The ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price is in focus after the Federal Treasurer approved the deal to buy the Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) banking operations.
ANZ has been trying to buy Suncorp Bank for two years and it is steadily receiving the approvals needed to make the deal happen.
ANZ gains Federal Treasurer approval to buy Suncorp Bank
The Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has approved the proposed acquisition of Suncorp Bank by ANZ.
This was one of the final stages that proposed deal needed to pass after approval from the Australian Competition Tribunal in February 2024 and the passing of legislation by the Queensland government in June 2024 to amend the Metway Merger Act.
Suncorp and ANZ are targeting a completion date of 31 July 2024.
There are a few conditions attached to the approval:
- ANZ will maintain its and Suncorp’s regional branch numbers throughout Australia for three years
- There will be no net job losses in Australia as a direct result of the acquisition for three years
- ANZ will continue its ongoing best efforts to reach an agreement with Australia Post, on a commercial basis, to offer Bank@Post services to its customers
ANZ said these conditions are aligned with the commitments ANZ made when it announced the proposed acquisition, which included maintaining Suncorp Bank’s current branch footprint and no net job losses for Suncorp Bank for three years after completion in Queensland.
The conditions are also not expected to impact the benefits expected to flow from the acquisition. Suncorp has agreed to waive its brand licensing fee and contribute to some additional integration costs. Seeing as this reduces ANZ’s costs, I’d suggest it’s slightly beneficial for the ANZ share price.
Management commentary
The ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott said:
This is a significant milestone in our plans to expand our presence in Queensland and bring the best of ANZ to Suncorp Bank customers.
Queensland is thriving. With strong economic growth, high workforce participation and more interstate migration than any other state or territory, we’re excited about the opportunities Queensland presents for ANZ and our customers.
…Suncorp Bank customers will continue to receive the same great service, from the same exceptional Suncorp Bank staff. Over time, we’ll make available to them ANZ’s leading technology, giving them access to the very latest in banking services.
Looking ahead, we’re pleased to be one step closer to this strategically important acquisition which will allow us to add scale to our Retail and Commercial businesses while enabling ANZ to more effectively compete in the Australian market. Our plans for the integration are well advanced and we are confident of the substantial benefits that will flow.
Final thoughts on the ANZ share price
ANZ shares have jumped 20% over the past year, which is a strong performance for a bank in a competitive industry that’s facing rising arrears.
I wouldn’t call ANZ a good buy at the current level. Buying Suncorp Bank certainly adds scale, but I’m not sure how much it is going to add much sustained profitable growth.
There are other ASX dividend shares that I believe could add more earnings growth and pay more resilient dividends in the coming years.
