Brett Le Mesurier's questions to WESTPAC BANKING (WEBNF) leadership • Q1 2021
Question
Brett Le Mesurier of Velocity sought clarification on the significant reduction in the corporate loan book, asking how much was attributable to the trade finance runoff and whether this signaled a strategic shift away from large corporate clients.
Answer
CFO Michael Rowland confirmed the reduction was driven by both the planned trade finance runoff (less than half the total) and softer business lending. CEO Peter Francis King added that lower client demand was also a factor, and the bank is not strategically exiting corporate lending, noting a recent pickup in M&A-related activity.