ANZ New Zealand has released its full year financial result. Photo / Steven McNicholl
ANZ New Zealand has released its full year financial result. Photo / Steven McNicholl
ANZ New Zealand has seen a 44 per cent increase in its profit rising to hit $1.92 billion for the year to September 30.
The country's largest bank saw its cash net profit rise 39 per cent to $1.907 billion compared to the previous year.
ANZ New Zealand chief executive Antonia Watson said the results reflected record demand in the housing market, a stronger-than-expected economy and a significant reduction in provisions the bank put aside last year.
Watson said that while many businesses that relied on tourists and overseas students were facing ongoing impacts of Covid-19 restrictions, particularly in Auckland where the hospitality industry is disproportionately affected by lockdown measures, the economy had fared better than the bank expected.
"The ability of many New Zealand businesses to learn from last year's lockdowns and adapt, and continuing strong global demand for our exports, has meant we were able to release $115 million of the credit impairment provisions we'd made previously into this year's result," she said.
Home lending by the bank increased by $9.3b to $99b over the year.
Watson said high house prices continued to be driven by historically low interest rates and more demand for houses than are available.
"This demand is reflected in our financial results."
The bank's operating income rose 2 per cent or $83m to $4.132b while its expenses fell 7 per cent or $129m to $1.607b.
It put the lower expenses down to lower customer remediation and restructuring, one-offs in the prior period not being repeated and the sale of UDC Finance in September 2020.
It made a $32m loss on the sale of UDC in its 2020 financial year.
Deposits at the bank rose 3.5 per cent while lending increased 6 per cent.
ANZ New Zealand chief executive Antonia Watson. Photo / Supplied
Watson said the full year result was strong given the Covid influenced economic circumstances.
"New Zealand experienced a rebound in economic activity following the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns. Household and business confidence surveys recovered quickly and investment had picked up prior to the August 2021 outbreak.
"The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has projected rate increases over the next two years. However it is likely uncertainty will linger as long as Covid-19 is a threat."
The bank reduced its credit impairment charge down $516m from a charge of $401m to a release of $115m due to the improved economic conditions.
It paid $845m in a dividend to its parent ANZ bank in June.
Parent company ASX-listed ANZ reported a net profit after tax of A$6.162 billion for the year to September 30 - up 72 per cent on the prior year with the key driver being the partial reversal of Covid-19 credit provision.
Its cash profit was up 65 per cent to A$6.198b. This was better than consensus forecasts of A$6.06b.
The bank will pay a final dividend of A72c - more than double the A35c it paid out a year ago.
ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliot said it grew lending and deposits in its Australian retail and commercial business and delivered good margin performance across the division.
"Home loan revenue growth was in the low double digits. However, second half volumes were impacted by a competitive refinancing market, customers paying down their loans faster and processing issues."
Elliot said in its New Zealand business a focus on improving customer outcomes as well as realising the benefits of prior investments helped deliver one of its strongest performances ever.
"Home loans grew 11 per cent while still taking proactive steps to bring balance to the housing market, such as lifting the deposit required for investor lending.
