Australia and New Zealand Banking : CANSTAR names ANZ ‘Bank of the Year – Agribusiness 2016’

For release: 27 May 2016

ANZ today has been named CANSTAR's 'Bank of the Year - Agribusiness 2016'. The award recognises the Bank's ongoing commitment to the agriculture sector and to the long-term growth of rural and regional Australia. It follows ANZ also being named CANSTAR's Bank of Year - Agribusiness 2016 in New Zealand.

The award is the result of CANSTAR's assessment of the business finance and deposit account products on offer across the sector. Numerous institutional factors, including information and education services, specialised products and services and online banking functionality were also reviewed.

Initiatives setting the bank apart included:

• 'Insights series' of research intelligence reports on key aspects of Australian agriculture;

• Thought leadership focus on issues that matter in regional communities (including financial markets education); and

• Community programs such as ANZ Seeds of Renewal which has provided more than

$4 million in community grants to 750 projects that enhance education and employment opportunities in rural and regional Australia.

ANZ's General Manager of Regional Business Banking Christine Linden said: "This is a significant achievement and an honour for our Australian business to hold for the next 12 months. It's testament to the continued focus our staff have on doing what's right for our customers and for their work in supporting this key sector of the Australian economy.

"We're also pleased to be recognised for the additional investments we're making to contribute to the long-term prosperity of regional Australia through a range of organisational initiatives.

"This award confirms we're on the right track and we're committed to staying focussed on supporting our customers by evolving our offerings, nurturing and promoting innovation and leading with insights," Ms Linden said.

Mitchell Watson, Group Manager, Research and Ratings at CANSTAR, said ANZ is leading the way in making real differences for their customers. "From the research and analysis we undertook, what resonated was the commitment to regional Australia through education, insights and research. ANZ also importantly has a number of diverse and robust products on offer, in a sector that needs to be agile and responsive."

Mark Bennett, Head of Agribusiness, Australia at ANZ said the award is a reminder of the important role ANZ staff play in one of the most challenging sectors. "There is a strong degree of optimism in Australian farming and agribusiness. Despite current cyclical challenges in some sectors, Australia should have a high expectation that it will play a significant role in the nation's economic future."

For more information visit www.canstar.com.au/star-ratings-reports/agribusiness

For media enquiries: Emily Kinnear, 0478 401 280

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