. NetBank allows customers to transfer funds, manage accounts, access assets and liabilities and also manage savings and saving goals. NetBank is also offered with a mobile app available for iOS and Android.

Beem It

Beem It is an instant payment free-to-download mobile application owned by Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac later sold to Eftpos Australia. It offers an instant payment transfer service between registered users of the app regardless of which bank they are with. The app's main features include options to pay, transfer, request and split money.

Subsidiaries

Australia

Asia Pacific

  • PT Bank Commonwealth (Indonesia)

New Zealand

Turkey

  • TR Commbiz (Turkey)

Sponsorship

Commonwealth Bank has been sponsoring Cricket Australia for the women's game since the 1990s.

In April 2021, Commonwealth Bank secured a four-year partnership deal with Football Australia for the naming rights of the women's national football teams as the Commonwealth Bank Matildas, Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas, and Commonwealth Bank Junior Matildas.

In November 2022, FIFA announced that Commonwealth Bank has signed on as an official supporter for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Profits By Year

Year Profit
2010 Increase $6.1 billion
2011 Increase $6.8 billion
2012 Increase $7.1 billion
2013 Increase $7.8 billion
2014 Increase $8.7 billion
2015 Increase $9.1 billion
2016 Increase $9.4 billion
2017 Increase $9.8 billion
2018 Decrease $9.2 billion
2019 Decrease $8.4 billion
2020 Decrease $7.3 billion
2021 Increase $8.65 billion
2022 Increase $9.6 billion
2023 Increase $10.16 billion

See also

References

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Further reading

External links

Commonwealth Bank
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Former notable peopleSee Former executive leadership of the Commonwealth Bank
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