UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

August 13, 2019

 

Commission File Number 1-10167

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

275 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 2000, AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F     x           Form 40-F      o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o

 

 

 

 

Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

 

 

1

 

ASX Release — Westpac Acknowledges Responsible Lending Ruling

 

2

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date: August 13, 2019

By:

/s/ Leisha White

 

 

Leisha White

 

 

Practice Leader

 

3

Exhibit 1

 

 

 

Media

Release

 

 

13 AUGUST 2019

 

WESTPAC ACKNOWLEDGES RESPONSIBLE LENDING RULING

 

Westpac acknowledges today’s judgment by the Federal Court in relation to ASIC’s proceedings against Westpac regarding its responsible lending obligations.

 

The proceedings focused on the way in which Westpac used the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) benchmark and assessed interest only home loans as part of its serviceability assessment between December 2011 and March 2015.

 

The hearing was held in May this year.

 

Today Justice Nye Perram found in favour of Westpac and dismissed ASIC’s proceedings with costs.

 

David Lindberg, Chief Executive Westpac Consumer Division said: “Westpac has always sought to lend responsibly to customers and takes its lending obligations very seriously. This is an important test case for the industry, and we welcome the clarity that today’s decision provides for the interpretation of responsible lending obligations.”

 

Westpac aims to build and maintain constructive and trusted working relationships with its regulators, including when we have a genuine difference of opinion. When this occurs, our preference is to resolve the difference in an open, transparent and respectful way.

 

For further information:

 

Media

Investors

 

David Lording

Andrew Bowden

M. 0419 683 411

M. 0438 284 863

 

T. +61 2 8253 4008

Lucy Wilson

 

M. 0428 777 704