Finance
Anz CEO Orders Strategic Review to Assess Underperforming Businesses, Cut Costs
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on August 8, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
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ANZ CEO Nuno Matos initiates a strategic review to enhance financial performance and cut costs amid competitive pressures and past scandals.
ANZ CEO Initiates Strategic Review to Enhance Bank Performance
By Scott Murdoch
SYDNEY (Reuters) -ANZ Group Chief Executive Nuno Matos has ordered a strategic review to help boost the bank's financial performance, productivity and bring down costs, according to a note sent to staff on Friday.
ANZ, Australia's fourth-largest bank by market value, has seen its performance questioned by investors and analysts amid intense competition for residential home loans.
It has also suffered reputational harm since a 2023 bond trading scandal that involved its markets and trading business and exposed misconduct and flaws in its corporate culture. Australia's banking regulator last year ordered ANZ to hold an extra A$250 million ($160 million) in capital, citing concerns about its risk culture.
"For a long time, some parts of our business have not been meeting their potential, particularly in terms of customer and shareholder outcomes and non-financial risk," Matos wrote in the note, which was seen by Reuters.
"We need to be sharper and leaner, and reduce inefficiencies. The productivity levels and the cost to run our business need to be brought in line with industry standards and shareholders' expectations," it said.
The note was sent to staff by Matos to mark his first 100 days as CEO after he replaced long-time boss Shayne Elliott in May.
Matos also said the review would examine progress in integrating Suncorp Bank into its operations. ANZ paid A$4.9 billion for the regional lender in a deal that was approved by the government in June last year.
Australia's Big Four banks are having to contend with fierce competition in residential mortgages from Macquarie Group, a relative newcomer to the segment.
A number of executive changes have taken place since Matos took over. Retail banking boss Maile Carnegie announced in June that she would retire from the bank. The executive charged with leading ANZ's risk culture overhaul, Mark Evans, has also retired.
($1 = 1.5347 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Scott Murdoch; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Key Takeaways
- •ANZ CEO Nuno Matos orders a strategic review to boost performance.
- •The review aims to cut costs and improve productivity.
- •ANZ faces competition in residential mortgages.
- •The bank is integrating Suncorp Bank into its operations.
- •ANZ's risk culture has been under scrutiny.
Frequently Asked Questions about ANZ CEO orders strategic review to assess underperforming businesses, cut costs
1What prompted the strategic review at ANZ?
ANZ CEO Nuno Matos ordered a strategic review to boost the bank's financial performance and reduce costs, addressing concerns raised by investors and analysts.
2What issues has ANZ faced recently?
ANZ has faced intense competition in residential home loans and reputational harm due to a bond trading scandal in 2023 that exposed misconduct in its corporate culture.
3What is the significance of integrating Suncorp Bank?
The review will assess the progress of integrating Suncorp Bank, which ANZ acquired for A$4.9 billion, aiming to enhance operational efficiency.
4Who is the new CEO of ANZ?
Nuno Matos is the new CEO of ANZ, having replaced Shayne Elliott in May.
5What changes have occurred in ANZ's executive team?
Since Matos took over, there have been several executive changes, including the retirement announcement of retail banking boss Maile Carnegie.
