Sydney, Jan 14, 2026, 17:17 AEDT — Market closed
- ANZ slipped 0.27% to A$36.38, despite raising the top ongoing rate on its key ANZ Plus savings account to 4.25%
- An ASX notice revealed that 6,621 unquoted ANZAA options and rights have lapsed, while ordinary shares remained unchanged.
- Coming up: Australia’s jobs report hits Jan. 22, inflation figures drop Jan. 28, followed by the RBA meeting on Feb. 2-3
ANZ Group Holdings shares slipped 0.27% to close at A$36.38 on Wednesday after the bank raised rates on its ANZ Plus Growth Saver account in an out-of-cycle adjustment, separate from any Reserve Bank of Australia announcement. Canstar reported the top ongoing rate climbed by 10 basis points to 4.25%, reversing a previous cut made in October. “ANZ’s move will be welcome news for its savers,” said Sally Tindall, Canstar’s data insights director. (Canstar)
This tweak is crucial since savings rates affect a bank’s funding costs. If those costs climb, profits may suffer unless loan rates increase as well.
The timing is tricky for major lenders. Bank sentiment still hinges heavily on rate expectations, and a slew of upcoming data could quickly change the landscape.
ANZ this week filed a securities notice with the Australian Securities Exchange revealing that 6,621 unquoted options or rights (ANZAA) lapsed after the attached conditions were not met, with the lapse dated December 12, 2025. The filing also showed 3,014,198,826 ordinary shares on issue and 3,677,631 unquoted ANZAA securities still outstanding. (Company Announcements)
Morgan Stanley, in a note reported by Market Index, predicted that returns among Australia’s top banks could split sharply again in 2026. The firm singled out ANZ as having a strong shot at repeating as the top-performing major lender. It highlighted valuation and strategy as key factors, but warned that Commonwealth Bank faces risks due to its hefty premium and intensifying competition.
Investors are grappling with a key issue: is deposit pricing becoming a bigger story? Boosting savings rates might keep customers loyal, but it also pushes up the cost of funds — a hit that banks eventually feel in their margins.
But it can reverse just as quickly. If competitors follow suit, funding costs rise even if loan growth stalls, forcing banks to protect profits by cutting costs or slowing dividend increases.
The macro calendar heats up soon. Australia’s labour force data for December drops Jan. 22, with the December 2025 CPI figure set for Jan. 28, according to the statistics bureau. The RBA’s monetary policy board meets Feb. 2-3. ANZ’s next results update is the half-year report on May 7. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
