2024 Annual Report

Cover page and Responsibility statement

About this report

National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937

This 2024 Annual Report (Report) is lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and ASX Limited. National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) is publicly listed in Australia.

The Report contains information prepared on the basis of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth),Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), 4th edition ASX Corporate Governance Councilʼs Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, Accounting Standards and interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board and International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. It also provides information on the Groupʼs activities and performance in 2024, showing how the Group is creating value through its strategy, operating environment, governance and financial and non-financial activities. NAB also produces a Climate Report which can be viewed online at nab.com.au/annualreports.

To view the Report online, visit www.nab.com.au/annualreports. Alternatively, to arrange for a copy to be sent to you free of charge, call the shareholder information line on 1300 367 647 from within Australia or +61 3 9415 4299 from outside Australia. Nothing in the Report is, or should be taken as, an offer of securities in NAB for issue or sale, or an invitation to apply for the purchase of such securities. All figures in the Report are in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated

2024 Reporting Suite

Acknowledgement of Country

NAB acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land as Australia’s First Peoples and recognises their continuing connection to lands, water and country. We make this acknowledgement with the ambition to continue supporting a reconciled Australia through our actions and voice.

“Indigenous Australians”, "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander" and "First Nations people" (or "First Nations Australians") are used interchangeably throughout this report. By intent, these terms refer to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. These terms, however, do not reflect the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAB acknowledges that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prefer to be known by other cultural names.

2024 Annual Report
NAB’s 2024 Annual Report provides information on the Group’s activities and performance during 2024. It outlines how NAB is creating value through its strategy, operating environment, governance, financial and non-financial activities.The Annual Report draws on aspects of the International Integrated Reporting Framework, Global Reporting Initiative Standard and forthcoming Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards. It is supported by the additional documents outlined below.
Report Structure
Pages 10 to 60 contain information on the Group’s business, strategy, operating environment and performance. These pages outline performance relevant to customers, colleagues, climate change and environment, technology, data and security, respecting human rights and communities. Stakeholder feedback was considered in the shaping of this section (refer to ESG materiality assessment on page 23 for more information).Pages 67 to 90 contain NAB’s 2024 Corporate Governance Statement, which discloses how the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s ‘Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations – 4th edition’ have been complied with.Pages 107 to 163 contain key components of the Report of the Directors.Pages 119 to 161 contain the Remuneration Report.Pages 167 to 264 contain the Financial Report.
Assurance
The Group's External Auditors are EY, and they have provided the following assurances:
  • The Remuneration Report on pages 119 to 161 and Financial Report on pages 167 to 264 have been audited. The assurance statement for the Financial Report and Remuneration Report is on pages 265 to 271.
  • Limited assurance over 26 key non-financial sustainability metrics and performance disclosures and a further six metrics relating to NAB's Reconciliation Action Plan as outlined in EY's limited assurance statement on pages 61 to 66.
  • Assurance over selected environmental measures disclosed across NAB's reporting suite. EY’s assurance statements are available on NAB's website at nab.com.au/about-us/social-impact/shareholders/performance-and-reporting.

Additional documents
2024 Full Year Results Investor PresentationInformation designed for analysts and institutional investors which accompanies the Group's Full Year Results Presentation. Management Discussion and AnalysisManagement discussion and analysis of the Group's results for the year ended 30 September 2024. 2024 Climate ReportProvides stakeholders with information on NAB's climate action-related activities and progress on its climate strategy. The report is guided by the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). 2024 Pillar 3 ReportDescribes the Group's approach to risk management and provides details about risk exposures, capital adequacy and liquidity. 2024 Sustainability Data PackProvides further detail on the Group's ESG performance, in addition to the material themes covered in the Annual Report and the Climate Report.
   

Additional information

Certain definitions

The Group's financial year ends on 30 September. The financial year ended 30 September 2024 is referred to as 2024 and other financial years are referred to in a corresponding manner. Reference in this document to the year ended September 2024 are references to the twelve months ended 30 September 2024. Other twelve month periods referred to in this document are referred to in a corresponding manner. Reference in this document to the environmental reporting year are references to the twelve months ended 30 June 2024.

The abbreviations $m and $bn represent millions and thousands of millions (i.e. billions) of Australian dollars respectively.

Key terms used in this report are contained in the Glossary.

Forward looking statements

This report contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. These forward looking statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, including the terms "ambition","believe", "estimate", "plan", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "goal", “target”, "intend", “likely”, "may", "will", “could” or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or other similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, targets, goals, future events or intentions. Indications of, and guidance on, future earnings and financial position and performance are also forward looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Group, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. There can be no assurance that actual outcomes will not differ materially from these statements.

There are a many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements, including (without limitation) a significant change in the Group’s financial performance or operating environment; a material change to law or regulation or changes to regulatory policy or interpretation; and risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing impacts of the Russia-Ukraine and Middle Eastern conflicts and other geopolitical tensions, the Australian and global economic environment and capital market conditions. Further detail is contained on page 93 under Disclosure on risk factors.

Our business in 2024

2024 at a glance

Chair's message

A new chapter

NAB has continued to benefit from strong and stable leadership focused on consistent and disciplined execution of the bank’s strategy during the past four and a half years. As a result, strength, stability and momentum are features of NAB today.

These attributes allow us to support our customers and the economy through cycles, including during periods of high inflation and the impact of higher cost of living.

We are providing better banking experiences for our customers and remain the Australian market leader in lending to businesses.

In February, Ross McEwan announced his retirement from NAB after a successful four and a half years as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. Shareholders should be very pleased with Ross’ leadership. NAB is now recognised as a good bank that consistently does the basics well for customers.

The Board appointed Andrew Irvine as our new CEO to build on the work already underway and to address the opportunities and challenges of the future. It was pleasing to have managed an internal leadership succession, the process highlighting the depth of talent within NAB.

Culture, governance and accountability continue to be core to NAB. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority removed our $500m Operational Risk capital add-on in March, stating it was satisfied that NAB had adequately addressed the issues raised in its risk governance self-assessment and completed its related remediation program.

NAB continues to make progress on the implementation of our Enforceable Undertaking with AUSTRAC and we are investing heavily to help keep Australia’s financial system safe. 

Financially secure bank

Focused execution of strategy and a more stable operating environment in the second half benefitted NAB’s performance. The Board has determined dividends for the year of 169 cents per share, returning $5.2 billion in total to shareholders.

We are taking a disciplined approach to reducing our share count to support shareholder returns and have continued our on-market share buy-back, while maintaining our strong capital position.

Over the three years to September 2024, our total shareholder return was 51.1%, against an average return of 24.6% for NAB’s major bank peers.

Executive and employee remuneration outcomes are determined by the Board based on the bank’s performance against the targets set by the Board at the start of the year. These targets are aligned with shareholder outcomes and include financial performance, market share growth, customer outcomes and colleague engagement.

This year’s outcomes reflect continued strategic progress in a difficult operating environment and the Board’s focus on maintaining responsible remuneration levels.

Board renewal

The Board is focused on creating value for our shareholders and customers. We have invested time in educating the Board on risks and opportunities for the bank including climate transition, technology, and digital innovation.

Doug McKay stood down from the Board of NAB’s New Zealand subsidiary, Bank of New Zealand, in May after serving nine years as Chair and 11 years as a Director. He will retire from the NAB Board at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in December, having served almost nine years as a NAB Director. Anne Loveridge will also retire from the NAB Board at the conclusion of the AGM having served nine years.

On behalf of all shareholders, I thank both Doug and Anne for their significant and valued contributions. In line with our Board renewal strategy, we were pleased to announce the appointment of Warwick Hunt to the NAB Board, to be considered for election by NAB’s shareholders at our AGM.

Looking forward

Maintaining a long-term view and adjusting accordingly is critical for building sustainable value for shareholders, customers and communities.

Underlying growth in the Australian and major global economies underpins our optimism for the future although the global geopolitical landscape remains increasingly concerning.

We recognise technology is a critical enabler and continue to modernise and invest in digital, data and analytics, and artificial intelligence to support our bankers and our customers.

Climate transition remains a societal issue of global scale and complexity. NAB is supporting our customers to make investments to reduce emissions, to adapt and build resilience.

During the year we set a further five 2030 decarbonisation targets across two emissions-intensive priority sectors: real estate (with targets set for commercial (office and retail) and residential); and transport (with targets set for road and shipping).

Our progress is in line with the requirements of the Net Zero Banking Alliance and our ambition to achieve net zero across our financed emissions and operations by 2050. Our work to support NAB’s agriculture customers to decarbonise is ongoing, and transition planning for this critical industry will be guided in part by Federal Government settings and the availability of commercially viable and scalable decarbonisation solutions.

NAB’s continued support for indigenous communities is reflected in our 2024 -2027 Reconciliation Action Plan, as well as our target to lend $1 billion to First Nations businesses by the end of 2026.

On behalf of the Board, thank you to NAB’s shareholders for your continued backing and your loyalty. I would also like to recognise our team of more than 38,000 colleagues who serve our customers every day.

NAB is in good shape with good momentum and there is more we want to do to fulfil the ambition we hold for this organisation.

Philip Chronican,
Chair

CEO's message

This year I was honoured to be appointed NAB Group CEO and continue our legacy of supporting customers for more than 160 years.  Since starting in April, much of my time has been spent listening to customers and colleagues.

It has been a privilege to hear their views on what is working and where we can do better.

Leadership and strategy evolution

Our strategy during the past four and a half years has served us well. We are building on this progress to ensure we have a customer obsessed culture and become a simpler bank that is faster and safer. Our renewed executive leadership team was appointed from within, comprising diverse bankers, who have a track record of helping customers.

While operating in a challenging environment, we continue to deliver a sound financial performance across each of our divisions. We are making deliberate decisions about where to invest to achieve the best outcomes for customers and the bank. The strength of our relationships is reflected in the consistent growth of our leading business bank. Small businesses are the heartbeat of the Australian economy and when they succeed, we all do.

The economy and an optimistic outlook

Despite headwinds, Australia’s economy is in reasonable shape and we are optimistic about the longer-term outlook for Australia.

We have a resilient job market and favourable business conditions, positioning us well compared with global peer economies. Restrictive interest rates are working to bring inflation into the Reserve Bank’s target range, and we are confident we will see rates decrease in the coming year. In the meantime, we know some customers are finding the higher cost of living challenging and we are here to help.

Supporting our customers

As Australia’s biggest business bank, we are making it easier for our small business customers to bank with us, and we are better understanding their needs. We want to be the voice for small and medium businesses, to continue to advocate for them and find solutions that help them grow and be more productive.

We are also working relentlessly to protect our customers and our bank from criminals. In the past year, customers abandoned more than $170 million in potential scam payments and customer losses from scams fell 20% compared to 2023. In the year ahead our teams will continue to work with government and other businesses, including telecommunications, social and digital media companies, to stop more scams.

Investing in the future and our communities

Housing availability in Australia remains an enormous societal and policy challenge, and opportunity. While NAB has made good progress on our plan to deliver $6 billion of support to more affordable and specialist housing by 2029, scalability is crucial to success. Greater innovation in both the housing types and methods of construction is key to help tackle this crisis.

Similar to many other industries, banking has seen a significant transformation driven by rapid technological advancement and changing customer behaviour. Today, more than 93% of our customer interactions occur digitally. This shift means we are investing in our banking footprint in new ways to meet customer demand, with more than $41 million spent across 28 locations, including 11 regional towns this year.

Through NAB and the NAB Foundation we support regional and rural Australia including initiatives such as NAB Ready Together. We have continued to invest to support Australians to withstand and recover from natural disasters. We recognise the importance of being there for customers when they need us most. When they’re threatened by natural disasters, we will respond.

We are working closely with customers and the community on the transition to net zero and have an environmental finance ambition to lend $80 billion by 2030. There needs to be an orderly transition to net zero that balances the social, economic and environmental requirements. We look forward to playing our role.

We are supporting First Nations businesses and have made good progress on our target to lend $1 billion by the end of 2026. By working with First Nations people, we are supporting financial resilience, increasing business and employment opportunities, and removing the barriers that traditionally made it more difficult to access financial services.

Looking ahead

Thank you to our shareholders for your continued support, to our customers for choosing to bank with NAB, and to the NAB team for helping our customers.

We have made significant progress and have the right foundations in place. Working together we can fulfil our ambition of delivering exceptional experiences for our customers. I am excited about the future and what we can achieve.

 
Andrew Irvine,
Group Chief Executive Officer

Creating value

Our business

We are here to serve customers well and help our communities prosper. More than 38,000 colleagues provide about 10 million customers with secure, easy and reliable banking services.

NAB has three major customer-facing business units in Australia - Business and Private Banking, Personal Banking, Corporate and Institutional Banking - supported by six enabling units (Technology and Enterprise Operations, Finance, Risk, Legal and Commercial Services2, People and Culture and Digital, Data and the Chief Operating Office). ubank is NAB's digitally focused bank and operates as a customer-facing unit under the leadership of the Digital, Data and Chief Operating Office. Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is our New Zealand banking business that serves Personal, Business, Agri and Private Wealth customers.

Business and Private Banking
Clear market leadership

Business and Private Banking backs Australian businesses and the individuals who own them. From start-ups and small businesses to established medium and large enterprises, we have supported our customers growth through a relationship-led approach, increasingly enabled by digital, data and analytics.

We are the largest lender to businesses in Australia3 and support customers across all business and private banking needs, from transaction banking and payments, to combined mortgage and business lending and succession planning solutions.

We provide specialised expertise to service the financial needs of customers across a range of sectors including: agribusiness, health, professional services, franchise, government, education and community service, Indigenous business and commercial real estate, along with integrated and tailored banking solutions for Private Wealth customers.

In the 12 months to September 2024, Business and Private Banking grew customer deposits by $14.5 billion and business lending by $11.7 billion.

Personal Banking
Simple and digital

Personal Banking helps our customers manage their personal finances and transacting needs through debit and credit cards, savings accounts, and personal and home loans. We support everyday banking and lending needs of customers across the mobile app, internet banking, branches, and telephone banking channels4.

Personal Banking is providing simpler, more digital banking experiences to drive quicker, better outcomes for customers and colleagues. We prioritise customers by supporting those in financial difficulty (e.g., financial hardship) and helping to combat the increasing incidences of frauds and scams.

In the year ended 30 September 2024, Personal Banking grew customer deposits by $12.7 billion and home lending by $3.5 billion.

Corporate and Institutional Banking
Disciplined growth

Corporate and Institutional Banking partners with clients globally to meet their most complex financial needs by providing a range of customised products and services, with offices in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.

We have maintained a disciplined approach to growth, supported by strong customer advocacy, combined with an emphasis on simplification and leveraging our transactional banking capability. Our customers have complex transaction banking needs and NAB serves them well, maintaining a market-leading position in cash and liquidity management, ranked first in the Relationship Strength Index rating for Transaction Banking. NAB is also ranked first for Relationship Strength Index ratings for Debt Capital Markets and Foreign Exchange (Corporates)5, and is ranked first for ease of doing business5. Our clients are supported by well-rated research.

We assist Corporate and Institutional customers to achieve their sustainability objectives by providing solutions including a wide range of sustainable finance, which has grown to more than $12 billion, and investment options and markets solutions such as carbon trading and ESG derivatives. We have financed renewable energy projects for more than 20 years and in the year ended 30 September 2024, NAB was recognised as Australia’s leading bank for project finance to the global renewable energy sector6.

Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)
Personal and SME

BNZ serves approximately 1.4 million customers across New Zealand with personal and business banking services, through a nationwide network of customer centres, digital and assisted channels.

BNZ is New Zealand’s largest business bank, one of the largest providers of agricultural financing and has grown market share in total deposits and key lending segments in personal and business banking.

In 2024, BNZ has seen improvements in strategic NPS scores for key segments - Consumer and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). BNZ is increasing its physical presence for customers in response to growing demand for more face-to-face interactions, with all branches across New Zealand to be open for at least five days per week by April 2025. Additionally, BNZ increased financial assistance for New Zealanders and businesses to help them deal with economic uncertainty as well as recent severe weather events. 

ubank
Customer acquisition

ubank is Australia’s first, homegrown, digital bank and has been helping everyday Australians get the most out of their banking since it was established in 2008.

In 2021, ubank acquired 86 400 to leverage its smart banking platform, provide customers with better technology and deliver an award-winning range of products across everyday banking and home lending.

ubank has more than 850,000 customers and has acquired more than 100,000 customers in the 12 months to September 2024 (a 15% growth in total customers over that period).

  1. Number of full-time equivalent colleagues as at 30 September 2024, excluding discontinued operations.
  2. Effective 1 October 2024, Legal and Commercial Services was renamed to Customer and Corporate Services.
  3. Market share of APRA Business Lending (excluding Financial Institutions, Government, and Community) at September 2024.
  4. Personal Banking includes the customers migrated from Citi consumer business (acquired in 2022).
  5. Coalition Greenwich (formerly Peter Lee Associates) 2024 surveys. Transaction Banking (ranking against all banks), Debt Capital Markets (ranking against the four major domestic banks), Foreign Exchange, Corporate Respondents (ranking against all banks), Large Corporate and Institutional Relationship Banking (ranking against all banks). Coalition Greenwich is a division of Crisil. Relationship Strength Index (RSI) is based on the results of key qualitative measures.
  6. Rankings based on IJGlobal League Table MLA, Renewables, both cumulative data from 1 January 2010 to 30 September 2024 and for the 12 months ending 30 September 2024.

Strategy

Strategic Ambition 2020-2024

To serve customers well and help our communities prosper.

Our Group Strategy, in place since April 2020, has served us well over the last four and a half years. Despite significant shifts in our operating environment during this period, we have maintained a clear focus on delivering better outcomes for our customers and colleagues while keeping our bank safe. This has been supported by disciplined execution and persistent investment.

We served our customers well by delivering on the individual strategies of our customer-facing units: clear market leadership in Business and Private Banking; simple and digital experiences in Personal Banking; disciplined growth in Corporate and Institutional Banking; personal and SME growth in BNZ, and customer acquisition in ubank.

For the year ended 30 September 2024, NAB delivered sound financial performance in a challenging operating environment. Diluted cash earnings1 per share was 227.0 cents, and cash return on equity of 11.6%. The Group’s dividend payout for the year will be 169 cents per share.

Execution priorities outlined for 2024 have progressed, with delivery of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) Enforceable Undertaking (EU) commitments on track, progress made in completing the integration of the Citi consumer business, and ongoing modernisation and simplification of our technology assets.

   

  1. Full detail on how cash earnings is defined, a discussion of non-cash earnings items and a full reconciliation of statutory net profit attributable to owners of the Company is set out in Note 2 Segment information of the Financial Report on page 178. Statutory return on equity and statutory earnings per share (EPS) are presented on page 110.

Customers and colleagues

NAB’s goal has been to be ranked first in Net Promoter Score (NPS) among the major Australian banks, with NPS in positive territory. We achieved our goal for some customer segments, however, there is still work to be done to sustainably improve customer advocacy. As at 30 September 2024, NAB was:

Our colleague engagement remains in the top quartile of global organisations, scoring 78 in the July 2024 survey8, reflecting a workforce that is proud to work at NAB and deliver excellence for customers (refer to page 32 for further information).

  1. Net Promoter® and NPS® are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter ScoreSM is a service mark of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld.
  2. Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to September 2024. Based on all consumers, 18+ and excludes consumers with personal income of $260k+ and/or investible assets $2.5m+ and/or footings of over $850k. Ranking based on absolute scores, not statistically significant differences.
  3. Coalition Greenwich (formerly Peter Lee Associates) – Large Corporate and Institutional Relationship Banking Survey Australia 2024. Ranking against the four major domestic banks. Coalition Greenwich is a division of Crisil.
  4. Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to September 2024. Business Strategic NPS is constructed based on 25:25:50 weighting of underlying segments, allocated to Nano & Micro: Small: Medium & Large, respectively. Nano & Micro (Businesses with a turnover up to $1m or $1m-$5m with no perceived banker), Small (Businesses with a turnover $1m-$5m with a perceived banker), Medium & Large (Businesses with a turnover between $5m and <$200m). Ranking based on absolute scores, not statistically significant differences.
  5. Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to September 2024. Based on all consumers, 18+, includes Mass Affluent customers ($850k to $2.5M footings or $260k+ personal income with less than $850k in footings and less than $2.5m in investible assets) and High Net Worth customers ($2.5m+ in footings or have investible assets of $2.5m+).
  6. Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to September 2024. Includes consumers 18+
  7. Rank based on position within competitor set (ubank, Up, Bendigo Bank, ING, ME Bank, Macquarie Bank)
  8. Employee Engagement Survey conducted using Glint, score based on July 2024 survey. Includes Australia, New Zealand and all global colleagues, population excludes ubank, external consultants and outsource service providers.

Relationship-led

Relationships are our strength.

NAB invests in its exceptional bankers and in tools to help them better serve our customers.

Our Corporate and Institutional bankers were rated best in Australia for relationship manager capability1. We invested in their further development by facilitating training to build capabilities in areas such as climate, as we strive to provide exceptional support to our customers across the world.

We aim to provide unrivalled customer value through insights, data and analytics to help our customers improve how they run their businesses and better understand their spending habits.

For our SME customers, our team of more than 6,000 customer-facing roles continues to deepen relationships with our business customers. NAB Bookkeeper has helped them streamline financial management through automation and provided insights to support better decision making.

For Personal Banking customers of NAB and ubank, features such as pay and bills cycle trackers were introduced in 2024. These provide customers with greater insight into their spending and savings habits, allowing them to plan their spending and work towards their savings goals.

We believe truly personalised experiences underpin strong relationships with our customers, and our data and analytics capabilities are fundamental to our ability to support customers in this way.

In 2024, improvements to NAB’s machine-learning data manager, the Customer Brain, enabled Personal and Business bankers to enhance their personalised interactions with customers, while Corporate and Institutional Banking launched a new customer relationship management system to support its bankers with their customer interactions.

  1. Coalition Greenwich (formerly Peter Lee Associates) – Large Corporate and Institutional Relationship Banking Survey Australia 2024. Ranking against the four major domestic banks. Coalition Greenwich is a division of Crisil.

Easy

Simple to deal with.

NAB aims to provide simple products and seamless experiences for our customers.

Payments have been a key priority for NAB. In 2024, we rolled out several innovative solutions to improve card and payments experiences for both business, and Personal Banking customers.

Portal Pay has been introduced for real estate agents and their clients to better manage deposit-taking for property sales and simplify rental payments for tenants and make it easier for agents to reconcile.

NAB Liquidity+ has been launched to assist corporate customers to bring together their critical banking data, to provide them with comprehensive, real-time visibility of their cash positions as well as deliver dynamic cash insights and precision forecasting.

In an Australia first, NAB launched a new, virtual corporate credit card to help businesses streamline, modernise and simplify their expenses.

For Personal Banking customers, shopping on the go became easier this year. A digital debit or credit card can be used within hours of account approval, with the ability to view the full credentials in the NAB Mobile app.

We remain determined to be fast and decisive and to provide better experiences and services to our customers, through investment in the simplification of products and origination pathways.

BNZ’s digital onboarding was expanded to include companies, trusts and sole traders, which streamlined the process and reduced average onboarding times1.

In 2024, the Group continued to invest in building Australia's leading home lending experience, which resulted in a material reduction in manual time spent on applications, as well as an increase in simple home loans unconditionally approved within a day2.

  1. Average time to onboard including customer wait time.
  2. Measured as the time taken from application first auto-decision to unconditional approval.

Safe

Responsible & secure business.

The Group has a strong balance sheet and remains well capitalised.  The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio is 12.35% on an APRA basis, with a capital surplus to the Group’s CET1 target range of 11.00-11.50%. On 2 May 2024, the Group announced it had increased its on-market buy-back of ordinary shares by $1.5 billion, resulting in a total combined size of up to $3 billion. NAB has bought back and cancelled $2.1 billion of ordinary shares in the September 2024 financial year including $1.1 billion (0.25% of CET1 capital) in the half year ended September 2024. The remaining $0.6 billion is expected to be completed by 1 May 2025.

The Group maintains a strong funding and liquidity position, with a September 2024 quarterly average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) of 137% and 30 September 2024 Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) of 117%. This is supported by $37.5 billion1 of term wholesale funding issuance during 2024 as the Additional and Supplementary Allowance of the Term Funding Facility (TFF) matured.

NAB is proactively managing risk and investing in secure, simplified and resilient technology to safeguard the bank.

We had the highest ‘up-time’ of the Australian major banks in the 12 months to June 2024, reducing customer impacts from outages2. We seek to protect customers by actively combatting the increasing number of fraud and scam attempts. Our payment alerts - which target invoice, investment, romance, and goods and services scams - helped reduce the value of customer losses from scam events by 20%3.

  1. Excludes AT1 capital.
  2. Average of Q3 2023 to Q2 2024 RBA Retail Payments Service Reliability statistics.
  3. Value of customer scam loss events (pre-recovery) in the 12 months to September 2024 vs 12 months to September 2023.

Long-term

A sustainable approach.

NAB’s long term and sustainable approach supports the interests of customers, colleagues and communities by acting to tackle societal challenges, while maintaining sustainable business practices (refer to page 19 for NAB's Sustainability Approach).

NAB is supporting customers in three priority areas; climate, (refer to page 38 and NAB's 2024 Climate Report), affordable and specialist housing (refer to page 29) and Indigenous economic advancement (refer to page 27).

Resilient and sustainable business practices remain core to NAB. Key focus areas within our sustainable business practices include colleagues and culture, inclusive banking, ESG risk management, supply chain management, and human rights. Information on how these areas are managed is outlined in ESG materiality assessment on page 23. Our 2024 Sustainability Data Pack1 contains further detail on performance in these areas.

We consistently invest in our innovation capabilities to ensure we develop long-term solutions for our customers, colleagues and communities.

In 2024, NAB commenced enabling Generative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to improve colleague productivity and support bankers.

We have enhanced payments options for customers of fintech lender Plenti (a NAB strategic partner for secured auto / electric vehicle and renewables lending), integrating a new account-to-account payment solution, Pay by Bank - powered by Banked (a NAB Ventures investment),  in Plenti's online lending platform. NAB's innovation work also led to the launch of ConnectID in collaboration with Australia Payments Plus to provide all Australian Personal Banking customers with a safe, secure and trusted identity verification service.

As a part of our strategy and ongoing work to understand how to best support customer needs in the climate transition, NAB has invested in the development of a digital decarbonisation platform focused on assisting SME and corporate customers to accelerate their decarbonisation journey.

  1. Available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

Evolving our Group Strategy

NAB's evolved Group strategic ambition

To be the most customer-centric company in Australia and New Zealand

The Group’s strategic ambition served us well over the last four and a half years. While continuity of this strategy remains important, we have identified opportunities where we can lift our ambition in delivering exceptional experiences for customers, simplify our business, and increase our speed of delivery. NAB’s disciplined approach to accountability and execution will remain unchanged.

Going forward, our evolved strategic ambition retains key elements of the existing strategy and places customer centricity at the core. Our strategic ambition is to be the most customer-centric company in Australia and New Zealand, where customers trust us and choose us to be their bank, and where colleagues are customer-obsessed and proud to work at NAB. 

This evolved ambition elevates existing components of the strategy, with a deep focus on:

Operating environment

Global business environment

The near-term outlook for global economic growth is relatively subdued. Growth slowed in calendar year 2023 and is expected to be slightly softer again in calendar years 2024 and 2025, before a modest upturn in 2026. Should this eventuate, it would be the first four-year period in over three decades where growth, in each year, is below its post 1980 average.

This expectation of relatively weak growth in part reflects the impact of restrictive monetary policy in most major advanced economies along with weak domestic demand in China. While several major central banks have commenced their policy rate easing cycle, the level of interest rates remains restrictive and there is a lag between changes in monetary policy and its full impact on the economy. Moreover, International Monetary Fund projections suggest that government fiscal consolidation is likely to be a brake on advanced economy growth in coming years.

A range of factors present uncertainty around the outlook. Policy rate cuts will depend on central bank confidence around inflation and the resilience of labour markets. Progress in reducing inflation in major advanced economies has slowed in 2024 and has been uneven.

Similarly, trade policies, particularly with respect to China, present some downside risk. A growing number of countries have announced tariffs in response to the surge in Chinese exports since the middle of calendar year 2023.

Geopolitical risks remain, with conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, and tensions between China-Taiwan and over the South-China Sea, continuing with the potential of further escalation which could disrupt trade and economic activity.

Australian economy

The Australian economy has continued to expand, but only slowly, inflation has moderated and the labour market remains healthy, even though it has cooled.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.0% between the June 2023 quarter and the June 2024 quarter. This is the slowest annual growth rate since the early 1990s, excluding the initial period of COVID-19 related lockdowns. By expenditure component, between the June 2023 quarter and the June 2024 quarter:

Growth was mixed by industry. While most industries saw an increase in gross value added between June 2023 quarter and the June 2024 quarter, it fell in agriculture, mining, wholesale trade, hospitality and administrative & supportive services. In contrast, state final demand rose in all states and territories, although for NSW growth was very modest (0.2%).

Inflation has declined further. In the September 2024 quarter, the annual growth rate in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 2.8%, down from 5.4% in the September 2023 quarter. Trimmed mean inflation, an underlying inflation measure, was higher at 3.5%.

Pressure on household budgets is easing. Real household disposable income declined by 5.4% between the March 2022 quarter and the September 2023 quarter, then increased by 1.8% to June 2024 quarter. Income tax cuts from 1 July 2024 will provide further support, as will government energy subsidies. Business operating profits fell 4.3% between the June 2023 quarter and the June 2024 quarter, but excluding mining sector profits (down 12.3%), they were little changed over this period.

Agriculture conditions have been mixed. Between September 2023 and September 2024 overall prices for agricultural commodities (weighted by production) increased, partly reversing the previous year's large fall. While there was a large fall in the winter crop production in 2023-2024, back to around its 10-year average, a larger crop is expected in 2024-2025.

The unemployment rate has risen but other indicators point to a still healthy labour market:

Dwelling prices have increased, with the eight capital cities CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index rising 6.6% between September 2023 and September 2024. This included rapid growth in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, modest growth in Sydney while prices fell slightly in Melbourne and Hobart.

The RBA has kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% since its November 2023 meeting. If the economy evolves as expected, including a further cooling in inflation, then the RBA may be in a position to cut rates in the first half of calendar year 2025.

Economic growth is expected to start improving towards the end of calendar year 2024, and is expected to be around its trend level over calendar years 2025 and 2026. The growth outlook in part reflects the fading headwinds to household finances and the expected reduction in interest rates.

Annual system credit growth has strengthened. Between September 2023 and September 2024 it grew by 5.8%, compared to 4.9% over the previous year. All the main categories saw higher growth:

New Zealand economy

Conditions in the New Zealand economy have deteriorated over recent quarters. GDP has contracted, unemployment has increased and house prices have been under pressure.

GDP fell by 0.5% between the June 2023 quarter and the June 2024 quarter, including declines in business and dwelling investment as well as weak household consumption growth, which was below the rate of population growth. A majority of industries experienced a decline, including mining, manufacturing, construction, wholesale trade, retail trade & accommodation, transport & warehousing, and professional, scientific, technical, administrative & support services.

The labour market has weakened, and finding labour has become easier.

Inflation has continued to fall and now sits within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) inflation target range of 1% to 3%. In the September quarter 2024 annual CPI inflation was 2.2%, down from 5.6% in the September 2023 quarter.

Commodity export prices, in New Zealand dollar terms, rose 10.0% between September 2023 and September 2024, including a 15.6% rise in dairy export prices. Prices are elevated by historical standards, only a little below their peak in 2022.

Housing market indicators have been mixed. While sales volumes increased in 2024, they were still relatively low. The REINZ House Price Index in September 2024 was 0.4% below its September 2023 level, but prices have stabilised in recent months.

System credit growth remained modest, rising by 2.8% between September 2023 and September 2024, only slightly higher than over the previous year. This included, over the same period, growth of 3.3% in housing credit, 2.0% for non-agricultural business credit and 1.6% for agriculture credit.

The RBNZ kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.50% from May 2023 until August 2024 when it was lowered to 5.25%, with a further reduction in October to 4.75%. The RBNZ is expected to further reduce the OCR through to end calendar year 2025.

The easing in monetary policy will, over time, assist the economy. While GDP likely declined further in the September quarter 2024, growth is then expected to resume and then strengthen in 2025. As the labour market typically lags economic activity, the unemployment rate is likely to rise further in 2025.

Outlook

The outlook for the Group’s financial performance and outcomes is closely linked to the levels of economic activity in each of the Group’s key markets that are outlined above.

Creating value

NAB creates value for customers, colleagues and communities in a variety of ways through a variety of resources.

NAB's key resources
Customer relationships
Customers choose NAB because we serve them well
 
Colleagues
Trusted professionals who are proud to be a part of NAB
 
Finance
Access to capital through deposits and funding markets
Risk management and balance sheet
Strong foundations, and risk management capabilities
 
Technology and data capabilities
Safe, resilient technology coupled with the use of ethical data
 
Community relationships
Partnerships and stakeholder engagement

     
 
NAB's business activities
NAB delivers its strategy (page 12) and creates value for stakeholders through the following business activities:
  • Holding deposits for customers.
  • Providing transaction banking services.
  • Lending money to retail, business and institutional customers.
  • Helping customers mitigate and manage risk.
  • Providing financing to support sustainability priority areas; climate action, affordable housing and First Nations business.
  • Providing payments services and supporting customers with trade and capital flows.
  • Helping customers invest through online brokerage.
  • Providing advisory services.
  • Investing in a capable, qualified and inclusive workforce.
  • Helping NAB's customers, colleagues and their communities withstand and recover from natural disasters.

   

The value NAB creates
Supporting customers in 2024
  • $88 billion in new home lending.
  • $613 billion in deposits managed for retail and business customers.
  • $109 billion in new business lending1.
  1. New and increased limits for new and existing customers, including the gross value of any transfers from existing customers into new products.

Sustainability approach

Sustainability in NAB's strategy

We are acting now for the long-term.

NAB serves about 10 million customers through our more than 38,000 colleagues1 and we are connected to communities across Australia and New Zealand. That scale and connectivity provides the ability to drive positive societal change through the support we provide our customers. It also means we face a complex range of societal challenges, risks and opportunities.

Sustainability is embedded in our strategy. We understand our responsibilities and recognise the crucial role its successful management will play in the overall health of our business, our customers, our environment and our communities - now and in the future.

We have determined priority areas – with accompanying financing ambitions - where we can make the biggest positive impact in accordance with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (UN PRB).

We need to get the basics right by maintaining sustainable business practices. We engage directly with stakeholders and participate in external assessments to understand views on our broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.

The Group’s approach to managing climate-related risks and opportunities is detailed in NAB's 2024 Climate Report2.

Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) self-assessment

As a founding signatory of the PRB, NAB seeks to align its business activities to have a positive impact on society. For detail on NAB's progress against the PRB see its year five self-assessment on nab.com.au3.

  1. Number of full-time equivalent colleagues as at 30 September 2024, excluding discontinued operations.
  2. Available at nab.com.au/annualreports.
  3. See NAB's self-assessment at nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/performance-reporting.

Sustainability governance and performance

The challenges and opportunities of sustainability require a whole of Group response. Sustainability is embedded in NAB's governance structure, as outlined below. The Board retains ultimate accountability for the oversight of sustainability-related risks and opportunities and receives regular updates on sustainability performance.

Further detail on the Board and Board committee activities in 2024 is available in the Corporate Governance Statement of this report.

Further information on governance and Board oversight over cybersecurity and technology strategy can be found on page 46.

Stakeholder engagement

Effective stakeholder engagement helps NAB understand what is expected of the bank, identify issues, advocate for changes in policy and discover opportunities to improve.

Our approach to stakeholder engagement, including processes for consultation on sustainability topics, is set out in our Sustainability Policy and informed by the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard.

Engaging on sustainability:

We value constructive feedback on issues which drive progress on key sustainability topics that matter to NAB, the customers we serve and the community. Key discussions this year included:       

Industry associations

In December 2023, NAB commenced its two-year role as Chair bank of the Australian Banking Association (ABA). Through the ABA, NAB has engaged on a number of sustainability topics relevant to the banking industry, including on priority issues of insurability, scams and fraud, financial hardship and First Nations outcomes. NAB engages with other key groups on priority topics, including:

Our key industry association memberships and payments for 2024 were:

Engaging on public policy

NAB engages government and regulatory bodies to provide input and help shape policy on sustainability issues that are important to NAB. In 2024, this included:

NAB’s political contributions policy means it does not make political donations to any political party, parliamentarian, elected official or candidate for political office. However, NAB representatives may pay to attend political events and business forums hosted by major political parties. In 2023 (period 1 July 2022-30 June 2023), NAB spent $61,500 with the Australian Labor Party, $60,000 with the Liberal Party of Australia, and $16,500 with the National Party of Australia.

These payments are disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) in line with State and Federal regulation, noting the AEC’s reporting year is a different period to NAB’s  financial year. NAB’s 2024 contributions (period July 2023-June 2024) will be available via the AEC in February 2025.

A number of activities enable us to further understand stakeholder concerns and perspectives, and respond to stakeholders;

Stakeholders Engagement activities
Customers Market research, including customer satisfaction and experience surveys and focus groups, customer advocacy groups, engagement with the ELT, Sustainability teams, Board and relevant Board committees.
Colleagues Heartbeat surveys, colleague focus-groups, employee resource groups, intranet articles and social media, confidential whistleblower program and interactive events with the ELT.
Shareholders, investors and analysts Annual General Meeting (AGM), investor presentations and analyst briefings, survey participation, regular engagement with the Board of Directors, the ELT, Investor Relations and Sustainability teams.
Suppliers Regular engagement, surveys (as part of due diligence processes and annual engagement activities) and industry forums.
Industry bodies and associations Regular engagement, participation in working groups, consultations and advocacy processes.
Regulators and government Regular meetings and briefings, participation in consultation processes and inquiries, focus groups and workshops.
Non-government organisations (NGOs) and community partners Research, surveys and interviews, meetings and events, employee volunteering, donations, and impact investing.

ESG materiality assessment

NAB's annual ESG materiality assessment is designed to identify and prioritise the ESG areas of most relevance to our performance, our stakeholders, and where we can potentially have the biggest impacts on society. The outcomes guide reporting and decision-making, to help us address the ESG topics that matter most.

Our definition of ESG materiality considers the areas where our business activities impact the economy, environment and people. It also considers the ESG issues with the potential to impact enterprise value, including through influence on stakeholder decision-making.

The process draws on external frameworks and resources, such as the UNEP FI Impact Radar, as well as reporting frameworks (e.g., Global Reporting Initiative, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) and ESG benchmarks and ratings (e.g., MSCI. Sustainalytics, Dow Jones Sustainability Index).

Our engagement with stakeholders as outlined on page 21 informs the approach. This includes analysing feedback and specific engagements to discuss ESG matters of importance. Insights are reviewed against our strategic priorities and industry guidance. Outcomes of this review are provided to the Group's Board of Directors.

The materiality assessment involves the following four stages:

2024 ESG materiality outcomes

NAB’s material ESG themes are largely consistent with our 2023 assessment. The 2024 ESG materiality assessment highlighted that the prevailing economic conditions mean that support for customers is recognised as particularly important, while NAB’s approach to climate change remains one of the highest priority issues for our stakeholders, in terms of risks and opportunities. NAB has a long history of managing and reporting on its approach to responsible management of Human Rights. In 2024, this has been included as a material theme category, demonstrating increasing community expectations. The prevalence of some sub-topics and measures reported have shifted, including to reflect increased interest in responsible application and opportunities associated with AI.

2024 ESG material themes
Sub-topics
1. Supporting customers
NAB is committed to ensuring customers trust us and choose us to deliver exceptional experiences in both their everyday basic needs and in their life moments that matter.
  • Customer advocacy and feedback (pages 12 to 15)
  • Responsible product development and marketing (page 25)
  • Financial hardship and customers experiencing vulnerability (page 26)
  • Financial inclusion (page 26)
  • Scams and fraud (page 26)
  • First Nations business (page 27)
  • Affordable housing (page 29)
2. Managing climate change
Taking decisive action on climate change and environmental sustainability. Climate action is everyone's job.
  • Financing the transition to net zero by 2050
  • Sustainable finance
  • Managing climate risks (physical and transition)
  • Biodiversity and natural capital
  • Just transition
  • Operational environmental performance
Summarised information can be found on pages 38 to 41. Refer to NAB's 2024 Climate Report for more detail.
3. Data security, technology and innovation
Maintaining resilient, reliable and secure systems oriented to customer outcomes and experience.
  • Technology resilience and security (pages 46 to 49)
  • Use of data, privacy and ethics (page 47)
  • Artificial intelligence (page 46)
4. Governance, conduct and culture
Being transparent, making ethical decisions and embedding accountability throughout the Group.
  • Board capability and diversity (pages 79 to 83)
  • Culture and How We Work (page 86)
  • Code of Conduct (pages 87 to 88)
  • Executive remuneration (page 126)
5. Colleague engagement, inclusion and capability
NAB's more than 38,000 colleagues are essential to being a customer-centric company.
  • Leadership (including capability initiatives) (page 32)
  • Talent attraction, development, retention (page 33)
  • Inclusion and diversity (page 33)
  • Health, safety and wellbeing (page 37)
  • Employee/Industrial relations (page 87)
6. Managing Human Rights
A commitment to respecting human rights is a core foundation in how NAB operates. NAB seeks to support and respect the human rights of its colleagues, customers and the people in its communities.
  • Modern Slavery (page 50)
  • Customer identification and management of human rights issues (page 50)

Sustainability performance

The targets and key measures below show the Group’s progress in meeting goals aligned to the sustainability areas that matter most. NAB's 2024 Sustainability Data Pack and 2024 Climate Report is available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

2024 Sustainability performance
   

Customers

Exceptional customer service and experience is a core part of NAB's strategy. In 2024, we maintained a clear focus on delivering better outcomes for our customers, supported by disciplined execution and persistent investment. This will continue in 2025 as we strive to become an even more customer-centric company, so customers trust us and choose us to be their bank.

Striving to be the most customer-centric company in Australia and New Zealand

NAB’s Group strategy, in place since April 2020, delivered for our more than 10 million customers and the communities they live in, achieved through colleagues who served them well.

Our evolved Group strategic ambition retains key elements of the existing strategy and places customer centricity at the core.

By fostering a customer-obsessed culture, we’re striving to deliver exceptional experiences for customers and become a simpler, faster, and safer bank.

Refer to Evolving our Group Strategy for further information.

Additional detail on the Group’s customer performance is provided in the 2024 Sustainability Data Pack available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

Customer-centered product development

The Enterprise Product Committee is an executive level management committee that has been established to oversee product design and distribution. Its role is to align our products and services to the Customer Outcomes Framework and to NAB’s strategy via NAB’s enterprise product governance framework, Products@NAB. The Customer Outcomes Framework ensures the voice of the customer is included in our business decisions. We test the design and operation of NAB’s products and services against the Customer Outcomes Framework to ensure they deliver customer-centric outcomes.

Products@NAB defines mandatory processes and controls for how NAB designs, distributes and reviews its products to:

The role of NAB's Consumer Forum

In 2024, NAB invited leading consumer sector advocates to be part of a regular forum on various topics including financial inclusion, financial hardship, family and domestic violence, and scams. The NAB Consumer Forum (Forum) brings together leading community advocates and leaders across NAB and is co-chaired by NAB’s Customer Advocate and a leading sector representative, helping NAB get closer to the issues and emerging themes affecting customers the most. The Forum continues to provide Executives across NAB with important insights on how the bank can support customers in the short and long-term. 

Supporting customers in changing economic conditions

The Customer Care team is the main point of contact for personal and small business customers experiencing financial hardship or vulnerability. This team works with our customers to tailor financial assistance and additional support to their circumstances. In the current economic environment, the main reasons for hardship include increases in the cost of living, illness, unemployment and underemployment.

Customers are offered support measures such as reduced repayments, payment breaks, loan reviews and restructures. Customers are also referred to free financial counselling and wellbeing services if they need additional support. Financial counselling can be offered to all customers who speak to Customer Care. In 2024, NAB provided customers with financial support on 30,565 accounts1

We are investing to make it simpler for customers to let us know they need help and to increase how we can provide support. We continue to partner with industry-leading not for profit organisations to complement our assistance programs.  We want customers to be in control, feel confident and maintain dignity when they speak to us about their financial circumstances. We're here to support our customers in the face of uncertainty and help them on their path to financial recovery and resilience. Measures include:

Quick link

For more details on Customer Support, refer to

nab.com.au/customersupport.

  1. Accounts that received NAB Assist financial hardship assistance at any point in time over the 12 month period. Figure includes Advantedge, Citi (mortgages), ubank, and accounts that were subsequently closed, and reflects operational changes supporting earlier identification of customers experiencing financial hardship.

Supporting customers experiencing vulnerability

Building financial resilience

We are helping customers manage their money with easy-to-use digital tools. A series of short financial wellbeing videos - which offered tips to help customers effectively manage their money - reached more than one million customers this year and was reflective of a steady increase in the number of customers setting specific savings goals.

More support in the moments that matter

We are here to help our customers experiencing vulnerability at any time. Our refreshed Customers Experiencing Vulnerability Framework for 2024 to 2026 (available at nab.com.au/customersupport) sets out our ambition and focus areas to identify vulnerability earlier, provide extra care to customers and build financial resilience.

Providing extra care

Our NAB Customer Support Hub provides specialised care to our customers. During 2023 to 2024, the Customer Support Hub helped 2,867 customers in vulnerable circumstances. 1,144 customers experiencing financial abuse and/or domestic and family violence were supported and NAB blocked 169,915 abusive transactions via Internet and Mobile Banking.

Helping customers who need extra support

As cost of living pressures have increased for customers, NAB has prioritised the provision of extra support.

Central to this pledge is our work to support customers who find it more difficult to access mainstream banking, due to limited financial capability, poor credit history or lower income.

In recognition of this, we launched a new Customers Experiencing Vulnerability Framework in 2024.

2024 also marked 21 years of NAB’s partnership with Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (Good Shepherd) to help Australians experiencing vulnerability with safe and affordable access to loans that incur no interest or fees and require no security (NILs).

In 2024, NAB provided support to build independence, and empowerment by helping more than 40,000 people access $64.1m in NILs. Since 2003, NAB has provided over 418,000 microfinance loans valued at $546.8 million. In doing so, NAB has helped more than one million Australians on low incomes, with NILs.

More inclusive and accessible banking

NAB’s Accessibility Action Plan 2023 – 2024 (available at nab.com.au/about-us/accessibility-inclusion) provides a roadmap for improved inclusion and accessibility for customers, colleagues and community members. The Action Plan focuses on three key goals:

  1. Work towards being an employer of choice for people with disability.

  2. Help our communities prosper by supporting disability organisations and businesses to solve emerging issues.

  3. Use data and insights from customers to listen, understand and implement improved accessibility into their experience.

In 2024, we improved inclusivity and accessibility by:

Training and capability

From April 2024, NAB delivered new learning modules to more than 17,000 colleagues to increase colleague capability in identifying red flags of vulnerability, supporting customers with disability and better assisting those experiencing vulnerability. 

Protecting our customers against scams and fraud

In 2024 the number of scams reported by NAB customers increased 18% year on year - an average of 1,850 cases per month. Despite this, customer losses decreased by 20%. Our efforts to increase customer awareness of scams and fraud, and to reduce their impact, is making a difference. Initiatives included:

Supporting reconciliation

NAB recently launched its Reconciliation Action Plan for 2024 to 2027 (RAP). This aligns with our objective to drive commercial growth in the First Nations business sector through our key pillars of customers, colleagues and community.

Our vision for a reconciled Australia is a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equitable access to finance and employment, and where all Australians and organisations work together to build healthy, inclusive and sustainable communities.

Our focus is to empower First Nations people to be economically self-determining by creating a more equal playing field when it comes to accessing banking and finance.

We interpret reconciliation to mean everyone acknowledges, respects and takes pride in the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the gap is closed between First Nations communities and other Australians.

By creating an environment where there is stronger economic participation of First Nations customers in business and employment, we can contribute to improved health, education, and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We know First Nations businesses are large employers of First Nations communities. Supporting business growth and spending more with First Nations businesses are ways in which we can contribute to employment outcomes.

Our RAP has been designed in consultation with First Nations colleagues and accountable executives from across NAB. We have drawn on feedback from our First Nations Advisory Group, First Nations customers and partners, as well as Reconciliation Australia.

We have identified three key pillars where we can have the most impact:

Pillar One: Stimulating sustainable growth in First Nations business

We have set clear ambitions to support First Nations customers, particularly growing businesses. The ambition to more than double lending to First Nations businesses and community organisations to at least $1 billion on a spot basis by end of calendar year 2026, provides a rallying point for our colleagues. We have also set ambitious targets to increase our year on year spend with First Nations businesses and onboard more First Nations suppliers.

Pillar Two: Supporting the self-determining aspirations of First Nations people

Building and maintaining respectful relationships with First Nations communities starts with acknowledgement of the power imbalances between banks and communities. We understand banking can be difficult to navigate and we need to do more to empower and support customers to enable financial inclusion. In 2024, we increased access to small amounts of credit to First Nations customers with 11,291 no interest loans, in partnership with Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand. Refer to page 26 for more information on no interest loans.

Pillar Three: Building cultural capability to support meaningful careers

First Nations people continue to be under-represented in the financial sector and in our business, especially at senior levels. Revisiting the foundational aspects of talent recruitment and retention as well as the support of colleagues and career development will be critical to our ambition to double the number of self-identified, permanent colleagues to 380 by September 2026.

Additionally, renewed focus has been given to cultural education, learning and engagement. We have mobilised our First Nations colleagues, promoting their voices internally and externally. This includes the formation and resourcing of the First Nations Employee Resource Group, a colleague representative group to advocate for the rights and interests of our First Nations workforce and provide a source of education to all colleagues.

Governance

As we embark on our next RAP, greater rigour has been created through the creation of an executive level RAP Council.

Our RAP Council tracks and oversees the delivery of our actions and provides a forum to discuss new and emerging issues, opportunities where we can provide greater support to customers and how this can help achieve our ambitions. The RAP Council is supported by the First Nations Advisory Group comprised of external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders leaders, NAB executives, colleagues and a Non-Executive Director of the Board.

We have centralised critical program funding and added dedicated positions in the First Nations Affairs, Procurement and People and Culture teams to drive progress and impact.

On behalf of our colleagues, customers and communities, we continue to ensure our internal processes are strong and suitably support our ambitions for reconciliation.

   

NAB's "Walking Together" star was designed in 2022 by Marcus Lee, a proud Aboriginal descendant of the Karajarri people. Since then, it has been used comprehensively during NAIDOC and Reconciliation weeks, and the 2024 AFL and AFLW rounds. It also appears across digital assets, on merchandise and as an entry decal on all new branches and business banking centres.

Quick Link

Refer to
nab.com.au/content/dam/nab/documents/reports/corporate/reconciliation-action-plan-2024-2027.pdf for more information on our Reconciliation Action Plan 2024 to 2027.

NAB Foundation Funded Research
Gari Yala Research

Four years on from the success of the 2020 Gari Yala research report, the NAB Foundation has funded the Jumbunna Centre for Indigenous Education and Research, University Technology Sydney (UTS) and Diversity Council Australia to undertake a second research report to better understand how workplaces have implemented the findings of the 2020 Gari Yala report.

It will also use the opportunity to better understand workplace racism.

Australian National University

NAB Foundation has funded The Australian National University (ANU) to undertake Indigenous-led research drawing upon Indigenous thought leadership and world- class research expertise. The research will

By funding partnerships for inclusion and research, we aim to support positive change for First Nations communities and share knowledge with the sector.

First Nations Business Banking
NAB recognises the importance of the First Nations business and community sectors. We continue to expand specialist bankers and our capability to provide better banking and funding support for First Nations people, businesses and communities.

We have expanded our network of specialised business bankers nationwide and we continue to build relationships which will allow us to fund more First Nations businesses and community organisations and stimulate their economic development.

Our total lending to First Nations business and community organisations1 has grown more than 11% to $463.8 million over the last 12 months2, in line with our ambition to deliver $1 billion by end of calendar year 2026.

NAB's team of specialist bankers support First Nations businesses by:

Working together with First Nations people, in 2024 NAB:

  1. Lending position refers to ‘Gross Loans and Advances’ to both direct Indigenous Businesses (with >50% Indigenous Ownership) and community organisations whose purpose contributes to Indigenous communities, baseline position ($417.2m) calculated as at 31 August 2023 and has been restated in 2024.
  2. Lending update calculated as at August 2024 (vs. August 2023).

Affordable and specialist housing

Affordable housing is a critical issue for NAB’s customers and the economic security of the wider community.

We are working with customers to increase the supply of more affordable homes and housing for specialised needs, targeting an additional $6 billion in lending by 2029. We have provided $4.4 billion towards this ambition since the end of 2022, with a total of $2.1 billion in 2024.

Funding increased supply

This includes accommodation provided by community housing providers (CHPs) through to mixed-use developments, commercial projects and government partnerships to support home ownership for essential workers, young people and those on low incomes.

In 2024, we worked closely with customers and industry partners to support applications to the Federal Government's major housing financing body, Housing Australia, for the Housing Affordability Future Fund. Customers across the business have been successful in receiving funding and we will continue to support customers in subsequent funding rounds.

We also helped finance social, affordable and community housing transactions which included build to rent projects. Developments such as the build-to-rent residential project in Kensington, Victoria, which NAB customers, Hacer and Local: Residential, have constructed, highlight how innovative business solutions can help solve community challenges.

Innovative construction methods such as modular housing have become an important part of the answer to the housing challenge. We are proud to work with Junction Housing, a not- for-profit South Australian company, which develops projects to support people on low to moderate incomes.

The availability of affordable, sustainable and appropriate housing is critical to help people with disability participate in key aspects of social and economic life.

In 2024, we financed the construction of some large projects to help people living with disability. This included increasing our support for Synergis and Inspire Impact’s Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Funds which will deliver more than 500 new homes across Victoria, Queensland and South Australia in 2024/25.

Pathways to home ownership

In 2024, we responded to the Government’s Help to Buy consultation which is intended to find ways to assist Australians purchase homes who may not otherwise be able to do so.

We also provided foundation support for the First Home Guarantee (FHG) scheme which helps people earning incomes under the national median, access home ownership.

Our affordable and specialist housing ambition includes a subset of loans provided via the FHG, for loans where applicants have a total taxable income under the national median, and for properties with a price under the national median. NAB is a founding bank in this scheme and in 2024 financed loans in this subset housing, for approximately 3,750 borrowers.

Supporting people experiencing homelessness

In 2024, we partnered with CHPs and charity organisations as part of a broader integrated approach to addressing housing stress. On 16 May 2024, more than 100 colleagues participated in the annual ‘Sleep at the G’, raising more than $140,000 for youth homelessness. Team NAB joined about 1,000 other people to spend a night sleeping rough on the concourse of the MCG as part of Melbourne City Mission’s annual flagship fundraiser. Through our partnership, NAB is also continuing to support Good Shepherd’s new purpose-built 40-home site for women 55+ at risk of homelessness in Marrickville NSW.

Colleagues

Our Colleague Strategy

Established in 2020, our Colleague Strategy focused on building trusted professionals who are proud to be a part of NAB. The strategic aspirations have included five key pillars: talented professionals who shape the future of banking, distinctive leaders who inspire performance, empowered colleagues who are motivated, an inclusive culture we can be proud of and a world class P&C team.

 

Talented professionals who shape the future of banking

We foster diverse, market-leading banking professionals and attract, develop and retain top talent. We empower colleagues to learn and grow, build digital and data capabilities and pursue exciting career opportunities.

Distinctive leaders who inspire performance

We build clear, capable and motivated leaders who drive positive change and connect colleagues to our purpose: to serve customers well and help our communities prosper. Our people leaders create a winning environment and celebrate the successes and contributions of all.

Empowered colleagues who are motivated

We care deeply about customers and are passionate about exceptional service and executional excellence. We focus on top priorities, work with flexibility and pace, and colleagues are rewarded fairly for strong performance.

Inclusive culture we can be proud of

We aim for an agile, progressive and accountable culture where colleagues role model 'How We Work' and collaborate to accelerate decision-making and customer outcomes.

A World Class P&C Team delivering exceptional service

We aim to be a world class P&C team delivering exceptional service and a memorable human experience for all our colleagues at NAB. We focus on making it simpler and easier for our colleagues to do their everyday jobs.

Aligned to the 2024 Evolved Strategic Ambition, the Colleague Strategy has been refreshed with an ambition for ‘customer obsessed colleagues who are proud to work at NAB’. The refreshed Colleague Strategy centres on the three pillars of Talent, Culture and Leaders with clear ambitions aligned to each pillar, per the below Colleague Strategy on a page:

   

Talent

Develop a highly skilled, diverse, and customer obsessed global workforce positioned for the future. The Talent pillar will focus on:

Culture

Deliver a customer obsessed culture where it is simple to get things done. With customer obsession, context and connection as the primary ambition, key outcomes of simplification, velocity, performance, collaboration, and inclusion will also be prioritised. This pillar will oversee the delivery of a:

Leaders

Build world standard leaders who inspire and support colleague performance. This pillar will focus on:

Colleague strategy execution

In the execution of our Colleague Strategy in 2024, we:

Workforce composition

NAB's workforce is made up of more than 38,000 colleagues globally. About 91% of the workforce are in Australia and New Zealand, while others work in Asia, London, New York and Paris. Over the last year, NAB India and NAB Vietnam have continued to grow, with more than 4,200 colleagues now sitting across both locations. In 2024, a continued downward trend in colleague attrition has been observed in alignment with uncertain economic and labour market conditions.    

Workforce by contract type and gender 2024 (%)

Source: Workforce distribution based on headcount as at 30 September 2024. Due to rounding, figures may not sum to 100%.

 Female Male
Permanent full-time 31.4 37.3
Permanent part-time 6.5 1.2
Fixed term full-time 1.1 2.1
Fixed term part-time 0.1 0.0
Casual 0.6 0.2
External/temporary employee/contractors 6.7 11.9

Workforce distribution by geographic region

Group total colleague turnover

Leadership capability

NAB understands great leaders create great culture. Leaders improve colleague engagement, customer outcomes and overall performance. We develop leaders and colleagues who are clear, capable and motivated.

We have invested in developing leaders at all levels with a mix of learning programs and coaching support to help leaders apply knowledge and embed leadership practices and behaviours in their teams.

Organisation wide priorities to sustainably improve leadership and capability include:

Colleague capability

NAB is committed to building colleague skills and capabilities that are crucial to delivering a great customer experience, meeting regulatory expectations and creating value for our shareholders.

We have invested in developing colleague capability through both organisational-wide and targeted role specific learning, regulatory learning and development activities including:

Employer of Choice Awards

For the third year running, NAB finished in the top three of LinkedIn's 'Top Companies to grow your career in Australia', moving up to #2 in 2024. Other independent recognition include:

Engagement

Listening and acting on colleague feedback is critical to engagement. One way in which leaders engage in colleague listening is NAB’s ‘Heartbeat’ engagement survey. Aligned to our Group Strategy and How We Work, the intent of the survey is to deepen insights on what drives engagement. As well as culture and leadership, the survey includes questions which track progress on inclusion, workload, and wellbeing.

Information from the Heartbeat survey helps leaders address the needs of their teams and informs NAB’s ELT in identifying consistent feedback and areas of improvement across the bank.

Against a backdrop of stable engagement across corporates globally, NAB’s average engagement score of 781 for 2024 is one point above both the top quartile global benchmark (77) and our average engagement score in 2023 (77).

Key strengths across the business are the high regard colleagues have for their leaders as well as how leaders manage team priorities and provide performance-improving feedback to their teams.

Colleagues identified opportunities for improvement in the need for NAB to become a simpler place to work and remove barriers which slows down work.

  1. 2024 Heartbeat surveys conducted by Glint, score based on an average of the two surveys conducted in February 2024 and July 2024. Includes Australia, New Zealand, and all global colleagues, excludes ubank, external consultants and outsource service providers.

Inclusion and diversity

Inclusion and diversity (I&D) improve outcomes for customers, colleagues, and the community. When colleagues feel appreciated and empowered to contribute performance, innovation and risk management outcomes improve.

The Board has endorsed a five-year strategy framework for 2022-2026 with a key focus on inclusion to support the intersectional identities of our colleagues and customers. The three pillars of the I&D Strategy Framework are:

  1. Inclusive leadership: Leaders are visible in their work towards inclusion and actively build diversity in teams. They role model How We Work in their everyday actions and ensure systems are inclusive and accessible to all.

  2. Inclusive workplace: A culture which actively promotes and leverages team diversity, flexibility and wellbeing. An environment where all colleagues feel they can contribute to their full potential.

  3. Customer inclusion: Colleagues who take pride in understanding the needs of customers by ensuring they can access information, services and products with ease.

Inclusive leadership

In 2024, we continued to empower and encourage leaders to lead inclusively. In line with the framework, we:

NAB's I&D Policy includes a requirement for the Board to set measurable objectives for achieving inclusion and diversity which, together with progress on the framework, is assessed and reported on at least annually. The I&D Policy is available on our website at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate-governance. The ELT has direct accountability for the execution of the framework. All leaders at NAB have I&D goals included in their annual performance plan. The Board and the ELT's ambition is for a workforce that is reflective of the broader community and a reputation that attracts and retains the best diverse talent.

Inclusive workplace

We take an active approach to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, where differences are celebrated, and contributions are valued. Notable activities which supported colleague inclusion in 2024 included:

NAB’s colleague-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) support the improvement of our colleagues' experiences, foster inclusion and build community. NAB has five ERGs: Cultural Inc, First Nations Walking Together, NABility, Gender Equity and NAB Pride who work together to build inclusion for all NAB colleagues and their unique identities. Visit nab.com.au/about-us/careers/inclusion-diversity for more information.

Inclusion for First Nations Australians

This year, NAB strengthened our commitment to First Nations inclusion by fostering a more supportive, respectful workplace. Through cultural immersion, leadership development, and meaningful community partnerships, we’ve worked to elevate First Nations voices, with a focus on ongoing inclusion and growth. 2024 initiatives included:

Progress towards NAB's 2025 Inclusion and Diversity Measurable Objectives

NAB has explicit measurable objectives for gender representation, gender pay gap and workplace inclusion. Specific targets have been set to be achieved by 2025, which include reaching 40-60% gender representation at every level of the business, and closing the inclusion gap for those from historically under-represented groups. These objectives represent our current aspirations, with new objectives to be set next year to better reflect our uplifted I&D maturity.

In 2024, progress was made on our 2025 I&D measurable objectives (refer to Table 2 for more information). This included:

Anti-harassment and discrimination

NAB maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, sex-based discrimination and workplace bullying. We strive to fulfil our responsibility to both respond to and prevent harassment of any kind. Following the Respect@Work legislative updates, NAB completed an extensive gap analysis using the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Good Practice Indicators Framework which forms the basis of its prevention and response plan. We have clear outcomes and measures in leadership, culture, training, risk management, support, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.

Consultation on the updated ‘Discrimination, Harassment, Workplace Bullying and Victimisation Guidelines’ was conducted with NAB’s National Safety Committee and with all Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) as well as a broader group of First Nations colleagues, with feedback being included in the updated policy. Reporting on sexual harassment and discrimination was presented to all Professional Standards Forums (PSFs), including education on legislative obligations, insights, trends and nature and underlying drivers of sexual harassment and discrimination cases across the business. To support action and 'Tone from the Top', a companion handout for leaders was cascaded to all divisions.

The Respect@NAB training module aimed at educating People Leaders about NAB’s legislative obligations and fostering an environment which minimises bullying, harassment, and other inappropriate behaviour. It remains a key resource for leaders. Further tools for upstanders and bystanders were enhanced to upskill colleagues and leaders on how to ‘Speak Up’ in the moment and address incidences of ‘microaggression’. A psychosocial risk working group continues to convene every quarter to identify trends and issues, proactively addressing indicators of sexual harassment and other illegal discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

We adopt a complainant-sensitive approach to handling complaints, encouraging speaking up, and promptly addressing any concerns regarding unlawful discrimination and bullying, including sexual harassment. We have targeted communication to convey ‘Tone from the Top’ and Conduct and Risk awareness training for all employees, and support for People Leaders dealing with harassment and discrimination concerns. Our guidelines on discrimination and harassment can be accessed at nab.com.au/content/dam/nabrwd/About-Us/shareholder-centre/documents/discrimination-harassment-guidelines.pdf.

Progress Against NAB's 2022-2025 measurable objectives

Measurable objective 2022 2023 2024 2025 target
1. Diverse leadership teams and talent pipelines40-60% gender representation at every level of the business140-60% gender representation on NAB Group Board (non-executive directors)40-60% gender representation on NAB subsidiary boards
Representation of women
 NAB Board (non-executive directors) 38% 55% 60% 40-60%
 NAB Group subsidiary boards 49% 53% 55% 40-60%
 Executive Management (Salary level 7) 31% 33% 42% 40-60%
 Executive Management (Salary level 6) 36% 37% 35% 40-60%
 Senior Management (Salary level 5) 36% 38% 39% 40-60%
 Management (Salary level 4) 39% 39% 39% 40-60%
 Non-management (Salary level 3) 46% 46% 46% 40-60%
 Non-management (Salary level 2) 57% 56% 56% 40-60%
 Non-management (Salary level 1) 70% 68% 67% 40-60%
 Total organisation 50% 50% 50% 40-60%
2. Fair remuneration – seek to reward people fairly and support the objective of <10% gender pay gap by 2025
 Gender pay gap2 16.9% 15.8% 15.1% <10%
3. Inclusive workplace culture34
 Women (Difference vs men)5 -1 (81 vs 82) -3 (79 vs 82) -2 (81 vs 83) 0
 People with disability and/or neurodivergence (Difference vs people without disability and/or neurodivergence)6 -5 (78 vs 83) -6 (77 vs 83) -4 (80 vs 84) 0
 Ethnic minority (Difference vs non-ethnic minority)7 0 (83 vs 83) 0 (83 vs 83) -1 (84 vs 85) 0
 LGBTQIA+ (Difference vs non-LGBTQIA+)8 -2 (81 vs 83) -2 (80 vs 82) -3 (81 vs 84) 0
 Carers (Difference vs non-carers)9 -1 (82 vs 83) -2 (81 vs 83) -1 (83 vs 84) 0
  1. Based on the percentage of women in each salary level, calculated using population of permanent full-time and part-time colleagues.
  2. The pay gap analysis indicates the mean gender pay gap within NAB’s Australian-based workforce, the reporting period for each year reflects 1 October to 30 September of the previous year (e.g., 2024 reflects the period 1 Oct 2022 to 30 Sept 2023). The gender pay gap is calculated by dividing the mean female base salary by the mean male base salary per employment level. It does not separately measure the gender pay gap in equivalent roles. Analysis included permanent (including CEO salary from 2024 as per WGEA reporting requirements), fixed term, and casual colleagues and excludes contractors. Figures shown are published by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
  3. The inclusive workforce culture scores are based off responses to NAB's Heartbeat survey conducted in July 2024 (2024 score), July 2023 (2023 score) and August 2022 (2022 score). The methodology was revised in 2022 to measure the differences on an inclusion score, based on a combined response to three questions: 1. 'I feel comfortable being myself at work'. 2. 'I am treated with respect and dignity' and 3. 'Regardless of background, everyone at our company has an equal opportunity to succeed'. The table represents the scores for specific historically under-represented groups, with comparisons to the related majority group within the workforce.
  4. Employment Groups included in Heartbeat are: permanent, fixed-term or casual colleagues as well as contractors and agency temps across all divisions in Australia and our international locations. Employment Groups excluded from Heartbeat are: External consultants and outsource providers. ubank did not participate in the demographic section of Heartbeat survey in 2024 nor 2023, therefore no ubank data is included in the inclusion scores that are reported for 2024 nor 2023. ubank data is included in 2022 and 2021 inclusion scores.
  5. Inclusion score is calculated using responses to questions in Heartbeat survey, with gender of respondents based on how this is recorded in SAP/Workday.
  6. Categories were expanded in 2024 Heartbeat survey to include neurodivergence in disability status question. People with a disability and/or neurodivergence are respondents who answered one of: I have disability; I am neurodivergent; I have disability and am neurodivergent.
  7. The methodology used in defining ethnic minority in 2023 and 2024 takes into account NAB’s growing international colleague base. 2023 and 2024 ethnic minority and non-ethnic minority calculations only include colleagues from Australia, NZ, UK and US. The ethnic minority group is comprised of individuals whose ethnicity is considered to be an ethnic minority in those included regions. Colleagues based in other regions have not been included in the calculation in 2023 or 2024, as identification of ethnic minority would be different in those regions.
  8. Categories were expanded in 2022 to include asexual, homosexual, pansexual and non-binary or other genders. Other categories include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, agender, bigender, another gender, intersex and different identity.
  9. Colleagues who selected they spend time providing unpaid care, help, or assistance to family members or others with a disability (including children, adults or older adults).

Diversity in supply chain

In 2024, we made progress in promoting diversity within our supply chain, reflecting our ambition to foster an inclusive economy. Our efforts resulted in an increase in third-party diverse supplier spend. To reflect NAB's targeted efforts to increase support for First Nations businesses and contribute to their economic growth, NAB's First Nations third-party spend target increased from $5 million in 2023 to $15 million in 2024. The actual achieved 2024 spend is $15 million5. Additionally, our investments in other diverse suppliers (e.g. Businesses owned by women, people with disability, and social enterprises) was consistent with $1.7 million spent in 2024.

NAB is committed to expanding the diversity of our supply chain. We recognise the role of diverse suppliers in driving innovation sustainability and social impact. We will continue to work with our partners to set new targets annually.

  1. Percentage of Employees due to return from paid parental leave of >90 days between 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 who have returned and remained working for a period of at least 30 days.
  2. A 10x10 partnership with CareerTrackers represents a commitment to an intake of minimum 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interns annually for 10 years.
  3. Inclusion scores are from 2023 and 2024 Heartbeat surveys conducted by Glint. The 2024 data reported were Australia based colleagues who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The 2023 data were globally located colleagues who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  4. The pay gap analysis indicates the mean gender pay gap within NAB’s Australian-based workforce, the reporting period for each year reflects 1 October to 30 September of the previous year (e.g. 2024 reflects the period 1 Oct 2022 to 30 Sept 2023). The gender pay gap is calculated by dividing the mean female base salary by the mean male base salary per employment level. It does not separately measure the gender pay gap in equivalent roles. Analysis includes permanent (including CEO salary from 2024 as per WEGA reporting requirements), fixed term, and casual colleagues and excludes contractors. Figures shown are published by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
  5. Since 2023, NAB increased its resourcing and improved recording and reporting processes on supplier diversity, allowing greater opportunity to identify and capture pathways for spending including Indigenous suppliers. Pathways are diverse supplier engaged directly by NAB (Tier-1 or Direct Suppliers) and engaged through a NAB supplier as a subcontractor (Tier-2 or Directed Suppliers).

Health, safety and wellbeing

NAB is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive workplace, where colleagues can thrive and work with a strong sense of purpose.  

Wellbeing Program

In 2024, we focused on embedding NAB’s Wellbeing Strategic Framework. In July 2024, the wellbeing score in Heartbeat improved +2 compared to February 2024 and +1 above the top quartile global benchmark. The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate has also remained at a low level 0.44, attributed to a robust and proactive approach for managing health, safety and wellbeing.

The safety management system was further strengthened in 2024 to better identify and manage psychosocial and physical risks. This included the development of new health, safety and wellbeing risk management frameworks, including across our Branch network, along with targeted risk assessments in areas where there is elevated risk due to the nature of the work undertaken.

Health, safety and wellbeing risk management practices were embedded into business processes and a range of initiatives were implemented for customer-facing teams to ensure risks associated with aggressive customer behaviour are effectively managed. Keeping colleagues safe has been a priority given contributing factors in the external environment.   

Building leader capability to lead for wellbeing has also been a focus area, including development of new tools and resources to help leaders manage workloads and optimise work design for their teams. Colleagues also have access to a range of services to support their physical and mental health, promoted through an annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing calendar.  

Professional and timely support is available for colleagues with an injury or illness where there is a work impact through an early intervention approach. To complement this, NAB has enhanced its self-service offering and simplified processes to empower leaders to better support wellbeing in their teams. Improvements have also been made to the workplace adjustment process to ensure a person-centred, collaborative and solution-focused approach to support colleagues with a disability by utilising a passport system.  

In addition to supporting colleagues with health concerns, our team of allied health professionals assisted colleagues who experienced domestic and family violence, to ensure they had access to specialist support services and paid leave. The Employee Assistance Program is available to all colleagues and their families providing ready access to confidential counselling and coaching services.   

Flexible Working to Support Wellbeing

In 2024, many colleagues continued to work in a hybrid manner. Where their role permitted, colleagues often split their time between working in a NAB location and remotely. Data from the July 2024 Heartbeat survey showed 82% of colleagues regularly worked flexibly, which helps to create an inclusive workplace and attract, and retain talent.   

NAB recognises a balance between work and personal life is important to our colleagues and their wellbeing, and that contact outside of working hours should be reasonable. In the lead up to the introduction of the Right to Disconnect statutory obligation in August 2024, guidelines for all colleagues on ‘Disconnecting at NAB’, were developed and leaders were required to have guided conversations with each of their colleagues to ensure an open and transparent dialogue on when and how colleagues are likely to be contacted and required to respond outside of working hours.  

Taking annual and long service leave throughout the year is encouraged to ensure regular opportunities to rest and recharge.

Investing in People and Culture information technology

We continue to invest in improving our Global Human Resources technologies so we can provide simpler, more efficient and automated services for our colleagues. In 2024, we successfully implemented the new Human Resources System and upgraded the payroll environment in the US, France, United Kingdom, India and Vietnam.  This will be followed by BNZ in early 2025 and, Australia in early 2026.

Climate change and environment

NAB's climate strategy is aligned to our strategic ambition. Climate change is a significant risk to the planet and a major challenge for society to address. Beyond this risk, there is an immense economic opportunity as the world transitions to a low-carbon future. We are working with customers as they decarbonise, adapt and build resilience, while pursuing new climate opportunities for a prosperous future.

Climate strategy

NAB is seeking to act as a catalyst for climate action through the financing we provide and the insights we share with customers. This approach is underpinned by core beliefs including:

Our climate strategy aims to maximise the climate transition's economic benefits for customers, NAB and the community, and to help achieve emissions reduction consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. Since our climate strategy was released in 2022, we have leveraged our strength as a relationship-led bank, with the aim to support customers to reduce their emissions and finance associated opportunities. Our climate initiatives span our Business and Private Banking, Personal Banking, Corporate and Institutional Banking divisions, and BNZ. NAB’s climate strategy also captures our operational emissions targets, which includes our international offices, in addition to the capability of our colleagues to support our customers through the transition.

This section of the report provides a summary of activities and performance in 2024, guided by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, with detailed TCFD aligned disclosures and an update on our Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) interim 2030 sector decarbonisation targets (decarbonisation targets), available in NAB's 2024 Climate Report, available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

2024 Climate Report

The Group recognises the increasing level of demand for detailed disclosures on climate-related matters. This year NAB has prepared its third Climate Report. The Climate Report details NAB's approach to climate change covering: governance, strategy, risk management and metrics and targets. The Climate Report also includes information about the methodologies we use.

NAB's 2024 Climate Report is available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

NAB's strategic climate priorities
   

Governance

The Board retains oversight of ESG-related matters including climate-related risks and opportunities. ESG considerations are integrated into business strategy, operations and risk management.

Ultimate accountability for risk oversight, risk appetite and risk management rests with the Board. The Board is supported by the Board Risk & Compliance Committee (BRCC) which has responsibility for oversight of the Group’s risk profile and risk management. This includes ESG risk, within the context of Board determined risk appetite.

The Group’s approach to sustainability governance is described in Sustainability in NAB's strategy on page 20.

The Group’s overall approach to governance is outlined in the Corporate Governance Statement on page 67. Specific information on ESG Risk-related governance is provided in ESG Risk Management on page 57.

In 2024, key climate-related matters presented to the Board included:

Risk management

ESG risks, including climate-related risks, are identified, measured, monitored, reported and overseen in accordance with the Group’s Risk Management Framework (RMF)(as described in the Group’s Risk Management Strategy). Refer to ESG Risk Management (pages 57 to 60) of this report for further information on ESG risk management and our ESG risk-related capability initiatives, including those for climate risk. Other climate risk focused initiatives undertaken in 2024 included:

The Board was briefed on, and approved, the third set of sector decarbonisation targets.

NAB's approach to climate change, including climate-related risk management, is detailed in its 2024 Climate Report, available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

Metrics and targets

We have developed metrics and targets to track the progress against our climate strategy, and to measure and manage our climate-related risks and opportunities. Since 2003, NAB has focused on operational GHG emissions reductions. As a NZBA member, we have also set targets for financed emissions and certain facilitated emissions1. We monitor progress and report on it as part of this commitment.

Informed by the UNEP FI Guidelines for Target Setting for Banks, NAB has set sector decarbonisation targets for power generation, thermal coal, oil and gas, cement, aluminium, iron and steel, transport (road (cars and light commercial vehicles), aviation, and shipping) and real estate (commercial - office, commercial - retail and residential). Detailed information about NAB‘s sector decarbonisation targets is included in NAB’s 2024 Climate Report available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

NAB's baselines and targets for its sector decarbonisation targets exclude BNZ, which has separately signed up to the NZBA and has set its own sector decarbonisation targets. Learn more about BNZ's progress in its climate reporting at: www.bnz.co.nz/about-us/sustainability/reports.

The following section provides a high-level overview of relevant operational environmental performance and targets, as well as regulatory reporting. NAB's detailed metrics and targets relating to operational, financed and certain facilitated emissions are disclosed in its 2024 Climate Report, available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

Operational GHG emissions and relevant environmental regulatory reporting

During the 2024 environmental reporting year, the Group’s total market-based GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 32) were 76,837 tCO2-e (2023: 65,51534 tCO2-e), after accounting for use of certified renewable energy. The increase in GHG emissions is primarily a result of the inclusion for the first time of employee commute in the Group's Scope 3 emissions inventory. The Group first avoids and reduces GHG emissions associated with the Group's operational Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions and then retires carbon offsets for residual emissions. The Group retired 76,8375 offsets in 2024. These offsets are a mix of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and Verified Carbon Units, as well as offsets BNZ6 has separately purchased through Toitū7 to meet its Toitū certification requirements for BNZ operations.

NAB has previously purchased and maintains a bank of Verified Carbon Standard international offsets, and ACCUs from Australian sources with a particular focus on Indigenous-led savanna burning projects which utilise traditional Indigenous land-practices. NAB intends to continue to prioritise projects that deliver social value and other environmental co-benefits for communities, with a focus on Australia and other jurisdictions where NAB has a significant presence. The Group's Australian operations are certified under the Climate Active Standard for Organisations and have been since 2010. In New Zealand, BNZ has been a Toitū7 net carbonzero certified organisation since 2022. JBWere NZ has been a Toitū net carbonzero certified organisation since 20218.

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act disclosures

The Group’s operations are subject to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) (NGER Act). This is part of Australia’s legislative response to climate change. The NGER Act requires the Group to report on an environmental reporting year (1 July to 30 June), therefore, all of the Group's energy and GHG emissions reporting is aligned to this reporting period.

The Group’s Australian vehicle fleet and building-related net energy use reported under the NGER Act for the 2024 environmental reporting year was 297,880 gigajoules (GJ) (2023: 327,609 GJ), which is approximately 80% of the Group’s measured total net energy use. The associated total GHG emissions from fuel combustion (Scope 1) and from electricity use (Scope 2) were 51,494 tCO2-e (2023: 60,354 tCO2-e).

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting

The Group is voluntarily reporting data required for the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements which are implemented through the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018 (United Kingdom) in NAB's 2024 Climate Report. The Group's United Kingdom-based (London Branch) energy use9 reported, and aligned to the SECR for the 2024 environmental reporting year was 497,665 KWh (2023: 543,941 KWh). The associated total gross GHG emissions from fuel combustion (Scope 1) and from electricity use10 (Scope 2) were 102 tCO2-e (2023: 111 tCO2-e). This equates to 199 KWh and 0.04 tCO2-e per metre squared of property space occupied by the Group's London Branch. Further London Branch and Group energy and GHG emissions data is provided in NAB's 2024 Climate Report, available at nab.com.au/annualreports.

Operational energy efficiency

The Group continues to implement an energy efficiency program, including energy efficiency opportunity assessments and sustainable building design. This helps produce GHG emissions reductions and contributes to the delivery of the Group's climate change strategy and targets. From 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2024, the Group identified and recorded a total of 1,339 energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, primarily in Australia. The key focus of our program continues to be improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of the major buildings we occupy giving regard to the GHG emissions reduction hierarchy. Key initiatives implemented in 2024 included ongoing network consolidation, various LED lighting upgrades, HVAC and lighting optimisation and occupancy of a new more energy efficient commercial office building in Adelaide.

In 2014, the Group’s United Kingdom-based operations became subject to the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS), introduced by the United Kingdom ESOS Regulations 2014. The ESOS requires mandatory energy assessments (audits) of an organisation's buildings and transport to be conducted every four years. The Group's London Branch has submitted its ESOS energy efficiency assessment in June 2024 as required. Due to having moved our London office into a new energy efficient commercial building11 in 2019 only four small energy efficiency opportunities were identified. Additional ESOS obligations were introduced in 2024, which requires NAB to submit an ESOS action plan for its London Branch by 5 December 2024 and to annually report to the UK Environment Agency on the plan's progress. The plan is required to outline the Group’s strategy for improving energy efficiency over the current compliance period, which runs until 5 December 2027. Key actions in the plan will include improvements to lighting controls and adjustments to setpoints for heating and cooling systems and the run time of these units.

Additional detail on the Group’s environmental and climate-related performance is provided in the 2024 Sustainability Data Pack available at nab.com.au/annualreports and in NAB's 2024 Climate Report, which contains information on the methodologies used by the Group to calculate GHG emissions. Refer to our website12 for further information.

  1. Facilitated emissions attributable from capital markets activity, including loan syndication, bond arranging and US Private Placement.
  2. Scope 1 GHG emissions are direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by an organisation including on-site fossil fuel combustion and vehicle fleet fuel consumption. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased electricity. Scope 3 emissions relate to all other indirect emissions that occur outside the boundary of the organisation as a result of the activities of the organisation. However, the Group’s Scope 3 emissions reported here are operationally-related and do not include Scope 3 emissions associated with the Group’s financing activities. The Group commenced reporting on Scope 3 attributable financed emissions in 2021. Attributable financed emissions are not included in the Group’s operational emissions inventory boundary.
  3. In 2024, the Group continued to use a market-based approach as its primary electricity accounting method, having used a location-based methodology until 2023. The Group has retired offsets based on its market-based position.
  4. The Group has restated its 2023 market-based emissions number from 64,566 to 65,515 tCO2-e. Market-based scope 3 emissions were restated by 949 tCO2-e to reflect an increase primarily related to corrections in supplier data for BNZ as well as an amendment to a Courier, postage and freight emission factor for NAB.
  5. The Group retired an additional 2,030 offsets to account for a restatement of Scope 3 emissions associated with Courier, postage and freight.
  6. BNZ is a Toitū net carbon zero certified organisation. This voluntary carbon certification programme requires adherence to a set of standards and rules on an annual basis, focusing on measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions according to International Organization for Standardization 14064-1: 2018 standards.
  7. Toitū Envirocare is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, a New Zealand Government-owned Crown Research Institute. They provide Toitū carbonreduce, Toitū net carbonzero and Toitū enviromark programmes and certifications for businesses in New Zealand and many countries globally.
  8. JBWere NZ was certified on 13 February 2024. The certification is valid until 29 November 2025. NAB completed the disposal of its New Zealand wealth businesses on 30 April 2024 from which point JBWere NZ ceased to be part of NAB's operational emissions boundary.
  9. The Group's energy use and GHG emissions reported voluntarily in alignment with SECR requirements are associated with building-related gas and electricity use only. The Group does not have a vehicle fleet associated with its United Kingdom operations.
  10. 100% of the Group's United Kingdom-based (London Branch) electricity is renewable electricity.
  11. The Scalpel Building which NAB occupies has a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certificate. The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) is the methodology which sets the world standard for rating systems of building and works as an environmental assessment method.
  12. Refer to 'How we calculate our carbon emissions' on nab.com.au/about-us/social-impact/environment/climate-change.

Nature and biodiversity

NAB is taking a customer-focused approach to the management of nature-related opportunities, risks, impacts and dependencies. Consistent with most sustainability matters, our most significant impacts and dependencies are associated with our customers.

In 2024, our nature and biodiversity-related activities are reported using the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) pillars of governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

We are monitoring and engaging with standard setters on emerging nature-related disclosures, and we have voluntarily included a TNFD index within our Sustainability Data pack as we build maturity in our approach.

Nature-related governance
Role of Board and committees

The Board retains oversight of ESG-related matters including nature-related risks and opportunities. ESG considerations are integrated into business strategy, operations and risk management.

Ultimate accountability for risk oversight, risk appetite and risk management rests with the Board. The Board is supported by the BRCC which has responsibility for overseeing the Group’s risk profile and risk management. This includes ESG risk, within the context of Board determined risk appetite.

The Group formally incorporates ESG risk, including nature-related risk, as part of managing ‘Sustainability Risk’, a material risk category within the Group's Risk Management Framework (RMF).

The BRCC refers all matters of significant importance to the Board, making recommendations to the Board concerning the Group’s current and future risk appetite, risk management strategy and particular risks or risk management practices, including those related to ESG risk such as nature- related risks.

The Board and/or BRCC receive reports on nature-related matters which may include strategy, goals and targets, risks and opportunities, ESG-related policies and appetite settings, environmental operational performance, scenario analysis and stress testing, nature-related regulatory change and reporting submissions, and concerns raised by stakeholders.

In 2024, key nature-related matters presented to the Board included a Board education session with the Executive Director of the TNFD.

Role of management

The Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services12 is Chair of the Sustainability Council, which is responsible for aligning activity across NAB and overseeing progress against our broader sustainability goals and targets.

The Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is accountable for developing and coordinating the implementation of risk management strategies and frameworks for ESG risk, which includes nature-related risk.

The Group Executive, Technology & Enterprise Operations (GETEO), is accountable for our property portfolio, technology operations and supply chain management. This includes managing risks and opportunities associated with capital works and programs which can contribute to our direct nature-related impacts.

Case Study: Farming for the Future (FftF) research findings

The FftF research program seeks to build a national ‘natural capital data and economic insights repository’.

It is intended to provide actionable insights accessible to producers and their advisors to identify potential profitability and other benefits from targeted investment in the natural capital of their farms.

The multi-year program is creating the first national- scale, evidence base of on-farm natural capital and its relationship to business performance on Australian farms.

Results published in May 2024 confirmed potential benefits such as increased productivity, profitability and resilience are the most compelling motivation for producers to invest in natural capital.

Analysis indicates natural capital is positively correlated with production efficiency, gross margin and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT).

The research also demonstrated natural capital can confer livestock businesses with increased levels of resilience in the face of both climate and market shocks – delivering increased stability on EBIT for livestock operations over the analysis period (2017-2022).

NAB recognises the importance of supporting farming customers with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed and strategic decisions about their natural capital investments to achieve greater productivity and profitability.

The full research findings are available at https://farmingforthefuture.org.au/resources/research-report/.

Nature-related strategy

In 2024, NAB undertook a number of activities to further our understanding of nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities associated with our operations, customers and suppliers, and to inform our natural capital roadmap, which will be released in 2025. This roadmap will build on our existing strategy, available at nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/environment/natural-capital.

Understanding First Nations customer relationships with nature

The TNFD LEAP3 process has been applied to understand NAB’s First Nations business customers’ relationship with nature. This research included engagement with First Nations customers. Key findings:

We are engaging with a selection of these customers to better understand these opportunities and how we can support them.

Understanding customers through nature-related partnerships and engagement

In 2024, we made investments in a number of nature-related partnerships including:

NAB continues to engage on nature through key industry initiatives such as the:

Understanding our suppliers

NAB’s direct operational impacts and dependencies on nature are relatively low compared to those of our customers and suppliers. Therefore, we are taking steps to work with our suppliers to manage our indirect impacts.

In 2024, we assessed the nature-related maturity of 50 suppliers from sectors considered to have a more direct interface with nature. This analysis was conducted based on publicly available documents; therefore, it references 2023 data.

The results (Figure 3) suggest the maturity of many suppliers’ understanding of, and actions to address nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities, is variable and in its infancy. Overall:

This assessment provides NAB with a basis for determining how best to engage suppliers to support increased consideration of nature-related issues.

Further detail is contained in Case Study: Complete Office Supplies (COS) below.

Case Study: Complete Office Supplies

Complete Office Supplies (COS) is NAB's biggest stationery supplier, supplying a range of products including office paper and notebooks.

COS's dependencies on nature include the land, water and trees used to produce paper products and its impacts on nature include the disposal of waste from products.

As a member of Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), COS has set a number of nature- related targets, including achieving 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging and phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic by 2025.

Through engagement with COS, NAB is aiming to expand its use of eco-conscious products which are recyclable, made from recycled content, environmentally accredited, or sustainable by design.

Nature-related risk management
Understanding and supporting our customers

In 2023, a preliminary assessment within NAB’s lending portfolio was undertaken to better understand, assess and mitigate nature-related risks. The assessment was based on the ENCORE tool5 and focused on the direct impact, not the full value chain, for each sector.

The University of Melbourne’s Biodiversity Institute (MBI) was engaged in 2024 to review the preliminary assessment and provide guidance on assessing nature-related impact and dependency.

Figure 4 provides an updated version of the 2023 preliminary assessment, which integrates feedback from MBI and provides more detail about the availability of data and the spread of impact and dependency scores across ecosystem services. It also provides estimated Exposure at Default (EAD) as at 30 September 2024 for in-scope sectors6.

Figure 5 provides an overview of the types of nature-related risks we considered in our nature-related materiality assessment. Based on this high-level assessment, we expect that most transition risks may impact the Group within a short to medium time horizon. Acute physical risks are anticipated to potentially impact the Group over the short, medium and long term, while chronic physical risk is anticipated to potentially impact the Group in the long term. Nature-related impacts can manifest across a number of material risk categories including Balance sheet & liquidity, Credit, Compliance, Conduct, Market, Operational, Strategic and Sustainability.

NAB regularly updates and makes improvements to how we incorporate nature-related risk into our Risk Management Framework, policies and processes in response to changes in science (including the state of the environment), technology, regulation, voluntary initiatives and societal expectations.

In 2024, key initiatives undertaken included:

Using the International Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) to assess the location of a sample of NAB customers relative to:

This research provided important insights into the feasibility of undertaking a portfolio-wide assessment of our customers’ interface with nature, in line with TNFD guidance.

Managing the risk of deforestation

Deforestation and other forms of land clearing are a key threat to biodiversity which requires banks, governments, industry, and landholders to work together to develop solutions. It is one of the nature-related impacts identified in our preliminary portfolio assessment that affects industries such as agriculture, forestry, and energy and utilities.

If we become aware customers are engaged in, or alleged to be involved in, illegal land clearing, the Group reviews the matter and takes action, as appropriate, in line with risk appetite and NAB's ESG, Credit and Financial Crime policies and processes.

Additional actions taken by NAB this year included:

We recognise managing deforestation is a complex and evolving matter requiring further coordinated action in respect of:

We continue to engage with stakeholders as we further develop our approach to managing this risk to nature.

Nature-related metrics and targets

Since 2022, the Group has prepared integrated annual reports encompassing our environmental performance. The data the Group collects regarding our direct impact on nature is provided in the table below.

Driver of nature change Direct impact measure
Climate change Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
Land freshwater/ocean use change Water use (potable water withdrawal)
Resource use/replenishment Gross energy useOffice paper useVehicle fuels
Waste Waste to landfill

Further information about nature and environmental performance targets is contained in the 2024 Sustainability Data Pack.

The tools and technology required to understand direct impacts and dependencies, along with those of our customers and suppliers, are rapidly evolving. The Group continues to seek opportunities to engage with developments in these emerging areas with the objective of establishing robust, efficient and effective methods to support sustainable decision-making.   

  1. Effective 1 October 2024, Legal & Commercial Services was renamed to Customer & Corporate Services
  2. In 2024, the CCO reported to the Group CFO. From 1 October 2024, the CCO will report to the Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services. Therefore, certain Climate accountabilities will move to the Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services from 2025.
  3. The LEAP process encompasses: Locate interface with nature. Evaluate dependencies and impacts. Assess material risks and opportunities. Prepare to respond and report.
  4. 'Caring for Country' is the Indigenous Australian approach to managing land and water.
  5. Natural Capital Finance Alliance (Global Canopy, UNEP FI, and UNEP-WCMC) (2023). ENCORE: Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure. [August/2023, (2018-2023)], Cambridge, UK: the Natural Capital Finance Alliance. Available at: https://www.encorenature.org/en/data-and-methodology/methodology. Note that this earlier version has since been updated.
  6. In-scope sectors broadly align with ANZSIC level 4 codes with adjustments in some cases to better reflect the ISIC industry codes and production processes used in the ENCORE tool.
  7. Includes EAD for in-scope sectors in the lending portfolio within NAB for nature-related impacts and dependencies. The sector scope (ANZSIC grouping) is not the same as that used for other purposes, such as financed and facilitated emissions, meaning that EAD figures are not directly comparable. Out of scope industry groups represent approximately 30% of Group total EAD (less BNZ) and are excluded as they are not readily identifiable within the ENCORE tool, which was used to undertake the preliminary assessment.

Technology, data and security

Safe, simple and easy banking through technology modernisation

Technology is a key enabler for NAB to deliver value to our customers, colleagues, and the community. We are improving services and experiences for customers, delivering cost efficiencies and safeguarding customers against cyber risks and fraud, while innovating for the future.

In 2024, we continued to upgrade our technology as we strive to become a more customer-centric, safer, and resilient bank. This will allow us to respond faster and more effectively to changing customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics.

Governance and accountability

The Board oversees and governs strategies and performance of the enablers that are critical to NAB’s business, including technology. The Board also oversees and governs risk management, including in relation to technology, information security and cyber resilience. Throughout 2024, there have been regular updates to the Board and its Risk & Compliance Committee on these topics. To support the Board in its oversight duties, NAB has established a panel of independent advisors to provide expert advice to the Board and Executives on business-led technology modernisation. The Board invested in continuing education for directors during 2024 through multiple technology-related workshops.

For further information on governance, refer to pages 80 to 81 and 77 of the Corporate Governance Statement.

The themes underpinning our Technology Strategy
Customer Advocacy

NAB’s 'Customer Brain' is designed to enhance customer experiences through personalisation and predictive analytics. It leverages data and AI to understand and anticipate customer needs, as well as to provide tailored interactions and services across various channels. In 2024, the Customer Brain enabled 336 million customer decisions across 250 million customer interactions. Refer to page 47 for further details.

In 2024, we launched NAB Goodies on the NAB Mobile App. This new, personalised loyalty program allows three million Personal Banking customers to earn cashback on everyday spend and better manage their money.

To further support customers and small businesses, we launched NAB Gateway to make online payments simple, reliable and secure for businesses of all sizes. NAB Gateway is a state-of the art eCommerce platform for online and virtual payments, which offers a tailored payment experience, same-day settlement, and advanced fraud detection.

Simple and Fast

We continue to modernise several legacy core applications, including decommissioning a 27-year-old data platform this year, transitioning over 443 use cases from the legacy platform to streamline and simplify how data is stored and used, and provide a better user experience for customers and colleagues.

Additionally, we decommissioned 318 business applications to simplify our environment and reduce complexity for our customers and colleagues. This includes continuing to decommission applications that do not form part of our target state environment, which is a key component of modernising our technology.

More than 3,000 additional bankers have been migrated to our new Enterprise Customer Relationship Management platform, bringing the total to 12,394 bankers on a new platform that includes real-time dashboards to manage opportunities and appointments and automates manual processes to save bankers' significant time.

Safe and Resilient

We have migrated more than 84% of our applications to cloud based services to enhance the resilience of our systems and provide a safer, simpler experience for customers, and colleagues.

Throughout 2024, the average availability of our essential services was 99.91%. 

In 2024, NAB is leading in a number of payment service reliability measures, based on analysis of disclosures provided to the RBA1.

NAB has achieved a significant reduction in customer impacting incidents, down 82% since 2018, driven by cloud migration and service improvements.

  1. Based on analysis of disclosures provided to the RBA since Q3 2021 among major Australian banks.

Privacy management and data ethics

NAB’s transparent, compliant, and ethical collection and use of data is key for earning trust with customers and colleagues.

Protecting customer and colleague privacy

Our customers rely on us to protect their privacy by appropriately collecting, using, disclosing, and securing their personal information. Our specialist Global Privacy Office (GPO) establishes and governs requirements for NAB’s collection and handling of Personal Information, and ensures colleagues across the Enterprise are aware of their accountabilities. These are embedded into our ways of working and support transparent, fair and compliant use and sharing of personal information of our customers and colleagues.

Our Data Ethics Framework extends beyond legal compliance, to consider not only if NAB can use data (legally or otherwise), but whether we should. This Framework is supported by a suite of Data Ethics Principles that set out how we should responsibly use data and guides how data is used in analytics, machine learning, AI and shared with third parties. These Data Ethics Principles are embedded in a Data Ethics assessment process. By ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of data, NAB can make better decisions.

Data collection, storage, retention and destruction within NAB is governed by the NAB Records Management Policy Standard. The Standard is supported by a series of Record Retention Schedules which ensure compliance in record keeping obligations across all regions in which it operates.

Throughout 2024, NAB had one notifiable data breach reported to regulators. The GPO provides regular training and guidance across NAB regarding the identification and management of suspected data breaches. The Group Privacy Policy Standard sets a minimum requirement from the escalation of data breach events where the event is Material and GPO intervention is necessary to assess potential harm. In addition, Group Security manages a Major Incident Response Framework through which all data breaches that could theoretically hit a reportable threshold are channelled and which is governed by one of several Incident Response Plans (IRPs), including three for Privacy.

Collection and access to customer data

At NAB, we respect our customers’ fundamental human right to privacy set out in our personal information collection and handling practices in a public-facing Group Privacy Policy Standard. This policy is either provided or referred to in all instances in which we collect personal information. The policy is a privacy requirement in all jurisdictions with privacy laws and details the categories of personal information collected, the purpose for collection, who this information is shared with, and the rights available to individuals with respect to their personal information. We collect personal information such as customers' names, addresses, and date of birth to enable us to provide banking services and to fulfil our regulatory obligations. The security of our customers’ personal information is important to us, and we take steps to protect it from misuse, interference and loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Customers can let us know at any time if they no longer wish to receive direct marketing offers from NAB which will be processed as soon as possible. Customers can request access and correction of their personal information, including certain credit information at any time.

Customer centric experiences powered by NAB data and insights
Generative AI

We have been using AI tools for many years across cyber security, fraud, and financial crime. We are continually developing new ways to use AI across the bank to better support customers and our colleagues.

Aligned to the Australian Government AI Ethical Principles, NAB has implemented several measures to ensure the safe and responsible use of Generative AI, including data security and privacy protocols, ensuring there is strong oversight of AI outputs, conducting rigorous testing of AI models and the use of our ethical guidelines and protocols to govern the use of AI, ensuring it is used responsibly and transparently. In mid-2023, we began our Generative AI journey with six use cases which span work with our technology partners and internal development, which has leveraged our enterprise data ‘lakehouse’ (‘Ada’) which enables us to work from idea to production on a single platform.

With more than 20 use cases being tested across NAB, we have identified significant potential benefits including:

Customer Brain
Using our data ecosystem and AI, the Customer Brain generates meaningful individualised next best actions to truly personalise the customer experience. In 2024, the Customer Brain has delivered more than 1,000 customer data attributes and 150 next best actions across seven channels, representing more than 75% of customer interactions in Australia.

Examples of customer interactions prompted by the Customer Brain;

Keeping our customers, communities and financial systems safe and resilient
Technology resilience

Building on our established cloud foundations and continued technology modernisation, we have delivered significant customer and colleague enhancements while bolstering service resilience and seeking to ensure safety amid rising fraud and cyber threats.

Cyber security

Security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and extensive. As a crucial component of Australia's infrastructure and economy, we remain a significant target for cyber attacks. We continue to strengthen our security measures to protect our business, customers, and the broader community from the ever-changing cyber threat landscape. Over the past five years, we have made substantial investments in cybersecurity and technology risk management.

We actively collaborate with government and law enforcement agencies on cyber security. We participate in discussions and simulations designed to better understand the full spectrum of cyber security risks, to enhance defences and improve resilience.

Our security strategy aims to strengthen our security foundations and enhance our security capabilities in line with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework. We regularly engage external firms to independently review and test our security capability, while at the same time, conducting our own simulated cyber attacks on our systems to identify vulnerabilities and improve our defences.

The business adopts a collaborative approach to deliver national outcomes that protect businesses and individuals from cyber- enabled crime. In 2024, we established several cyber security partnerships to improve the resilience of our small business customers. This resulted in offers to eligible customers of a free 12 month subscription to cyber security software, cyber security assessments and hands-on support, and advice from NAB specialist security mentors.

Cyber security awareness and education for customers of all types remained a priority throughout 2024. Our up-to-date Security Hub at nab.com.au/security features security alerts, articles and practical advice. We also hold cyber security and scam insights sessions for customers through webinars and in person. In 2024, we delivered 95 sessions to more than 13,400 customers and community members across the country, bringing the four year total to over 27,300. Throughout the year, we continued to work with the Australian Cyber Security Centre to share and promote practical cyber security advice for consumers and small businesses including for Cyber Month in October.

We have further matured our cyber security culture program for colleagues. This includes a phishing simulation program, annual mandatory cyber security training, broad and targeted cyber insights and training sessions, together with a volunteer security champions network to upskill colleagues and disseminate key security information.

We are also strengthening our security governance framework, associated reporting and forums to improve visibility, oversight and consistency across our security posture.

Our governance structures are designed to appropriately identify, escalate and mitigate security risks. Security risk management and its governance and oversight are aligned with NAB’s risk management framework, including through the escalation of key risk and control issues to management and the development of treatment plans.

We continue to invest in enterprise-wide cyber risk management with a focus on further refining metrics that link to key cyber risks and using a threat and data driven approach to measure cyber risk reduction.

Information Security is one of our material technology risks and includes the security risks associated with the use of third  parties that we do business with, or that facilitate business activities. This risk is closely monitored with regular updates on the threat landscape, security strategy, capability, incidents, issues and progress on risk reduction and performance metrics.  We have established a well understood process to identify and respond to cyber threats and incidents. NAB engages regularly with the Board on this topic, including materials to guide the Board on key decision making requirements and conducting simulations to test Board and Management’s readiness to respond to a cyber event.

  1. The Customer Data Refresh (CDR) Program relates to ongoing customer due diligence of low-risk customers (refreshing customer information).

Financial crime

Financial crime has a devastating impact on our customers and our communities. We have zero tolerance for criminal activity and remain dedicated to effectively managing financial crime risk and keeping customers, communities, and the financial system safe.

We play an important role in the monitoring and reporting of suspicious activity and seek to comply with anti-bribery and corruption, economic and trade sanctions, and Anti Money Laundering (AML) / Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) regulations.

The AUSTRAC EU, entered into in April 2022 to address AUSTRAC’s concerns with NAB’s compliance with certain AML and CTF requirements, remains a key priority. Refer to Risk management on page 91 for further detail.

In addition to addressing regulatory commitments and remediating issues, we are making significant enhancements to our ability to deter, detect, disrupt and prevent financial crime. This year NAB:

We collaborate closely with Australian law enforcement, regulators and government agencies to combat serious and organised crime which impacts our customers, our community, and NAB.  Through our Fintel Alliance membership, Memoranda of Understanding with the Australian Federal Police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and Queensland Police Service, as well as partnerships with the NSW Police Force and Western Australia Police Force, we contribute to the national effort to disrupt serious criminal activity including matters related to national security, human impact crimes like child exploitation, sextortion, money laundering, fraud, scams and cybercrime. We also work closely with non-government organisations such as the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), where NAB representatives contribute to the prevention of child abuse. 

Our financial crime intelligence function assessed a range of new and emerging threats in 2024, to enhance our understanding of financial crime risks and prevent our customers being exploited by criminals.

We also collaborated with domestic and international financial institutions to share intelligence and insights on particular threats and to discuss how to best mitigate those threats.

We continue to execute on our 2022 financial crime strategy. While we are making good progress, the nature of the threat and risk it presents requires ongoing vigilance.

Regulators have increased the scope, complexity and enforcement of sanctions and trade controls since the outset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, including a range of sanction and export control program.

Enforcement by global sanctions regulators remains significant, with USD 1.5 billion in penalties imposed on companies in calendar year 2023. In this time, we have incrementally improved our Sanctions Compliance Program, implemented a new trade screening program and enhanced our controls for the identification and monitoring of high sanctions risk customers. 

Scams and fraud

The fight against fraud and scams remains a high priority for NAB. During the year, we:

Quick link

For more information on how NAB protects itself and our customers against financial crime, visit nab.com.au/about-us/corporate-governance/managing-financial-crime.

Respecting human rights

The Group recognises the fundamental worth of all people by respecting human rights.

Human rights are an important part of how people interact with each other at all levels, and in all areas of society – at work, home and in the community.

Human rights were identified as a material area of interest to stakeholders during our 2024 ESG materiality assessment (refer to ESG materiality assessment on page 23).

Our commitment to respecting human rights is a core foundation for our Group Human Rights Policy, the approach we take to ‘How we work’, and our codes of conduct. It is also a key expectation of a number of voluntary initiatives to which the Group is a signatory, including the Principles for Responsible Banking and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Further information about our approach to human rights and a copy of the Group Human Rights Policy is available at nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/human-rights-approach.

The Group contributes to economic and social development - which is necessary to underpin the protection of human rights – through our own operations, the financial products and services we provide, and the wages and taxes we pay. NAB and BNZ provide access to finance for disadvantaged groups, support businesses which generate jobs and economic growth and provide financing for key infrastructure.

Exposure to human rights risk

The Group recognises human rights risk relates to impacts on people and concerns may arise not only in our own operations, but also via interactions with external third parties, including customers and suppliers. The Group is exposed to human rights risk through five key channels: banking operations, customer relationships, supply chain management, private wealth-related services and through the communities we serve.

Across these channels, NAB considers the most salient human rights issues1 to be:

These issues are considered as part of our risk management practices when determining mitigating actions.

Our 2024 Sustainability Data Pack1 provides an index of NAB's disclosures against key external human rights frameworks and a full list of our salient human rights issues, including references to where they have been addressed in greater detail within NAB's 2024 annual reporting suite.

Integrating human rights within the Risk Management Framework

Human rights risk is an ESG risk. As a result, it is considered as part of Sustainability Risk within the Group' Risk Management Strategy and Framework and risk appetite, including our High Risk ESG sectors and sensitive areas list and sector Credit Appetite Strategies. This is supported by ESG risk assessment in customer and supplier related on-boarding and review processes. Refer to the ESG Risk Management section on pages 57 to 60 for further detail on how ESG Risk (including human rights) is managed, using a risk-based approach, within lending and sourcing activities.

Human rights risk assessment and due diligence

We aim to proactively identify, assess and address human rights risks and impacts which may arise in business relationships with customers and suppliers, as outlined in our Human Rights Due Diligence process, which is available at nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/human-rights-approach. Human rights risks and impacts can arise from factors such as poor labour practices, modern slavery, lack of FPIC, and improper land acquisition.

In 2024, NAB undertook a human rights risk assessment as part of reviewing its understanding of where and how human rights risks could arise. NAB applied the Shift2 Identifying and Prioritising Human Rights Risks framework and our own risk management practices when undertaking this Human Rights Risk Assessment. The insights from this assessment helped us to understand the potential risk of human rights impacts to NAB and will be a key input to our planned refresh of the Group Human Rights Policy in 2025.

In 2024, through our ESG risk assessment processes (which form part of the credit risk and due diligence process), including media scanning, we identified a small number of customers with potential human rights concerns within their operations or supply chains. Further investigation and/or customer engagement has confirmed some instances of poor labour practices and/or other potential human rights concerns. NAB and BNZ engaged the relevant customers and are closely monitoring the actions they have agreed to take to address the issues, as appropriate. If there is evidence of systemic non-compliance or material ESG performance issues, including those relating to human rights, this may result in termination of the customer relationship if these issues are not addressed.

Case study: Human rights in the agricultural sector

The Australian economy relies heavily on seasonal and migrant labour, especially in the agricultural sector. A range of unions, academics, and human rights focused non-government organisations and the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner have raised concerns about potential for modern slavery in the Australian agricultural sector.

In 2018, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s inquiry in workplace practices in the agricultural sector found evidence of illegal labour hire arrangements and misuse of piece rates. Concerns have also been raised in Senate hearings about occurrences of unsafe conditions and indentured labour relating to use of Pacific seasonal workers.

These issues present human rights risks NAB considers, where appropriate, when undertaking its credit risk assessment and due diligence processes. ESG risk assessment of customers forms part of these processes and involves consideration of customers’ ESG-related performance and how they are managing ESG risk, including human rights, in accordance with exposure-related trigger thresholds and ESG-related policy requirements.

Our ESG risk assessment has identified some instances of poor labour practices related to use of labour hire companies. Where risks like these have been identified, ongoing customer relationship management includes engagement with customers to discuss their ESG-related performance, issues and initiatives. If there is evidence of systemic non-compliance or material ESG performance issues, including those relating to human rights, this may result in termination of the customer relationship if these issues are not addressed.

NAB also identified a number of instances of possible human exploitation by its customers which were investigated and reported to AUSTRAC and law enforcement as required. Further action was taken as appropriate. Similarly, in New Zealand, BNZ investigated several instances of possible human exploitation by its customers and reported these to the NZ Police Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as required. No instances of modern slavery or human trafficking were identified in NAB’s own operations or its supply chain.

Managing human rights risk - the role of Financial Crime

There is a risk the Group’s customers or other third-parties may use its financial products to adversely impact on people – including by using the banking system to launder the proceeds of human impact crimes such as modern slavery and human trafficking. All colleagues have a role in identifying instances of human impact crime, which involve violation of victims' human rights. They are supported in doing this by our Financial Crime teams in Australia and New Zealand.

The Group’s financial crime teams:

To assist colleagues to identify indicators of potential modern slavery, or potential victims, NAB's Financial Crime Investigations team developed a ‘Human Impact Guide’ (Guide) in 2020, with further editions released in 2022 and 2024. There are a range of ways in which the Group identifies possible human impact crimes - such as modern slavery - including via analysis of behavioural, demographic and jurisdictional information, as well as transactional activity. Some indicators of human impact crimes may be visible to branch staff or customer relationship managers, whereas other indicators may require analysis of the customer's transactional activity in order to be identified.

Managing grievances

NAB's human rights grievance process sets out how human rights issues and concerns are investigated and acted upon. One of the mechanisms provided for the receipt of human rights-related feedback and concerns is our mailbox grievances@nab.com.au. Grievances received in this mailbox are referred to the appropriate area for investigation and action. To ensure individuals wishing to raise human rights-related concerns understand the process, our website contains guidance, in multiple languages, on how to lodge a human rights concern. In 2024, we received one grievance via the mailbox, which was investigated and determined to not be related to a human rights concern. We also received one potential human rights grievance via our sustainability@nab.com.au mailbox. An investigation into this grievance was commenced, but the grievance was withdrawn.

Customer-related human rights concerns may be received by NAB directly, or via external dispute resolution bodies such as Courts and human rights and/or equal opportunity commissions or tribunals. For example, in 2024, NAB received 11 new human rights related complaints that were filed in Courts or human rights/equal opportunity commissions or tribunals. In addition, a further 2 complaints received by NAB in prior years became the subject of court or tribunal proceedings in 2024. Of those 13 complaints, 10 were made by customers and 3 were made by colleagues or former colleagues.

Colleague concerns regarding human rights are managed through employee relations processes or via our Whistleblower Program (refer to Governance, conduct and culture on page 87). The Whistleblower Program received one report which triggered human rights, including modern slavery, related concerns in 2024. This was investigated by our NAB Crime & Integrity Investigations team and it was determined that there was no evidence to support the concerns raised.

Participating in industry working groups and initiatives

The Group is a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Banking, Equator Principles and the UNGC, all of which incorporate human rights-related principles or requirements. Engaging in industry working groups and forums enables us to exchange knowledge, learn from peer financial institutions and other corporates and to contribute to industry guidance in relation to human rights.

In 2024, NAB attended the UNGC Human Rights Dialogue and participated in a range of industry working groups including the:

Emerging human rights issues

Human rights issues are being recognised as an integral part of society’s biggest challenges and as a result, they are becoming emerging ESG risk issues for companies. Examples of these issues include:

Two of the emerging human rights issues that NAB is focusing on include: (i) human rights issues, including modern slavery, in the renewable energy value chain; and (ii) human rights and AI application.

Modern slavery risk in the renewable energy supply chain

NAB's Corporate and Institutional Banking has supported renewable energy infrastructure over many years. Through the application of our ESG risk assessment process we have identified the potential for modern slavery issues in the renewable energy supply chain. This is widely acknowledged by the sector. In November 2022, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) in conjunction with Norton Rose Fulbright published a report titled ‘Addressing Modern Slavery in the Clean Energy Sector’ on risks and challenges in the renewables supply chain to raise awareness and help its members to develop strategies and processes to address the issue.

Based on our engagement with customers participating in the renewable energy value chain, we have seen significant collaboration taking place across the renewable energy industry globally to address the issue of modern slavery. The challenges are complex, particularly as they involve supply chains, and will take time to resolve but increasing transparency and willingness of customers to acknowledge issues and implement strategies to reduce and eliminate modern slavery risks will contribute to a just low carbon transition.

In 2024, NAB:

Human rights and AI

It is critical to ensure any decision-making which uses AI is made ethically and with regard to human rights as customers place a high degree of trust in their banks. Automation through the use of AI is an emerging area of focus for banks. While technological change facilitates significant productivity advancements, it can also give rise to risks, including those related to human rights. AI systems provide an opportunity to improve customer experience and satisfaction when engaging with banking services.

In 2023, NAB worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission ("the Commission") to develop a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) Tool for banks4. The HRIA Tool aims to assist banks consider and measure the risk to human rights posed by AI systems. It is part of practical guidance developed by the Commission to support the ethical use of AI systems for various sectors and businesses. It aims to help banks implement strategies to address human risks which may arise through the use of AI and to support the availability of remedies for any human rights violations. In 2024, NAB integrated the use of this tool into its data ethics processes for AI. Our data ethics assessment process includes various human rights specific questions related to more general data use cases and as well as in our risk assessment when considering use of AI tools.

Modern Slavery

The Group's annual Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is made available on our website5. It outlines what we have done to manage modern slavery and human trafficking risk in the Group's operations and supply chain. The Group has reported against the UK Modern Slavery Act since 2016, and the Australian Modern Slavery Act since 2020.

Highlights covered in our 2024 Statement included:

Building capability

In 2024, modern slavery risk, was included in both annual risk awareness and financial crime training for NAB colleagues. Participation rates of 99.6 % and 98.9% were achieved for this training respectively. 98.4% of BNZ colleagues completed BNZ's annual risk awareness training, which also included training on modern slavery.

We also support colleagues with a number of ESG-related checklists and internal guidance notes on a range of topics which incorporated human rights-related considerations, including guidance explaining key elements of our Group Human Rights Policy for colleagues. Our internal ESG risk management intranet site provides resources and links to help bankers understand and identify human rights risks and impacts.

Human rights issues covered in this report

Throughout this report, we disclose a range of initiatives and activities which illustrate how we are respecting human rights and managing and mitigating human rights risk to people and to NAB. These activities and initiatives are also of interest to our stakeholders, and include:

  1. Salient human rights issues are those human rights that are at risk of the most severe negative impact through the Group’s activities or business relationships.
  2. Shift is a center of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
  3. Refer to: Business and Human Rights Impacts: Identifying and Prioritizing Human Rights Risks - Shift (shiftproject.org).
  4. The Human Rights Impact Assessment Tool: AI-informed Decision-making Systems in Banking is available at: https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/ai_in_banking_hria_tool.pdf
  5. Refer to nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/performance-reporting.
  6. Available at nab.com.au/about-us/social-impact/modern-slavery-statement.

Helping our communities prosper

Community investment

NAB's community investment supports people and organisations dedicated to creating community prosperity.

Our reporting of community investment is guided by the Business for Societal Impact (B4SI) Community Investment Framework1. This includes money, volunteering time, management cost and forgone revenue from NAB products and services provided for community benefit.

Key contributions in 2024 included:

Volunteering and Giving

NAB supports colleagues to give to the causes and communities they care about by donating their time and money to not-for-profits and community organisations.

General volunteering

At NAB, we provide colleagues with 16 hours of general volunteer leave each year to help communities prosper. In 2024, we partnered with community organisations such as The Salvation Army, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) and Girls on Fire to offer colleagues a wide range of general volunteering opportunities.

Skilled volunteering

Additionally, we provide colleagues with unlimited skilled volunteering opportunities through which they can donate their specific skills and technical expertise to help contribute to societal change.

In 2024, we partnered with Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) to run unique, immersive, skilled volunteering experiences for high performing NAB colleagues. Over a nine-day period, our Customer Strategy Challenges allowed volunteers to work closely with a not-for-profit or social enterprise customer to help solve a complex business problem.

NAB Neighbourhood

Our dedicated volunteering and giving program allows colleagues to connect with community organisations via workplace giving donations, fundraisers or self-managed volunteering opportunities.

Colleagues are financially rewarded for every hour of volunteering completed, which in turn, can be donated to the causes which matter most to them. In 2024, NAB and our colleagues donated more than $550,000 to over 540 not-for-profits and charities.

NAB Foundation

NAB Foundation is our registered charity which uses philanthropy, social investment and in-kind support to fund social and environmental progress in the communities in which we operate. The Foundation comprises three separate trusts governed by an independent trustee. In 2024, NAB Foundation granted $3.7 million to 108 organisations across all states and territories.

By funding the people and communities who make a real difference, NAB Foundation aims to help tackle social and environmental challenges. Our granting focus on initiatives that help communities and the environment withstand and recover from natural disasters and aligned to NAB’s three sustainability priorities; climate transition and environment, First Nations economic advancement and affordable housing. For further information on NAB’s sustainability priorities and approach, refer to page 19.

Supporting Australians withstand and recover from natural disasters

Grants provided by NAB Foundation focus on initiatives which will help communities and the environment withstand fires, floods, cyclones and earthquakes. NAB Foundation is the major partner of DRA and the principal partner of Girls on Fire.

Through its Community Grants program, NAB Foundation funds local projects and initiatives across all states and territories which will assist communities prepare for natural disasters, support long-term recovery measures and build resilience against future disasters.

For more information on our partnerships and grants, refer to NAB Ready Together on page 56.

Climate and environment 

NAB Foundation supports practical projects which build environmental resilience to natural disasters and climate change, and promote biodiversity through nature-based solutions.

Between 2021 and 2024, NAB Foundation provided $2 million to Greening Australia and the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia’s Climate Ready Restoration project developing nature-based solutions to natural disaster mitigation. This project advances environmental resilience through predator-proof fencing and the reintroduction of wild species that contribute to fire risk mitigation and Indigenous Land management.

Refer to page 41 of this report for further information on our approach to managing biodiversity and natural capital.

NAB Foundation also provided ABV with a grant to pilot a Regional Economic Resilience Program for communities seeking to find their economic pathway to net-zero. Delivered by engaging highly skilled corporate and community volunteers and leveraging corporate knowledge, the pilot will take place in 2024 and 2025.

First Nations economic advancement

In 2024, NAB Foundation provided grants to University of Technology Sydney and the Australian National University to advance Indigenous economic outcomes. Refer to page 27 for more information.

Affordable housing

In 2024, the NAB Foundation awarded The Salvation Army Australia a capacity-building grant to fund the appointment of a national corporate volunteer coordinator. This role is responsible for acquiring and managing over 4,000 volunteers within the corporate sector over the next three years. Additionally, the grant has provided vital resources for The Salvation Army’s Magpie Nest Café in Melbourne’s CBD and the Street Level Café in Sydney. Both cafés are crucial hubs that not only provide meals but also offer crisis support, intervention, practical assistance, and long-term support to vulnerable and marginalised communities.

NAB Foundation’s support extended even further by matching annual fundraising efforts of NAB colleagues, contributing more than $70,000 to The Salvation Army’s initiatives throughout the year.

The Foundation also provided donations in support of housing and homelessness to organisations including; Melbourne City Mission’s Sleep at the G, The Constellation Project and Good Shepherd.

To read more about NAB’s commitment to affordable housing, refer to page 29.

Case Study: Doubling Impact

As the largest provider of social services in Australia, The Salvation Army plays a critical role in supporting individuals and families facing crises such as financial hardship, disaster recovery, social isolation, and domestic violence. The ongoing generosity of donors and supporters enables The Salvation Army to continue delivering its life-changing services nationwide.

In partnership with the NAB Foundation, NAB, and NAB colleagues, $300,000 was donated to The Salvation Army’s Red Shield and Christmas Appeals. These funds have brought real hope, made a tangible difference, and created lasting change for disadvantaged and vulnerable Australians, helping to shape brighter futures.

Investments

NAB Foundation uses impact investment to generate social and environmental impact. NAB Foundation invests all corpus assets with a socially responsible investment position.

In 2024, NAB Foundation invested in six impact investment funds, representing up to 10% of its portfolio and established a dedicated investment sleeve for future direct impact investment opportunities.

Community Grants: Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) mission is simple but ambitious – the effective conservation of local animals and the habitats in which they live.

In 2024, AWC received a $25,000 NAB Foundation Community Grant to prepare Kangaroo Island to withstand future bushfires, and aid its recovery by implementing best-practice ecological fire management.

As communities battle more fires, floods and storms, and wildlife injuries continue to rise, AWC is focused on restoring healthy ecosystems which will be resilient to the impacts of disasters.

In January 2020, bushfires tore through Kangaroo Island. Within 24 hours, an AWC Regional Operations Manager was on the ground ready to survey, mark and align a critical refuge fence. This fence would ultimately provide a safe haven for the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, which lost 95% of its habitat.

As an action-oriented not-for-profit, AWC can respond rapidly to get the right people in the right places to save Australian native species.

AWC’s NAB Foundation Community Grant will support Kangaroo Island’s recovery, protect its community and economy, and revitalise its unique biodiversity.

It will also allow AWC to collaborate with key local stakeholders to aid bushfire recovery including preventative planting, cool burning, fuel load reduction and emergency response planning and delivery.

  1. Corporate Community Investment, defined broadly as businesses’ voluntary engagement with charitable organisations or activities that extends beyond their core business activities. Learn more at https://b4si.net/framework/community-investment/.

NAB Ready Together

With the effects of climate change, Australians need help in the face of increasing natural disasters. We’re acting now, so we can be ready together.

Helping customers become more resilient

In 2024, communities across Australia were impacted by floods, fires and cyclones. In response, NAB provided $549,000 in disaster relief grants to 440 customers and 109 colleagues affected by natural disasters in NSW, VIC, TAS, WA, NT and QLD.

Through a partnership with the Resilient Building Council, we helped customers better protect their homes. NAB customers were encouraged to use the Bushfire Resilience Rating Home Self-assessment app, to help identify how they could renovate their home to achieve a five-star Resilience Rating. Participating customers were eligible for mortgage rate and insurance premium discounts from participating insurance companies.

Refer to page 26 for more information on how NAB supports customers.

Rebuilding communities takes many hands

NAB and the NAB Foundation partner with disaster relief organisations to help communities recover faster.

NAB Foundation’s major partnership with DRA aims to build disaster resilience by recruiting 3,000 and deploying 1,000 corporate and community volunteers through the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew.

In 2024, 470 corporate and community volunteers were deployed to 12 operations around Australia, including more than 230 NAB colleagues.

In March 2024, DRA and the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew returned to the town of Rochester, 18 months after the devastating 2022 floods, for a jointly funded operation. More than 140 NAB colleagues volunteered, which is NAB’s biggest single volunteering presence in recent years (refer to case study).

Girls on Fire is another key community partner which expanded its fire and resilience programs across Australia with the NAB Foundation’s support. The programs aim to train the next generation of firefighters and improve gender diversity and inclusion in the emergency services sector.

In 2024, Girls on Fire ran its first programs in Queensland, training 65 girls and engaging eight NAB volunteers. In Melbourne, Girls on Fire ran its largest ever fire and resilience program at an airport firefighting facility. More than 50 girls were involved, including 14 from NAB families. 15 NAB colleagues also volunteered as mentors on the day.

In 2024, NAB Foundation continued to support Rural Fire Service Queensland to deliver six Indigenous traditional burning training programs. The programs taught participants about traditional fire and land management practices to reduce disaster risk, and improve environmental resilience.

NAB colleagues are encouraged to support communities impacted by disasters. In 2024, NAB updated its crisis leave policy to recognise DRA as an official emergency body. This means NAB colleagues can access unlimited leave to deploy with DRA. In 2024, NAB colleagues contributed more than 1,800 volunteer hours with disaster relief organisations.

Funding grassroots disaster readiness and recovery projects

The NAB Foundation Community Grants program provides funding of up to $25,000 for local projects which help communities withstand and recover from natural disasters. The grant size more than doubled in 2024 - up from $10,000 in 2023 - to reflect rising costs for community organisations and the scope of projects being completed.

NAB Foundation awards $1.2 million in Community Grants each year across two grant rounds, including $200,000 available in Impact Grants for projects with significant potential. These Impact Grants provide a further $25,000 to recipients to maximise their impact.

In 2024, NAB Foundation awarded community grants to 83 organisations. Initiatives focused on natural disaster training and planning, community recovery, environment and wildlife and equipment and infrastructure.

Case Study: 'You can see you've made a difference, even if it's a small one'

NAB colleague, Elissa Tobin grew up on a farm near the small Victorian town of Elmore, two hours north of Melbourne and just 10 minutes down the road from Rochester.

“Lots of my high school friends are still there and some family as well,” she said. “My parents were still living in Rochester when the 2011 floods happened, and their house was completely inundated”.

In 2022, Rochester experienced its worst ever flood. The flood level peaked 400 millimeters higher than the previous record flood in 2011. Thousands were left displaced and 19 months on, many residents still couldn't return to their homes.

When Elissa saw a call for the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew to help the people of Rochester, she jumped at the chance to volunteer.

Across four days, more than 140 NAB volunteers went to Rochester to help DRA in whatever way they could. 

“The opportunity to volunteer with such a great organisation is a privilege that’s given to us,” she said. “A day of manual labour takes you outside of your day-to-day worries, and there's something really nice about that too!"

In addition to DRA’s recovery operation, NAB Foundation also committed $100,000 to Rochester Community House to support projects that will help children and young people to recover from the floods.

"Thank you will never be enough for what you, and your teams have made possible for residents in our town and the lift you have given the team at Rochester Community House.…You have made our world better," said Meagan Keating, local resident and Project Manager at Emergency Recovery Victoria.

NAB Foundation partners with DRA to help it build community and corporate volunteer capacity to support communities to recover.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk Management

Managing risk is part of everyone’s role. This is supported by Risk functions, led by the Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Risk Governance

The Group CEO oversees enterprise-wide risk management through the Executive Risk & Compliance Committee (ERCC) and its supporting sub-committees, including the Group Credit & Market Risk Committee (GCMRC). The GCMRC supports the ERCC in overseeing the Group’s management of Credit Risk, Market Risk and Sustainability Risk and emerging risks and their related financial implications. This includes oversight of:

ESG matters are escalated to the ERCC, BRCC and the Board as required.

Sustainability Risk was added as a material risk category2 within the Risk Management Framework in October 2021. Refer to Figure 6 for the Group's full list of material risk categories.

The Group defines Sustainability Risk as “the risk that ESG events or conditions negatively impact the risk and return profile, value or reputation of the Group or its customers and suppliers”. Climate, nature, and human rights-related risks are included in consideration of Sustainability Risk, alongside other ESG risks.

The Group's risk frameworks and processes

Effective risk management is core to the execution of our strategy and our ability to be a safe and secure bank. It is integral if we are to serve customers well and help our communities prosper. Managing ESG risk is part of our day-to-day business and it is identified, measured, monitored, reported and overseen in accordance with the Group’s Risk Management Strategy, Framework and reflected in the Risk Appetite Statement (RAS), Risk Settings Statement and relevant supporting policies and management practices.

ESG risk is managed in an integrated manner as part of our processes for managing risks across material risk categories. This is guided by a set of six ESG Risk Principles3 comprising an environmental principle, two social principles and three governance principles. ESG risk assessment is part of the Group's credit risk assessment and supplier risk management due diligence processes, and factors into day-to-day decisions of colleagues.

Where ESG and associated reputation risk is high, ESG matters are escalated by customer-facing teams for discussion and consideration in business units (Business and Private Banking and Corporate and Institutional Banking). These forums involve senior management, executives and other key internal stakeholders including Risk and Corporate Affairs.

BNZ also has a specialist customer risk assessment team, and a forum attended by senior management, executives and other relevant  internal stakeholders, to escalate ESG matters when required.

Management of ESG risk is operationalised through a number of supporting key risk frameworks and systems, including:

Review of ESG-risk policy settings in 2024

The Group annually reviews ESG-related risk appetite, tolerances and policy settings included in the Group Risk Appetite Statement and our High Risk ESG Sectors and Sensitive Areas list. Updates to our coal, oil and gas ESG-related policies and risk appetite settings cover the following:

Further details about NAB's ESG-related policies and risk appetite settings are provided in NAB's 2024 Climate Report.

During 2024, minor administrative updates were made to our Equator Principles, Assessing Customer-related ESG Risk and Environmental Contamination Risk policies.

In 2024, enhancements were made to the ESG-related questions included in NAB's Third-party Risk Management Module in GRACE. These improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the process for both third-parties responding to the questions, and NAB's internal risk assessment of their responses.

ESG risk management in lending

The Group takes a risk-based approach to managing ESG-related risks and issues. We regularly look for opportunities to enhance our ESG risk management processes, which includes how we identify, assess, mitigate and monitor potential risk areas where the Group could cause or contribute to negative ESG-related impacts or be exposed to ESG risks and issues through our value chain (suppliers and other third-parties and customers).

Colleagues in relevant customer-facing roles identify and manage ESG risks, as part of their day-to-day responsibilities. They are supported by colleagues with specialist expertise and understanding of ESG risks who work in Group functions and subsidiaries. For example, by our ESG Risk Management, Legal and Sustainability teams and colleagues with sustainability-related roles embedded in teams within other areas.

The Group considers exposure to risk, including ESG risk, at a lending portfolio and individual customer level.

NAB and BNZ Business Banking and Corporate and Institutional Banking Divisions apply a risk-based approach to consider exposure to ESG risk. They perform a risk-based screening of customers to determine whether customers are in a high ESG risk-related sector or undertaking activities which may have high associated ESG risk. Colleagues in these areas regularly look for opportunities to enhance our ESG risk management processes, which includes how we identify, assess, mitigate and monitor potential risk areas where the Group could cause or contribute to negative ESG-related impacts. If colleagues identify ESG risk issues as part of initial customer screening, or note involvement in high-risk sectors or activities, customers are then subject to a more detailed ESG risk assessment, in accordance with exposure-related trigger thresholds, as part of the Group's credit risk and due diligence process.

Consideration of ESG risk in the Group credit risk assessment and due diligence process occurs as described in more detail in the process below, appropriate to the relevant sector, business activity and geography.

Origination and internal review

As part of the credit risk assessment and due diligence process, NAB and BNZ Business Banking and Corporate and Institutional Banking Divisions are required to undertake negative media screening on customers at origination, internal review and where appropriate, when changes occur in customers facilities, for example when refinancing.

If potential ESG risk issues are identified as part of this risk-based screening, or bankers note a customer's involvement in high-risk sectors or activities, then customers are subject to more detailed ESG risk assessment and due diligence in accordance with exposure-related trigger thresholds, as part of the Group’s origination or ongoing credit review processes.

Evaluation

Detailed credit risk assessment and due diligence is conducted. This includes assessment and identification of material risk issues, incorporating ESG risks, where relevant. ESG-related checklists and guidance notes on a range of topics and sensitive sectors help guide this activity. This may include assessing a potential customer’s background, character, ESG-related performance and the countries in which they operate.

Where lending is project-related, the Equator Principles5 may apply. The Equator Principles provide an environmental and social risk management framework through which member banks agree to only finance projects that are managed by the borrower with responsible business practices (both environmental and social) and which meet and comply with the Equator Principles.

In 2024, we made updates to the ESG Risk Checklists and guidance provided to help bankers undertaking the ESG risk assessment process. This included developing and commencing a pilot of a new digital version of NAB's Corporate & Institutional Bank ESG risk-related checklists. Further detail is provided in the highlight box.

ESG risk assessment

ESG risk assessment involves working through a series of questions in an ESG Risk Checklist to identify and understand the ESG risk-related performance and issues related to a customer. This includes, but is not limited to, consideration of the following issues related to:

Further examples of ESG risk-related issues and performance considered as part of ESG risk assessment are highlighted in the Table below. Consideration is given to the risks inherent in the sectors, activities and countries in which customers operate.

Examples of ESG risk which may be considered in the ESG risk assessment process

Environmental Risk areas/issues Social Risk areas/issues Governance Risk/areas/issues
  • Climate strategy, risk management, and transition planning
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem impacts
  • Water scarcity and quality
  • Waste management
  • Emissions to environment/ pollution
  • Human rights, including modern slavery and Indigenous rights including FPIC
  • Labour practices, including OH&S
  • Animal welfare
  • Product safety and quality
  • Corporate Governance
  • Money laundering
  • Bribery, corruption
  • Compliance
  • Corporate conduct

For certain sectors, where specific ESG-related factors need to be considered, bankers have access to specific sector-based ESG questions and guidance to help understand and assess these issues.

In 2024, NAB reviewed and refreshed its ESG Risk Checklists, updating questions in areas addressing human rights and modern slavery, climate strategy and risk management, and nature-related risk. NAB’s Corporate and Institutional Banking team also developed and commenced piloting a digitised version, called "ESG Accelerate", of the ESG Risk Checklists used by that Division, with input from NAB’s Risk and Client Management and Execution teams. The pilot of this new format for ESG risk assessment commenced with 50 bankers in September 2024. Moving to a digitised format will assist capture of customer-related ESG data to enhance both customer and portfolio level ESG risk assessment. The Checklists guide and support bankers through the ESG risk assessment and due diligence process. For BNZ, a review and update to ESG guidance, checklists and processes has also taken place and been rolled out to frontline Corporate and Institutional Banking colleagues.

Approval

Lending approval is only given where risk (including ESG risk, where appropriate) has been effectively evaluated, appropriately mitigated and accepted. In certain instances, where there is potential for high ESG or reputational risk, matters are escalated to the relevant divisional and/or executive forums or committees, Board Risk & Compliance Committee and/or Board as appropriate.

Documentation and settlement

During documentation and settlement, the customer may be subject to conditions and covenants to address legal obligations, any relevant voluntary compliance obligations (for example, the Equator Principles), and/or to monitor and manage specified ESG risks against agreed performance measures. This includes consideration of ESG performance KPIs when sustainability-linked products are involved.

Customer engagement and monitoring

Ongoing customer relationship management includes engagement with customers to discuss their ESG-related performance, issues and initiatives. This engagement helps us to assess customer's ESG performance and to better understand their ESG goals and objectives so we can support them with appropriate products and services and manage ESG and reputation risk that may arise as a result of the customer relationship. It also includes regular review of the customer’s compliance with any agreed conditions and covenants with ESG-related requirements. If there is evidence of systemic non-compliance or material issues, this may result in termination of the relationship, if they are not addressed or remediated to an extent NAB or BNZ is able to accept.

ESG risk management in sourcing

The conduct and performance of suppliers can have a significant impact on NAB's sustainability as a business, as well as our reputation within communities. We have risk management processes to identify, assess, mitigate and monitor potential risk areas where we could be exposed to ESG risks. The Group Supplier Sustainability Principles set out an expectation that suppliers will, among other things:

In addition, NAB and BNZ have acted, where applicable, to reduce the likelihood we might have an adverse impact on human rights as a consequence of procurement, for example by continuing to purchase Fairtrade certified tea, coffee and cocoa across NAB commercial building tea points and Fairtrade certified tea and coffee across BNZ commercial building tea points.

In 2024, the Group enhanced its mapping of inherent modern slavery and human rights risk associated with procurement categories. The objective of this enhancement was to improve the linkage and consistency between the two key sourcing/procurement systems used within NAB and to ensure NAB and BNZ sourcing categories and sourcing category and modern slavery risk settings are aligned. This will assist the supplier risk assessment process going forward. Further information about how we manage modern slavery risk is provided in the Respecting human rights section (refer to page 50) and in the Group's annual modern slavery statement which is available when published at: nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/performance-reporting.

Building ESG risk management capability

We provide frontline colleagues with access to appropriate ESG expertise, information, training and tools as part of our approach to managing ESG risk. In 2024, the ESG module included in annual Risk Awareness training for colleagues covered modern slavery and climate-related risks. In 2024, NAB achieved a participant completion rate of 99.6 % for Risk Awareness training. BNZ incorporated modern slavery modules in its annual Risk Awareness training. In 2024, BNZ achieved a 98.4% participant completion rate for this training. Annual Financial Crime refresher training for Australian colleagues also included content on human impact crimes, including modern slavery, and had a 98.9% participant completion rate.

In 2024, further capability improvement activities were completed to continue to embed ESG risk management practices across the Group, including in relation to climate change. This included training sessions for bankers and Risk colleagues on a range of topics including climate change, net zero banking, Equator Principles, green and sustainable finance, ESG-related assurance and greenwashing.

Participating in voluntary industry initiatives

The Group has voluntarily become a signatory to initiatives which help banks and other companies set standards and improve ESG risk management practices. These include the UN Global Compact, the Women's Empowerment Principles, the Equator Principles, the PRB and NZBA. Requirements under these initiatives are assigned in the Group's enterprise risk management tool, to ensure we have controls and processes in place to meet any requirements of these initiatives and to track the Group's progress in meeting these requirements.

ESG risk management references

This year, the Group has published its third Climate Report. This contains detailed disclosures aligned to the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. This is available on nab.com.au/annualreports.

The Group's modern slavery statement is provided on nab.com.au/about us/social-impact/modern-slavery-statement.

Refer to Risk factors on page 93 for further detail on the Group's exposure to Sustainability Risk.

  1. The Group's Human Rights Policy, Group Environmental Management Policy and Group Environmental Reporting and Offset Management Policy are available on our website nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/policies-resources.
  2. The material risks managed by the Group are: credit risk, operational risk, compliance risk, conduct risk, balance sheet and liquidity risk, market risk, sustainability risk and strategic risk. For more information on these, and other principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group, refer to Risk factors on pages 93 to 106.
  3. Available on our website nab.com.au/content/dam/nabrwd/documents/reports/corporate/esg-risk-principles.pdf.
  4. Capital markets activities means all types of bonds, syndicated loans and US private placements.  It excludes advice to services to a customer by JBWere.
  5. The Equator Principles are a set of guidelines through which participating banks throughout the world agree to only finance projects that are managed by the borrower with responsible business practices (both environmental and social) and which meet and comply with the Equator Principles.

Independent limited assurance statement

Corporate Governance Statement

Corporate Governance Framework

This Statement describes NAB’s approach to corporate governance and governance practices.

NAB aims to maintain and promote high standards of corporate governance to support strong business performance and retain the trust of shareholders, customers, colleagues, regulators and the community. NAB continually strives to improve its governance, accountability and risk management practices to meet the needs of its business and stakeholders.

NAB's Corporate Governance Framework is based on accountability, delegation and oversight to support sound and prudent decision-making.

As a fundamental element of NAB’s culture and business practices, its Corporate Governance Framework guides effective decision-making in all areas of the Group through:

The following diagram shows the key components of NAB's Corporate Governance Framework. The key functions of the Board and its committees are outlined in this Statement.

NAB follows the 4th edition ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations in this Statement. This Statement has been approved by the Board and is current as at 30 September 2024.

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Details of NAB directors in office at the date of this report, including each director’s qualifications, experience and other directorships and interests are below.

The Board acknowledges that directors benefit from being involved in a broad range of governance roles provided directors have the capacity to devote sufficient time and effort to fulfil their NAB responsibilities. The Chair, with the assistance of the Nomination & Governance Committee, has determined each director meets this requirement.

Mr Philip Chronican
BCom (Hons), MBA (Dist),GAICD, SF Fin

Term of office: Chair and independent non-executive director.  Non-executive director since May 2016 and Chair of the Board and the Board’s Nomination & Governance Committee since November 2019.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Philip has more than 40 years of experience in banking and financial services in Australia and New Zealand. Before his retirement from executive roles, Philip was responsible for leading ANZ’s Australian retail and commercial banking business. Prior to that, he had a long career at Westpac, including as the Chief Financial Officer and leading Westpac’s institutional banking business.

During his career as a banking executive, Philip gained deep experience in strategy, business performance, transformation, operations, risk management, capital management, financial reporting, stakeholder engagement, and people and culture. He also gained broad experience in technology, M&A activity and post-merger integration.

Philip has taken an active and public role in advocating for greater transparency and ethics in banking and promoting workforce diversity. Philip has also developed his knowledge and takes a strong interest in climate change and the impact on customers and the economy.

Other business and market experience: Philip started his career as an economist and continues to take a deep interest in domestic and international economics. Through his executive and non-executive career, Philip has had extensive experience in governance practices.

Directorships of other listed entities:

Woolworths Group Limited (since October 2021)

Other relevant interests: Philip is Chair of The Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

Mr Andrew Irvine
BSc Business Management (Hons), MBA

Term of office: Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director since April 2024.

Independent: No

Industry experience: Andrew has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Andrew joined NAB in 2020 as Group Executive, Business and Private Banking following a 12 year career with Bank of Montreal where he held a number of executive roles, including as Head of Canadian Business Banking where he had end-to-end accountability for the division. Prior to Bank of Montreal, Andrew was with strategy consulting firm, McKinsey & Company between 2002 and 2008 in Canada, including as Associate Partner with specific focus on clients in the financial services industry. Before working in consulting, Andrew worked in investment banking at Credit Agricole in London.

Andrew has a deep understanding of customers developed over a career in banking and significant leadership experience in using data, insights and technology to meet customer needs.

Other business and market experience: Andrew has extensive experience in leading organisations through significant change, growth and to a market leading position.

Other relevant interests: Andrew's other interests include Australian Banking Association (Chair) and the Financial Markets Foundation for Children (Director).

Ms Kathryn Fagg AO
FTSE, BE(Hons), MCom
(Hons), FAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since December 2019. Chair of the People & Remuneration Committee and member of the Board's Risk & Compliance Committee.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: During her executive career, Kathryn had first-hand banking experience through operational and strategic leadership roles at ANZ. She also served on the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia. 

Other business and market experience: Kathryn has more than 25 years of senior commercial and operational leadership experience in a range of industries, holding executive roles with Linfox Logistics, Bluescope Steel and ANZ.

During her executive career in banking and other industries, Kathryn gained deep experience in strategy, business performance, risk management, customer experience, corporate development, stakeholder engagement, and people and culture, in a variety of jurisdictions across Asia as well as in Australia and New Zealand.

Kathryn has had an active non-executive career across industries including science and innovation, manufacturing, industrials, macroeconomics and public policy, and the investment sector. In these roles, Kathryn has developed strong experience across a broad range of ESG matters.

Directorships of other listed entities:

Djerriwarrh Investments Limited (since May 2014)
Medibank Private Limited (since March 2022)

Other relevant interests: Kathryn’s other interests include CSIRO (Chair), Breast Cancer Network Australia (Chair), Watertrust Australia Limited (Chair), The Grattan Institute (Director), The Myer Foundation (Director) and Champions of Change Coalition (Director). 

Ms Christine Fellowes
BE, MAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since June 2023. Member of the Board's Customer and People & Remuneration Committees.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Christine has more than 30 years of experience leading businesses across strategy, marketing, product and brand development, operations and profit and loss (P&L), driving digital transformation within multinational organisations in media, communications and technology.

Other business and market experience: Christine has extensive experience in leading growth businesses across regional expansion, strategy, operations and P&L roles for prominent US multinationals in media, entertainment and technology companies in Asia-Pacific. Most recently she served as the Managing Director of the NBCUniversal Global Networks and Direct to Consumer business in Asia-Pacific, overseeing Pay-TV, television and digital services, where she also served on corporate boards. Prior to that, she held leadership positions at Comcast International Media Group, Turner Broadcasting System and Omnicom Group.

Christine has a deep understanding of navigating strategic digital transformation while serving broad customer and community interests. Her expertise lies in strategy development, business performance, customer experience, stakeholder engagement and organisational culture, as well as high competency in data and analytics.

As co-founder and director of NINEby9 Pte Ltd, a Singapore based company dedicated to research and advocacy for gender equality in organisations in Asia, Christine actively works towards fostering inclusivity and empowering women in the workplace.

Directorships of other listed entities:

GuocoLand Limited1 (since January 2024)

Former directorships of other listed entities in the past 3 years:

VIQ Solutions2 (from 2022 to August 2023)

Other relevant interest: Christine’s other interest includes UWA Business School (Director). 

.

Ms Carolyn Kay
LLB, BA, GradDip Management, FAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since July 2023. Member of the Board's Audit, Risk & Compliance and Nomination & Governance Committees.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Carolyn has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector in executive and non-executive roles. Carolyn was a lawyer and banker whose work history included Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Linklaters & Paines in London, New York and Australia. She has held a number of industry related non-executive director roles including Commonwealth Bank of Australia, The Future Fund, Treasury Corporation of Victoria, Victorian Funds Management Corporation and Colonial State Bank.

Other business and market experience: Carolyn has been and remains a non-executive director of enterprises across a broad range of industries.  She was previously a Guardian of Australia’s sovereign fund, The Future Fund (2015 to 2023) and a panel member of the Commonwealth Retirement Income Review (2019 to 2020). In the public sector, Carolyn is a member of the Foreign Investment Review Board and in the not-for-profit sector, she is on the board of the General Sir John Monash Foundation and Sydney Grammar School.

During her executive and non-executive careers, Carolyn gained deep experience in banking, governance, risk management, business performance, stakeholder engagement, people and culture, and public policy.

Carolyn was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to Australian society in business leadership.

Directorships of other listed entities:

Scentre Group Limited (since February 2016)

Other relevant interests: Carolyn's other interests include Rothschild & Co Australia (Chair), Myer Family Investments (Director), Foreign Investment Review Board (Member), General Sir John Monash Foundation (Director) and Sydney Grammar School (Trustee).

Ms Alison Kitchen AM
BA (Hons), FCA, MAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since September 2023. Chair of the Board's Audit Committee and member of the Board’s Customer Committee.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Alison has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of management and governance roles within the KPMG partnership, as well as serving as lead external audit partner for a range of ASX-listed organisations, including five ASX Top 50 companies with global operations. Alison was the National Chair of KPMG Australia and a member of KPMG’s Global and Regional boards having responsibility for the overall governance and strategic positioning of the firm.

Alison’s experience extends to providing advice in areas including audit, transaction support, risk management, internal controls, business processes and regulatory change to a wide range of industries, including financial services. As National Chair of KPMG Australia, Alison led KPMG’s Board Leadership Centre, which champions corporate governance and engages with directors and business leaders on critical issues driving board agendas. In that role, Alison gained exposure to a broad range of ESG matters, including climate transition.

Other business and market experience: Alison has worked in geographically diverse and complex operating environments and provided advice to industries including energy, mining, transport and consumer goods, as well as financial services.

Alison was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2024.

Directorships of other listed entities:

Worley Limited (since July 2024)

Other relevant interests: Alison's other interests include AirTrunk (Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee), Australian National University (Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee) and Belvoir St Theatre (Member).

Ms Anne Loveridge AM
BA (Hons), FCA, GAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since December 2015. Member of the Board's Audit, Risk & Compliance and Nomination & Governance Committees. Anne will stand down from the Board following the 2024 AGM having served three terms of three years on the Board.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Anne has a strong understanding of banking and financial services, including in the areas of financial and regulatory reporting, accounting, risk management, change management and governance, gained throughout her career as an audit partner, consultant and non-executive director in this sector.

Other business and market experience: Anne has more than 30 years of experience in professional services, including as Deputy Chair at PwC. During her career as a senior executive and partner, Anne gained deep experience in business performance, client experience, stakeholder engagement, governance, and people and culture. This included a particular focus on business growth and change management, leadership development and succession, performance and reward frameworks and promoting increased diversity.

Directorships of other listed entities:

Accent Group Limited (since November 2023)
nib Holdings Limited (since February 2017)
Platinum Asset Management Limited (since September 2016)

Other relevant interests: Anne’s other interests include Destination NSW (Board Member).

Mr Douglas McKay ONZM
BA, AMP (Harvard) CFInstD (NZ)

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since February 2016. Member of the Board's Audit and Customer Committees. Doug will stand down from the Board following the 2024 AGM, having retired as the Chair of BNZ, a significant subsidiary of NAB.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Doug has gained industry experience as Chair of BNZ (2016-2024), and as non-executive director since 2013. This has supplemented Doug’s extensive experience in business performance, capital management, risk management and stakeholder engagement with banking context.

Other business and market experience: Doug has more than 30 years of experience in commercial and leadership roles in manufacturing and distribution businesses across Australasia having held CEO and Managing Director positions in major trans-Tasman companies including Lion Nathan, Carter Holt Harvey, Goodman Fielder, Sealord and Independent Liquor. He was the inaugural CEO of the amalgamated Auckland Council. During his executive career, Doug gained deep commercial, business performance, customer, marketing, risk management and stakeholder engagement experience. Doug has private equity experience and a deep understanding of New Zealand and Australian markets.

Directorships of other listed entities:

Delegat Group Limited3 (since August 2024)
Vector Limited3 (since September 2022, Chair since September 2023)

Former directorships of other listed entities in the past 3 years:

Fletcher Building Limited4 (from September 2018 to June 2024)
Genesis Energy Limited4 (from June 2014 to September 2022)

Other relevant interests: Doug is a Director of IAG (NZ) Holdings Limited.

Mr Simon McKeon AO
BCom, LLB, FAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since February 2020. Chair of the Board’s Risk & Compliance Committee and member of the Board's Nomination & Governance Committee.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Simon has more than 40 years of experience in a wide range of sectors including financial services, law, government and charities. During his executive career, he held investment banking leadership roles within Macquarie Group, including as Executive Chair of its business in Victoria. In his non-executive career, Simon served as AMP Limited Chair (2014-2016) (and non-executive director 2013-2016). Through these roles in the financial services industry, Simon has gained deep experience in strategy, business performance, risk management, legal and regulatory matters, client experience, stakeholder engagement, and people and culture.

Other business and market experience: Simon has broad experience from a range of governance roles in private, public and social sectors. This includes experience gained as former Chair of MYOB Limited, CSIRO, MS Research Australia and a Federal Government Panel that completed a strategic review of health and medical research in 2013.

Simon is an active philanthropist and has contributed over many years to charitable, educational, public health, social housing and other community-based organisations and social causes.

Simon has a strong interest in ESG matters, gained through his broad range of roles and experiences. Simon is the Chair of the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative and was the inaugural President of the Australian Takeovers Panel and the Banking and Finance Oath’s Review Panel.

Former directorships of other listed entities in the past 3 years:

Rio Tinto Group (from January 2019 to May 2024)

Other relevant interests: Simon’s other interests include Greater South East Melbourne (Chair), The Big Issue (Advisory Board Member) and GFG Alliance Australia (Advisory Board Member).

Ms Ann Sherry AO
BA, Grad Dip IR, FAICD, FIPAA

Term of office: Independent non-executive director since November 2017. Chair of the Board's Customer Committee and member of the Board's People & Remuneration Committee. Co-Chair of NAB's Indigenous Advisory Group.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Ann had a 12 year banking career at Westpac in senior business and people and culture leadership roles, including as divisional CEO for Westpac New Zealand and Bank of Melbourne, and Group Executive, People & Culture. In these roles, Ann gained deep experience in strategy, business performance, operations, risk management, customer experience, stakeholder engagement, and people and culture, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. She also gained broad experience in technology, capital management and marketing. Ann also served as a director on the ING Group Supervisory Board and as a director of ING DIRECT Australia.

Other business and market experience: Ann has significant experience in executive roles within the tourism and transport industries in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in government and public service. She served as CEO and Chair of Carnival Australia, the largest cruise ship operator in Australasia and the South Pacific. Earlier in her career, Ann was First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women advising the Prime Minister on policies and programmes to improve the status of women.

Ann is an active philanthropist and has contributed over many years to charitable and social causes. Ann has a deep interest in ESG matters, with particular interests and experience in diversity and Indigenous matters.

Former directorships of other listed entities in the past 3 years:

Enero Group Limited (from January 2020 to October 2024)
Sydney Airport (from May 2014 to March 2022)

Other relevant interests: Ann’s other interests include Queensland University of Technology (Chancellor), UNICEF Australia (Chair), Port of Townsville (Chair), Queensland Airports Limited (Chair), Circa (Chair) and Super Members Council (SMC) Australia (Chair).

Incoming Director

On 25 October 2024, the Board announced the appointment of Warwick Hunt as a non-executive director, effective 2 December 2024. Warwick was appointed as the Chair of NAB’s significant subsidiary, BNZ, on 1 June 2024. Warwick will stand for election by shareholders at the 2024 AGM as a Board-endorsed candidate. Warwick will be a member of the Board's Audit and Risk & Compliance Committees.

Former Directors

During the year, the Managing Director retired and two non-executive directors stood down from the Board at the 2023 Annual General Meeting after serving three terms of three years.

Mr Ross McEwan CBE
BBus

Term of office: Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from December 2019 to April 2024.

Independent: No

Industry experience: Ross has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning banking, insurance and investment. Prior to joining NAB, Ross was Group CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) from 2013 to 2019. Prior to joining RBS, he held executive roles at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, First NZ Capital Securities and National Mutual Life Association of Australasia / AXA New Zealand.  From this experience, Ross brings a strong focus on customers, business performance, capital management, technology transformation, risk management, and people and culture to his current role.

Other business and market experience: Ross has deep experience in leading organisations through significant change and recovery.

Directorships of other listed entities (new directorships since retiring from the NAB Board):

QinetiQ Group Plc5 (since March 2024)

BHP Limited (since April 2024)

Reece Limited (since October 2024)

Mr David Armstrong
BBus, FCA, MAICD

Term of office: Independent non-executive director from August 2014 to December 2023.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: David has a deep understanding of banking and capital markets gained throughout his career in professional services, particularly auditing banks and other financial services’ providers. David is deeply experienced in accounting, auditing, financial and regulatory reporting, regulation, risk management, capital management and governance practices.

Other business and market experience: David has more than 30 years of experience in professional services, including as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).  As well as a deep understanding of banking, David gained significant knowledge of real estate and infrastructure industries during his professional services career, as well as international experience in North America, Europe and Asia.

Directorships of other listed entities (no change since retiring from the NAB Board):

Insurance Australia Group Limited (since September 2021)

Other relevant interests: David’s other interests include The George Institute for Global Health (Chair) and Opera Australia Capital Fund Limited (Director).

Mr Peeyush Gupta AM
BA, MBA, AMP (Harvard)

Term of office: Independent non-executive director from November 2014 to December 2023.

Independent: Yes

Industry experience: Peeyush has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, with a particular focus on wealth management. Peeyush was a co-founder and the inaugural CEO of IPAC Securities, a wealth management firm spanning financial advice and institutional portfolio management, which was acquired by AXA.  During his executive career, Peeyush gained deep experience in strategy, business performance, risk management, fiduciary governance and stakeholder engagement.

Other business and market experience: Peeyush has significant governance experience as a director on a range of listed, government, private and public sector boards throughout his executive and non-executive career.

Directorships of other listed entities (new directorships since retiring from the NAB Board):

Dexus Limited (since April 2024)
Liberty Financial Group Limited (since July 2024)

Former directorships of other listed entities in the past 3 years (changes since retiring from the NAB Board):

Link Administration Holdings Limited (Link Group) (from November 2016 to June 2024)
Charter Hall WALE Limited (from May 2016 to June 2024)

Other relevant interests: Peeyush’s other interests include Charter Hall Direct Property Management Limited (Chair), Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (Director), Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (Director), Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (Director) and Cancer Council NSW (Director).

  1. Listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
  2. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE).
  3. Listed on the New Zealand Exchange (NZX).
  4. Dual-listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.
  5. Listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Company Secretaries

The Group Company Secretary provides advice and support to the Board, and is accountable to the Board, through the Chair, for all matters relating to the proper functioning of the Board and its committees. The Group Company Secretary is responsible for advising the Board on governance matters and ensuring compliance with Board and Board committee charters and procedures.

The Group Company Secretary and assistant company secretaries are appointed and removed by the Board.

Details of company secretaries of NAB in office at the date of this report and each company secretary’s qualifications and experience are below.

Louise Thomson BBus (Dist), FGIA joined the Group in 2000 and was appointed Group Company Secretary in May 2013. Louise is Secretary to the Board and the Nomination & Governance Committee. She has experience in a wide range of finance, risk, regulatory and governance matters.

Penelope MacRae BA (Hons), LLB (Hons) joined the Group in 2011 as a Senior Corporate Lawyer and was appointed Company Secretary in December 2016. Penny is the Secretary of the Board's Risk & Compliance Committee and is responsible for managing the Group's Executive-level Risk Committees. She has experience in a wide range of corporate, legal, governance, risk and regulatory matters.

Tricia Conte BCom, LLB (Hons) joined the Group in 2006 and was appointed Company Secretary in November 2018. Tricia is the Secretary to the Board Audit Committee. She is a Special Counsel in the Legal team and advises the Group on a wide range of legal, corporate, governance and regulatory matters.

Executive Leadership Team

Executive Leadership Team

Details of NAB's Executive Leadership Team members in office at the date of this report are below.

Andrew Irvine
BSc Business Management (Hons), MBA

Refer to the Board of Directors on page 69 for Andrew Irvine's biography.

Cathryn Carver
BEcon&Fin

Cathryn was appointed as Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking in July 2024. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Cathryn has extensive, global experience in capital markets, corporate finance, wealth and institutional banking. Since joining NAB in 2016, she has held senior executive roles focusing on corporate and institutional markets and prior to this, she held leadership roles at ANZ, Westpac and Macquarie Bank.

Sharon Cook
BA, LLB (Hons)

Sharon Cook was appointed Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services in April 2017. In October 2024, Sharon's title changed to Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services. She is responsible for Legal, Governance, Regulatory Affairs, Customer Complaints, the Office of the Customer Advocate, Customer Remediation and Financial Hardship at NAB. Sharon has more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer. For over 8 years before joining NAB, Sharon led major commercial law firms.

Shaun Dooley
BEc, MS

Shaun Dooley was appointed Group Chief Risk Officer in October 2018. Prior to his current role, he was Group Treasurer and also led the Institutional Banking, Corporate Finance and Financial Institutions teams. Shaun joined NAB in 1992 as a relationship banker in the Corporate Banking group. Prior to joining NAB, Shaun worked for Chase Manhattan Bank Australia and Elders Finance Group. 

Nathan Goonan
BCom, BAgrSc (Hons)

Nathan Goonan was appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer in July 2023. Nathan joined NAB in 2004 before working in investment banking. Since re-joining NAB in 2013, he has held several executive-level roles in corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions, including Group Executive Strategy and Innovation.

Daniel Huggins
BCom (Hons), MBA, MEM

Daniel Huggins was appointed as BNZ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in October 2021. Daniel has over 20 years of experience in banking, corporate and financial services.  Since joining BNZ in 2020, Daniel held an executive-level role focused on customer, products and services. Prior to joining BNZ, he worked at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and McKinsey & Company.

Ana Marinkovic
BA, MBA

Ana Marinkovic was appointed Group Executive, Personal Bank in April 2024. She has more than 20 years of experience in senior banking roles across strategy, payments, mortgages, contact centres, technology and operations in consumer and commercial divisions. Ana joined NAB in 2019 and became the Executive General Manager Business Direct and Small Business in 2020.

Les Matheson
BCom (Hons)

Les Matheson was appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer in January 2021. During 2024, he took on additional responsibilities and his title changed to Group Executive, Digital, Data and Chief Operating Officer. Effective 1 October 2024, his title reverted to Group Chief Operating Officer. Les has 26 years of experience in banking and finance across Europe and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining NAB, he was CEO of the Retail Bank at RBS and was also responsible for Ulster Bank in Ireland. Les had a long career with Citigroup, including Chief Country Officer for Australia. He is a Certified Bank Director (The Institute of Bankers UK) and a Fellow of the Chartered Bankers Institute (UK).

Rachel Slade
BEc (Hons)

Rachel Slade was appointed as Group Executive, Business and Private Banking in April 2024. Prior to this, she was the Group Executive, Personal Banking, and has over 20 years of experience in banking.  Since joining NAB in 2017,  Rachel has held several executive-level roles in deposits and transaction services, and customer experience, and joined the Executive Leadership Team in October 2018. Prior to joining NAB, she held several executive-level positions at Westpac, including in Global Transactional Services and in the Retail and Business divisions. Rachel is a graduate of the Women’s Leadership program at Harvard Business School.

Sarah White

Sarah White was appointed as Group Executive, People & Culture in August 2023. Sarah joined the NAB Executive Leadership Team after more than five years as Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that she was Executive General Manager, Talent and Leadership, in addition to a number of other key executive roles in People & Culture. Sarah has extensive experience in business partnering, coaching executives and senior leaders, leading complex change and business transformation.

Patrick Wright
BBA, BMIS

Patrick was appointed to the role of Group Executive, Technology and Enterprise Operations in April 2017. Prior to joining NAB, he was Chief Operations and Technology Officer at Barclaycard and Chief Operations Officer at Barclays America. Patrick has more than 30 years of experience in the banking and technology sectors, giving him extensive experience in driving major transformations in large financial services companies.

Former Executive Leadership Team members

Three Executive Leadership Team members announced they would leave the Group during the 2024 financial year. They are reported as Key Management Personnel (KMP) for part of 2024 in the Remuneration Report.

Ross McEwan CBE
BBus

Ross announced his retirement from the Group in February 2024, effective from 1 July 2024 and ceased to be a KMP on 2 April 2024. Refer to the Board of Directors on page 72 for Ross McEwan's biography.

David Gall
BSc, BBus, MBA (Exec)

David Gall was appointed  Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking in October 2018. David has over 30 years of experience in corporate, business and retail banking, working capital services, risk and payments.  Since joining NAB in 2008, David has held executive roles in Corporate Banking and Specialised Business, Global Transaction Banking and Payments, and as Group Chief Risk Officer.  Prior to joining NAB, David was a Group Executive of Strategy and Retail Business at St George Bank. David is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA). In April 2024, David announced he would leave the Group on 1 October 2024 and ceased to be a KMP on 1 July 2024.

Refer to the 2023 Annual Report for information on Angela Mentis, who retired as Group Chief Digital, Data and Analytics Officer on 31 October 2023.

Corporate Governance Statement

Board roles and responsibilities

The Board guides the strategic direction of NAB and represents shareholders’ interests by overseeing activities that create sustainable value.

The roles and responsibilities of the Board, including the matters that are specifically reserved to the Board and those delegated to management, are set out in the Board Charter which is available in the Corporate Governance section at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate-governance. Key elements of the Board’s roles and responsibilities are described below.

The Board Charter sets out the specific responsibilities of the Chair. The Chair’s primary responsibility is to lead the Board and oversee the processes used by the Board in performing its role.

The Board delegates certain powers to Board committees to help it fulfil its roles and responsibilities. Committee roles and responsibilities are set out in the respective charters and Board Committee Operating Rules, which are also available in the Corporate Governance section at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate-governance.

The Board has delegated management of the Company to the Group CEO. Except for any specific powers reserved by the Board, or matters specifically delegated by the Board to others, the Group CEO may make all decisions and take any necessary action to carry out the management of the Group. The Group CEO is accountable to the Board in exercising this delegated authority. The Board Charter also sets out the responsibilities of the Group CEO.

Key element Board's roles and responsibilities
Leadership and stakeholder focus
  • Represent shareholders and serve the interests of the Company by overseeing and evaluating the Company’s strategies, performance, frameworks and policies.
  • Ensure that stakeholders are kept informed of the Company’s performance and major developments affecting its state of affairs.
  • Approve the Company’s purpose, values and Code of Conduct to underpin the desired culture within the Company and oversee that the Company’s culture is focused on sound risk management and customer outcomes.
  • Oversee that an appropriate framework exists for relevant information to be reported by management to the Board and whenever required challenge management and hold it to account.
  • With the guidance of the Customer Committee, oversee the importance given to the voice of the customer and the focus on customer outcomes.
Strategy and performance
  • Guide the strategic direction of the Company and monitor the execution of strategies and business performance to oversee that sustainable value is being built for shareholders. This includes business unit strategies and strategies for critical enablers such as technology, digital, data and analytics, and human capital.
  • Make decisions concerning capital structure and dividend policy.
  • Approve major capital expenditure and other major business initiatives.
External reporting
  • With the guidance of the Audit Committee, review and approve the Group's annual and half yearly financial statements, other sections of the Annual Report and any reports that accompany them, including the Climate Report.
  • With the guidance of the Audit Committee,  review management processes aimed at ensuring the integrity of financial statements, and the financial and external reporting processes of the Group.
Risk management
  • With the guidance of the Risk & Compliance Committee, satisfy itself that the Group has in place an appropriate Risk Management Framework for financial and non-financial risks by overseeing related frameworks and internal compliance and control systems. This includes risk management related to financial crime, technology, information security, cyber resilience and sustainability, including environmental and human rights risks.
Remuneration
  • With the guidance of the People & Remuneration Committee, review and approve the Group’s remuneration framework including remuneration policy and satisfy itself that the remuneration framework and outcomes are aligned with the Company’s purpose, values, strategic objectives and risk appetite.
Appointment and succession planning
  • Appoint a Group CEO and Managing Director and approve key executive appointments.
  • Monitor and review executive succession planning.
  • With the guidance of the Nomination & Governance Committee, plan for Board renewal, appoint non-executive directors to the Board and select a Chair.

Key Board activities

Key Board activities in 2024

Board planning and agenda setting

Board meetings are an essential part of corporate governance at NAB. They are the main way for the Board to have oversight of the Group’s strategy and performance and allow the Board to set expectations of management. The Board approves its calendar of meetings two years in advance to ensure that directors can attend meetings. Recurring agenda items include business performance, strategy execution and development, capital management, risk management, financial reporting, people and culture, regulatory and other stakeholder engagement and ESG matters. Unstructured time is also factored into Board meetings and there is flexibility for ad hoc matters to be raised. Meetings with NAB’s main regulators are also planned at the start of the year.

The Board’s annual calendar is made up of six multi-day programs for Board and committee meetings and workshops as well as five shorter Board meetings for specific purposes. In 2024, two Board meetings were held in addition to scheduled meetings; both related to CEO succession. Outside of scheduled Board programs, directors participated in external engagements and site visits, including operational site visits in Australia, India, Vietnam and New Zealand.

In the first Board program of each calendar year, the Board sets it priorities for the year ahead.  These priorities are to provide clarity on topics that the Board wishes to spend its time on, over and above business as usual matters. In 2024, the Board’s priorities were: leadership renewal; technology roadmap; risk reduction and improving resilience; customer outcomes in a challenging economic environment; and ESG.

So that the Board and committees’ time is used efficiently and discussions reflect the Bank’s priorities, agendas are reviewed by the respective Chairs, in consultation with the Group Company Secretary, Group CEO and relevant Group Executives. Forward planners are used to provide the Board and committees with a comprehensive view of the agendas planned for the year, with opportunities to actively adjust as priorities change. The forward planner is the key framework for Board reporting and is used to balance time allocated to strategic and business topics, as well as regulatory and legal obligations.

The Board also retains flexibility for ad hoc matters to be discussed at meetings or in private sessions where appropriate. Steps are taken to facilitate effective communication between management and the Board ahead of Board and committee meetings. These include responsible management providing input into certain agenda items and attending pre-meetings between Chairs and the Group Company Secretary. After the meetings, actions for follow up are shared so that requests of management are clear. To aid effective decision making, a consistent approach to writing Board and committee papers is promoted through the use of templates, guidance and feedback.

Attendance at meetings

Details of director attendance at Board and committee meetings in 2024 are set out below.

All directors receive copies of agendas, papers and minutes of committee meetings to help ensure they have equal access to that information regardless of whether they are appointed to a particular committee. All directors may attend committee meetings even if they are not a member of a committee. The table below excludes the attendance of directors at committee meetings where they were not a committee member.

  Board  Committees
  Scheduled meetings1 Unscheduled meetings  Audit Risk & Compliance People & Remuneration Customer Nomination & Governance
  Attended / Held Attended / Held  Attended / Held Attended / Held Attended / Held Attended / Held Attended / Held
Current directors          
Phil Chronican  11/11 2/2  - - - - 7/7
Ross McEwan  6/6 -  - - - - -
Andrew Irvine2  4/5 -  - - - - -
David Armstrong3  4/4 1/1  1/1 3/3 - - -
Kathryn Fagg  11/11 2/2  - 7/7 9/9 - -
Christine Fellowes4  11/11 2/2  - - 8/8 6/6 -
Peeyush Gupta3  4/4 1/1  1/1 3/3 - - -
Carolyn Kay4  11/11 2/2  4/4 7/7 - - 7/7
Alison Kitchen4  11/11 2/2  5/5 - - 6/6 -
Anne Loveridge4  11/11 2/2  4/4 6/6 2/2 3/3 7/7
Doug McKay  11/11 2/2  5/5 - - 6/6 -
Simon McKeon  11/11 2/2  - 7/7 - - 7/7
Ann Sherry  11/11 2/2  - - 9/9 6/6 -
  1. Several workshops were held for the Board and committees during scheduled Board programs in 2024, and are not shown as additional meetings in the table above.
  2. Mr Irvine missed one Board meeting scheduled on the day he commenced as Group CEO to prioritise engaging with colleagues and other stakeholders.
  3. Mr Armstrong and Mr Gupta stood down as non-executive Directors from December 2023.
  4. From December 2023, Ms Fellowes joined the People & Remuneration Committee, Ms Kay joined the Audit and Nomination & Governance Committees, Ms Loveridge joined the Audit and Risk & Compliance Committees, and Ms Kitchen joined the Customer Committee.

Board composition, diversity and performance

Board composition

Composition of the Board is informed by a number of factors, including the following key principles:

Further detail about directors’ independence is on page 82.

NAB has a Group Fit and Proper and FAR Suitability Policy that addresses the requirements of APRA Prudential Standard CPS 520 Fit and Proper and supports compliance with the obligations of the FAR.

This Policy requires an annual assessment of the directors, certain members of senior management and responsible auditors, including a determination of whether they have the appropriate competence, character, diligence, honesty, integrity and judgement to perform their role.

The Board, with the assistance of the Nomination & Governance Committee, has reviewed and taken into consideration the existing workload of directors and concluded that each director has sufficient capacity to undertake the duties expected of a director of NAB.

As a Board vacancy approaches, the Nomination & Governance Committee assesses the skills and experience required, which informs the identification of suitable candidates. The most suitable candidate is appointed by the Board after appropriate checks are undertaken, including assessment in accordance with the Group Fit and Proper and FAR Suitability Policy, and is subject to election by shareholders at the next AGM.

The key terms and conditions of a director’s appointment are formally documented in a letter of appointment. This process was followed for all directors on the Board.

Newly appointed directors must stand for election by shareholders at the next AGM. In addition, the NAB Constitution requires that at each AGM, non-executive directors who have held office for at least three years without re-election, or beyond the third AGM following their appointment or last election (whichever is longer) must retire from office and are eligible to stand for re-election.

Before each AGM, the Board assesses the performance of each director due to stand for election or re-election and decides whether to recommend to shareholders that they vote in favour of the election or re-election of each relevant director. Further details on NAB’s directors is provided on pages 69 to 73.

Board renewal

During the year, after consulting with the Board, the Nomination & Governance Committee reviewed the three-year Board renewal strategy and plans. This included reviewing the highest priority skills to bring on to the Board over the short and medium-term, considering anticipated retirements at the end of 2024.  The highest priority competency areas for future director appointments are technology transformation, banking and CEO experience. Broader technology and ESG skills and experience are also desirable. The Nomination & Governance Committee and the Board aim to identify, select and nominate candidates who are able to contribute broadly in the boardroom, not only in areas of deep competency, and who add different facets of diversity to the Board. The Nomination & Governance Committee is working with an external recruitment consultant.

Two directors, Anne Loveridge and Doug McKay, will stand down from the Board following the 2024 AGM. By that time, Anne will have completed three terms of three years on the Board. During 2024, Doug retired as the Chair of NAB's significant subsidiary, BNZ, on 31 May.

The Nomination & Governance Committee nominated one candidate to the Board and on 25 October 2024, the Board announced the appointment of Warwick Hunt as a non-executive director, effective 2 December 2024. Warwick was appointed as the Chair of BNZ on 1 June 2024. Warwick will stand as a Board-endorsed candidate for election by shareholders at the 2024 AGM, as required under NAB’s Constitution. Warwick will be a member of the Board's Audit and Risk & Compliance Committees.

Further detail on NAB’s directors is provided on pages 69 to 73.

Skills matrix

Each year NAB assesses the skills and experience of each director and combined capabilities of the Board. The insights from this assessment are documented in a skills matrix that is:

To prepare the skills matrix, each director rates their skills, expertise and experience against several competency areas that are then mapped to the skills matrix. The self-assessment ratings and skills matrix are reviewed and calibrated by the Nomination & Governance Committee on behalf of the Board.

The skills matrix presented here demonstrates alignment of the Board’s responsibilities with the current mix of skills on the Board.

With the addition of new directors in 2023, the Board believes the current mix of skills, experience and expertise of directors (as shown on the skills matrix) provides a diverse range of views and perspectives for the effective governance, oversight and strategic leadership of NAB. The Board also invested in continuing education and engagement activities throughout 2024 to continue to develop directors’ competencies in the following key areas:

Skills and experience Explanation Collective
Banking and financial services experience Experience outside NAB in significant components of the financial services industry, including banking and equity and debt capital markets. Strong knowledge of the regulatory environment. Includes advisory roles to the industry. 85
Leadership and commercial acumen Skills gained while performing at a senior executive level for a considerable length of time. Includes delivering superior results, running complex businesses, leading complex projects and issues, and leading workplace culture. 85
Financial acumen Good understanding of financial statements and drivers of financial performance for a business of significant size, including ability to assess the effectiveness of financial controls. 83
Customer outcomes Experience in delivering customer outcomes and deepening relationships in customer segments. 80
Risk management Experience in anticipating and evaluating financial and non-financial risks that could impact the business. Recognising and managing these risks by developing sound risk management frameworks and providing oversight. Includes experience in managing compliance risks and regulatory relationships, as well as an understanding of cyber resilience and technology risks. 82
Strategy Experience in developing, setting and executing strategic direction. Experience in driving growth and transformation and executing against a clear strategy. 75
Governance Publicly listed company experience, extensive experience in and commitment to the highest standards of governance, experience in the establishment and oversight of governance frameworks, policies and processes. 85
Digital and technology Experience in oversight of technology for businesses of a significant scale and implementing business transformations through the use of technology, including digital, data and analytics, and innovation. 57
People and remuneration Experience in building workforce capability, setting a remuneration framework that attracts and retains a high calibre of executives, and promotion of diversity and inclusion. 65
Environmental and social Understanding potential risks and opportunities from an environmental and social perspective. 55

Board tenure and gender statistics

Board tenure %
0-3 years 40.0
3-6 years 20.0
6-9 years 40.0

Board gender diversity %
Female 66.7
Male 33.3

  1. Tenure and gender statistics are for non-executive directors as at 30 September 2024.

Board performance

Directors comprehensively prepare for, attend and participate in Board and committee meetings.

The Board recognises the importance of continuously monitoring and improving its performance and that of its committees. Under their respective charters, the Board and committees are required to assess their performance annually, which was undertaken during the year. An independent external performance evaluation of the Board and its committees is conducted every three years, or as otherwise determined by the Board. An independent external performance evaluation was last undertaken in 2022.

The results of the internal assessments undertaken in 2024 were that the Board and each of its committees continue to operate effectively. In the spirit of continuous improvement, the Board agreed actions to further improve its effectiveness, focused in the following areas: streamlining information reported to the Board; increasing customer centricity in governance; and increased oversight of technology modernisation, offshore subsidiaries, and talent and succession planning.

Directors’ individual performance is also assessed annually. Each director participated in an individual performance interview with the Chair in 2024 and the Chair also received performance feedback.

Responsible remuneration

The People & Remuneration Committee supports the Board to discharge its responsibilities relating to people and remuneration strategies, policies and practices of the Group.

As part of its role, the committee monitors NAB’s executive and Group remuneration frameworks to ensure they reinforce our focus on customers, align with long-term sustainable shareholder value, comply with governance, legal and regulatory requirements and are informed by risk, reputation, conduct and values outcomes.

The executive remuneration framework is designed to provide appropriate and fair remuneration to NAB's Executive Leadership Team while supporting the Group’s purpose, strategic objectives and risk appetite, and reflecting the expectations of customers, regulators and shareholders. The performance, risk and conduct of the Executive Leadership Team is evaluated a minimum of two times in each reporting period, with a mid-year review undertaken in March and an end of year review undertaken in September. The review of performance is jointly undertaken by the People & Remuneration Committee and the Board Risk & Compliance Committee. Outcomes of the review are provided to the Board for approval.

The Group remuneration framework is informed by NAB's remuneration principles and is designed to fairly remunerate colleagues while supporting the Colleague strategy and the Group's strategic objectives and risk appetite, encouraging behaviours that mitigate against financial and non-financial risks and aligning with risk, conduct and values outcomes. The Group reward offering incorporates a range of recognition, financial and other well-being benefits such as training, education and flexible work arrangements.

Progress has also been made on other key colleague initiatives including colleague learning and other enhancements to the employee value proposition offered by NAB including the performance framework and other benefits available to colleagues.

Further detail about NAB’s executive and colleague remuneration frameworks, including NAB’s policies and practices regarding the remuneration of non-executive directors, the Group CEO, Group Executives and other colleagues, is set out in the Remuneration Report.

Shareholder engagement

NAB values open, timely and transparent communication and engages with shareholders and investors in many ways including:

NAB also engages directly with investment analysts, proxy advisors and the Australian Shareholders’ Association.

NAB’s 2024 AGM will be conducted as a hybrid meeting. Shareholders will have the opportunity to view presentations, ask questions and submit votes at the physical meeting or online during the AGM.

As in prior years, NAB will again invite shareholders to submit questions in advance of the 2024 AGM, to help NAB understand and address areas of interest or concern.

Each substantive resolution considered at the AGM will be conducted by a poll. The Board considers that voting by a poll is in the interests of shareholders as a whole and ensures that the views of as many shareholders as possible are represented at the AGM. Shareholders unable to attend the hybrid AGM are encouraged to vote in advance of the meeting.

Shareholders can contact NAB or the NAB Share Registry at any time, by mail, telephone, email or via Computershare's online platform, Investor Centre. More than half of NAB’s shareholders have elected to communicate with NAB and Computershare electronically.

Colleague engagement

In 2024, the Board participated in a number of events with NAB colleagues, including:

Director induction and continuing education

Each new director is provided with an orientation program that includes discussions with management, and briefings and workshops on NAB’s:

Continuing education is provided for the Board through a combination of internal and external presentations, workshops with management, site visits and study tours. Directors are also expected to keep up to date on topical issues in their own time.

For further details on the Board's continuing education in 2024, refer to the skills matrix on page 80.

Directors' independence

All NAB directors are expected to bring independent and unfettered judgement to Board deliberations.

To qualify as independent, a director must be independent of management and free of any business, personal or other association that could materially interfere with (or reasonably be perceived to materially interfere with) the director’s exercise of independent and unfettered judgement with respect to issues before the Board, and to act in the best interests of NAB and its shareholders.

The Board conducts annual reviews of the independence of each of the directors. Directors are expected to provide information as and when changes occur, and each non-executive director is required to make an annual disclosure to the Board of all relevant information.

A register of directors’ material interests is maintained and periodically reviewed by each director.

If a director is involved with another company or firm that may have dealings with NAB, those dealings must be at arm’s length and on normal commercial terms.

Director tenure is a factor considered by the Board in assessing the independence of a director but is not determinative. As a guide, most directors would not stand for re-election after serving nine years on the Board, however, the Board may determine that a director continues to bring valuable expertise, independent judgement and the ability to act in the best interests of NAB beyond that period. The overall tenure profile of the Board is also a relevant factor.

In considering the independence of each director, the Board considers the factors outlined in the 4th edition ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations. The Board has determined for 2024 that all non-executive directors identified on pages 69 to 73 are independent and that the Board consisted of a majority of independent directors.

To further assist in ensuring that the Board operates independently of management, non-executive directors meet in the absence of management at most scheduled Board and committee meetings.

Conflicts of interest

Under Australian law, directors have a duty to avoid conflicts of interest.

The NAB Conflicts of Interest Policy and the NAB Constitution establish clear rules, controls and guidance regarding the management of actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

Directors are expected to avoid any action, position or interest that conflicts or appears to conflict with an interest of NAB. This is a matter for ongoing and active consideration by all directors, and any director who has a material personal interest in a matter relating to NAB’s affairs must notify the Board.

If a potential conflict of interest arises, NAB’s corporate governance standards dictate that the director concerned does not receive copies of the relevant Board papers and is not present at meetings while such matters are considered. In this way, the director takes no part in discussions and exercises no influence over the other members of the Board. If a significant conflict of interest with a director exists and cannot be resolved, the director is expected to tender his or her resignation.

For more information, refer to the Corporate Governance section of nab.com.au.

Access to management and independent professional advice

The Board and its committees have free and unfettered access to senior management, and any other relevant internal or external party and information, and may make any enquiries to fulfil their responsibilities.

The Board Charter and Board Committee Operating Rules clearly state that the Board or its committees may engage external consultants and experts as required, and written guidelines entitle each director to seek independent professional advice at NAB’s expense, with the prior approval of the Chair. The Board can conduct or direct any investigation to fulfil its responsibilities and can retain, at NAB’s expense, any legal, accounting or other services that it considers necessary from time to time to fulfil its duties.

Director and executive shareholding requirements

To align with shareholders’ interests, the Board has adopted a policy that non-executive directors must hold a minimum number of NAB ordinary shares equal in value to the Chair's and other directors' respective annual Board fee within five years of appointment.

The value of a non-executive director’s shareholding is based on the share price at the time shares were acquired.

Apart from two recent appointees, all other non-executive directors have met their minimum shareholding requirement.

Alison Kitchen and Christine Fellowes, who are recent appointees, are on track to meet the requirement well within the policy period.

Minimum shareholding requirements for the Executive Leadership Team are:

Newly appointed Executive Leadership Team members are required to satisfy the minimum shareholding requirement within a five-year period from the date of commencement in their role.

The Group CEO and other Group Executives have met, or are on track to meet their minimum shareholding requirement.

Details of NAB shareholding requirements for non-executive directors and the Executive Leadership Team are set out in the Remuneration Report.

Board committees

Nomination & Governance Committee

Committee purpose 2024 areas of focus Relevant information
Supports the Board on composition and governance matters.
  • Board composition and skills: assessing the necessary and desirable skills and competencies of the Board and Chair, and of the committees and committee chairs, as well as making recommendations on continuing education and development for the Board and directors.
  • Nominations: with the assistance of an external recruitment consultant, identifying potential director candidates and making recommendations to the Board on the selection.
  • Governance: reviewing corporate governance principles and policies.
  • Must have a minimum of three independent non-executive directors.
  • The Chair of the Board is Committee Chair.
2024 Members:
  • Philip Chronican (Committee Chair)
  • Anne Loveridge
  • Simon McKeon
  • Carolyn Kay (from December 2023)

Audit Committee

Committee purpose 2024 areas of focus Relevant information
Supports the Board by providing objective, non-executive review and oversight of the effectiveness of the Group's financial and external reporting and tax risk management frameworks. This includes overseeing the integrity of the financial statements and reviewing the financial and external reporting processes of the Group, the tax risk management frameworks, the Internal Audit function, the external auditor, and the Group Whistleblower Protection Policy and Program.
  • Financial statements: overseeing the integrity of the Group’s financial statements, including key accounting judgements and compliance with accounting standards and policies.
  • Reporting: overseeing the adequacy of the Group's financial and external reporting processes including regulatory reporting and climate reporting.
  • Audit results: reviewing key internal and external audit findings and insights specific to financial and external reporting.
  • Auditor performance and independence: overseeing the performance and independence of Internal Audit and the external auditor, including review of the adequacy of internal and external audit plans and resourcing.
  • Whistleblower Program: overseeing the effectiveness of the Group Whistleblower Protection Policy and Program including material matters being investigated, key themes and trends.
  • Tax: reviewing tax risk and tax governance arrangements.
  • Must have a minimum of three independent non- executive directors.
  • Has members who also sit on the Risk & Compliance Committee.
  • Has members who are financially literate and at least one member with appropriate accounting or financial expertise.
2024 Members:
  • David Armstrong (Committee Chair until December 2023)
  • Alison Kitchen (Committee Chair from December 2023)
  • Doug McKay
  • Peeyush Gupta (until December 2023)
  • Anne Loveridge (from December 2023)
  • Carolyn Kay (from December 2023)
The Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Deputy Group CFO (or delegate), Executive, Internal Audit and senior executives of the Group’s external auditor, EY, attended all eligible committee meetings.

People & Remuneration Committee

Committee purpose 2024 areas of focus Relevant information
Supports the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to people and remuneration strategies, policies and practices of the Group. The committee undertakes these activities with the objective that they align with and enable the overall Group Strategy and support the Group’s purpose, values, strategic objectives and risk appetite (while not rewarding conduct or behaviours that are contrary to these aims).
  • Strategy execution: monitoring the impact from, and the embedding of, key elements of the Colleague Strategy, including leadership, talent development, succession and engagement.
  • Remuneration governance: monitoring how remuneration and performance frameworks (including conduct and consequence management outcomes) are applied across the Group, particularly ensuring effective connections between risk management and remuneration outcomes. Maintaining a relationship with the Risk & Compliance Committee on the intersection between risk management performance and remuneration outcomes.
  • Executive performance: evaluating individual executive performance in the context of Group performance at least twice each reporting period, and recommending to the Board the fixed remuneration and variable reward outcomes for the Group CEO, Group Executives and certain other senior executives. Information on the process for evaluating executive performance is set out in the Remuneration Report.
  • Group performance and variable reward: considering Group performance for 2024 (with the assistance of other Board committees) and making a Group Performance Indicator (GPI) recommendation to the Board for the Group Variable Reward Plan.
  • Must have a minimum of three independent non-executive directors.
  • Has a member who also sits on the Risk & Compliance Committee.
2024 Members:
  • Anne Loveridge (Committee Chair until December 2023)
  • Kathryn Fagg (Committee Chair from December 2023)
  • Ann Sherry
  • Christine Fellowes (from December 2023)
The Board Chair, the Group CEO, the Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO), the Group Executive, People & Culture and the Executive, Internal Audit attended all eligible committee meetings.

Risk & Compliance Committee

Committee purpose 2024 areas of focus Relevant information
Supports the Board with oversight of the Group’s risk profile, Risk Management Framework (covering financial, non-financial and emerging risks), material risks, risk mitigation practices, adherence to Board approved risk appetite and internal compliance and control systems, while guiding management’s promotion and maintenance of a risk-based culture.
  • Risk appetite: reviewing and overseeing the Group and NAB Risk Appetite Statement and Risk Management Strategy, covering existing and emerging financial and non-financial risks.
  • Risk management: reviewed the Board’s annual Risk Management Declaration to APRA for the year ended 30 September 2023 and overseeing management’s progress in addressing matters identified in that Declaration.
  • Material risk updates: overseeing key material risk categories, including: Credit risk; Balance Sheet & Liquidity risk; Market risk; Operational risk; Compliance risk; Conduct risk; and Sustainability risk. The Board has retained direct oversight of Strategic risk.
  • Compliance culture: continued focus on regulatory and legislative requirements and the controls and compliance environment to monitor adherence and shortcomings.
  • Controls environment: continued review of the health and transformation of controls.
  • Audit matters: reviewing key internal audit issues and insights relating to risks, controls and risk culture, including monitoring management’s response to matters raised.
  • Technology: reviewing updates relating to the technology risk profile, technology resilience, technology currency debt, and cyber risks.
  • External environment: reviewing regular updates on credit, market and liquidity conditions and the impact of external conditions on certain portfolios.
  • Capital and liquidity: continued emphasis on monitoring and reviewing the level of capital and liquidity held by the Group.
  • Remuneration: continued to provide input and perspectives on the intersection between risk management performance and remuneration to the Board and the People & Remuneration Committee when considering the performance of the Group and Accountable Persons.
  • Must have a minimum of three independent non- executive directors.
  • Has members who also sit on the Audit Committee and People & Remuneration Committee.
2024 Members:
  • Simon McKeon (Committee Chair)
  • Kathryn Fagg
  • Carolyn Kay
  • Anne Loveridge (from December 2023)
  • David Armstrong (until December 2023)
  • Peeyush Gupta (until December 2023)
The Group CRO, Group CFO, Executive, Internal Audit and senior executives of the Group’s external auditor, EY, attended all eligible committee meetings. The Board Chair and the Group CEO attended the majority of meetings.

Customer Committee

Committee purpose 2024 areas of focus Relevant information
Supports the Board with overseeing the importance given to the voice of the customer and the focus on customer outcomes at NAB.
  • Financial hardship: support for customers experiencing financial hardship in the heightened cost of living environment.
  • Scams: monitoring how NAB helps customers avoid being scammed and supporting customers when they are scammed.
  • Customer complaints: monitoring NAB’s complaint capture, handling and themes.
  • Customer remediation: reviewing and evaluating management reports on both banking and wealth remediation programs.
  • Customer Advocates: reviewing reports from the Customer Advocate Banking on advocacy and insights to deliver fair outcomes for NAB customers that align with community expectations.
  • Must have a minimum of three independent non-executive directors.
2024 Members:
  • Ann Sherry (Committee Chair)
  • Doug McKay
  • Christine Fellowes
  • Anne Loveridge (until December 2023
  • Alison Kitchen (from December 2023)
The Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services1 attended all Customer Committee meetings.
  1. Effective 1 October 2024, the title of the Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services changed to Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services.

Subsidiary boards

NAB has a number of subsidiary companies. The activities of each subsidiary company in the Group are overseen by that company’s own board of directors. The Board’s confidence in the activities of its controlled entities stems from the quality of the directors on those subsidiary boards and their commitment to NAB’s objectives. NAB has one significant subsidiary, BNZ. Doug McKay was the Chair of the BNZ Board until 31 May 2024, when he was succeeded by Warwick Hunt. NAB directors have a standing invitation to attend board meetings of BNZ to develop a broader understanding of its operations.

The Group's subsidiary governance framework sets out the corporate governance requirements for subsidiaries operating within the Group environment including different roles and responsibilities of subsidiaries, their boards and management.

Governance, conduct and culture

Governance, conduct and culture

The Board approves NAB’s purpose, values and Code of Conduct to underpin the desired culture within NAB’s business and oversees the establishment by management of a culture that is focused on sound risk management and customer outcomes.

NAB values and culture

NAB updated its company values in 2020 in alignment with its strategic and cultural ambitions. These values, known as How We Work, articulate expected behaviours of colleagues and have formed the basis of NAB's Code of Conduct and performance management framework.

To achieve NAB's target culture, the Colleague Strategy was established with an ambition for customer obsessed colleagues who are proud to work at NAB. Further details of NAB's Colleague Strategy is available in the Colleagues section of this report.

To support NAB's Evolved Strategic Ambition to be the most customer-centric company in Australia and New Zealand, where colleagues are customer-obsessed and proud to work at NAB, the company values were refreshed in October 2024, which are known as Who We Are, replacing How We Work.

Who We Are has been approved by the Board and is summarised below.

Inclusive culture we can be proud of

NAB has a continued focus on improving its culture and risk culture, underpinned by its culture and risk culture framework which is based on our values. NAB’s culture and risk culture framework has evolved in maturity over time, with the goal of having an approach that is best in class. Progress is reported to the Board annually and measurement uses data including colleague engagement Heartbeat surveys, objective performance metrics, operating model effectiveness assessments and independent expert review. The varied data inputs provide a holistic and integrated assessment and bring meaningful insights to inform management action on culture and risk culture.

NAB's Inclusion and Diversity Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section of nab.com.au. Information about NAB's measurable objectives is located in the Inclusion and diversity section of this report.

Conduct

NAB has a suite of policies and practices to promote a culture of honesty and ethical behaviour. Policy compliance is monitored and consequence management procedures exist for policy breaches. Senior leaders are accountable for performance against risk and conduct measures.

NAB's Code of Conduct

NAB’s Code of Conduct (the Code) was approved by the Board and outlines expectations of directors, leaders, colleagues and contractors who provide services on behalf of NAB.

The Code captures NAB’s legal obligations and an expectation to act ethically and responsibly towards customers, colleagues and communities. The Code emphasises How We Work, and the key policies and guidelines which must be followed to achieve expected outcomes. There is a strong emphasis in the Code to 'Speak Up' about concerns along with a framework for ethical decision making. A refresh of the Code is underway to support NAB's Evolved Strategic Ambition and company values.

The Code is supported by a renewed approach to conduct and consequence management. Each business and enabling unit has established professional standards forums to review breaches of the Code at least quarterly, taking action to set the tone and reinforce NAB’s standards of conduct and culture. Any material breaches or conduct that is materially inconsistent with the expected outcomes in the Code are reported to the People & Remuneration Committee.

NAB’s Code of Conduct is available in the Corporate Governance section at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate governance.

Financial Accountability Regime (FAR)

The Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) replaced the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) for NAB on 15 March 2024. FAR expands upon the obligations imposed on NAB and its Accountable Persons under BEAR.

For the purposes of FAR, NAB has registered certain individuals (the directors, Group Executives, Executive Internal Audit and Executive Group Money Laundering Reporting Officer) as ‘Accountable Persons’ with APRA and ASIC. NAB undertakes appropriate checks before appointing executives or putting someone forward for election as a director.

NAB’s implementation of FAR continues to strengthen and clarify its accountability structures and practices. This helps to ensure clearer delegation and decision-making processes.

All NAB Accountable Persons have a letter of appointment (in the case of directors) or written employment agreement (in the case of executives), which governs the terms of their appointment, as well as a detailed FAR Accountability Statement which is lodged with APRA and ASIC.

Escalation and whistleblower protection

The Group Whistleblower Protection Policy and Whistleblower Program reflects the Group’s ambition for an environment where colleagues feel safe and empowered to speak up about wrongdoing.

All colleagues are encouraged to raise concerns about wrongdoing including conduct that may be illegal, unacceptable or improper.

By speaking up, colleagues help to identify and address wrongdoing as early as possible ensuring we focus on getting the basics right and serving customers well.

The Group Whistleblower Program provides confidential channels for colleagues (current and former colleagues, officers, contractors and/or suppliers) to raise concerns, including through FairCall, an independently monitored external hotline service operated by KPMG.

The Group Whistleblower Protection Policy provides information on the support and protection available to whistleblowers, how matters will be investigated and reinforces a zero tolerance approach for any act of reprisal against those who speak up.

The Program has been established as an independent function with direct escalation and reporting lines to the Board’s Audit Committee via the Group Whistleblower Committee.

The Group Whistleblower Protection Policy is available in the Code of Conduct section at nab.com.au.

Anti-bribery and corruption policy

The Group is committed to preventing financial crime and takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption. This is reflected in the Group’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) Policy and Framework as well as the Group’s dedication to acting:

The prohibition against bribery and corruption in the ABC Policy applies to NAB’s entities, colleagues and all agents, contractors and other third parties acting for or on behalf of the Group. The Group strictly prohibits bribery in any form (including facilitation payments). The ABC Policy includes additional requirements around gifts and entertainment involving government officials which require approvals regardless of value. The ABC Policy is supplemented by supporting procedures which define minimum standards for compliance with the ABC Policy. Material breaches of the ABC Policy are reported to the Board by the Group CRO. NAB is a Cornerstone Member of Transparency International Australia, a member of the Bribery Prevention Network and is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, pledging to work against corruption in all its forms.

The Group’s ABC Policy is available in the Managing Financial Crime section at nab.com.au.

Group disclosure and external communication policy

The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the ASX Listing Rules require that, subject to certain exceptions, once NAB becomes aware of any information concerning it that a reasonable person would expect to have a material effect on the price or value of NAB securities (‘market sensitive information’), NAB will immediately disclose that information to the ASX and where applicable, to other relevant stock exchanges.

NAB manages compliance with its continuous disclosure obligations through its Group Disclosure and External Communications Policy and associated guidance notes. NAB’s Disclosure Committee, comprised of senior executives, has primary responsibility regarding NAB’s disclosure obligations. Potentially disclosable matters are promptly referred to the Disclosure Committee for assessment and determination. NAB operates a strict decision-making regime to enable it to monitor compliance with its disclosure obligations.

All members of the ELT are responsible for ensuring their teams adhere to the Policy and for liaising directly with the Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services1 or the Executive, Chief Legal Officer, Regulatory, Corporate & Disputes on any potentially disclosable matters. Routine administrative ASX announcements are made by the Group Company Secretary without reference to the Disclosure Committee.

Where appropriate, the Board is consulted on disclosures of utmost significance and all announcements of major matters require consideration and approval by the Board.

The Board receives copies of all material market announcements promptly after they have been made.

The Group Disclosure and External Communications Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate governance.

  1. Effective 1 October 2024, the title of the Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services changed to Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services.

Restrictions on trading in NAB securities

NAB’s Group Securities Trading Policy and associated guidance notes explain the law and the policy for its colleagues to comply with when trading in NAB securities.

NAB has black-out periods prior to the release of the Group’s financial results during which specified colleagues and their immediate family members and associates must not trade in NAB securities. In addition, ad hoc restrictions may be imposed on all, or individually identified, colleagues from time to time when there is a heightened risk of those colleagues coming into contact with market sensitive information.

All NAB colleagues (and in relation to members of key management personnel, their closely related parties) are prohibited from using derivatives or otherwise entering into hedging arrangements in relation to elements of their remuneration that are unvested or which have vested but remain subject to forfeiture conditions.

For more detail, refer to the Remuneration Report.

The Group Securities Trading Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate governance.

Group political contributions policy

Since 2016, NAB has not made donations to any political party, parliamentarian, elected official or candidate for political office. From time to time, NAB representatives may pay to attend political events and business forums hosted by major political parties. Any payments for event attendance received by political parties will be included in the Australian Electoral Commission register. For detail on NAB’s approach to engaging on public policy, including further information on political contributions, see the Stakeholder Engagement section on page 21.

NAB considers its Group Political Contributions Policy every two years. The Group Political Contributions Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate governance.

Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

The Group provides an annual Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. From 2020, this statement has been pursuant to both the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (UK) and the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). Consideration of modern slavery is incorporated into the Group Human Rights Policy and relevant risk management practices and processes applicable to the Group’s customer and third-party relationships. This includes: (i) management of sustainability risk (incorporating modern slavery and human trafficking risk), within the Group's material supply chain relationships; (ii) banker identification and reporting of potential modern slavery and human trafficking concerns and Financial Crime team monitoring and investigation of human impact crimes; and (iii) consideration of modern slavery and human trafficking risk in ESG risk assessments conducted as part of customer credit risk assessment and due diligence processes, where applicable.

The Group's Human Rights Policy is available in the Human rights approach section at nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/reporting-policies-approach/human-rights-approach.

The Group's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is available in the Sustainability performance and reporting section at nab.com.au/about-us/social-impact/modern-slavery-statement.

Assurance and control

For the Board to determine that the Group's financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate, it reviews information provided by management. Independent and objective assurance is provided by the Group’s external auditor, EY, on the audited financial report.

External Audit

Throughout 2024, NAB’s external auditor was EY. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the appointment, evaluation, management and removal of the external auditor, and the approval of the external auditor’s annual fees (subject to shareholder approval where required). The Audit Committee oversees EY’s responsibilities and regularly meets with EY to review the adequacy of the external audit arrangements with emphasis on effectiveness, performance and independence. This includes an annual review of the external audit plan.

To foster open communication and to facilitate appropriate matters coming to the attention of the Audit Committee, the Group CEO, Group CFO, Deputy Group CFO, Group CRO, Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services1, General Counsel Corporate Legal, Executive Internal Audit, and the lead External Audit Partner all have direct and unfettered access to the Audit Committee.

NAB does not employ or appoint to the Board, Group or any subsidiary board or management body, any current or former partner, principal, shareholder or professional employee of the external auditor or their family members, if to do so would impair the auditor’s independence.

The Audit Committee has adopted a Group External Auditor Independence Policy that requires pre-approval of any services proposed to be provided by the external auditor to ensure that independence is maintained. The Audit Committee delegates authority to the Group CFO and Deputy Group CFO to approve services where the expected cost of the service is less than $200,000 (excluding local taxes). Services over $200,000 (excluding local taxes) require the approval by the Chair of the Audit Committee as the Audit Committee delegated authority. The exercise of any such delegation is reported to the Audit Committee at least biannually.

The Group External Auditor Independence Policy defines audit-related and taxation-related services and stipulates that certain services are entirely prohibited from being provided by the external auditor to ensure the independence of the external auditor is maintained. Non-audit services are permitted where the service meets auditor independence requirements with the approval by the Chair of the Audit Committee.

Unless the Audit Committee approves otherwise, fees paid for the provision of audit-related, taxation-related and non-audit services must not exceed fees paid for audit services in any year. Details of the services provided by the external auditor to the Group and the fees paid or payable for such services are set out in Note 34 Remuneration of external auditor in the Financial Report.

Legislation requires the rotation of the external audit senior personnel who are significantly involved in NAB’s audit after five successive years, including the Lead Partner.

The external auditor attends the AGM and is available to answer shareholder questions regarding the conduct of the audit and the content of the audit report.

Periodic corporate reports

The Annual Report, Climate Report, Investor Presentations, Quarterly Trading Updates, Half Year Results, Full Year Results Management Discussion and Analysis and Pillar 3 Report form the suite of the Group’s periodic corporate reports.

Each report is subject to the Group’s risk management and internal control systems. Assurance over risk management and internal control systems is achieved through assessments of the effectiveness of controls.

The integrity of the Group’s periodic corporate reports is underpinned by structures and processes within the Group functions that support areas of judgement, validation of information and the maintenance of proper records for all information.

The Group’s reporting policies incorporate Australian and international regulatory, legislative and prudential requirements. The Group's Enterprise Reporting Assurance team verifies and checks information across the suite of the Group’s periodic corporate reports. Group Executives and subject matter experts certify the information pertaining to their area of responsibility is materially complete and not materially misleading by statement or omission.

The level of external assurance provided on the suite of the Group’s periodic corporate reports is disclosed by the external auditor in their reports presented in NAB’s 2024 Annual Report and 2024 Climate Report.

Where there is no external assurance provided, management’s assurance procedures are considered adequate by the Audit Committee for ensuring the Group’s periodic corporate reports are materially accurate, balanced and provide investors with appropriate information to make informed decisions.

Internal Audit

The role of Internal Audit is to provide independent assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of NAB’s Risk Management Framework. Internal Audit forms the third line of risk accountability in NAB’s Risk Management Framework.

The Executive, Internal Audit needs to be suitably qualified for the role.

A recommendation on the appointment, performance and dismissal of the Executive, Internal Audit is made by the Audit Committee to the Board. The Audit Committee monitors the activities and performance of Internal Audit and assesses whether it remains independent of management and is adequately resourced and funded.

Internal Audit has a direct reporting line to the Chair of the Audit Committee and informal reporting lines to the Group CEO and Group CFO. Internal Audit is also the custodian of the Group Whistleblower Protection Policy and Whistleblower Program as set out on page 87.

As well as reporting regularly to the Audit Committee, the Executive, Internal Audit provides regular reports to the Board’s Risk & Compliance Committee on risk and control matters and attends People & Remuneration Committee meetings to provide insights on conduct and culture matters.

Both the External and Internal Audit functions have full and unrestricted access to all colleagues, records and systems as necessary to undertake their activities.

  1. Effective 1 October 2024, the title of the Group Executive, Legal & Commercial Services changed to Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services.

Compliance with ASX corporate governance recommendations

This statement has been approved by the Board of National Australia Bank Limited (Board) and is current as at 30 September 2024.

NAB's Appendix 4G (a checklist that cross references the disclosures in this Statement to the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations) is available in the Corporate Governance section of nab.com.au.

Before publication of NAB's 2024 Annual Report, the Board received a joint declaration from the Group CEO and the Group CFO that:

Risk management

Risk management overview

Risk is the potential for harm and is inherent in NAB's business. The Group's ability to manage risk effectively is critical to being a safe and sustainable bank. This is achieved through the Risk Management Framework, documented in the Risk Management Strategy.

Risk Management Framework

The Risk Management Framework (RMF) consists of systems, structures, policies, processes and people within the Group that manage material risks.

Material risks are those that could have a material impact, both financial and/or non-financial, on the Group or on the interests of customers. The Group's material risks are categorised as: strategic risk, credit risk, market risk, balance sheet and liquidity risk, operational risk, compliance risk, conduct risk and sustainability risk.

The Group applies a ‘Three Lines of Accountability’ operating model in relation to the management of risk. The overarching principle of the model is that risk management capability must be embedded within the business to be effective.

The role of each line is:

Risk governance refers to the formal structure used to support risk-based decision-making and oversight across the Group's operations. This consists of the Board, Board committees and management committees, delegations of authority for decision-making, management structures and related reporting. The risk governance structure increases transparency and the sharing of insights, guidance and challenge to support each FAR Accountable Person1in their decision-making when discharging their individual accountabilities. The Group CRO report highlights risk appetite measures, along with commentary when triggers and limit thresholds are exceeded. It is discussed at each scheduled meeting of the Executive Risk & Compliance Committee, the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and the Board. It is also provided to those bodies between scheduled meetings when it is timely or appropriate to do so.

The Risk Appetite Statement is a key component of our RMF and sets out boundaries so that the Group operates within acceptable levels of risk and in compliance with obligations and commitments.

The Risk Management Strategy (RMS) and RAS are approved annually by the Board each October and submitted to APRA. The Board also makes an annual Risk Management Declaration (RMD) to APRA for NAB in accordance with the requirements of APRA Prudential Standard CPS220 Risk Management. The RMD confirms that NAB has an RMF that is appropriate for the size, business mix and complexity of the Group, and which is consistent with the Group’s strategic objectives and business plan. This RMD is currently being undertaken within the time frame permitted.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk Management

ESG risks are identified, measured, monitored, reported and overseen in accordance with the Group’s RMS and RMF and reflected in the Group RAS and relevant supporting sectoral credit appetite strategies, ESG-related policies and management practices. Executive management’s Group Credit & Market Risk Committee oversees Sustainability risk, which is defined as ESG risk and includes climate and human rights-related risk, as a significant part of the Group's exposure to these risks is through lending to customers.

The Group's climate change disclosures align with TCFD recommendations. In 2024, TCFD disclosures continue to be provided in NAB's 2024 Climate Report, alongside a summary in this Report on page 38.

The Group's modern slavery statement is available at nab.com.au/about-us/social-impact/modern-slavery-statement.

Updates on ESG risk are provided to the Executive Risk & Compliance Committee, Board Risk & Compliance Committee and Board as appropriate. Further information on the Group’s material exposures to ESG risks is set out in ‘Disclosure on risk factors’.  Further detail on how the Group manages risks presented by climate change within its Risk Management Framework can be found in NAB's 2024 Climate Report.

  1. For the purposes of FAR, NAB has registered certain individuals (the directors, Group Executives, Executive Internal Audit and Executive Group Money Laundering Reporting Officer) as ‘Accountable Persons’ with APRA and ASIC.

Risk factors

Disclosure on risk factors
Risks specific to the Group

Set out below are the principal risks and uncertainties associated with the Company and its controlled entities (Group). It is not possible to determine the likelihood of these risks occurring with any certainty.

However, the risk in each category that the Company considers most material is listed first, based on the information known by the Company at the date of this Report, the Company’s best assessment of the likelihood of each risk occurring and the potential negative impact to the Group should the relevant risk materialise. In the event that one or more of these risks materialises, the Group’s reputation, strategy, business, operations, financial condition, and future performance could be materially and adversely impacted.

The Group’s Risk Management Framework and internal controls may not be adequate or effective in accurately identifying, evaluating, or addressing risks faced by the Group. There may be other risks that are unknown or deemed immaterial, but which may subsequently become known or material. These may individually, or in aggregate, adversely impact the Group. Accordingly, no assurances or guarantees of future performance, profitability, distributions or returns of capital are given by the Group.

Strategic risk

Strategic risk is the risk to earnings, capital, liquidity, funding, or reputation arising from an inadequate response to changes in the external environment and the risk of failing to properly consider downstream impacts and achieve effective outcomes when executing material change programs.

Strategic initiatives may fail to be executed, may not deliver all anticipated benefits, or may otherwise change the Group’s risk profile.

The Group’s corporate strategy sets its purpose, ambition, and objectives.

The Group prioritises and invests significant resources in the execution of initiatives that are aligned to its chosen strategy. These initiatives focus primarily on customers, technology, digital and data assets, infrastructure, business improvement, cultural transformation and employees, regulatory compliance, climate change (strategy, obligations, commitments and targets), other ESG-related matters and changes to associated controls, and in a number of cases have, and may in the future have, dependencies on external suppliers or partners. There is a risk that these initiatives may not realise some or all their anticipated benefits and outcomes. These initiatives may also increase operational, compliance, and other risks, which may not be appropriately assessed or controlled.

Any failure by the Group to deliver in accordance with its strategy, or to deliver strategic initiatives effectively, may result in material losses to the Group, reputational damage, or a failure to achieve anticipated benefits, and ultimately, may materially and adversely impact the Group’s operations and financial performance and position.

The Group faces a continually changing external environment.

The Group operates in a dynamic macro-economic environment. The impact of slowing global and domestic economic growth, increases to unemployment rates, elevated interest rates, and falling consumer and business confidence can reduce demand for credit, adversely impacting the Group’s revenue, or increase the risk of defaults, adversely impacting the Group’s financial performance. In addition, the Group’s expense plans may be at risk due to continued inflationary pressures, particularly with respect to employee remuneration and technology costs. External economic and geopolitical impacts may be further affected by uncertainties associated with international conflicts and geopolitical events.

There is substantial competition across the markets in which the Group operates. The Group faces competition from traditional financial services providers, online banks, and other parties, including foreign banks and non-bank competitors, such as private credit funds, asset managers, superannuation funds, family offices, insurance companies, mutual funds, hedge funds, securities brokerage firms, financial technology companies, digital platforms and large global technology companies. Some competitors have lower costs, or operating and business models, technology platforms or products that differ from, or are more competitive than, the Group’s and some competitors are subject to less regulatory oversight.

Competition for customers and the increasing use of brokers can lead to a reduction in profit margins and loss of market share. Intense competition increases the risk of additional price pressure, especially in commoditised lines of business, such as mortgages, where the providers with the lowest unit cost may gain market share and industry profit pools may be eroded. Such factors may ultimately impact the Group’s financial performance and position, profitability and returns to investors.

Evolving industry trends, technology changes, and environmental factors have impacted, and may continue to impact, customer and other stakeholder needs and preferences. The Group may not predict these changes accurately or quickly enough or have the resources and flexibility to adapt in sufficient time, to meet the needs and preferences of customers and other stakeholders and to keep pace with competitors. These risks are heightened in the current context in which technology, including its impacts on the financial services industry, continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Additionally, it may not be possible for the Group to meet the expectations of stakeholders in regard to certain trends or factors when there are opposing expectations between different stakeholders.

Adoption of new legislation and regulation may impose additional costs on the Group to comply and create reputational and legal risks in the event of non-compliance. Recent regulatory and legislative developments and other trends that may impact the Group include:

Risks may arise from pursuing acquisitions and divestments.

The Group regularly considers a range of corporate opportunities, including acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, and investments.

The pursuit of corporate opportunities inherently involves transaction risks, including the risk that the Group over-values an acquisition or investment, or under-values a divestment, as well as exposure to reputational damage or regulatory intervention. The Group may encounter difficulties in integrating or separating businesses, including failure to realise expected synergies, disruption to operations, diversion of management resources, or higher than expected costs. These risks and difficulties may ultimately have an adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance and position.

The Group may incur unexpected financial losses following an acquisition, joint venture, or investment if the business it invests in does not perform as planned or causes unanticipated changes to the Group’s risk profile. Additionally, there can be no assurance that customers, employees, suppliers, counterparties, and other relevant stakeholders will remain with an acquired business following the transaction, and any failure to retain such stakeholders may have an adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance and position.

Risks related to the Company’s acquisition of Citigroup’s Australian consumer business which completed on 1 June 2022 are ongoing.

The Group continues to rely on Citigroup’s regional shared technology infrastructure for transitional services (and will do so through the transition period), as well as Citigroup’s support for data migration activities after the development of technology systems within the Group. There is a risk that as the integration project and the development of technology systems within the Group continues, costs may be higher than anticipated, more internal resourcing is required than anticipated, or that key employees, customers, suppliers, or other stakeholders required for a successful transition, will not be retained. Additionally, there is a risk that the timeline for the integration is extended, which may result in further costs being incurred by the Group.

Citigroup has provided the Company with indemnities relating to certain matters which may have occurred pre-completion, as well as covenants and warranties in favour of the Company. There is a risk that these protections may be insufficient to fully cover liabilities relating to these matters, which may have an adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance and position.

The Group may also have ongoing exposures to divested businesses, including through a residual shareholding, the provision of continued services and infrastructure, or an agreement to retain certain liabilities of the divested businesses through warranties and indemnities. These ongoing exposures may have an adverse impact on the Group’s business and financial performance and position. The Group may also enter into non-compete arrangements as part of divestments, which may limit the future operations of the Group.

The Company completed the sale of its advice, platforms, superannuation and investments and asset management businesses to IOOF Holdings in May 2021, now named Insignia Financial (MLC Wealth Transaction). As part of the MLC Wealth Transaction, the Company provided Insignia Financial with indemnities relating to certain pre-completion matters, including a remediation program relating to workplace superannuation matters, breaches of AML laws and regulations, regulatory fines and penalties, and certain litigation and regulatory investigations. The Company also provided covenants and warranties in favour of Insignia Financial. A breach or triggering of these contractual protections may result in the Company being liable to Insignia Financial.

As part of the MLC Wealth Transaction, the Company retained the companies that operated the advice businesses, such that the Group has retained all liabilities associated with the conduct of these businesses pre-completion. From completion, the Company has agreed to provide Insignia Financial with certain transitional services and continuing access to records, as well as support for data migration activities. The Company may be liable to Insignia Financial if it fails to perform its obligations. There is a risk that costs associated with separation activities and the costs incurred by the Company in satisfying its obligations may be higher than anticipated. If so, or if the Company fails to perform its obligations, there may be an adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance and position.

On 17 November 2022, the Company announced its intention to exit its custody business, NAB Asset Servicing. The exit is being effected through the transfer of all NAB Asset Servicing’s clients to alternative custody providers over a period of approximately three years (being undertaken from 2022-2025). The transfer of all clients over a relatively short period is a complex exercise that is subject to operational/transitional risks that need to be managed carefully. There is a risk that the exit does not occur to plan, and there may be a potential adverse impact on the Group if the exit is not managed appropriately.

On 30 April 2024, the Group completed a transaction under which the Group and Jarden Wealth and Asset Management Holdings Limited (Jarden Wealth), combined their respective NZ wealth advice and asset management businesses into a newly formed entity FirstCape Limited (FirstCape) (FirstCape Transaction). The Group, Jarden Wealth, and Funds advised by Pacific Equity Partners are the shareholders in FirstCape. As part of the FirstCape Transaction, the Group has provided FirstCape with certain indemnities and warranties relating to certain pre-completion matters of the Group’s NZ wealth businesses which now forms part of FirstCape and certain contractual covenants. A breach or triggering of these contractual protections may result in the Group being liable to FirstCape.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a customer will fail to meet their obligations to the Group in accordance with agreed terms. Credit risk arises from both the Group’s lending activities and markets and trading activities.

A protracted period of elevated interest rates may result in deterioration in the Group’s credit risk profile in the short term through accelerated increases in defaulted loans.

Elevated interest rates to combat inflationary pressures have resulted in increases in arrears, primarily in the home loan and small and medium business portfolios. If interest rates remain elevated for a protracted period, this may continue to increase household and business financial stress across Australia and NZ, particularly for those customers who are highly geared and/or facing reduced income due to weaker economic activity. This may drive an increase in bankruptcies, business failures, and higher unemployment. Sectors exposed to changes in household discretionary spending (including retail trade, tourism, hospitality, and personal services) are particularly vulnerable to financial stress in the event of modifications to consumer spending behaviour.

The heightened credit risk in affected sectors and elevated levels of household and business financial stress may result in an increase in losses if customers default on their loan obligations.

Extreme weather events, and longer-term changes in climate conditions coupled with transition risk may lead to rising customer defaults.

The following risks relating to climate change, combined with changes to future insurance affordability and availability, may result in increased losses from customer defaults or decreased valuations, and may ultimately have an adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance and position:

Some customers have faced significant challenges from extreme weather events which caused property damage for customers across the home and business lending portfolios. The rising severity and prevalence of these events pose a risk to the credit portfolio in the medium term.

A decline in property market valuations may give rise to higher losses on defaulting loans.

Residential housing loans and commercial real estate loans in Australia and NZ constitute a material component of the Group’s total gross loans and acceptances.

The Group may have higher credit risk, or experience higher credit losses, to the extent its loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral. For example, the Group’s credit risk and credit losses can increase if borrowers who engage in similar activities are uniquely or disproportionately affected by extreme weather events, economic or market conditions, or by regulation, such as regulation related to climate change. A deterioration in economic conditions or real estate values in Australia and NZ, could result in higher credit losses and costs.

Residential and commercial real estate prices in Australia and NZ increased for some years up until 2021 but experienced a decline in 2022 following the central banks’ moves to increase interest rates. Residential real estate prices recovered in 2023. In Australia, prices continued to increase in 2024 with most markets recording price increases and recovering most of the declines recorded in 2022. On the other hand, in NZ residential real estate prices have begun to decline in 2024. Commercial real estate prices have recorded mixed results, with favourable growth recorded in the Australian Industrial sector offset by the ongoing structural adjustment in the office space.

When the value of residential or commercial real estate used as collateral (including in business lending) reduces below the value of the loan, the Group is exposed to losses in the event of any customer default. This may, in turn, impact the Group’s financial performance and position and returns to investors. The most significant impact, in the event of default, is likely to come through residential mortgage customers in high loan-to-value-ratio brackets.

Adverse business conditions in Australia and NZ, in the agricultural sector may give rise to increasing customer defaults.

The Group has a large market share among lenders to the Australian and NZ agricultural sectors. These sectors may be negatively impacted by several factors, including:

Market declines and increased volatility may result in the Group incurring losses.

Some of the Group’s assets and liabilities comprise financial instruments that are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognised in the Group’s income statement. Movements in interest rates can affect prepayment assumptions and thus fair value. Market declines and increased volatility could negatively impact the value of those financial instruments and cause the Group to incur losses.

Other macro-economic, geopolitical, climate, nature-related or social risks may adversely affect the Group and pose a credit risk.

Most of the Group's businesses operate in Australia and NZ, with additional operations located in Asia, the United Kingdom, France and the United States. Levels of borrowing are heavily dependent on customer confidence, employment trends, market interest rates, and other economic and financial market conditions and forecasts.

Domestic and international economic conditions and forecasts are influenced by a number of macro-economic factors such as: economic growth rates, environmental and social issues (including emerging issues such as modern slavery and nature-related risks), cost and availability of capital, central bank intervention, inflation and deflation rates, level of interest rates, yield curves, market volatility, and uncertainty. Deterioration in any of these factors may lead to the following negative impacts on the Group:

Economic conditions may also be negatively impacted by climate change and major shock events, such as natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, war and terrorism, cyber-attacks, political and social unrest, banking instability, and sovereign debt restructuring and defaults.

The following macro-economic and financial market conditions are, as of the date of this Report, of most relevance to the credit risks facing the Group and may affect revenue growth and/or customer balance sheets:

Market risk

The Group may suffer losses as a result of a change in the value of the Group’s positions in financial instruments, bank assets and liabilities, or their hedges due to adverse movements in market prices. Adverse price movements impacting the Group may occur in credit spreads, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and commodity and equity prices, particularly during periods of heightened market volatility or reduced liquidity. Market conditions remain volatile in response to an uncertain economic environment and elevated geopolitical risk.

The occurrence of any event giving rise to material market risk losses may have a negative impact on the Group’s financial performance and position.

The Group is exposed to credit spread risk.

Credit spread risk is the risk that the Group may suffer losses from adverse movements in credit spreads, including increases in credit spreads resulting from financial markets instability. This is a significant risk in the Group’s trading and banking books.

The Group’s trading book is exposed to credit risk movements in the value of securities and derivatives as a result of changes in the perceived credit quality of the underlying company or issuer. Credit spread risk accumulates in the Group’s trading book when it provides risk transfer services to customers seeking to buy or sell fixed income securities (such as corporate bonds). The Group may also be exposed to credit spread risk when holding an inventory of fixed income securities in anticipation of customer demand or undertaking market-making activity (i.e., quoting buy and sell prices to customers) in fixed income securities. The Group’s trading book is also exposed to credit spread risk through credit valuation adjustments. A widening of credit spreads could negatively impact the value of the credit valuation adjustments.

The Group’s banking book houses HQLAs which form the majority of the Group’s liquidity portfolio required for managing the Group’s liquidity risk. While the Group hedges the interest rate risk on this portfolio, it is subject to credit spread risk through changes in spreads on its holdings of semi-government bonds. During periods of adverse credit spread movements, these positions can give rise to material volatility within the Group’s treasury portfolio which is captured either in profit and loss or reserves. Positions in residential mortgage-backed securities that arise through the Group’s warehousing, underwriting, and syndication operations also form part of the banking book and are exposed to changes in credit spreads.

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk.

The Group's financial performance and capital position are impacted by changes in interest rates.

The Group’s trading book is exposed to changes in the value of securities and derivatives as a result of changes in interest rates. The Group’s trading book accumulates interest rate risk when the Group provides interest rate hedging solutions for customers, holds interest rate risk in anticipation of customer requirements, or undertakes market-making activity in fixed income securities or interest rate derivatives. The level of volatility in interest rate markets has increased in the post-pandemic period after a broadening of inflationary pressures saw major central banks unwind stimulus and rapidly tighten monetary policy. As a result of the uncertain economic outlook and elevated geopolitical risk, market conditions remain unstable.

Balance sheet and off-balance sheet items can create an interest rate risk exposure within the Group. As interest rates and yield curves change over time, the Group may be exposed to a loss in earnings and economic value due to the interest rate profile of its balance sheet. Such exposure may arise from a mismatch between the maturity profile of the Group’s lending portfolio compared to its deposit portfolio (and other funding sources), as well as the extent to which lending and deposit products can be repriced should interest rates change, thereby impacting the Group’s net interest margin.

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk.

Foreign exchange risks are evident in the Group’s trading and banking books.

Foreign exchange and translation risks arise from the impact of currency movements on the value of the Group’s positions in financial instruments, profits and losses, and assets and liabilities due to participation in global financial markets and international operations.

The Group’s ownership structure includes investment in overseas subsidiaries and associates which gives rise to foreign currency exposures, including through the repatriation of capital and dividends. The Group’s businesses may therefore be affected by a change in currency exchange rates, and movements in the mark-to-market valuation of derivatives and hedging contracts.

The Group’s financial statements are prepared and presented in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated, and any adverse fluctuations in the Australian dollar against other currencies in which the Group invests or transacts, and generates profits (or incurs losses), may adversely impact its financial performance and position.

The Group is exposed to market risk should it be unable to sell down its underwriting risk.

As financial intermediaries, members of the Group underwrite or guarantee different types of transactions, risks and outcomes, including the placement of listed and unlisted debt, equity-linked and equity securities. The underwriting obligation or guarantee may be over the pricing and placement of these securities, and the Group may therefore be exposed to potential losses, which may be significant, if it fails to sell down some or all of this risk to other market participants.

Capital, funding and liquidity risk
The Group is exposed to funding and liquidity risk.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. These obligations include the repayment of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of wholesale borrowings and loan capital as they mature, the payment of interest on borrowings and the payment of operational expenses and taxes. The Group must also comply with prudential and regulatory liquidity obligations across the jurisdictions in which it operates. A significant deterioration in the Group’s liquidity position for any reason may lead to an increase in the Group’s funding costs, constrain the volume of new lending, or cause the Group to breach its prudential or regulatory liquidity obligations. This may adversely impact the Group’s reputation and financial performance and position.

Funding risk is the risk that the Group is unable to raise short and long term funding to support its ongoing operations, regulatory requirements, strategic plans, and objectives. The Group accesses domestic and global capital markets to help fund its business, along with using customer deposits. A significant deterioration in the Group’s ability to access these markets or of lenders to provide funding may adversely impact the Group’s financial reputation, financial performance and position. The Group relies on offshore wholesale funding to support its funding and liquidity position. Periods of heightened market volatility may limit the Group’s access to this funding source. Disruption in global capital markets, reduced investor interest in the Group’s securities and/or reduced customer deposits, may adversely affect the Group’s funding and liquidity position. This may increase the cost of obtaining funds, reduce the tenor of available funds or impose unfavourable terms on the Group’s access to funds, constrain the volume of new lending, or adversely affect the Group’s capital position.

The Group’s capital position may be constrained by prudential requirements.

Capital risk is the risk that the Group does not hold sufficient capital and reserves to cover exposures and to protect against unexpected losses. Capital is the cornerstone of the Group’s financial strength. It supports the Group’s operations by providing a buffer to absorb unanticipated losses from its activities.

The Group must comply with prudential requirements in relation to capital across the jurisdictions in which it operates. Compliance with these requirements, and any further changes to these requirements may:

Current regulatory changes that could present a risk to the Group’s capital position include loss-absorbing requirements for Domestic Systemically Important Banks, which include the Group. These changes require an increase to total capital by 4.5% of risk weighted assets (RWA) by 1 January 2026, with an interim increase by 3% of RWA which came into effect on 1 January 2024. These requirements are expected to be satisfied primarily through the issue of additional Tier 2 Capital which will further increase the Group’s funding costs due to the higher cost of Tier 2 Capital issuance relative to senior debt.

In September 2024, APRA released a discussion paper outlining potential amendments to APRA’s prudential framework that seek to ensure that the capital strength of the Australian banking system operates more effectively in stress. For advanced banks such as the Company, APRA has proposed replacing 1.5% Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Capital with 0.25% CET1 Capital and 1.25% Tier 2 Capital, from January 2027. Subject to stakeholder feedback, APRA plans to provide an update on the consultation process in late 2024 and formally consult on specific changes to prudential standards in 2025. Changes to the requirements for AT1 Capital may impact the Group’s capital position, and credit ratings for AT1 and Tier 2 instruments. This may also potentially impact the Group’s cost of funds.

In addition, revisions to the RBNZ capital requirements (to be phased in by 2028) will require the Group to hold more capital in New Zealand.

If the information or the assumptions upon which the Group’s capital requirements are assessed prove to be inaccurate, this may adversely impact the Group’s operations, financial performance and financial position.

A downgrade in the Group’s credit ratings or outlook may adversely impact its cost of funds and capital market access.

Credit ratings are an assessment of a borrower’s creditworthiness and may be used by market participants in evaluating the Group and its products, services, and securities. Credit rating agencies conduct ongoing review activities, which can result in changes to credit rating settings and outlooks for the Group, or credit ratings of sovereign jurisdictions where the Group conducts business. Credit ratings may be affected by operational and other market factors (e.g., ESG-related factors), or changes in a credit rating agency’s rating methodologies.

A downgrade in the credit ratings or outlook of the Group, the Group’s securities, or the sovereign rating of one or more of the countries in which the Group operates, may increase the Group’s cost of funds or limit its access to capital markets. This may also cause a deterioration of the Group’s liquidity position and trigger additional collateral requirements in derivative contracts and other secured funding arrangements. A downgrade to the Group’s credit ratings relative to its peers may also adversely impact the Group’s competitive position and financial performance and position.

Operational risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or external events.

Privacy, information security and data breaches may adversely impact the Group’s reputation and operations.

The Group collects, processes, stores, and transmits large amounts of personal and confidential information through its people, technology systems and networks and the technology systems and networks of its external service providers. Threats to information security are constantly evolving, including through the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of AI, and techniques used to perpetrate cyber-attacks are increasingly sophisticated. In addition, the number, nature, and resources of adverse actors that could pose a cyber threat to the Group is growing, including individual cybercriminals, criminal or terrorist syndicate networks and large sophisticated foreign governments with significant resources and capabilities.

There is a risk that the Group’s efforts to improve its technology systems and networks and its information security policies, procedures and controls may not be adequate to address these threats. While the Group participates in internal and external reviews and testing and is subject to regulatory oversight, which collectively help to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement, remediation of weaknesses is sometimes difficult to complete in a timely manner due to the complex technology environment (including third party involvement) and the rapidly evolving nature of the threats, which leads to the continuing emergence of new vulnerabilities.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Group may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance its layers of defence or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities.

The Group may also not always be able to anticipate a security threat, or be able to implement effective information security policies, procedures, and controls to prevent or minimise the resulting damage. The Group may also inadvertently retain information which is not specifically required or is not permitted by legislation, thus increasing the impact of a potential data breach or non-compliance. A successful cyber-attack could persist for an extended period before being detected and, following detection, it could take considerable time for the Group to obtain full and reliable information about the cybersecurity incident and the extent, amount and type of information compromised. During an investigation, the Group may not necessarily know the full effects of the incident or how to remediate it, and actions and decisions that are taken or made to mitigate risk may further increase the costs and other negative consequences of the incident. Moreover, the Group may be required to disclose information about a cybersecurity event before it has been resolved or fully investigated. Additionally, the Group uses select external providers (in Australia and overseas) to process and store confidential data and to develop and provide its technology services, including the increasing use of cloud infrastructure. The Group is limited in its ability to monitor and control the security protocols that service providers implement on a day-to-day basis. Failures of controls by these providers may expose the Group and the data it stores to loss of confidentiality, integrity or availability. The Group may also submit confidential information to its key regulators under a legal obligation and as part of regulatory reporting.

A breach of security at any of these external providers, regulators or within the Group may result in operational disruption, theft or loss of customer or employee data, a breach of privacy laws, regulatory enforcement actions, civil penalties, customer or employee redress, litigation, financial losses, or loss of market share, property, or information. This may be wholly or partially beyond the control of the Group and may adversely impact its financial performance and position. For example, some large Australian organisations have experienced significant cyber-attacks in recent years leading to intense public reactions and increased political and regulatory focus.

In addition, any such event may give rise to increased regulatory scrutiny or adversely affect the view of ratings agencies. Social media commentary, and the Group’s responses to the relevant event, may exacerbate the impact on the Group’s reputation.

Generative AI is an emerging area of operational risk. While AI has potential to support significant service advances for customers, it also has the potential to assist, enable, and enhance existing methods for criminals to perpetrate fraud, scams, and cyber threats against the Company and its customers, and poses increased risks to cybersecurity such as denial of service, and more sophisticated social engineering attacks.

The Group’s use of AI and machine learning technologies is also subject to risks that algorithms and datasets are flawed or may be insufficient and could increase the risk of unintended deficiencies and could result in inaccurate or ineffective decisions, predictions or analysis, and give rise to potential ethical and social risks associated with its use (e.g., unintended discrimination, bias and disinformation). If the Group were found to have infringed or misappropriated a third-party patent or other intellectual property right (including where the Group or a third party has used generative AI outputs based on data for which the generative model may not have had consent), the Group could, in some circumstances, be prohibited from providing certain products or services to its customers or from utilising and benefiting from certain methods, processes, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, or licences.

Disruption to technology and services may adversely impact the Group’s reputation and operations.

Many of the Group’s operations depend on technology or third parties. Therefore, the financial strength, reliability, resilience, security, and performance of the Group’s and its third parties’ information technology systems, processes and infrastructure are essential to the effective operation of the Group’s business and consequently to its financial performance and position. The reliability, security and resilience of the Group’s technology and services may be impacted by the complex technology environment, selection, concentration of and reliance on suppliers, failure to keep technology systems up to date, an inability to restore or recover systems and data in acceptable timeframes, or a physical or cyber-attack against the Group or its external providers including suppliers of cloud services to the Group.

The rapid evolution of technology in the financial services industry and the increased expectations of customers for internet and mobile services on demand expose the Group to changing operational scenarios.

Any disruption to the Group’s technology and services (including disruption to the technology systems of the Group’s external providers) may be wholly or partially beyond the Group’s control and may result in operational disruption, regulatory enforcement actions, customer redress, litigation, financial losses, theft or loss of customer data, loss of market share, loss of property or information, or may adversely impact the Group’s speed and agility in the delivery of change and innovation.

In addition, any such disruption may adversely affect the trust that internal and external stakeholders have in the Group’s ability to protect key information (such as customer and employee records) and infrastructure. This may in turn affect the Group’s reputation, which may result in loss of customers, a reduction in share price, ratings downgrades and regulatory censure or penalties.

Complexity of infrastructure, processes and models gives rise to a significant risk to the Group’s operations.

The Group’s business involves the execution of many processes and transactions with varying degrees of complexity. The Group is reliant on its policies, processes, controls, and supporting infrastructure functioning as designed, and on third parties appropriately managing their own operational risk and delivering services to the Group as required. A failure in the design or operation of these policies, processes, controls, and infrastructure, failure of the Group to manage external service providers, or the disablement of a supporting system, all pose a significant risk to the Group’s operations and consequently its financial performance, reputation and the timeliness and accuracy of its statutory and prudential reporting.

Models are used extensively in the conduct of the Group’s business, for example, in calculating capital requirements or customer compensation payments, and in measuring and stressing exposures. If the models used prove to be inadequate, or are based on incorrect or invalid assumptions, judgements, or inputs, this may adversely affect the Group’s customers and the Group’s financial performance and position.

The Group is exposed to the risk of human error.

The Group’s business, including the internal and supplier managed processes and systems that support business decisions, relies on appropriate actions and inputs from its employees, agents, and external providers. The Group is exposed to operational risk due to process or human error, including incorrect or incomplete data capture and records maintenance, incorrect or incomplete documentation to support activities, inadequate design of processes or controls, or incorrect reporting. The Group uses select external providers (in Australia and overseas) to provide services to the Group and is exposed to similar risks arising from such failures in the operating environment of its external providers.

The materialisation of any of these risks could lead to direct financial loss, loss of customer, employee or commercially sensitive data, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.

The Group may not be able to attract, remunerate and retain suitable talent.

The Group is dependent on its ability to attract and retain key executives, employees, and Board members with a deep understanding of banking and technology, who are qualified to execute and govern the Group’s strategy, including the technology transformation the Group is undertaking to meet the changing needs of its customers. Potential weaknesses in employment practices, including diversity, anti-discrimination, workplace flexibility, payroll, workplace health and safety and employee wellbeing, together with a competitive labour market for critical skills, are sources of operational risk that can impact the Group’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel with the requisite knowledge, skills, and capability. The effective management of psychosocial risk (including relating to workplace factors such as customer aggression, workload issues or poor change management) is an area of focus within the Group to support employee wellbeing and retain talent. It is also an area of increasing regulatory scrutiny and reputational risk.

The Group’s capacity to attract and retain key talent, in addition to providing attractive career opportunities, also depends on its ability to adequately and appropriately respond to changes (internal or external) as well as design and implement effective remuneration and talent structures. This may be constrained by several factors, including by regulatory requirements (particularly in the highly regulated financial services sector).

The unexpected loss of key resources or the inability to attract personnel with suitable experience may adversely impact the Group’s ability to operate effectively and efficiently, or to meet the Group’s strategic objectives. This risk may also impact third party vendors (including offshore vendors) engaged by the Group, who may be experiencing similar personnel related challenges.

External events may adversely impact the Group’s operations.

Operational risk can arise from external events such as biological hazards, climate change, natural disasters, widespread disease or pandemics, or acts of terrorism and geopolitical conflict.

The Group has branches and office buildings across Australia and NZ in locations that are prone to extreme weather events, with NZ locations also prone to earthquakes.

Given the Group’s physical presence in major cities in Australia, NZ and other countries where it has, or is intending to establish, offshore operations, it may also be exposed to the risk of a terrorist attack.

The Group has operations in India and Vietnam conducting a range of essential business functions and processes including transaction processing and technology development. Disruption (including due to geopolitical tensions) to these centres may have a material impact on the Group’s operations.

Geopolitical risks continue to present uncertainty to the Group’s operations. For example, tensions between the United States and China, including in relation to Taiwan, the Russia-Ukraine and Middle Eastern conflicts, and China’s trade and technology policies, continue to persist, which could impact the Group’s operations adversely, for example through disruption to free trade, global supply chains and availability of talent.

External events, such as extreme weather, natural disasters, biological hazards, and acts of terrorism may also cause property damage and business disruption, which may adversely impact the Group’s financial performance. In addition, if the Group is unable to manage the impacts of such external events, it may compromise the Group’s ability to provide a safe workplace for its personnel and/or lead to reputational damage. The environment the Group is operating in has become more complex and more uncertain and could create operational risks that are yet to be identified.

Sustainability risk

Sustainability risk is the risk that ESG-related events or conditions arise that could negatively impact the sustainability, resilience, risk and return profile, value, or reputation of the Group or its customers and suppliers. Inadequate management of ESG risks by the Group or its customers may expose the Group to other potential risks across risk categories such as strategic, credit, compliance, conduct, operational and capital, funding and liquidity risk.

Physical and transition risks arising from climate change, other environmental impacts and nature-related risks may lead to increasing customer defaults and decrease the value of collateral.

Extreme weather, increasing weather volatility, and longer-term changes in climatic conditions, as well as environmental impacts such as land contamination and other nature-related risks such as deforestation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, may affect water security, property and asset values or cause customer losses due to damage, crop losses, existing land use ceasing to be viable, and/or interruptions to, or impacts on, business operations, supply chains or market access.

Globally, an increasing number of countries are prone to, and have experienced, acute physical climate events. In Australia and NZ these have included drought conditions, heat waves and bushfires over summer periods, and severe floods. Extreme weather events are expected to increase globally and locally in frequency and severity, which may have adverse macroeconomic impacts. The impact of extreme weather events can take time to be fully realised and be widespread, extending beyond residents, businesses, and primary producers in highly impacted areas, to supply chains in other cities and towns relying on agricultural and other products from within these areas. The impact of these losses on the Group may be exacerbated by a decline in the value and liquidity of assets held as collateral and the extent to which these assets are insured or insurable, which may impact the Group’s ability to recover its funds when loans default.

Climate-related transition risks are increasing as economies, governments, and companies seek to transition to low-carbon alternatives and adapt to climate change. Certain customer segments may be adversely impacted as the economy transitions to renewable and low-emissions technology. Decreasing investor appetite and customer demand for carbon intensive products and services, emerging requirements of sustainable finance taxonomies increasing climate-related litigation and changing regulations and government policies designed to mitigate climate change may negatively impact revenue and access to capital for some businesses, and/or the Group’s products or services that serve those customers. Furthermore, management of transition risk is more challenging given the presence of social risks such as modern slavery in relevant supply chains (e.g., input materials and equipment required to support the low carbon transition).

Some of the regions in which the Group operates (e.g., NZ and Japan) face heightened geological risk associated with major earthquakes, which can, and have, resulted in damage to property and infrastructure, and in some cases loss of life.

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation can arise from environmental factors such as:

These factors may disrupt business activities and supply chains, and may cause adverse impacts which include:

These risks may increase expected and actual levels of customer defaults, thereby increasing the credit risk facing the Group and adversely impacting the Group’s financial performance and position, profitability and returns to investors.

The Group, its customers, or its suppliers may fail to comply with legal, regulatory, or voluntary standards or broader shareholder, community and stakeholder expectations concerning ESG risk performance.

ESG issues have been subject to increasing legal, regulatory, voluntary, and prudential standards and increasing (and sometimes differing) community and stakeholder expectations. These include:

Performance against corporate ESG commitments are being more closely monitored by external stakeholders as their understanding of issues (and their associated risks) such as climate change, human rights, responsible supply chain management and due diligence increases. Globally, including in Australia and NZ, regulators have strengthened their policy guidance in relation to sustainability-related disclosures and governance practices, with particular emphasis on greenwashing. Consumer and fair-trading issues in relation to environmental and sustainability claims are a 2024-2025 compliance and enforcement priority of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), aimed at improving the integrity of environmental and sustainability claims and to protect consumers from greenwashing. Addressing financial system climate change risks is one of five strategic priorities in the 2024-2025 Corporate Plan of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). This includes focusing on climate-related disclosure, greenwashing, and integrity and fairness in energy and carbon credit markets. Australian regulators (ACCC and ASIC) have continued to increase enforcement activity in relation to greenwashing in sustainability-related markets and disclosures.

ESG due diligence requirements may become mandatory in some jurisdictions in which the Group operates, placing increasing demands on the Group’s processes and capability to manage, monitor and address ESG risks. The impacts associated with climate change-related legislative and regulatory initiatives, customer requirements and the transition to a low carbon economy, including meeting new regulatory expectations, retrofitting of assets, energy efficient and low carbon investments, purchasing carbon credits or paying carbon taxes, may result in operational changes and additional expenditures that could adversely affect the Group and/or its customers.

The Group’s reputation and business prospects may also be damaged if it does not, or is perceived not to, effectively prepare for the potential business and operational risks and opportunities associated with climate change, including through the development and marketing of effective and competitive products and services designed to address clients’ climate risk-related needs. These impacts include negative market perception, reduced market share and regulatory and litigation consequences associated with greenwashing claims or driven by association with clients, industries or products that may be inconsistent with the Group’s stated positions on climate change issues.

Failure by the Group to:

may adversely impact the Group’s reputation, and shareholder, customer, and employee sentiment towards the Group, may increase the risk of ESG-related litigation against the Group, or may result in regulatory fines or penalties, including litigation or regulatory action related to greenwashing. Risk also exists due to well-funded and strategic private litigants actively seeking opportunities to take litigation action in Australia.

Certain products, services or industries may become subject to heightened public scrutiny, either generally or following a specific adverse event, or because of activism by shareholders, investors, or special interest groups. This could result in a sudden and significant decrease in demand for these products or services and a negative impact on revenue and access to capital for some businesses and increasing litigation risk. Reputational damage to impacted suppliers, customers or customer sectors may give rise to associated reputational damage to the Group. In addition, levels of customer defaults in an impacted sector may increase, adversely impacting the Group’s financial performance and position, profitability and returns to investors.

Conduct risk

Conduct risk is the risk that any action (or inaction) of the Group, or those acting on behalf of the Group, will result in unfair outcomes for any of the Group’s customers.

The Group is reliant on its employees, contractors and external suppliers acting in an appropriate and ethical way.

Organisational culture can greatly influence individual and group behaviours. Poor culture can expose an organisation and lead to customer harm, financial loss and detriment. The behaviours that could expose the Group to conduct risk include:

If the Group’s conduct-related controls were to fail significantly, be designed inappropriately, or not meet legal or regulatory requirements or community expectations, then the Group may be exposed to, among other things:

A failure of the Group’s conduct-related controls to accurately reflect relevant legal, regulatory or community expectations may adversely impact the Group’s reputation, financial performance and position, profitability, operations and returns to investors and can result in customer harm, financial loss and detriment.

Compliance risk

Compliance risk is the risk of failing to understand and comply with relevant laws, regulations, licence conditions, supervisory requirements, self-regulatory industry codes of conduct and voluntary initiatives, as well as the internal policies, standards, procedures, and frameworks that support fair and equitable treatment of customers.

The Group may be involved in a breach or alleged breach of laws governing bribery, corruption, and financial crime.

Supervision and regulation of financial crime and enforcement of anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws have increased in recent years.

As a bank engaged in global finance and trade, the Group faces risks relating to compliance with AML/CTF, ABC and financial sanctions laws across multiple jurisdictions. Undetected failure of internal controls, or the ineffective remediation of compliance issues could lead to breaches of AML/CTF and/or ABC obligations or sanctions violations, resulting in potentially significant monetary and regulatory penalties, which, in turn, may adversely impact the Group’s reputation, financial performance, and position.

The risks of sanctions violations are increased in the context of additional, wide ranging economic sanctions and export controls imposed as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This includes rising expectations from regulators concerning export control due diligence by financial institutions, an unprecedented rate of new designations/listings by global regulators, as well as the continued attempts by those subject to sanctions to evade and circumvent their impact.

On 29 April 2022, the Company entered into an enforceable undertaking (EU) with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to address AUSTRAC’s concerns with the Group’s compliance with certain AML and CTF requirements. Under the terms of the EU, the Company and the relevant members of the Group are required to:

In May 2022, the Company appointed an external auditor (as required under the EU). The Company obtains interim reports from the external auditor on a quarterly basis and an annual basis. The external auditor will provide a final report to the Company for the period up to 31 March 2025.

The Company has completed the delivery of its required activities under the RAP (some of which are yet to be reviewed by the external auditor). The Company continues to oversee the EU through dedicated EU Governance forums. The Group continues to investigate and remediate a number of known AML/CTF compliance issues and weaknesses. As this work progresses, further compliance issues may be identified and reported to AUSTRAC or equivalent foreign regulators, and additional enhancements of the Group’s systems and processes may be required.

A negative outcome to any investigation or remediation process, or a failure to comply with the EU, may adversely impact the Group’s reputation, business operations, financial position, and results.

Refer to Note 31 Commitments and contingent liabilities on page 243 in Notes to the financial statements , ‘Regulatory activity, compliance investigations and associated proceedings – AML and CTF program uplift and compliance issues’ for more information .

The Group may fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations which may expose the Group to increased regulatory intervention, significant compliance and remediation costs, and regulatory enforcement action or litigation, including class actions.

The Group is highly regulated and subject to various regulatory regimes which differ across the jurisdictions in which it operates, trades, and raises funds.

Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws is complex. There is a risk the Group will be unable to implement adequate compliance arrangements including processes and controls required by relevant laws and regulations in a timely manner, or that the Group’s compliance arrangements will prove to be inadequate or ineffective in ensuring compliance. There is also a potential risk of misinterpreting new or existing regulations and, complying with detailed data requests from various regulators, specifically in respect of data collected from customers, which may be inaccurate or incomplete.

There is significant cost associated with the systems, processes, controls, and personnel required to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Such costs may negatively impact the Group’s financial performance and position. Any failure to comply with relevant laws and regulations may have a negative impact on the Group’s reputation and financial performance and position and may give rise to class actions, litigation, or regulatory enforcement, which may in turn result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, or additional regulatory capital requirements, on the Group.

Potential weaknesses in employment practices, including anti-discrimination, workplace health and safety and the “right to disconnect” are areas of increasing regulatory scrutiny and reputational risk. In addition, there are also risks associated with the Group’s compliance with Australian workplace laws and its obligations to employees under those laws and contractual agreements with its employees. Any instances of non-compliance could result in remediation costs, reputational damage, enforcement or other legal action (including potential federal criminal penalties for “wage theft” introduced under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 (Cth) from 1 January 2025)". Employment practices may become subject to heightened public scrutiny, either generally or following a specific adverse event, or because of activism by employees, unions, or special interest groups.

Entities within the Group have been, and may continue to be, involved from time to time in regulatory enforcement and other legal proceedings arising from the conduct of their business. There is inherent uncertainty regarding the possible outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings involving the Group. It is also possible that further class actions, regulatory investigations, compliance reviews, civil or criminal proceedings, or the imposition of new licence conditions or regulatory capital requirements could arise in relation to known matters or other matters of which the Group is not yet aware. The aggregate potential liability and costs associated with legal proceedings cannot be estimated with any certainty.

A negative outcome to regulatory investigations or litigation involving the Group may impact the Group’s reputation, divert management time from operations, and affect the Group’s financial performance and position, profitability, and returns to investors. Refer to Note 31 Commitments and contingent liabilities on pages 241 to 244 in Notes to the financial statements for details in relation to certain current legal and regulatory proceedings, compliance reviews and associated remediation, and other contingent liabilities which may impact the Group.

Extensive regulatory change poses a significant risk to the Group.

Globally, the financial services and banking industries are subject to significant and increasing levels of regulatory change, reviews and political scrutiny, including in Australia, NZ and other countries where the Group has, or may establish, offshore operations.

Regulatory change may result in significant capital and compliance costs, changes to the Group’s corporate structure, and increasing demands on management, employees and information technology systems. This may also impact the competitiveness of the Group in certain areas of its business, the viability of the Group’s participation in certain markets or require the divestment of a part of the Group’s business. The pace, volume, and complexity of change may also expose the Group to the increased risk of failure to adequately identify or comply with all applicable regulatory changes. Changes to laws and regulations or their interpretation and application can be unpredictable, are beyond the Group’s control, and may not be harmonised across the jurisdictions in which the Group operates.

Operationalising large volumes of regulatory change presents ongoing risks for the Group. Extensive work is done to assess proposed design solutions and to test the design effectiveness of controls for each regulatory change before its effective date, however, the operating effectiveness of some controls cannot be fully tested until the relevant effective date has occurred. There are also inherent risks associated with the dependency on third parties for the effectiveness of some controls.

The Group is in the process of implementing key regulatory changes that have yet to take effect. These include Operational Risk Management (CPS 230 effective 1 July 2025), Public Disclosure (APS 330 effective 1 January 2025), Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book (APS 117 effective 1 October 2025), Liquidity and Capital Requirements (APS 111 and 210 effective 1 July 2025) and the Australian Securities Exchange CHESS replacement system expected to commence in 2026. The other notable change, effective progressively from 9 July 2024, is Tranche one of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering Better Financial Outcomes and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (Royal Assent received on 9 July 2024). These reforms make changes to the provision of financial products and services as well as supporting disclosure documentation. Tranche two of the reforms is expected to be developed in the second half of 2024.

The Australian Government is progressing its Strategic Plan for the Payments System (including the decommissioning of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System by June 2030), as well as its initial Data and Digital Government Strategy and the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy (which proposes to introduce Advanced Encryption Standards by 2025). The Group will be subject to significant regulatory and process changes as the Australian Government finalises and implements its strategic policy priorities and digitalisation agenda in the period ahead.

Ongoing and proposed regulatory changes, reviews and inquiries relevant to the Company relate to:

Ongoing and proposed regulatory changes, reviews and inquiries relevant to BNZ include:

Examples of regulatory change in other jurisdictions that may directly or indirectly impact the Group’s Australian operations include changes relating to the Group of 20 regulation of over-the-counter derivative products, potential updates to the Foreign Exchange Global Code, United Kingdom and European market abuse regulations, European Union directives relating to Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and the French Duty of Vigilance legislation.

Current consumer-centric regulatory changes expected in 2024 and/or 2025 include regulation for Buy Now Pay Later products and the Mandatory Industry Code for scams. The revised Banking Code of Practice will also come into effect on 28 February 2025. In September 2024, the NZ Government released several policy decisions in connection with NZ's consumer credit, responsible lending, Buy Now Pay Later, and disclosure laws. Following further policy work, a bill to bring these decisions into effect is expected to be introduced to NZ Parliament in December 2024. Regulatory priorities may also direct or influence the manner in which the Group is currently meeting its obligations to customers.

With increasing evidence of consumers experiencing financial distress and difficulty due to cost-of-living pressures, ASIC expects lenders to work constructively with their customers to find a sustainable solution. ASIC released Report 782 in May 2024 after conducting an industry review on the approach to financial hardship in home lending, in which the Company was a participant. The report found it was difficult for customers experiencing hardship to access appropriate support from lenders. ASIC initiated civil penalty proceedings against other financial institutions in relation to failures to respond to financial hardship notices within the time required by law. In accordance with ASIC’s strategic priority to take action to address poor product design and distribution, ASIC recently initiated and was successful in civil penalty proceedings against distributors and issuers of financial products for failing to meet their design and distribution obligations and also issued stop orders restricting other products from sale.

Examples of other specific reviews and regulatory reforms currently relevant to the Group, and which present a potential material regulatory risk include those set out below.

The full scope, timeline and impact of current and potential inquiries and regulatory reforms such as those mentioned above, or how they will be implemented (if at all in some cases), is not known.

Depending on the specific nature of the regulatory change requirements and how and when they are implemented or enforced, they may have an adverse impact on the Group’s business, operations, structure, compliance costs or capital requirements, and ultimately its competitiveness, reputation, financial performance, or financial position.

The Group may be exposed to losses if critical accounting judgements and estimates are subsequently found to be incorrect.

Preparation of the Group’s financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions and to exercise judgement in applying relevant accounting policies, each of which may directly impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, expenses and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. A higher degree of judgement is required for the recognition and estimates used in the measurement of provisions (including for customer-related remediation and other regulatory matters), the determination of income tax, the valuation of financial assets and liabilities (including fair value and credit impairment of loans and advances), and the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets arising from business acquisitions.

If the judgements, estimates, and assumptions used by the Group in preparing the financial statements are subsequently found to be incorrect, there could be a significant loss to the Group beyond that anticipated or provided for, which may adversely impact the Group’s reputation, financial performance, and financial position.

Report of the Directors

Operating and financial review

Principal activities

The principal activities of the Group during the year were banking services, credit and access card facilities, leasing, housing and general finance, international, investment and private banking and wealth management services, funds management and custodian, trustee and nominee services.

For further details on Our business refer to page 10.

Significant change in the state of affairs

Environmental, Social and Governance disclosure

Environmental regulation and climate-related disclosures

The Group’s operations are not subject to any site-specific environmental licences or permits which would be considered particular or significant under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or of an Australian state or territory.

As a lender, the Group may incur environmental liabilities in circumstances where it takes possession of a borrower’s assets and those assets have associated environmental risks. The Group has developed and implemented credit policies that aim to ensure that these risks are minimised and managed appropriately.

The Group’s operations are subject to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) (NGER Act) in Australia. While this legislation is not particular to the Group or significant in its impact, the Group complied with its requirements. The NGER Act requires the Group to report on the period from 1 July to 30 June (the environmental reporting year), therefore, all of the Group's energy and GHG emissions reporting is aligned to this reporting period. Further details on the Group’s GHG reporting subject to the NGER Act is provided in the Climate change and environment section of this Report on pages 38 to 45.

The Group’s United Kingdom-based operations are subject to the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS), introduced by the United Kingdom ESOS Regulations 2014 which came into force in July 2014. The ESOS requires mandatory energy assessments (audits) of an organisation's buildings and transport to be conducted every four years. The Group fulfilled its most recent ESOS obligation in June 2024. Additional ESOS obligations were introduced in 2024 requiring NAB to submit an ESOS action plan for its London Branch by 5 December 2024 and to report to the UK Environment Agency against that plan annually. The plan is required to outline the Group’s strategy for improving energy efficiency over the compliance period, which runs until 5 December 2027.

The Group is voluntarily reporting data required for the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements which are implemented through the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018 (United Kingdom) as part of the legislative response to climate change in the United Kingdom. This information is provided in NAB's 2024 Climate Report.

Further details of the Group’s environmental performance are provided in the Creating value section of our 2024 Annual Report, more specifically, a summary of the Group’s approach to climate change governance, strategy, risk management and metrics and targets consistent with the recommendations of the TCFD is provided on pages 38 to 45 in the Climate change and environment section.

Further detailed information on the Group’s approach to climate change is provided in NAB's 2024 Climate Report, which is aligned to the TCFD requirements, and includes methodological information related to the Group's GHG-related reporting, which was previously published in separate documents.

NAB's 2024 Climate Report is available as part of the Group’s annual reporting suite at nab.com.au/annualreports. A detailed breakdown of the Group’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions is provided in the 2024 Sustainability Data pack.

Modern slavery

The Group is subject to modern slavery legislation in Australia and the United Kingdom. The Group has prepared a Modern Slavery Act statement which sets out actions taken by the Group during 2024 to ensure that its business operations, and its supply chain, are free from slavery and human trafficking. This statement is made available online at nab.com.au/modernslaverystatement in accordance with both the UK Modern Slavery Act and the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).

Litigation and disputes

From time to time entities within the Group may be involved in disputes or legal proceedings arising from the conduct of their business. The outcomes and total costs associated with such ongoing disputes and proceedings are typically uncertain. Any material legal proceedings may adversely impact the Group's reputation and financial performance and position.

Refer to Note 31 Commitments and contingent liabilities of the notes to the financial statements for details of the Group's material legal proceedings and contingent liabilities.

Financial performance summary

The following financial discussion and analysis is based on statutory information unless otherwise stated. The statutory information is presented in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and Australian Accounting Standards and is audited by the Group's auditors in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

Non-IFRS key financial performance measures used by the Group

Certain financial measures detailed in the Report of the Directors are not accounting measures within the scope of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Management use these financial metrics to evaluate the Group’s overall financial performance and position and believe the presentation of these financial measures provide useful information to analysts and investors regarding the results of the Group's operations. These financial performance measures include:

The Group regularly reviews the non-IFRS measures included in the Report of the Directors to ensure that only relevant financial measures are incorporated. Certain other financial performance measures detailed in the Report of the Directors are derived from IFRS measures and are similarly used by analysts and investors to assess the Group’s performance. These measures are defined in the Glossary.

Any non-IFRS measures included in this document are not a substitute for IFRS measures and readers should consider the IFRS measures as well. The non-IFRS measures referred to above have not been presented in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, nor audited or reviewed in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards unless they are included in the financial statements.

Further detail in relation to these financial measures is set out below and in the Glossary.

Information about cash earnings

Cash earnings is a non-IFRS key financial performance measure used by the Group and the investment community.

The Group also uses cash earnings for its internal management reporting as it better reflects what is considered to be the underlying performance of the Group. Cash earnings is calculated by adjusting statutory net profit from continuing operations for certain non-cash earnings items. Non-cash earnings items are those items which are considered separately when assessing performance and analysing the underlying trends in the business. These include items such as hedging and fair value volatility, the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and gains or losses and certain other items associated with the acquisition, integration, disposal and closure of Group businesses.

Cash earnings does not purport to represent the cash flows, funding or liquidity position of the Group, nor any amount represented on a statement of cash flows. It is not a statutory financial measure and is not presented in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and is not audited or reviewed in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

Cash earnings for the year ended 30 September 2024 has been adjusted for the following:

Information about net interest margin

Net interest margin is a non-IFRS key financial performance measure that is calculated as cash net interest income (Cash NII) expressed as a percentage of average interest earning assets.

Information about average balances

Average balances, including total average equity (attributable to owners of the Company), total average assets and average interest earning assets are based on daily statutory average balances.

This methodology produces numbers that more accurately reflect seasonality, timing of accruals and restructures (including discontinued operations), which would otherwise not be reflected in a simple average.

Rounding of amounts

In accordance with ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial / Directors' Reports) Instrument 2016/191, all amounts have been rounded to the nearest million dollars, except where indicated. Any discrepancies between total and sums of components in tables contained in this report are due to rounding.

5 Year Financial Performance Summary

    Group   
  2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
  $m $m $m $m $m
Net interest income  16,757 16,807 14,840 13,793 13,877
Other income  3,889 3,841 3,730 2,936 3,259
Operating expenses  (10,026) (9,382) (8,702) (7,863) (9,221)
Credit Impairment (charge) / write-back  (741) (816) (124) 202 (2,752)
Profit before income tax  9,879 10,450 9,744 9,068 5,163
Income tax expense  (2,798) (2,980) (2,684) (2,597) (1,665)
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  7,081 7,470 7,060 6,471 3,498
Net loss after tax for the year from discontinued operations  (103) (51) (169) (104) (935)
Net profit for the year  6,978 7,419 6,891 6,367 2,563
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests  18 5 - 3 4
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company  6,960 7,414 6,891 6,364 2,559

5 Year Key Performance Indicators

    Group   
  2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Key indicators       
Statutory earnings per share (cents) - basic  224.6 236.4 214.1 193.0 82.1
Statutory earnings per share (cents) - diluted  222.7 228.7 205.6 185.2 80.5
Statutory return on equity  11.4% 12.3% 11.3% 10.4% 4.4%
Cash return on equity1  11.6% 12.9% 11.7% 10.7% 6.5%
Profitability, performance and efficiency measures       
Dividend per share (cents)  169 167 151 127 60
Net interest margin  1.71% 1.74% 1.65% 1.71% 1.77%
Level 2 Group capital       
Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio  12.35% 12.22% 11.51% 13.00% 11.47%
Tier 1 capital ratio  14.67% 14.19% 13.14% 14.64% 13.20%
Total capital ratio  20.92% 19.88% 18.17% 18.91% 16.62%
Risk-weighted assets ($bn)  413.9 435.0 449.9 417.2 425.1
Volumes ($bn)       
Gross loans and acceptances (GLAs)2  738.2 708.5 687.7 629.1 594.1
Average interest earning assets  978.7 966.7 900.3 805.0 781.7
Total average assets  1,074.7 1,065.1 991.5 889.6 877.0
Total customer deposits  612.8 587.4 566.7 500.3 468.2
Total average equity (attributable to owners of the Company)3  61.0 60.1 60.8 61.2 56.7
Asset quality       
Gross impaired assets to GLAs  0.20% 0.18% 0.15% 0.20% 0.31%
Default but not impaired assets to GLAs4  1.19% 0.95% 0.80% 0.95% 0.72%
Full-time equivalent employees (FTE)5       
FTE (spot)  39,240 38,516 35,558 33,275 34,944
FTE (average)  38,864 37,290 34,022 34,217 34,841
  1. Full detail on how cash earnings is defined, a discussion of non-cash earnings items and a full reconciliation of statutory net profit attributable to owners of the Company is set out in Note 2 Segment information of the Financial Report on page 178. Statutory return on equity and statutory earnings per share (EPS) are presented on page 110.
  2. Including loans and advances at fair value.
  3. Average equity on a cash and statutory basis are equal.
  4. "Default but not impaired assets to GLAs" for the year ended 30 September 2020 have not been restated to align to APS 220 Credit Risk Management and only represent "90+ days past due but not impaired assets to GLAs".
  5. Excluding discontinued operations, FTE (spot) is 38,996 (2023: 38,128) and FTE (average) is 38,525 (2023: 36,895).

Financial performance

  Group
  2024 2023
  $m $m
Net interest income  16,757 16,807
Other income  3,889 3,841
Net operating income  20,646 20,648
Operating expenses  (10,026) (9,382)
Credit Impairment charge  (741) (816)
Profit before income tax  9,879 10,450
Income tax expense  (2,798) (2,980)
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  7,081 7,470
Net loss after tax for the year from discontinued operations  (103) (51)
Net profit for the year  6,978 7,419
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests  18 5
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company  6,960 7,414

September 2024 v September 2023

Net profit attributable to owners of the Company (statutory net profit) decreased by $454 million or 6.1%.

Net interest income decreased by $50 million or 0.3%. This includes an increase of $108 million due to movements in economic hedges, offset in other operating income. Excluding this movement, the underlying decrease of $158 million or 0.9% was primarily due to lower housing lending margins, higher term deposit costs and deposit mix impacts combined with higher wholesale funding costs. These movements were partially offset by higher earnings on deposits and capital due to the impact of higher interest rates and higher average interest earning assets.

Other income increased by $48 million or 1.2%. This includes a decrease of $108 million due to movements in economic hedges, offset in net interest income. Excluding this movement, the underlying increase of $156 million or 4.1% was primarily due to a one-off gain on the disposal of the New Zealand wealth businesses combined with higher fee income in business lending, cards and capital markets. These were partially offset by lower Markets and Treasury income combined with the winding down of the asset servicing business.

Operating expenses increased by $644 million or 6.9%. This was primarily driven by higher personnel expenses due to an increase in average FTE and salary and related costs, together with continued investment in technology and compliance capabilities including fraud and cyber security and increased spend associated with the acquisition, integration and closure of Group businesses. This was partially offset by productivity benefits achieved through continued process improvements and simplification of the Group’s operations, as well as the non-recurrence of the one-off levy for Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) that was recognised in September 2023.

Credit impairment charge decreased by $75 million driven by a lower level of collective credit impairment charges including a reduction in forward looking provisions in the current period. This was partially offset by a higher level of individually assessed credit impairment charges.

Income tax expense decreased by $182 million or 6.1% largely due to a lower profit before tax.

Discontinued operations are excluded from the individual account lines of the Group's results and are reported as a single net loss after tax line item. The results of discontinued operations primarily relate to charges for MLC Wealth customer-related remediation, combined with costs associated with managing the run-off of the MLC Wealth retained entities.

Review of group and divisional results

September 2024 v September 2023
Group

Net profit decreased by $454 million or 6.1%.

Business and Private Banking12

Net profit decreased by $10 million or 0.3%, driven by an increase in operating expenses, partially offset by higher revenue and lower credit impairment charges.

Personal Banking1

Net profit decreased by $276 million or 19.2%, driven by lower revenue and an increase in operating expenses.

Corporate and Institutional Banking3

Net profit increased by $29 million or 1.7%, driven by higher revenue, combined with lower credit impairment charges, partially offset by higher income tax expenses due to the repeal of the offshore banking unit tax concession resulting in changes to the effective tax rate.

New Zealand Banking3

Net profit decreased by $15 million or 1.1%, driven by full year impact of dividends to non-controlling interests along with higher operating expenses and lower revenue. This was partially offset by lower credit impairment charges.

Corporate Functions and Other2

Net loss increased by $182 million or 45.3%, driven by higher operating expenses, lower net operating income and lower credit impairment write-backs. This was partially off set by a one-off gain on the disposal of the New Zealand wealth businesses.

  1. During the year ended 30 September 2024, some customer lending and deposit portfolios were transferred between Personal Banking and Business and Private Banking. Comparative information has been restated accordingly.
  2. During the year ended 30 September 2024, refinements to the allocation of certain support unit costs has resulted in some costs previously recognised in Corporate Functions and Other being allocated to Business and Private Banking. Comparative information has been restated accordingly.
  3. From 1 October 2023, BNZ's Markets Trading operations and enabling units are reported within New Zealand Banking. Previously BNZ’s Markets Trading operations were reported in Corporate and Institutional Banking and the enabling units within Corporate Functions and Other. Comparative information has been restated accordingly.

Group balance sheet review

  Group
  2024 2023
  $m $m
Assets    
Cash and liquid assets  2,499 24,699
Due from other banks  110,438 117,306
Collateral placed  9,633 11,286
Trading assets  133,606 101,168
Derivative assets  28,766 34,269
Debt instruments  41,999 46,357
Other financial assets  769 1,430
Loans and advances  732,692 702,702
All other assets  19,846 19,866
Total assets  1,080,248 1,059,083
Liabilities    
Due to other banks  12,328 39,516
Collateral received  5,151 10,672
Other financial liabilities  70,272 66,352
Deposits and other borrowings  712,566 682,120
Derivative liabilities  32,576 35,633
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  156,294 135,645
Debt issues  9,560 8,561
All other liabilities  19,288 19,081
Total liabilities  1,018,035 997,580
Total equity  62,213 61,503
Total liabilities and equity  1,080,248 1,059,083

September 2024 v September 2023
Assets

Total assets increased by $21,165 million or 2.0%. The key movements are as follows:

Liabilities

Total liabilities increased by $20,455 million or 2.1%. The key movements are as follows:

Equity

Total equity increased by $710 million or 1.2%. The key movements are as follows:

Strategic highlights

The Group's strategy, in place since April 2020, has served it well. Despite significant shifts in the operating environment over this period, the Group has maintained a clear focus on delivering better experiences for customers and colleagues, with a firm belief that this will drive sustainable earnings growth and improved returns. This has been supported by disciplined execution, persistent investment, increasingly resilient technology and strong balance sheet settings.

Execution of the Group's strategy over the past four and a half years has delivered good growth and attractive returns.

In Business and Private Banking (B&PB), where the Group has the leading SME business lending market share, a relationship-led approach increasingly enabled by digital, data and analytics has helped drive growth across the division. Since 2020 B&PB business lending balances have grown 42% including 8% growth over 2024, benefiting from additional customer facing roles and more seamless and digital loan origination. Heightened focus and increasing simplification and digitisation of the account opening process, along with product innovation in new target segments is supporting good growth in SME deposits. New business transaction account openings in 2024 are 53% higher than in 2020, including a 2% increase over the September 2024 financial year. Delivering better payment experiences has also been a key priority and since 2020 the Group has rolled out nextgen terminals for healthcare providers and SMEs, made healthcare claims and invoicing far more seamless and digital, launched innovative payment solutions such as NAB Easy Tap and NAB Portal Pay, and refreshed NAB Gateway to provide SMEs with a simpler, more secure way to accept customer payments online.

In Personal Banking, the Group's focus over the past four and a half years has been on providing simpler, more digital banking experiences. The proportion of simple everyday banking products opened digitally increased to 72% in 2024 from 62% in 2020 and are broadly stable compared with 2023. Australian home lending remains a core market, and the Group has been investing to deliver more efficient and better customer experiences including further progressing the rollout of a digital home lending platform. This has supported a 67% reduction in median time-to-unconditional-approval2 since 2020 and the majority of simple home loans can now be conditionally approved within a day3. However, given heightened competitive sector pressures in 2023 and much of 2024, the Group adopted a disciplined approach to originating new home loans, which saw its share of system growth4 reduce from 1.1x in 2022 to 0.7x in 2023 and 0.6x in 2024. Balancing returns and growth in this dynamic market will remain important.

The Group has been leveraging capability from acquisitions to diversify its consumer portfolio and drive growth in unsecured lending and ubank through better, more targeted customer propositions. Since finalising the acquisition of the Citi consumer business in July 2022, the Group's credit card market share has increased including over the year to September 2024 and it has focused on building a new unsecured lending platform. ubank's digital banking offer has delivered continued strong customer acquisition since 2020 weighted towards its target segment of 18 to 35 year-olds, including 15% growth in customers in 2024.

Corporate and Institutional Banking has maintained its returns-focused strategy. A disciplined approach to growth and strong customer advocacy, combined with a focus on simplification and leveraging transactional banking capability has supported an increase in C&IB's return on equity over the four years to 2024 including improved returns in 2024 compared with 2023.

New Zealand Banking (NZB) has made good progress against its strategic priorities of becoming a simpler, more digital bank and tilting to less capital intensive personal and SME customer segments. This includes increased market share in underweight segments of household deposits and home lending, and a 48% reduction in the number of banking products since 2020. This has supported returns over a period of challenging economic conditions and rising regulatory capital requirements. Cash earnings10 as a percentage of RWA have increased since 2020 (including a slight decrease over 2024 compared with 2023) while NZB's common equity tier one ratio increased from 11.9% in 2020 to 13.9% in 2024.

Having a strong customer franchise and engaged colleagues are key to the Group's ability to grow sustainably and has been supported by a consistent focus on improving customer and colleague experiences. The Group's colleague engagement has improved since 2020 with the most recent score of 78 at July 2024 up 2 points since July 2020 and in line with July 2023. Consistent with the Group's ambition, the latest score is one point higher than the top quartile benchmark5.

Customer outcomes have been more mixed. While strategic NPS6 scores have lifted across all segments since 2020, the Group has not achieved its ambition of positive strategic NPS scores ranked first of Australian banks across all key segments. Over the 12 months to September 2024, Business NPS slipped from 11 to 8 with NAB continuing to rank second among major banks while Mass Consumer NPS improved from -3 to -2 with NAB's ranking slipping from equal first to third. High Net Worth and Mass Affluent NPS improved from -7 to +2 and NAB's ranking improved from second to first of major banks while Large Corporate and Institutional NPS7 rose 8 points with the Group's ranking improving from second to equal first. Customer advocacy is a priority focus for 2025.

A key focus of the Group's investment over recent years has been on simplifying, automating and digitising its business and increasing the use of data and analytics. These initiatives have allowed bankers to spend more time with customers and provide quicker responses, while letting customers increasingly self serve when they want to. They are also making the Group more efficient, helping it to manage costs while continuing to invest. In 2024 the Group achieved productivity benefits of $453 million allowing it to limit growth in operating expenses in 2024 to 4.5%8.

Safety has been a key pillar of the Group's strategy since 2020 and keeping customers safe remains an important focus. Over 2024 the Group continued its efforts to protect customers against ongoing and evolving threats from financial crime and since September 2021 the Group has prevented or recovered more than $280 million in scam losses for customers. Safety also requires that the Group maintain prudent balance sheet settings and manage risk with discipline. At September 2024 collective provisions as a ratio of credit risk weighted assets were 1.47% and the share of lending funded by deposits was above 80% - both materially stronger than pre COVID-19 levels. Liquidity and funding ratios remain well above regulatory minimums. The Group's CET1 ratio of 12.35% at September 2024 rose 13 basis points over the year and is well up from 11.47% at September 2020 despite $7.4 billion of share buy-backs since August 2021 including $2.1 billion in 2024. Adjusting for the remaining $0.6 billion share buy-back outstanding at September 2024, proforma Group CET1 is approximately 12.21%9 and above the top end of the Group's target range of 11-11.5%.

Despite retaining strong balance sheet settings, the Group has delivered improved returns for shareholders consistent with its strategic ambition. While Cash EPS 10 for 2024 was 7% lower compared with a very strong 2023 outcome, cash ROE10 has increased from 8.3% in 2020 to 11.6% in 2024 and compares with 12.9% in 2023. The final 2024 dividend has been set at 85 cents per share (cps), bringing total dividends for the year ended 30 September 2024 to 169 cps which is 1.2% higher than 2023. This represents a 2024 cash earnings payout ratio of 73.7%, consistent with the Group's target dividend payout ratio of 65% – 75% of cash earnings11, subject to Board determination based on circumstances at the relevant time.

Execution of the Group's strategy has seen significant progress over the past four and a half years. The Group now has a compelling suite of product offerings increasingly supported by modern technology which are far quicker, easier and safer to originate and manage, and provide a better experience for customers and colleagues. To build on this progress and take account of changes in the external environment, the Group has evolved its strategy. While no major pivots are required, the evolved strategy aims to achieve stronger customer advocacy, increased simplification and faster outcomes. This is expected to support ongoing sustainable growth and returns including improved performance in deposits and lending via proprietary channels.

Technology will continue to play an important role in enabling the Group's evolved strategic ambitions, including the ongoing modernisation and replacement of the Group's complex and ageing hardware and software to support a resilient, secure and flexible technology operating environment. However, the key drivers of success are expected to be broader than just technology. In particular, the voice of the customer needs to be more amplified across the Group so that when decisions are being made at any level, customer implications are well understood with incentives aligned to customer advocacy. Opportunities also exist to better and more systematically leverage customer feedback and increase the pace at which the Group responds. This requires a more granular and consistent Group-wide customer advocacy measurement system, linked to the Group's investment decision-making framework, views of value creation and incentive structures.

At the same time, simplification requires heightened prioritisation. While good progress has been made over recent years to remove complexity particularly at a product level, there are still too many systems, processes, products, policies and ways of doing things which make it difficult for colleagues and get in the way of customers experiencing quick, easy and seamless interactions. This complexity also creates risk and is a major barrier to productivity. Finishing the work nearing completion on a number of the key investment priorities underway since 2020 will be an important part of reducing complexity and will allow the Group to fully leverage the benefits of these programs including retiring legacy systems and platforms and removing duplication.

The Group plans to support its colleagues to deliver its evolved strategic priorities through its approach to developing culture, talent and leadership capabilities. There have also been a number of new roles and functions created to improve colleague focus, clarity and accountability for the Group's refreshed areas of focus.

The Group recognises the importance of investing in its franchise to deliver sustainable growth and returns over time through initiatives which improve customer experience, comply with legal and regulatory requirements and improve capabilities and efficiency. To support the Group’s evolved strategic priorities, investment spend (on a restated basis12) is expected to increase modestly from $1,638 million in 2024 to approximately $1.8 billion in 2025. This will include spend on a range of new and existing initiatives to improve customer advocacy and the continued replacement of ageing and complex technology.

The Group moves forward with optimism and confidence in its strong foundations and evolved strategy. Customer centricity, simplification and speed will become the hallmarks of NAB going forward. This is expected to drive leading customer advocacy, and market share gains, underpinning sustainable growth and attractive returns for shareholders.

  1. Amounts presented in this section are based on cash earnings.
  2. Includes Broker, Retail and B&PB home lending applications excluding trust, company and complex lending.
  3. Broker and proprietary home loan applications auto decisioned same day via digital home lending platform using an automated credit rules engine without need for manual intervention.
  4. APRA Monthly Authorised Deposit-taking Institution statistics. Latest data as at September 2024.
  5. Engagement scores refer to Glint ‘Heartbeat’ outcomes. Top quartile comparison is based upon Glint’s client group (domestic and global, from all industries).
  6. Net Promoter® and NPS® are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter ScoreSM is a service mark of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld. Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to September 2024. Mass Consumer: based on all consumers, 18+ and excludes HNW&MA customers. HNW&MA: based on all consumers, 18+ with personal income of $260k+ and/or investible assets $2.5m+ and/or footings of over $850k. Business Strategic NPS is constructed based on 25:25:50 weighting of underlying segments, allocated to Nano & Micro: Small: Medium & Large, respectively. Nano & Micro (Businesses with a turnover up to $1m or $1m-$5m with no perceived banker), Small (Businesses with a turnover $1m-$5m with a perceived banker), Medium & Large (Businesses with a turnover between $5m and <$200m). Ranking based on absolute scores, not statistically significant differences.
  7. Coalition Greenwich (formerly Peter Lee Associates) - Large Corporate and Institutional Relationship Banking Survey Australia 2024. Ranking against the four major domestic banks. Coalition Greenwich is a division of Crisil.
  8. Statutory cost growth of 6.9%.
  9. On 2 May 2024, the Group announced it had increased its on-market buy-back of ordinary shares by $1.5 billion, resulting in a total combined size of up to $3 billion. NAB has bought back and cancelled $2.1 billion of ordinary shares in the September 2024 financial year including $1.1 billion (0.25% of CET1 capital) in the half year ended September 2024.
  10. Full detail on how cash earnings is defined, a discussion of non-cash earnings items and a full reconciliation of statutory net profit attributable to owners of the Company is set out in Note 2 Segment information of the Financial Report on page 178. Statutory return on equity and statutory EPS are presented on page 110. Cash EPS reflects basic EPS. Both Cash EPS and Cash ROE excluding large notable items in 2020 from cash earnings. NZB's FY20 cash earnings on RWA have not been restated for the change in reporting of Bank of New Zealand’s Markets Trading operations and enabling units which, prior to 1 October 2023, were reported in Corporate and Institutional Banking and Corporate Functions and Other.
  11. Statutory dividend payout ratio is 75.2%.
  12. Restated to reflect previously defined investment spend ($1,451 million in 2024) plus Other capitalised software ($187 million in 2024).

Capital management and funding review

Balance sheet management overview

The Group remains committed to balance sheet strength, to support sustainable growth and returns while keeping the bank safe.

Regulatory reform

Regulatory change is a key area of focus for the group. Key reforms that may affect the Group's capital and funding include:

Revisions to the capital framework
Increased loss-absorbing capacity for ADIs

Under their loss-absorbing capacity framework, APRA required domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) to hold incremental total capital equal to 3% of risk-weighted assets (RWA) from 1 January 2024. The requirement increases by 1.5% (to a total of 4.5%) of RWA on 1 January 2026. NAB has met the 3% of RWA Total capital requirement.

RBNZ capital review

In December 2019, the RBNZ finalised its review of their capital adequacy framework. The RBNZ amendments included an increase in the Tier 1 capital requirement to 16% of RWA, and an increase in the Total capital requirement to 18% of RWA, to be phased in by 2028.

Additional Tier 1 capital discussion paper

In September 2024, APRA released a discussion paper outlining potential amendments to APRA’s prudential framework to ensure that the capital strength of the Australian banking system operates more effectively in a stress scenario. For advanced banks such as NAB, APRA has proposed replacing 1.5% AT1 capital with 0.25% CET1 capital and 1.25% Tier 2 capital, from January 2027. Subject to stakeholder feedback, APRA plans to provide an update on the consultation process in late 2024 and formally consult on specific changes to prudential standards in 2025. 

Liquidity requirements

APRA will conduct a broader review of APS 210 Liquidity with early industry engagement commencing in 2025.

Capital management

The Group’s capital management strategy is focused on adequacy, efficiency, and flexibility. The capital adequacy objective seeks to ensure sufficient capital is held in excess of regulatory requirements and is within the Group’s balance sheet risk appetite. This approach is consistent across the Group’s subsidiaries.

The Group’s capital ratio operating targets are regularly reviewed in the context of the external economic and regulatory outlook with the objective of maintaining balance sheet strength. The Group’s CET1 capital ratio operating target range remains unchanged at 11.0% to 11.5%.

On 15 August 2023, the Group announced its intention to buy back up to $1.5 billion of NAB ordinary shares on-market to progressively manage its CET1 capital ratio towards its target range. NAB commenced the buy-back on 29 August 2023.

On 2 May 2024, the Group announced it had increased its on-market buy-back of ordinary shares by $1.5 billion, resulting in a total combined size of up to $3 billion. NAB has bought back and cancelled $2.1 billion of ordinary shares in the September 2024 full year including $1.1 billion (0.25% of CET1 capital) in the September 2024 half year.

Additional Tier 1 capital initiatives

On 6 June 2024, the Group issued $1 billion of NAB Capital
Notes 8, which will mandatorily convert into NAB ordinary shares on 18 December 2034, provided certain conditions are met.

With APRA’s prior written approval, NAB may elect to convert, redeem or resell these NAB Capital Notes 8 on 17 March 2032, 17 June 2032, 17 September 2032, 17 December 2032, or on the occurrence of particular events, provided certain conditions are met.

Tier 2 capital initiatives

The Group’s Tier 2 capital initiatives during the September 2024 full year included the following:

Full details on the Group’s subordinated notes issuance are available at nabcapital.com.au.

BNZ capital initiatives

On 21 August 2024, BNZ issued NZ$450 million of Perpetual Preference Shares (PPS), which qualify as AT1 capital under RBNZ prudential regulatory requirements. The PPS have no fixed maturity date and will remain on issue indefinitely if not redeemed by BNZ. BNZ may elect to redeem the PPS on the first optional redemption date or on each quarterly scheduled distribution payment date thereafter, or at any time if a tax event or regulatory event occurs. Redemption is subject to certain conditions being met, including obtaining the RBNZ's approval. Holders of PPS have no right to require that the PPS be redeemed.

Funding and liquidity

The Group monitors the composition and stability of funding and liquidity through the Board approved risk appetite which includes compliance with the regulatory requirements of APRA's Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR).

Funding

The Group employs a range of metrics to set its risk appetite and measure balance sheet strength. The NSFR measures the extent to which assets are funded with stable sources of funding to mitigate the risk of future funding stress.

As at 30 September 2024, the Group’s NSFR was 117% up 1% compared to 30 September 2023, with the movement primarily driven by wholesale funding issuance in excess of impacts associated with the maturity of the Additional and Supplementary Allowances of the Term Funding Facility (TFF).

Another key structural measure for balance sheet strength is the Stable Funding Index (SFI), which is comprised of the Customer Funding Index (CFI) and the Term Funding Index (TFI). The CFI represents the proportion of the Group’s core assets that is funded by customer deposits. Similarly, the TFI represents the proportion of the Group’s core assets that is funded by term wholesale funding with a remaining term to maturity of greater than 12 months, including Term Lending Facility (TLF) and Funding for Lending Programme (FLP) drawdowns.

For the September 2024 full year, the SFI remained at 103% as lending growth was largely funded by deposit inflows and new term wholesale funding issuance in excess of volumes moving within 12 months to maturity.

Term wholesale funding

The Group maintains a well-diversified term wholesale funding profile across issuance type, currency, investor location and tenor.

During the September 2024 full year, NAB accessed term wholesale funding markets across a range of products and currencies with issuance conditions supported by decreasing inflation and central bank interest rate cut expectations.

The Group raised $37.5 billion1 of term wholesale funding during the September 2024 full year. NAB raised $34.5 billion of term wholesale funding, including $3.3 billion of Tier 2 subordinated debt and BNZ raised $3.0 billion of term wholesale funding.

As at 30 September 2024, the full TFF allocation has been repaid.

The weighted average maturity of term wholesale funding issued by the Group in the September 2024 full year was 5.02 years. The weighted average remaining maturity of the Group’s term wholesale funding portfolio is 3.42 years.

Term wholesale funding markets continue to be influenced by the economic environment, investor sentiment and impacts of monetary and fiscal policy settings.

  1. Excludes AT1 capital.
  2. Excludes AT1 capital, Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS), TFF and FLP.

Short-term wholesale funding

For the September 2024 full year, the Group accessed international and domestic short-term funding through wholesale markets. In addition, the Group accessed secured short-term funding in the form of repurchase agreements primarily to support markets and trading activities. Repurchase agreements entered into, excluding those associated with the TFF, TLF and FLP, are materially offset by reverse repurchase agreements with similar tenors.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio

The LCR measures the adequacy of HQLA available to meet net cash outflows over a 30-day period during a severe liquidity stress scenario. HQLA consists of cash, central bank reserves and highly rated government securities. In addition to HQLA, alternative liquid assets (ALA) can also contribute to regulatory liquidity. ALA has previously included the Committed Liquidity Facility (CLF) which was in effect pre 1 January 2023, and currently includes certain RBNZ repo-eligible securities.

The Group maintains a well-diversified liquid asset portfolio to support regulatory and internal requirements in the regions in which it operates. The average value of regulatory liquid assets held through the September 2024 quarter was $215 billion which was comprised of $212 billion of HQLA and $3 billion of RBNZ repo-eligible securities.

The Group's LCR averaged 137% during the September 2024 quarter, a decrease of 3% compared to September 2023.

A detailed breakdown of quarterly average net cash outflows is provided in the September 2024 Pillar 3 Report.

Dividend and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)

The final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 September 2024 has been increased to 85 cents, 100% franked, payable on 16 December 2024.

The extent to which future dividends on ordinary shares and distributions on frankable hybrids will be franked is not guaranteed and will depend on a number of factors, including capital management activities and the level of profits generated by the Group that will be subject to tax in Australia.

The Group periodically adjusts its DRP to reflect its capital position and outlook. There is no DRP discount for the 2024 final dividend. Eligible shareholders have the ability to participate in the DRP for the 2024 final dividend for up to 5 million NAB ordinary shares per participant. The Group expects to satisfy the DRP in full by an on-market purchase of shares.

Directors’ information

For information on the directors, company secretaries and board meetings refer to pages 69 to 73 and 78.

Directors' and officers' indemnity

NAB’s constitution

Under Article 20.1, to the maximum extent permitted by law and without limiting the Company’s power, the Company may indemnify any current or former officer out of the property of the Company against:

Under Article 20.2, the Company may pay or agree to pay, whether directly or through an interposed entity, a premium for a contract insuring a person who is or has been an officer against liability incurred by the person in that capacity, including a liability for legal costs, unless:

The Company may enter into an agreement with a person referred to in Articles 20.1 and 20.2 with respect to the subject matter of those Articles. Such an agreement may include provisions relating to rights of access to the books of the Company . In the context of Article 20, ‘officer’ means a director, secretary or senior manager of NAB or of a related body corporate of the Company.

The Company has executed deeds of indemnity in favour of each director of NAB and certain directors of related bodies corporate of the Company. Some companies within the Group have extended equivalent deeds of indemnity in favour of directors of those companies.

Directors' and officers' insurance

During the year, the Company, pursuant to Article 20, paid a premium for a contract insuring all directors, secretaries, executive officers and officers of the Company and of each related body corporate of the Company. The contract does not provide cover for the independent auditors of the Company or of a related body corporate of the Company. In accordance with usual commercial practice, the insurance contract prohibits disclosure of the premium payable, the policy limits and the nature of the liabilities covered.

Directors' and executives' interests

Particulars of shares, rights and other relevant interests held directly and indirectly by directors and Group Executives are set out in the Remuneration Report.

Other matters

Rights

As at the date of this report, there are 4,312,846 rights outstanding in relation to NAB fully paid ordinary shares. No exercise price is payable for rights. The latest dates for exercise of the rights range between 15 November 2024 and 15 November 2030. Persons holding rights are not entitled to participate in capital actions by NAB (such as rights issues or bonus issues) as they relate to those rights.

For the period from 1 October 2024 to the date of this report, no NAB fully paid ordinary shares were issued as a result of the exercise of a right.

For further details on rights refer to Note 35 Equity-based plans of the notes to the financial statements and Section 6.4 of the Remuneration Report.

Future developments

In the opinion of the directors, discussion or disclosure of any further future developments including the Group’s business strategies and its prospects for future financial years would be likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the interests of the Group.

Proceedings on behalf of NAB

There are no proceedings brought or intervened in, or applications to bring or intervene in proceedings, on behalf of NAB by a member or other person entitled to do so under section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Events subsequent to reporting date

There are no items, transactions or events of a material or unusual nature that have arisen in the period between 30 September 2024 and the date of this report that, in the opinion of the directors, have significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in future years.

Integrity of reporting

The directors of NAB have a responsibility with respect to the integrity of external reporting. This involves reviewing and monitoring, with the assistance of the Board Audit Committee and management, the processes, controls and procedures which are in place to maintain the integrity of the Group’s financial statements.

Further details on the role of the Board and its committees can be found in NAB's 2024 Corporate Governance Statement in the Corporate Governance Statement section of this report and is available online at nab.com.au/about-us/corporate-governance.

External auditor

EY was appointed as the Group external auditor on 31 January 2005 and has provided the audit opinion on the Financial Report for 20 years. In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the lead signing partner for the audit rotates every five years. Mr Tim Dring was appointed on 16 December 2022 as the Group's Lead Partner and completed his second year as signing partner on the 2024 Financial Report. 

The Audit Committee conducts an annual review of the adequacy of the external audit with emphasis on independence, effectiveness, and performance of the external auditor. The Audit Committee assessed and resolved it would be appropriate for EY to continue as the external auditor and satisfied themselves on the following basis:

There is no person who has acted as an officer of the Group during the 2024 financial year who has previously been a partner at EY when that firm conducted the Group's audit.

Non-audit services, audit-related, taxation-related services

The remuneration of the external auditor is set out in Note 34 Remuneration of external auditor of the notes to the financial statements and includes details of the fees paid or due and payable for audit-related, taxation-related and non-audit services provided by EY to the Group during 2024.

In accordance with advice received from the Audit Committee, the directors are satisfied that the provision of audit-related, taxation-related and non-audit services during the year to 30 September 2024 by EY is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The directors are satisfied because the Audit Committee or its delegate has assessed each service, having regard to auditor independence requirements of applicable laws, rules and regulations, and concluded that the provision of each service or type of service would not impair the independence of EY.

A description of the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures is set out in the Assurance and Control section on page 89. A copy of EY’s independence declaration is set out on page 163.

Remuneration Report

Letter from the People & Remuneration Committee Chair, Kathryn Fagg

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the 2024 Remuneration Report, the first since my appointment as Chair of the People & Remuneration Committee. Our results reflect the continued execution of NAB’s strategy, and our focus on being a trusted partner to our customers. We continued to support households and businesses in a challenging economic environment.

Changes to the Executive Leadership Team

In 2024, NAB welcomed Andrew Irvine as the new Group CEO and Managing Director, succeeding Ross McEwan. Mr McEwan ceased to be the Group CEO and Managing Director on 2 April, and retired on 1 July following a transition period. The Board thanks Mr McEwan for his leadership and contribution to the Group during the past four-and-a-half years. 

Three other changes were made to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) with appointments from within NAB’s senior leadership group, demonstrating succession planning and strong internal talent. The number of female ELT members increased from three to five, with female leadership across all three of our customer-facing businesses in Australia for the first time. Further details on the changes are provided in Section 2.2.

Performance

Group Performance Indicators (GPI) achieved at 90% of target due to slight shortfalls in financial outcomes, Customer Net Promoter Score (NPS)1 results, and gender equality (despite good progress on that measure). This was partially offset by pleasing colleague engagement initiatives and progress on technology modernisation.

Key outcomes in 2024 include:

Further detail on Group performance and remuneration outcomes is in Section 4.

Remuneration for colleagues

The new Enterprise Agreement is a three-year agreement that came into effect in 2024, bringing certainty about pay and benefits for colleagues. The Enterprise Agreement provided a Fixed Remuneration (FR) increase of up to 5% to eligible colleagues in January 2024.

Progress was made towards gender equality with a reduction of the gender pay gap to 15.1%6. NAB continues to address gender representation across the Group, particularly for leadership roles.

Additional information about colleague benefits and progress on key initiatives is provided in Section 1.3.

Remuneration for the Group CEO and Group Executives

The Board has exercised restraint in executive remuneration and differentiated reward outcomes to reflect the contributions of each senior executive.

Key remuneration outcomes in 2024 were:

Further detail on the executive remuneration outcomes and arrangements is provided in Section 2 and Section 4.

Regulatory updates relevant to the Group's remuneration frameworks

In 2024, the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) replaced the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR). This resulted in minor changes to our executive remuneration framework. We also completed our first annual review of our compliance with the new prudential standard on remuneration, CPS 511. Further details can be found in Section 1.3.

On behalf of the Board, I invite you to read this Remuneration Report which will be presented for adoption at the 2024 AGM.

 
Kathryn FaggPeople & Remuneration Committee Chair7 November 2024

 Contents    
 Section 1 - Our remuneration frameworks   
 Section 2 - Key executive remuneration outcomes in 2024   
 Section 3 - Our 2024 executive remuneration framework   
 Section 4 - Remuneration outcomes   
 Section 5 - Governance, risk and consequence   
 Section 6 - Group CEO and Group Executive statutory remuneration disclosures   
 Section 7 - Non-executive director remuneration   
 Section 8 - Loans, other transactions and other interests   

  1. Net Promoter® and NPS® are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter ScoreSM is a service mark of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld.
  2. Full detail on how cash earnings is defined, a discussion of non-cash earnings items and a full reconciliation of statutory net profit attributable to owners of the Company is set out in Note 2 Segment information of the Financial Report on page 178.
  3. Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to August 2024. Further details can be found in section 4.1 and on page 5 and 12.
  4. Employee Engagement Survey Result conducted using Glint. For the purposes of the GPI and Group CEO Scorecard, colleague engagement score is 78.5% and excludes BNZ. Further details can be found in section 4.1.
  5. NAB's environmental finance ambition was announced in June 2024 and is for the period 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2030. Further information can be found in the 'Environmental finance ambition' section of NAB's 2024 Climate Report.
  6. The pay gap analysis indicates the mean gender pay gap within NAB’s Australian-based workforce. Further details can be found in section 1.3.

1 - Our remuneration frameworks

1.1 Strategic context for remuneration at NAB

Our Group Strategy and remuneration principles

Our remuneration frameworks are informed by the Group Strategy which focuses on customers and colleagues. Our remuneration principles support the delivery of our strategic priorities as outlined below. The Group operates an executive remuneration framework for the Group CEO and Group Executives, and a broader colleague remuneration framework. Our Group Strategy for 2020 to 2024 is outlined below.

There are six underpinning remuneration principles where we seek to demonstrate how we approach remuneration to all stakeholders, including our customers, regulators, communities and colleagues. We intend to be fair, appropriate, simple and transparent. The executive remuneration framework outlined in Section 1.2 is governed by the Group Strategy and Group remuneration principles. These principles inform our Group remuneration framework, remuneration policy and remuneration structures.

1.2 Executive remuneration framework in 2024

The Group remuneration principles inform the remuneration framework for the Group CEO and Group Executives. The framework reinforces our commitment to customers, aligns with sustainable shareholder value creation and reflects risk, reputation, conduct, sustainability and values (How We Work) outcomes. The framework supports the Group CEO and Group Executives to drive both short and long-term performance. The requirement to hold a minimum shareholding enhances the alignment between the interests of shareholders and the Group CEO and Group Executives.

As foreshadowed in the 2023 Remuneration Report, our new executive remuneration framework came into effect on 1 October 2023. The new framework complies with APRA's Prudential Standard CPS 511 Remuneration (CPS 511) while maintaining a strong focus on individual performance, the management of financial and non-financial risks and driving short and long-term performance, sustainable shareholder growth and a focus on customer outcomes. The diagram below illustrates the new executive remuneration framework that applied to the Group CEO and Group Executives in 2024. Further information can be found in section 3.

Board discretion applies for qualitative matters including risk, reputation, conduct, and values to ensure sustainable performance (including malus and clawback). Further details about how the Board applies discretion on remuneration matters can be found in Section 5.2.

1.3 Colleague remuneration framework

Informed by our remuneration principles, the colleague remuneration framework as outlined below applies to colleagues below the Group Executive level.

Colleague benefits and initiatives

NAB provides a broad range of benefits including financial and other well-being benefits. This includes flexible work arrangements, up to two days of volunteer leave per year, and wellness and mental health resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

Regular feedback from our colleagues is central to making NAB a great place to work. NAB’s engagement survey is a part of our ongoing, continuous listening which provides insights on what matters most to our colleagues and how to best support their teams. It's part of how NAB forms a picture of the overall colleague experience. In line with our commitment to make things simpler for colleagues, in 2024, the surveys were held twice, in February and July rather than once every quarter. This change has been made to provide more time for leaders to implement feedback and take meaningful actions between surveys.

Colleague recognition and appreciation are led through our NAB Honour program. NAB Honour recognises colleagues who get it right for our customers every time. It recognises people who role model 'How We Work' at NAB and deliver exceptional work aligned to our Group Strategy. Honourees may be an individual, an intact team, or a cross functional team that has worked together to achieve something significant.

In 2024, we continued our focus on pay equity, including greater representation of women in leadership roles across all areas of the Group (progress towards women in leadership roles can be found in the Inclusion and diversity section of our Annual Report). During our annual performance and reward review process, people leaders address and ensure gender pay equity through the performance and reward decisions they make. NAB’s gender pay gap decreased to 15.1% in 2024 (15.8% in 2023)1.

NAB’s new Enterprise Agreement is a three-year agreement effective from 15 February 20242 and provides certainty about pay and a range of additional benefits to colleagues including one week of additional leave (You Leave) every year for eligible colleagues. The 2024 Enterprise Agreement is a key part of our Colleague Strategy and how NAB attracts and retains talented professionals who will shape the future of banking.

Per the 2024 Enterprise Agreement, the FR increase effective from January 2025 for eligible colleagues below Group Executive level is based on colleagues' current FR as outlined below:

CPS 511 annual compliance review

NAB completed its first annual CPS 511 compliance review in 2024. The objective of the compliance review was to assess whether the Group’s remuneration framework, policies and practices, remuneration design (including performance measures and performance, vesting and deferral periods), remuneration outcomes, consequence management practices and governance structures are compliant with the requirements of CPS 511. The review was conducted by independent external advisors and found NAB to be compliant with the requirements of CPS 511, with minor areas for improvement. All recommended changes have been implemented in 2024 and the Group will continue to undertake annual compliance reviews to monitor and continuously improve its remuneration framework, policies and practices.

Financial Accountability Regime

The Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) which replaced the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) came into effect in March 2024. In preparation for the FAR, NAB reviewed the remuneration framework for the Group CEO, Group Executives and other colleagues and made minor changes to the Group’s Remuneration Policy and variable reward plans. The Group’s Remuneration Policy and practices are compliant with the FAR.

  1. The pay gap analysis indicates the mean gender pay gap within NAB’s Australian-based workforce, the reporting period for each year reflects 1 October to 30 September of the previous year (e.g., 2024 reflects the period 1 Oct 2022 to 30 Sept 2023). The gender pay gap is calculated by dividing the mean female base salary by the mean male base salary per employment level. It does not separately measure the gender pay gap in equivalent roles. Analysis included permanent (including CEO salary from 2024 as per WGEA reporting requirements), fixed term, and casual colleagues and excludes contractors. Figures shown are published by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
  2. While the NAB Enterprise Agreement 2024 came into effect on 15 February 2024 with a nominal expiry date of 31 December 2026, benefits for our colleagues, such as a one-time payment of $1,000, were implemented in September 2023, and Fixed Reward increases were implemented in January 2024.

2 - Key executive remuneration outcomes in 2024

2.1 Executive remuneration outcomes in 2024

Fixed Remuneration As disclosed in our 2023 Remuneration Report, the Board approved FR increases between 2.7% to 6.9% for Group Executives effective from 4 January 2024 to reflect increased accountabilities and external pay relativity adjustments. The FR of new Group Executives and Group Executives who were appointed to a different role in 2024 was determined with reference to the market remuneration quantum observed for equivalent roles in the Australian market.
2024 Performance and Annual VR outcomes The Board considered performance across all elements of the Group scorecard1.The 2024 Annual VR outcomes were:
  Individual Annual VR outcomes
Position     % of FR % of Target Opportunity % of Maximum Opportunity
Group CEO2    68% 90% 68%
Group Executives    50% - 81% 72% - 108% 54% - 81%
The five-year overview below shows a reasonable distribution of outcomes at target VR opportunity. The level of variation in the outcomes for the Group CEO and Group Executives reflects appropriate pay for performance alignment.
 % of Annual VR target
Position    2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Group CEO2    90% 108% 111% 121% 0%
Group Executives    72% - 108% 81% - 117% 93% - 111% 105% - 149% 0%
2019 Long-Term VR outcomes The performance conditions for the 2019 Long Term Variable Reward (LTVR) award (granted in February 2020) were tested in November 2023. The 2019 LTVR award was granted subject to a Relative TSR performance hurdle, measured over a four-year period. The Board also assessed qualitative performance factors and individual performance prior to determining that 100% of the total performance rights should vest. The following table provides a five-year overview of the vesting outcomes of long-term VR awards. Further details are provided in Section 4.4.
Plan Terms 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Allocation date February 2020 No long term VR awards were granted in 2018 December 2017 February 2017 March 2016
Performance period 4 years 4 years 4 years 4 years
Date of testing Nov 2023 Nov 2021 Nov 2020 Nov 2019
Number of Group Executives (including the Group CEO) who held the award3 5 5 3 2
% of award vested 100% 65.7% 55.8% 37.6%
% of award lapsed 0%  34.3% 44.2% 62.4%
  1. The Group scorecard outcome is expressed as the Group Performance Indicator (GPI), which is a key component in informing VR outcomes (refer to Section 3.2 where the mechanics of the Group Variable Reward Plan are explained).
  2. The Annual VR outcome for the Group CEO reflect the outcomes of both the new and previous Group CEO and was determined on a pro-rata basis with respect to their proportion of the year as Group CEO. The outcome for the new Group CEO was prorated to reflect the time for which he was Group CEO, and the time he was the Group Executive, Business and Private Banking.
  3. Number of Group Executives (including the Group CEO) who held the award and were a Group Executive on the vesting date of the awards.

2.2 Group executive appointments and exit arrangements

A number of changes were made to the Executive Leadership Team in 2024:

The following table outlines the remuneration arrangements for Group Executives as a result of role changes in 2024.

Group Executive Remuneration arrangement
Andrew Irvine, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director(appointed 2 April 2024, ceased to be the Group Executive, Business and Private Banking on 1 April 2024)1
  • Mr Irvine was previously Group Executive, Business and Private Banking. Mr Irvine's FR in this role was $1,230,000.
  • Effective from the date of appointment as Group CEO and Managing Director, Mr Irvine’s remuneration comprised of annual FR of $2,500,000 with Annual VR target opportunity of 75% of FR (maximum opportunity of 100% of FR) and an LTI opportunity up to 140% of FR (comprising the LTEA component of 70% of FR and the LTVR component of 70% of FR).
  • Mr Irvine was provided with an additional grant of 30,572 performance rights under the LTI plan in respect of the 2024 financial year, in addition to the LTI performance rights already awarded in connection with his previous role. The additional performance rights are a “top up” grant to reflect the period of the 2024 financial year Mr Irvine served in the Group CEO role.
Ross McEwan(ceased to be Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on 2 April 2024, retired on 1 July 2024)2
  • Mr McEwan ceased to be Group CEO and Managing Director on 2 April, and retired on 1 July following a transition period.
  • Mr McEwan remained eligible to participate in the Annual VR plan for the 2024 financial year.
  • The Board determined that Mr McEwan’s allocation of LTI performance rights approved by the shareholders at the 2023 Annual General Meeting should be reduced in recognition of Mr McEwan’s retirement on 1 July 2024. A total reduction of 30,256 rights was applied resulting in the retention of 45,383 rights under LTEA and 45,383 rights under LTVR. All other rights allocated to Mr McEwan in prior years are retained subject to the terms and conditions of each award.
Rachel Slade, Group Executive, Business and Private Banking(appointed 29 April 2024, ceased to be the Group Executive, Personal Banking on 28 April 2024)
  • Ms Slade was previously Group Executive, Personal Banking. Ms Slade's FR in this role was $1,230,000.
  • Effective from the date of appointment as Group Executive, Business and Private Banking, Ms Slade’s remuneration comprised of annual FR of $1,300,000 with Annual VR target opportunity of 75% of FR (maximum opportunity of 100% of FR) and an LTI opportunity up to 140% of FR (comprising the LTEA component of 70% of FR and the LTVR component of 70% of FR).
Ana Marinkovic, Group Executive, Personal Banking(appointed 29 April 2024, ceased to be the Executive, Business Direct & Small Business on 28 April 2024)
  • Ms Marinkovic was previously the Executive, Business Direct & Small Business.
  • Effective from the date of her appointment, Ms Marinkovic’s remuneration comprised of annual FR of $1,150,000 with Annual VR target opportunity of 75% of FR (maximum opportunity of 100% of FR) and an LTI opportunity up to 140% of FR (comprising the LTEA component of 70% of FR and the LTVR component of 70% of FR).
  • Ms Marinkovic did not receive an LTI award (comprising the LTEA component and the LTVR component) in respect of the 2024 performance year.
Cathryn Carver, Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking(appointed 1 July 2024, ceased to be the Executive, Client Coverage on 30 June 2024)
  • Ms Carver was previously Executive, Client Coverage.
  • Effective from the date of her appointment, Ms Carver’s remuneration comprised of annual FR of $1,150,000 with Annual VR target opportunity of 75% of FR (maximum opportunity of 100% of FR) and an LTI opportunity up to 140% of FR (comprising the LTEA component of 70% of FR and the LTVR component of 70% of FR).
  • Ms Carver did not receive an LTI award (comprising the LTEA component and the LTVR component) in respect of the 2024 performance year.
David Gall, Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking(ceased to be Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking on 1 July 2024, ceased employment on 1 October 2024)3
  • Mr Gall ceased to be Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking on 1 July 2024.
  • Mr Gall ceased employment with NAB effective 1 October 2024 following a transition period in an advisory function providing support to the Group CEO and ELT members in the development of NAB's evolved Group strategic ambition.
  • In accordance with the terms of NAB’s VR plans, Mr Gall retained all unvested deferred short-term and long-term VR awards. The awards remain subject to the relevant performance measures and restriction periods.
  • Mr Gall remained eligible to participate in the FY24 Annual VR plan. Mr Gall’s Annual VR will be delivered in cash (60%) and deferred cash (40%), vesting in two equal annual tranches in accordance with the terms of the plan.
  • On cessation, Mr Gall received a payment in respect of statutory entitlements, support to transition to external opportunities and in recognition of his contribution to the Group. Payments made in connection with Mr Gall’s cessation complied with the termination benefits regime in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Angela Mentis, Group Chief Digital, Data and Analytics Officer(retired and ceased to be Group Chief Digital, Data & Analytics Officer on 31 October 2023)4
  • Ms Mentis retired from NAB on 31 October 2023. In accordance with the terms of NAB’s VR plans, Ms Mentis retained all unvested deferred short-term and long-term VR awards. The awards remain subject to the relevant performance measures and restriction periods.
  • Ms Mentis did not participate in the FY24 Annual VR Plan.
  • On retirement, Ms Mentis received a payment in respect of statutory entitlements and in recognition of her contribution to the Group. Payments made in connection with Ms Mentis' retirement complied with the termination benefits regime in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
  1. The Annual VR outcome for Mr Irvine was 90% of his target opportunity (68% of maximum), determined on a pro-rata basis based on his VR opportunity and FR for the proportion of the year he was the Group Executive, Business and Private Banking, and the proportion of the year he was Group Chief Executive Officer.
  2. Mr McEwan’s VR outcome was 90% of his target opportunity (68% of maximum). This amount reflects the period for which he was the Group CEO.
  3. Mr Gall remained employed by NAB during the period 1 July 2024 to 1 October 2024. He was not a KMP or a member of the Executive Leadership Team in this period.
  4. Details of Ms Mentis’ retirement was previously detailed in the 2023 Remuneration Report. As her retirement occurred in the 2024 financial year, relevant details are also included in this report.

2.3 Other changes to executive remuneration arrangements

Group Executive Remuneration arrangement
Patrick Wright, Group Executive, Technology and Enterprise Operations
  • Mr Wright was granted an award to the value of $2,250,000 in the form of 77,800 performance rights on 22 February 2024 to recognise his accountability for delivering NAB’s multi-year technology modernisation roadmap, a key initiative for the Group going forward.
  • The Performance Rights are subject to satisfactory delivery of the technology modernisation roadmap which will be measured using the Technology Modernisation Score (TMS). The TMS is an objective measure that is also used to inform the Group Performance Indicator (GPI). The TMS will assess technology modernisation efforts and associated risk reduction over the 4 year performance period from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2027.  
  • At the end of the 4 year performance period, the Board will determine the number of performance rights that vest. Half of the vested performance rights will be exercised immediately on vesting and the other half will be subject to a 12-month restriction period and cannot be exercised until 22 December 2028. The performance rights are subject to malus and clawback.
Leslie Matheson, Group Executive Digital, Data and COO
  • Effective 29 April 2024 Mr Matheson’s remuneration comprised of annual FR of $1,250,000 (9% increase from $1,150,000) with Annual VR target opportunity of 75% of FR (maximum opportunity of 100% of FR) and an LTI opportunity up to 140% of FR (comprising the LTEA component of 70% of FR and the LTVR component of 70% of FR). The increase to Mr Matheson's remuneration reflects the accountabilities and responsibilities of the COO portfolio.

2.4 Executive Remuneration in 2025

Feature Description   
Fixed Remuneration No increase was made to the FR of the Group CEO and Managing Director for 2025.The FR will be increased for the following five Group Executives effective 2 January 2025, reflecting the accountabilities and responsibilities of their portfolios, experience in the role, and appropriate alignment to the Financial Services market:
  • Cathryn Carver– Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking: from $1,150,000 to $1,200,000 ($50,000 or 4.3% increase)
  • Shaun Dooley – Group Chief Risk Officer: from $1,300,000 to $1,350,000 ($50,000 or 3.8% increase)
  • Nathan Goonan - Group Chief Financial Officer: from $1,175,000 to $1,200,000 ($25,000 or 2.1% increase)
  • Daniel Huggins - CEO and Managing Director BNZ: from $1,180,123 to $1,217,002 ($36,879 or 3.1% increase)
  • Sarah White - Group Executive, People and Culture: from $900,000 to $950,000 ($50,000 or 5.6% increase)
 
 
2025 LTI award (LTEA and LTVR components) The Board assessed the Group CEO and all Group Executives as having met the pre-grant individual performance, risk management and conduct assessments. Accordingly, the Board determined that each be awarded a 2025 LTI award, comprising the LTEA component and the LTVR component, each with a face value of 70% of FR (i.e., a total value of 140% of FR). The LTI award (LTEA and LTVR components) will be granted in December 2024.The actual value delivered to the Group CEO and each Group Executive is subject to the level of achievement against the relevant four-year performance measures and may be zero if the performance measures are not achieved.For the Group CEO, the 2025 LTI award comprising of the LTEA component (45,919 performance rights) and LTVR component (45,919 performance rights), based on NAB's weighted average share price of $38.11 over the last five trading days of the 2024 financial year, will be granted in December 2024 subject to shareholder approval at NAB's 2024 AGM.  

2.5 Key management personnel

The list of NAB's Key Management Personnel (KMP) is assessed each year and comprises the non-executive directors of NAB, the Group CEO (an executive director of NAB) and the Group Executives who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of both NAB and the Group. The KMP during 2024 were:

Name Position Term as KMP
Non-executive directors   
Philip Chronican Chair Full year
Alison Kitchen Director Full year
Ann Sherry Director Full year
Anne Loveridge Director Full year
Carolyn Kay Director Full year
Christine Fellowes Director Full year
Douglas McKay Director Full year
Kathryn Fagg Director Full year
Simon McKeon Director Full year
Former non-executive directors   
David Armstrong Director (to 15 December 2023) Part year
Peeyush Gupta Director (to 15 December 2023) Part year
Group CEO   
Andrew Irvine1 Group CEO and Managing Director (from 2 April 2024) Part year
Group Executives   
Ana Marinkovic Group Executive, Personal Banking (from 29 April 2024) Part year
Andrew Irvine Group Executive, Business and Private Banking (to 1 April 2024) Part year
Cathryn Carver Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking (from 1 July 2024) Part year
Daniel Huggins2 CEO and Managing Director, BNZ Full year
Les Matheson Chief Operating Officer (to 31 October 2023)
Group Executive, Digital, Data and Chief Operating Officer (from 1 November 2023)
Full year
Nathan Goonan Group Chief Financial Officer Full year
Patrick Wright Group Executive, Technology and Enterprise Operations Full year
Rachel Slade Group Executive, Personal Banking (to 28 April 2024)
Group Executive, Business and Private Banking (from 29 April 2024)
Full year
Sarah White Group Executive, People and Culture Full year
Sharon Cook Group Executive, Legal and Commercial Services Full year
Shaun Dooley Group Chief Risk Officer Full year
Former Group Executives   
Ross McEwan3 Group CEO and Managing Director (to 2 April 2024) Part year
Angela Mentis4 Group Chief Digital, Data and Analytics Officer (to 31 October 2023) Part year
David Gall5 Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking (to 1 July 2024) Part year
  1. Between 2 April 2024 and 29 April 2024, Andrew Irvine was also responsible for the transition of the Group Executive, Business and Private Banking role.
  2. All matters relating to the remuneration of Daniel Huggins including VR, have been approved by the BNZ Board as required under BNZ's Conditions of Registration which are set by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
  3. Ross McEwan ceased to be a KMP and member of the Executive Leadership Team on 2 April 2024 and retired on 1 July 2024.
  4. Angela Mentis retired and ceased to be a KMP and member of the Executive Leadership Team on 31 October 2023.
  5. David Gall ceased to be a KMP and member of the Executive Leadership team on 1 July 2024 and ceased employment with NAB on 1 October 2024.

3 - Our 2024 executive remuneration framework

NAB’s revised executive remuneration framework came into effect from 1 October 2023. Consistent with the previous framework, the 2024 executive remuneration framework incorporates remuneration deferral arrangements to ensure shareholder alignment. A proportion of remuneration is deferred in the form of equity for up to six years to encourage long-term decisions that create sustainable value for customers and shareholders. The new framework meets the requirements of CPS 511 and:

All variable reward (unvested, vested or paid) is subject to malus and clawback. Refer to Section 5.2 for more detail.

3.1 Remuneration mix

Remuneration mix

The 2024 remuneration mix for the Group CEO and Group Executives at maximum opportunity delivers approximately 70% of total remuneration as variable and 'at risk' remuneration. The actual remuneration mix for the Group CEO and each Group Executive is subject to Group1 and individual performance each year.

Maximum remuneration opportunity

The chart below illustrates the maximum total remuneration opportunity of the Group CEO under the 2024 executive remuneration framework.

  1. The outcome for the CEO and Managing Director, BNZ will vary depending on overall Group and BNZ performance.

3.2 Annual variable reward for 2024

The table below outlines the key features of the Annual VR plan for the Group CEO and Group Executives.

Feature  Description
Purpose  Annual VR rewards the Group CEO and Group Executives for delivery of annual goals that drive long-term sustainable performance. It provides an appropriate level of remuneration that varies based on the Board’s determination of Group and individual performance over the financial year measured against agreed targets for financial and non- financial measures that are set to drive delivery of the Group's strategy. The plan is not wholly formulaic. Judgement is applied through qualitative assessment as determined by the Board.
Annual VR calculation  Individual Annual VR awards for the Group CEO and Group Executives1 are calculated as follows2: Discretionary adjustments: Annual VR is discretionary and will vary in line with Group and individual performance and available funding. The Board may determine any amount be awarded from zero up to the maximum VR opportunity.The Group CEO's scorecard, assessment and outcomes for 2024 are provided in Section 4.1.
Annual VR opportunity  Position Target opportunity Maximum opportunity
 Group CEO and Group Executives (excluding Group Chief Risk Officer) 75% of FR 100% of FR
Group Chief Risk Officer 50% of FR 65% of FR
Group performance  Group performance is assessed on achievement of financial and non-financial measures (GPI) linked to the Group's key strategic priorities, overlaid by a qualitative assessment. The qualitative assessment may result in the outcome being adjusted upwards or downwards (including to zero) for risk, quality of performance (including consideration of financial and customer outcomes, sustainability matters, and progress made against strategy) and any other matters as determined by the Board.
Individual performance and measures  Individual performance is assessed against a scorecard comprised of key financial and non-financial goals. The weighting of measures reflects the responsibilities for each individual's role. The Group CEO's 2024 scorecard is aligned to the GPI.
 
Individual performance modifiers: The Board considers three individual performance modifiers which may result in an adjustment to an individuals’ performance and VR outcomes:
  • Risk: the individual's management of risk and compliance.
  • Employee conduct: individual performance and VR outcomes may be reduced where expected standards of conduct are not met.
  • How We Work: the individual's demonstration of NAB’s values.
Award delivery and deferral  Annual VR is delivered as a combination of cash and deferred rights. The cash component of Annual VR is paid following the performance year to which it relates.Deferred rights will be granted in December 2024 and are scheduled to vest pro-rata over two years from grant. Deferred rights are granted and may vest at the Board's discretion, subject to the relevant plan rules including malus and clawback provisions.A dividend equivalent payment for any vested deferred rights is paid at the end of each deferral period.
Separation  If the Group CEO or a Group Executive resigns, they will not receive any Annual VR for that year and any unvested deferred rights will be forfeited.Unvested awards may be retained on separation in other circumstances prior to the end of the vesting period. The Board retains discretion to determine a different treatment. Vesting of any unvested awards retained will generally not be accelerated and will continue to be held by the individual on the same terms.
Board discretion  The Board has extensive discretion in respect of the Annual VR awarded. Further detail on governance of Annual VR is outlined in Section 5.2.
  1. All matters relating to the remuneration of Daniel Huggins, CEO and Managing Director, BNZ, including scorecard measures and performance assessment, have been approved by the BNZ Board as required under BNZ's Conditions of Registration which are set by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Daniel Huggins’ Annual VR is calculated as VR Target Opportunity x (25% Group performance + 75% BNZ performance) x Individual Performance Score. BNZ performance is assessed based on Customer (30%); Colleagues (12.5%); Safe Growth (7.5%) and Financial measures(50%). The assessed overall BNZ performance for 2024 was 99%.
  2. Where a Group Executive had a change in role, the annual variable reward was prorated to reflect the different roles.

3.3 Long-term incentive in 2024

The Long Term Incentive (LTI) is comprised of two equally weighted components of remuneration which together provide material weight to financial and non-financial measures in compliance with APRA requirements. These two components are the Long-Term Equity Award (LTEA) and Long-Term Variable Award (LTVR). The LTI is awarded to the Group CEO and Group Executives through the process described below.

Individual performance, risk management, and conduct (How We Work) considerations are set out in our risk management and conduct framework in Section 5.3.

The table below details the key features of the 2024 LTI award for the Group CEO and Group Executives.

Feature Description  
Purpose The LTI award (comprising the LTEA and LTVR components) is granted by the Board to encourage long-term decision making critical to creating long-term value for shareholders. The LTI is determined and awarded independently from Annual VR decisions.
Participants Group CEO and Group Executives as determined by the Board.
Award value The maximum face value of the LTI award granted is 140% of FR for the Group CEO and Group Executives, with the LTEA and LTVR components being weighted equally (i.e., each 70% of FR).The actual value of the LTI award granted to the participant is determined by the Board based on the pre-grant assessment.
Instrument The LTI award (comprising the LTEA and LTVR components) is provided as performance rights.Each vested performance right entitles its holder to receive one NAB share upon exercise.
Pre-grant assessment At the end of the preceding performance year, an individual assessment of each participant is undertaken to determine the value of performance rights to be awarded to the participant.The Board assesses each participant based on individual performance in the preceding performance year, and risk and conduct considerations as detailed in our risk management and conduct framework in section 5.3.
Grant date The 2024 LTI award (comprised of LTEA and LTVR components) was granted on 22 February 2024.
Allocation approach The number of performance rights granted was calculated by dividing the LTEA and LTVR award face value by NAB's weighted average share price over the last five trading days of the preceding financial year. The weighted average share price used for the 2024 awards, which were allocated on 22 February 2024 was $28.92.
Performance period Four years from 15 November 2023 to 15 November 2027.
Assessment of performance measures The LTEA and LTVR components are assessed against their respective performance measures over the performance period to determine the number of performance rights that are eligible for vesting.
  LTEA
The risk management measure is a non-financial measure that tests whether NAB meets or exceeds risk expectations and maintains an acceptable level of risk exposure within the agreed appetite levels for risks specific to the Group over the performance period.
  
 LTVR  
 The LTVR component is tested by assessing NAB's TSR performance relative to the peer group as calculated by an independent provider.TSR measures the return that a shareholder receives through dividends (and any other distributions) together with capital gains over a specific period. For the purposes of calculating TSR over the performance period, the value of the relevant shares on the start date and the end date of the performance period are based on the volume weighted average price of those shares over the 30 trading days up to and including the relevant date.NAB's TSR over the performance period is measured against the TSR of each company in the TSR peer group to determine the level of vesting:
 
Long-term Incentive (LTI)
   
NAB's relative TSR outcome Level of vesting  
At or above 75th percentile 100%  
Between 50th and 75th percentiles Pro-rata vesting from 50% to 100%  
At 50th percentile 50%  
Below 50th percentile 0%  
 The TSR peer group is AMP Limited, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Queensland Limited, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Insurance Australia Group Limited, Macquarie Group Limited, Medibank Private Limited, NIB Holdings Limited, QBE Insurance Group, Suncorp Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation.  
   
Pre-vest assessment Performance rights will vest at the end of the performance period subject to continued service and pre-vest individual performance, risk and conduct assessment. The Board assesses each participant based on individual performance over the performance period, and risk and conduct considerations as detailed in our risk management and conduct framework in Section 5.3.The Board has extensive discretion to downward adjust the number of performance rights vesting for each participant, including to zero. Any performance rights that do not vest following testing will lapse.
Exercise of vested Performance Rights The vested performance rights will be exercised and converted into shares:
  • For the CEO, in three equal annual tranches commencing at the end of the performance period (i.e., 33%, 33% and 34% each year)
  • For the ELT, in two equal annual tranches commencing at the end of the performance period (i.e., 50% per year)
Prior to the performance rights being exercised, the Board assesses each participant based on individual performance over the performance period, and risk and conduct considerations as detailed in our risk management and conduct framework in Section 5.3.The number of vested performance rights that can be exercised may be modified by the Board where an event or matter justifies the adjustment.
Value of final outcome The final value delivered to each participant is determined by the number of performance rights that ultimately vest following testing, the number of vested performance rights which are exercised subject to individual performance, risk and conduct assessment, and NAB's share price at the time of exercise.The final value may be zero if performance measures are not achieved, or if the Board exercises its discretion to adjust any outcomes to zero.
Dividends No dividends are paid throughout the performance period. A dividend equivalent payment is paid for any vested performance rights for the period between vesting and exercise.
Separation The treatment of performance rights will depend on the reason for separation:
  • Resignation: performance rights will be forfeited in full
  • All other circumstances including retrenchment and retirement: the performance rights will be retained in full unless otherwise determined by the Board in its absolute discretion
Any performance rights a participant continues to hold will remain subject to the relevant performance measure, with the measure being tested in accordance with the normal timetable.
Board discretion The Board has extensive discretion in respect of the LTEA and LTVR, including the initial value granted, the number of performance rights that vest, and any forfeiture or clawback applied. Further detail is provided in Section 5.2.
  1. For example, if a participant retires prior to the end of the financial year in which the performance rights are granted, generally the Board will exercise its discretion to allow the participant to retain a pro-rata portion of the performance rights reflecting the proportion of the LTI performance period served when the retirement occurs

4 - Remuneration outcomes

4.1 Group CEO's performance

The table below shows the key 2024 performance measures for the Group CEO and Group Executives. The Board's assessment of the Group CEO's performance is aligned to the Group's performance as informed by the GPI, while considering risk and individual conduct matters which may be applied to modify the final remuneration outcome.

The GPI is linked to the Group's key strategic priorities having regard to both financial and non-financial performance including matters relating to reputation, culture, quality of performance, or any other matters that might impact performance. Progress on sustainability matters is also considered, including progress against sustainability priorities, support for customers (including affordable housing, First Nations affairs, customers experiencing vulnerability, and scam and fraud prevention), and community initiatives.

The 2024 GPI achieved at 90% of target. As part of our governance process, the GPI outcome may also be modified by the Board due to unsatisfactory risk or conduct findings. The Group Risk Performance assessment, undertaken by the Group Chief Risk Officer, reviewed the Group’s practices and presented the findings to the Board and the Board Risk & Compliance Committee. The Board did not apply its discretion to modify the final GPI outcome.

Group CEO performance outcome

The Board has considered the performance of the new and previous Group CEO in line with NAB's group performance, risk, and conduct frameworks.

    
 *Outcomes above target indicate outperformance
Goal, objective and assessment Weighting Scorecard outcome Outcome1
Financial: Deliver attractive returns, safe growth and the financial planFinancial performance was slightly below plan. The Group's balance sheet maintained good momentum with strong liquidity through 2024.
  • Return on total allocated equity (expected loss basis)2 of 11.93% was 23 basis points unfavourable to budget.
  • Cash earnings (expected loss basis)3 of $6,879 million was $218 million or 3.1% unfavourable to budget.
  • Market Share4performance across key categories was below expectations.
  • Financial performance reflected a weaker revenue performance primarily as a result of ongoing competitive pressures, partially offset by balance sheet momentum and higher expenses.
25% 23.5%
25% 24.1%
10% 8.4%
Customers: Deliver a great customer experience and grow customer advocacyContinued support for our customers when they needed us most, including when they were experiencing financial difficulty, vulnerability or when they needed to raise a complaint.
  • Corporate and Institutional Banking NPS5 leads peers and maintains a significant lead in the relationship strength index, outperforming target6.
  • Mass Consumer NPS maintained #2 ranking7 among the major Australian banks and improved to -1, 3 points above the 2023 baseline8.
  • Business NPS maintained #2 ranking7 among the major Australian banks and was 5 points below the 2023 baseline at +89, this decline was in line with peers. Second half of 2024 saw improvements across all customer segments.
  • High Net Worth and Mass Affluent NPS moved to #17 of the major Australian banks and became positive at +4, 11 points above baseline10.
  • Continued improvement to complaints handling and resolution and regulatory completion of major Wealth remediation programs.
  • Provided (or facilitated) $7 billion in environmental finance to customers, towards our $80 billion 2030 environmental financing ambition, including through Green Finance for Equipment, Agri Green Loan, and Green Commercial Real Estate.
  • Supported customers through affordable and specialist housing of $2.2bn in lending, First Nations business financing of $463.8m, and no interest loans of $64m.
20% 15%
Colleagues: Lead cultural change through energy, positivity, simplicity and engaged colleaguesColleague engagement increased steadily throughout the year achieving an average colleague engagement score of 78 for 2024, against target of 77, which was a top quartile outcome11.
  • Gender representation of women in Leadership (Group 4 – 6) roles improved (0.5% increase) however was below target of 1.4%.
  • Redefined Colleague Strategy within the evolved Group strategic ambition.
  • Implemented 'My Next Move' to maximise redeployment opportunities across NAB, and single view of workforce reporting.
7.5% 8.6%
7.5% 3.9%
Safe Growth: Support the Group Strategy through gradual elimination of complex and ageing technologyThe Technology Modernisation Score (TMS) reduction target for 2024 was 10% of the technology estate, a 15.5% reduction was delivered, exceeding target.
  • The ongoing modernisation of our technology systems has improved customer and colleague experience in key areas including Lending and Everyday Banking Origination, fraud & scams avoidance, customer onboarding & mastering.
5% 6.5%
   
Qualitative assessment  Outcome
Risk modifier:Regulatory, breach management, progress on matters of interest, losses associated with operational events and remediation costs, reputation
  • APRA recognised improvement in non-financial risk management and risk culture by lifting a $500m capital overlay on 12 March, in recognition of the formal closure of the Governance Risk and Transformation program (GRiT) and deficiencies identified in 2018 Self-assessment.
  • Maintained stable risk profiles despite economic headwinds, including financial crime, with metrics stable or improving, and the on-schedule delivery of the AUSTRAC EU.
  • Fraud and scam challenges continue, however NAB has delivered investment across the use of biometrics and other technology to detect fraud and scams, continued engagement with Government and relevant agencies regarding legislative reform, and introduced payment alerts for customers resulting in more than $100m in potential scam payments being saved for customers.
 Achieved+
How We Work modifier: Individual conduct and demonstration of NAB's valuesThe new Group CEO demonstrated the Group's values and supported the Group's desired culture:
  • Seamless transition into Group CEO role, swift process to identify ELT talent and succession, and purposeful and regular engagement with colleagues.
  • Excellent progress establishing credibility and relationships with key external stakeholders, including positive impact as ABA Chair and safeguarding cash in transit services.
  • Active role in shaping emerging cultural shift driving unrelenting focus on customers, and extensive engagement with key customers on a regular basis.
The previous Group CEO demonstrated the Group's values and supported the Group's desired culture:
  • Consistently drove accountability and performance focus, and demonstrated disciplined leadership of strategy delivery.
  • Continued to role model Customer Service Behaviours with extensive engagement with key customers.
  • Strong and appropriate contribution towards the CEO succession process and subsequent transition.
 Achieved
Board approved GPI outcome  90%
 
Overall CEO OutcomesThe new Group CEO's overall outcome was assessed as Achieved reflecting his positive impact while maintaining momentum, and building solid external relationships, including his capacity as Chair of the ABA, as well as role- modelling an unrelenting focus on customer obsession and service mindset.The previous Group CEO's overall outcome was assessed as Achieved reflecting his disciplined leadership to progress the strategic agenda, removal of the APRA operational risk capital overlay, as well as role- modelling individual conduct and NAB Values.  90% of target opportunity1268% of maximum opportunity
  1. Outcome shown as a percentage relative to the percentage weighting of the performance measure.
  2. Return on Total Allocated Equity on an expected loss basis remains sensitive to changes in the risk profile of the Group's portfolio. Statutory net profit for the period amounted to $6,960 million.
  3. Calculation on an expected loss basis provides a view that is reflective of long-term underlying business performance and is less volatile than the Credit Impairment Charge view which in individual years can be impacted by large movements in economic adjustments and forward looking adjustments.
  4. Market Share is assessed by each product individually. Outcome and Target ranges displayed are based on the minimum and maximum values across the product lines. Products include Australia Home Lending (20%, APRA), Australia SME Lending (30%, RBA), Australia Household & Business Deposits (excluding Financial Institutions and Government) (50%, APRA). Market Share movement results are July 2023 to July 2024.
  5. Net Promoter® and NPS® are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter ScoreSM is a service mark of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld.
  6. Outperforming target based on ranking in our target market, informed by an independent survey.
  7. Ranking based on absolute scores, not statistically significant differences and compared against major peers.
  8. Mass Consumer NPS: Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to August 2024. Based on all consumers, 18+ and excludes consumers with personal income of $260k+ and/or investible assets $2.5m+ and/or footings of over $850k.
  9. Business NPS: Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to August 2024. Business Strategic NPS is constructed based on 25:25:50 weighting of underlying segments, allocated to Nano & Micro: Small: Medium & Large, respectively. Nano & Micro (Businesses with a turnover up to $1m or $1m-$5m with no perceived banker), Small (Businesses with a turnover $1m-$5m with a perceived banker), Medium & Large (Businesses with a turnover between $5m and <$200m).
  10. High Net Worth & Mass Affluent NPS: Sourced from RFI Global – Atlas, measured on 6 month rolling average to August 2024. Based on all consumers, 18+, includes Mass Affluent customers ($850k to $2.5M footings OR $260k+ personal income with less than $850k in footings and less than $2.5m in investible assets) and High Net Worth customers ($2.5m+ in footings or have investible assets of $2.5m+).
  11. Top quartile is based upon Glint's client group (domestic and global, from all industries). Employee Engagement Survey Result conducted using Glint, score based on July 2024 survey. Includes Australia, New Zealand, and all global colleagues. Population excludes ubank, external consultants, and outsource service providers. For the purposes of the GPI and Group CEO Scorecard, colleague engagement score is 78.5 and excludes BNZ.
  12. The calculation for the Group CEO is as follows: FR x target VR opportunity x GPI x Individual Performance Multiplier.

4.2 In-year variable reward outcomes

The table below outlines the Annual VR outcome for the Group CEO and each Group Executive for 2024 compared to each individual's target and maximum Annual VR opportunity. The variance in the individual scores reflects differences in performance against individual scorecards.

  Maximum Annual VR opportunity Total Annual VR Annual VR cash VR deferred rights  % of maximum Annual VR opportunity Annual VR actual as a % of VR target
Name  $ $ $ $  % %
Group CEO         
Andrew Irvine (for part year)1  1,243,169 843,750 506,250 337,500  68 90
Group Executives         
Sharon Cook  1,000,000 607,500 364,500 243,000  61 81
Shaun Dooley  845,000 643,500 386,100 257,400  76 99
Nathan Goonan  1,175,000 951,750 571,050 380,700  81 108
Andrew Irvine (for part year)2  618,361 419,662 251,797 167,865  68 90
Leslie Matheson  1,250,000 801,563 480,938 320,625  64 86
Rachel Slade  1,300,000 877,500 526,500 351,000  68 90
Patrick Wright  1,537,500 1,037,813 622,688 415,125  68 90
Daniel Huggins  1,180,123 941,960 565,176 376,784  80 106
Sarah White  900,000 637,875 382,725 255,150  71 95
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)  487,022 262,992 157,795 105,197  54 72
Cathryn Carver (for part year)  289,071 175,610 105,366 70,244  61 81
Former Group Executives         
Ross McEwan (for part year)  1,263,661 852,972 511,783 341,189  68 90
David Gall (for part year)  924,180 748,586 449,152 299,434  81 108
Angela Mentis (for part year)  - - - -  - -
Total  14,013,087 9,803,033 5,881,820 3,921,213  70 92
  1. Relates to Andrew Irvine's role as Group CEO from 2 April 2024.
  2. Relates to Andrew Irvine's previous role as Group Executive, Business and Private Banking.

4.3 Historical outcomes

Historical CEO and Group Executive performance

The table below summarises the variable reward outcomes for the Group CEO and Group Executives over the last five years, including vesting of LTVR awards relating to prior periods.

  2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Group CEO Actual VR (% of AVR Target)  90% 108% 111% 121% 0%
Average Group Executives Actual VR (% of AVR Target)1  92% 101% 97% 124% 0%
LTVR award - four year performance period (% of total award vested)2  100% n/a3 66% 56% 38%
LTVR award - five year performance period (% of total award vested)4  n/a n/a n/a n/a 35%
NAB's four year relative TSR (S&P/ASX50)5  n/a n/a n/a n/a 23rd
NAB's four year relative TSR (Top Financial Services peer group)56  75th n/a 71st 71st 57th
NAB's five year relative TSR (S&P/ASX50)5  n/a n/a n/a n/a 22nd
NAB's five year relative TSR (Top Financial Services peer group)57  n/a n/a n/a n/a 57th
  1. The maximum Annual VR opportunity has changed over time, consistent with the relevant Annual VR plan.The maximum Annual VR opportunity decreased from 150% previous year to 100% in 2024.
  2. The amount shown for 2022 is the portion of the total 2017 LTI award that vested and for 2021 is the portion of the total 2016 LTI award that vested. Both awards were measured over a four year performance period, against relevant peer groups.
  3. NAB did not award any LTVR in 2018 and therefore there was no award to be tested for vesting in 2023.
  4. The amount shown for 2020 is the percentage of the total 2014 LTI award that vested. This award was measured over a five year performance period against relevant peer groups.
  5. Measured over the performance period of the relevant LTVR award.
  6. The Top Financial Services peer group for all awards is: AMP Limited, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Queensland Limited, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Suncorp Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation.
  7. The Top Financial Services peer group for all awards was: AMP Limited, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Queensland Limited, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Suncorp Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation.

Historical Group performance

The table below shows the Group's annual financial performance over the last five years and its impact on shareholder value, taking into account dividend payments, share price changes, and other capital adjustments during the period.

Financial performance measure  2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Basic earnings per share (cents)  227.9 238.0 219.3 196.3 112.7
Cash earnings ($m)1  7,102 7,731 7,104 6,558 3,710
Dividends paid per share ($)  1.68 1.61 1.40 0.90 1.13
Company share price at start of year ($)  29.07 28.81 27.83 17.75 29.70
Company share price at end of year ($)  37.35 29.07 28.81 27.83 17.75
Absolute Total Shareholder Return - latest financial year  34.3% 6.5% 8.6% 61.9% (36.4%)
Absolute Total Shareholder Return - rolling four financial year period  141.9% 14.9% 22.5% 6.9% (11.5%)
  1. Information is presented on a continuing operations basis, unless otherwise stated.

Sustainability within our remuneration framework

Our strategic ambition, to serve customers well and help our communities prosper, is reflected in the measures that determine performance and remuneration across NAB. Sustainability related performance is part of this process and is applied within our GPI and qualitative assessment of performance, as well as Group CEO, Group Executive and colleague scorecards.

The governance and oversight of how these measures are set, reviewed and linked to the Group CEO and Group Executives' remuneration outcomes are in accordance with the Group's governance and oversight framework outlined in Section 5.1.

Our approach has been consistent since 2020 when the current Group Strategy was implemented.

Examples of sustainability within our performance framework

The list below provides some examples of the types of sustainability related matters that have been incorporated into the assessments of the Group CEO and Group Executives' performance in 2024. For specific Group Executives, sustainability related measures are included within their individual performance scorecards.

Individual performance modifiers for Risk and How We Work (conduct and values) also consider sustainability related matters, and therefore may influence final assessed performance.

Further information on NAB’s approach to managing climate change and other sustainability related matters is provided in NAB’s 2024 Climate Report.

4.4 Long-term incentive granted in 2024

The Board assessed the Group CEO and all Group Executives as having met the pre-grant performance, risk management and conduct assessments and accordingly, determined that each would be granted the 2024 LTI award, comprising the LTEA component and the LTVR component, each with a face value of 70% of FR (i.e., a total value of 140% of FR). The LTI award (LTEA and LTVR components) was granted in February 2024. Details of the pre-grant assessment can be found in Section 3.3.

The pre-grant assessments and outcomes are as follows:

Pre-grant Assessment1 Outcome
Individual Performance Met
Risk Management Met
Conduct (How We Work) Met
LTI award granted (%) 100%
  1. Factors considered for the pre-grant assessment can be found in section 5.2.

Changes to LTI award grants

On appointment as Group CEO, Andrew Irvine was provided with an additional grant of performance rights under the LTI plan in respect of the 2024 financial year, in addition to the LTI performance rights already awarded in connection with his previous role. The additional performance rights are a “top up” grant to reflect the period of the 2024 financial year Mr Irvine served in the Group CEO role. Changes to Mr Irvine's 2024 LTI award are summarised below:

Group Executive Initial number granted Additional grant / reduction Total performance rights granted for 2024
Andrew Irvine, Group CEO and Managing Director 29,770 performance rights under the LTEA plan29,770 performance rights under the LTVR plan Additional 15,286 performance rights under the LTEA planAdditional 15,286 performance rights under the LTVR plan 45,056 performance rights under the LTEA plan45,056 performance rights under the LTVR plan

Following Ross McEwan’s retirement from NAB, the Board determined that Mr McEwan’s allocation of LTI performance rights approved by the shareholders at the 2023 Annual General Meeting should be reduced to reflect the period of his service to 1 July 2024. Changes to Mr McEwan's 2024 LTI award are summarised below:

Group Executive Initial number granted Additional grant / reduction Total performance rights granted for 2024
Ross McEwan, previous Group CEO and Managing Director 60,511 performance rights under the LTEA plan60,511 performance rights under the LTVR plan Reduction of 15,128 performance rights under the LTEA planReduction of 15,128 performance rights under the LTVR plan 45,383 performance rights under the LTEA plan45,383 performance rights under the LTVR plan

4.5 Prior year long-term VR awards

(a) LTVR award testing

The TSR performance hurdle for the 2019 LTVR award (granted in February 2020) was tested at the end of 2023 following the end of the four year performance period. NAB's TSR was at the 75th percentile relative to the peer group, resulting in 100% of the performance rights vesting.

Performance measure Performance period % of award Result % of rights vested % of rights lapsed
NAB's TSR relative to Top Financial Services peer group12 15/11/2019 to 15/11/2023 100 75th percentile ranking 100% 0%
  1. The peer group for this performance hurdle was: AMP Limited, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Queensland Limited, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Macquarie Group Limited, Suncorp Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation.
  2. TSR is based on the 30 trading day volume weighted average price of the relevant shares up to and including the start and end of the performance period.

(b) Overview of unvested long-term awards

The following is a summary of the unvested long-term awards held by the Group CEO and Group Executives.

Award Grant date Performance period Vesting date Performance measures
LTVR allocated in 20211 24/02/2021 15/11/2020 to 15/11/2024 22/12/2024 NAB's TSR performance against a financial services peer group
LTVR allocated in 20221 23/02/2022 15/11/2021 to 15/11/2025 22/12/2025 NAB's TSR performance against a financial services peer group
LTVR allocated in 20231 23/02/2023 15/11/2022 to 15/11/2026 22/12/2026 NAB's TSR performance against a financial services peer group
LTEA allocated in 20241 22/02/2024 15/11/2023 to 15/11/2027 22/12/2027 Assessment against NAB's risk expectations and risk appetite
LTVR allocated in 20241 22/02/2024 15/11/2023 to 15/11/2027 22/12/2027 NAB's TSR performance against a financial services peer group
  1. The LTEA and LTVR awards were granted based on individual performance, risk and conduct outcomes relative to the preceding performance year.

4.6 Realised remuneration

The table below is a voluntary non-statutory disclosure that shows the realised remuneration the Group CEO and each Group Executive received during 2024. The amounts shown include fixed remuneration, and equity and cash-based awards that vested in 2024. The table provides shareholders with enhanced transparency of remuneration received by Executives. The table is not prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and this information differs from the statutory remuneration table (in Section 6).

    2024  Prior years     
    Fixed remuneration1 Annual VR cash Total 2024 remuneration  LTI Performance Rights2 Other vested/paid remuneration32  Total realised remuneration  Equity forfeited / lapsed42
Name    $ $ $  $ $  $  $
Group CEO              
Andrew Irvine (for part year)  2024  1,237,544 506,250 1,743,794  - -  1,743,794  -
              
Group Executives              
Sharon Cook  2024  960,525 364,500 1,325,025  916,259 207,623  2,448,907  -
  2023  966,371 460,097 1,426,468  - 421,622  1,848,090  -
Shaun Dooley  2024  1,295,518 386,100 1,681,618  1,018,065 208,579  2,908,262  -
  2023  1,219,188 435,881 1,655,069  - 121,496  1,776,565  -
Nathan Goonan  2024  1,163,769 571,050 1,734,819  - 202,008  1,936,827  -
  2023  972,004 532,508 1,504,512  - 196,018  1,700,530  -
Andrew Irvine (for part year)  2024  627,067 251,797 878,864  - 1,447,626  2,326,490  -
  2023  1,220,937 719,550 1,940,487  - 1,060,691  3,001,178  -
Les Matheson  2024  1,187,613 480,938 1,668,551  - 218,912  1,887,463  -
  2023  1,068,057 532,744 1,600,801  - 113,708  1,714,509  -
Rachel Slade  2024  1,261,151 526,500 1,787,651  1,191,136 341,930  3,320,717  -
  2023  1,220,937 664,200 1,885,137  - 577,998  2,463,135  -
Patrick Wright  2024  1,539,185 622,688 2,161,873  1,985,257 418,982  4,566,112  -
  2023  1,526,171 795,656 2,321,827  - 2,099,910  4,421,737  -
Daniel Huggins  2024  1,195,010 565,176 1,760,186  - 741,500  2,501,686  -
  2023  1,141,636 608,240 1,749,876  - 187,776  1,937,652  -
Sarah White  2024  900,987 382,725 1,283,712  - 76,971  1,360,683  -
  2023  105,814 - 105,814  - -  105,814  -
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)  2024  486,977 157,795 644,772  - 1,007,445  1,652,217  -
Cathryn Carver (for part year)  2024  289,679 105,366 395,045  - 1,172,428  1,567,473  -
              
Former Group Executives              
Ross McEwan (for part year)  2024  1,265,753 511,783 1,777,536  - 719,353  2,496,890  -
  2023  2,494,509 1,350,000 3,844,509  - 432,063  4,276,572  -
David Gall (for part year)  2024  1,566,691 449,152 2,015,843  1,588,212 363,411  3,967,466  -
  2023  1,220,965 691,875 1,912,840  - 234,448  2,147,288  -
Angela Mentis (for part year)  2024  730,096 - 730,096  1,588,212 362,148  2,680,456  -
  2023  1,834,347 608,850 2,443,197  - 1,225,383  3,668,580  -
Susan Ferrier  2023  1,376,319 329,598 1,705,917  - 118,051  1,823,968  -
Gary Lennon  2023  1,681,268 583,481 2,264,749  - 520,867  2,785,616  -
              
  1. Includes cash salary, superannuation and payments on separation consistent with the statutory remuneration table in Section 6.1, excluding accrued annual leave entitlements.
  2. The value of equity awards is calculated using NAB's closing share price on the vesting or forfeiture or lapsing date.
  3. Amounts related to other vested equity or cash-based remuneration from prior years. This includes VR deferred rights, commencement awards, shares received under the General Employee Share Offer and dividends accumulated during the vesting period on VR vesting in the year. Details of the vested equity awards are provided in Section 6.2.
  4. Awards or remuneration lapsed or forfeited during 2024. Details of the awards are provided in Section 6.2.

5 - Governance, risk and consequence

5.1 Remuneration governance and oversight

5.2 Board discretion in relation to remuneration

The Board has absolute discretion to adjust the Rewards1 of any employee down, or to zero, where appropriate, including in circumstances where Group or individual performance, risk or individual conduct outcomes have changed over time since the Reward was provided, or for an act or omission that has impacted performance, risk or conduct outcomes. Adjustments include, but are not limited to:

People & Remuneration Committee

On behalf of the Board, the Committee's responsibilities include:

Further detail about the Committee is provided in our Corporate Governance Statement (on page 84) and in the People & Remuneration Committee Charter which is available on nab.com.au.

  1. In this section, the term 'Rewards' refers to all forms of variable reward including cash provided under a VR plan, deferred VR (cash and equity) to be paid or granted, LTEA and LTVR performance rights and any VR granted in previous years.
  2. Examples include where the executive has failed to comply with their accountability obligations under the FAR; has engaged in fraud, dishonesty, gross misconduct, behaviour that may negatively impact the Group's long-term financial soundness or prudential standing or behaviour that brings NAB into disrepute; or has materially breached a representation, warranty, undertaking or obligation to the Group.
  3. Colleagues in roles defined under Australian Prudential Regulation Authority CPS 511 Remuneration Standard, Remuneration Part of the PRA Rulebook; SYSC 19D of the FCA Handbook; and Senior Managers and Certification Regime (UK) and Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament.

5.3 Conduct, risk and consequence management

The Committee regularly reviews Group and individual outcomes for risk, reputation, conduct and performance considerations. This includes oversight of the Group's Employee Conduct Management Framework (Framework) which supports an appropriate risk culture across the Group. The Board, Group CEO and Group Executives influence culture by focusing on leadership behaviour, systems and colleagues, reinforced through performance and remuneration outcomes.

How conduct and risk are integrated in our remuneration framework
Improvements to the risk management and conduct framework in 2024

The risk management and conduct framework was reviewed and updated in 2023 to comply with CPS 511 requirements. The review resulted in:

Risk, conduct and the consequence management framework

The Consequence Severity Matrix provides guidance to determine the severity of risk and conduct events. Based on the severity of the risk or conduct event, a fair and proportionate consequence outcome will be applied. Determination of the appropriate consequence is guided by an assessment of the quantitative and qualitative impacts of the event including financial impacts, physical, informational or reputational damage to the organisation and harm to colleagues or customers.

The Group CEO and Group Executives actively demonstrate strong risk management to set the "tone from the top" about expectations and behaviours. Risk issues that are identified are prioritised, clear accountability is defined, and an action plan is created to resolve the issue. This has resulted in an improvement in conduct risk, driven by the increased use of analytical monitoring tools and implementation of assurance capabilities. Enhancements in the use of risk monitoring tools and clear guidance about the identification and assessment of risk events have resulted in improved identification of risk events and an increase in the number of risk cases investigated relative to 2023.

Remuneration adjustments and consequence outcomes applied to employees during 2024 are provided in the table below.

  Employee Category1
  Senior Managers2 Material Risk Takers Risk and Financial Control Personnel Other employees
Employees recognised for their positive contribution to risk culture 2024 0 2 6 6,516
 2023 0 7 3 6,343
Employees identified as not having met risk expectations and accountabilities 2024 0 0 0 2,455
2023 0 1 0 2,534
Code of Conduct breaches identified that resulted in formal consequences3 2024 0 0 0 8362
 2023 0 0 0 6186
Employees leaving due to consequence outcomes 2024 0 0 0 209
 2023 0 0 0 156
Employees receiving coaching, warnings or other remedial actions3 2024 0 6 1 8003
 2023 0 2 1 5871
Employees recommended to receive an in-year performance rating and / or variable reward reduction of 5% to 100% 2024 0 0 0 136
2023 0 0 0 151
Deferred VR forfeitures and in-year VR adjustments as a result of Code of Conduct breaches and revisiting previous reward decisions 2024 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0
  1. Employees are categorised as Senior Managers, Material Risk Takers or Risk and Financial Control Personnel as defined by paragraph 20 of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's Prudential Standard CPS 511 Remuneration.
  2. The Group CEO and Group Executives are categorised as Senior Managers. There were no breaches by the Group CEO and Group Executives which resulted in a reduction of their VR in 2024.
  3. The increase in cases year on year is in part a reflection of better data capture as we continue to improve our rigour in recording minor and mild matters independently managed by People Leaders.

6 - Group CEO and Group Executive statutory remuneration disclosures

6.1 Group CEO and Group Executive statutory remuneration

The following table has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The table shows details of the nature and amount of each element of remuneration paid or awarded to the Group CEO and Group Executives for services provided during the year while they were KMP (including variable reward amounts in respect of performance during the year which are paid following the end of the year).

For KMPs who have left NAB and retained awards, these awards will remain on foot and vest in line with their original terms. In accordance with the requirements of AASB 2 Share-based Payment, the unvested awards have been expensed in full in FY24 as no further service will be received by the Group from the relevant KMP.

    Short-term benefits  Post-employment benefits    Equity-based benefits     
    Cash salary1 Annual VR cash2 Non-monetary3  Superannuation4  Other long-term benefits5  Shares6 Rights7  Other remuneration  Total89
Name    $ $ $  $  $  $ $  $  $
Group CEO                  
Andrew Irvine (for part year)  2024  1,185,922 506,250 -  13,475  11,011  - 1,265,987  -  2,982,645
                  
Group Executives                  
Sharon Cook  2024  933,233 364,500 84  27,292  12,378  - 1,275,117  -  2,612,604
  2023  941,248 460,097 -  25,123  10,315  6,691 913,654  -  2,357,128
Shaun Dooley  2024  1,228,531 386,100 -  27,097  43,361  - 1,495,119  -  3,180,208
  2023  1,194,244 435,881 -  24,944  41,735  - 1,022,839  -  2,719,643
Nathan Goonan  2024  1,123,073 571,050 -  27,175  17,824  - 1,431,326  -  3,170,448
  2023  860,389 532,508 415  25,160  17,423  2,164 932,098  -  2,370,157
Andrew Irvine (for part year)  2024  574,878 251,797 -  13,623  11,132  63,176 1,134,795  -  2,049,401
  2023  1,139,383 719,550 50,000  24,940  8,651  259,642 1,270,779  -  3,472,945
Les Matheson  2024  1,141,221 480,938 22  27,214  11,071  - 1,536,130  -  3,196,596
  2023  1,022,367 532,744 9,488  25,050  7,570  - 1,030,559  -  2,627,778
Rachel Slade  2024  1,204,136 526,500 3,691  27,097  17,820  - 1,700,529  -  3,479,773
  2023  1,162,972 664,200 415  24,940  14,748  7,659 1,246,085  -  3,121,019
Patrick Wright  2024  1,547,706 622,688 78,861  26,863  19,031  - 2,876,466  -  5,171,615
  2023  1,495,553 795,656 84,477  24,721  16,287  39,497 1,567,781  -  4,023,972
Daniel Huggins  2024  1,098,849 565,176 -  105,239  -  - 1,326,301  -  3,095,565
  2023  997,754 608,240 1,461  100,259  -  19,484 757,763  -  2,484,961
Sarah White  2024  873,639 382,725 -  27,348  30,019  114,285 586,259  -  2,014,275
  2023  110,342 - -  -  1,750  17,819 26,705  -  156,616
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)  2024  511,501 157,795 -  8,584  5,414  297,684 156,148  -  1,137,126
Cathryn Carver (for part year)  2024  307,341 105,366 -  4,646  4,369  271,835 91,485  -  785,042
                  
Former Group Executives                  
Ross McEwan (for part year)10  2024  906,844 511,783 17,708  15,069  12,551  - 6,322,640  239,463  8,026,058
  2023  2,383,654 1,350,000 626  24,554  20,463  - 2,396,795  -  6,176,092
David Gall (for part year)11  2024  904,309 449,152 5,459  25,190  14,135  - 3,765,290  642,000  5,805,535
  2023  1,176,909 691,875 2,257  29,903  18,880  - 1,303,310  -  3,223,134
Angela Mentis (for part year)12  2024  118,819 - 7,948  5,915  1,618  - 1,989,597  -  2,123,897
  2023  1,224,399 608,850 16,562  24,940  18,607  21,065 1,060,696  613,315  3,588,434
Susan Ferrier13  2023  759,132 329,598 3,972  25,160  6,661  107,481 567,918  566,986  2,366,908
Gary Lennon14  2023  1,128,646 583,481 1,267  25,014  17,372  7,724 858,372  562,205  3,184,081
                  
Total  2024  13,660,002 5,881,820 113,773  381,827  211,734  746,980 26,953,189  881,463  48,830,788
Total  2023  15,596,992 8,312,680 170,940  404,708  200,462  489,226 14,955,354  1,742,506  41,872,868
  1. Includes cash allowances, payroll remediation payments, motor vehicle benefits and short-term compensated absences, such as annual leave entitlements accrued. Any related fringe benefits tax is included.
  2. The VR cash received in respect of 2024 is scheduled to be paid on 20 November 2024 in Australia and New Zealand.
  3. Includes relocation costs considered to provide a benefit to the individual (including temporary accommodation, furniture rental, utility costs, dependant travel costs, insurance, stamp duty, associated fringe benefit tax and other benefits). For international assignees this may also include the provision of health fund benefits and tax advisory services.
  4. Includes company contributions to superannuation and allocations by employees made by way of salary sacrifice of post-tax fixed remuneration.
  5. Includes long service leave entitlements accrued based on an actuarial calculation.
  6. 2024 expense based on the grant date fair value, amortised on a straight line basis over the vesting period for:
    (a) Commencement shares granted to Andrew Irvine in November 2020. 21% of the shares were restricted until December 2020, 21% until December 2021, 24% until December 2022, 31% until December 2023 and 3% in December 2024. The shares are subject to continued employment, malus and clawback provisions.
    (b) 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 VR deferred shares granted in February 2021, February 2022, February 2023 and February 2024 respectively to Sarah White for performance in her previous role, restricted until November 2023 (2020 VR), November 2024 (2021 VR), November 2025 (2022 VR) and November 2026 (2023 VR).
    (c) 2022 Annual Equity Award granted in November 2022 to Sarah White for performance in her previous role, restricted until November 2023, November 2024 and November 2025.
    (d) 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 VR deferred shares granted in February 2021, February 2022, February 2023 and February 2024 respectively to Ana Marinkovic for performance in her previous role, restricted until November 2023 (2020 VR), November 2024 (2021 VR), November 2025 (2022 VR) and November 2026 (2023 VR).
    (e) 2021 recognition awards granted in August 2021 and November 2021 to Ana Marinkovic, restricted until July 2024 and November 2023 respectively for performance in her previous role.
    (f) 2022, 2023 and 2024 Annual Equity Award granted in May 2022, February 2023 and February 2024 respectively to Ana Marinkovc for performance in her previous role, vesting across 3 years.
    (g) 2022, 2023 and 2024 Annual Equity Award granted in Nov 2021, February 2023 and February 2024 respectively to Cathryn Carver for performance in her previous role, vesting across 3 years.
    (h) 2021 recognition awards granted in November 2021 to Cathryn Carver, restricted until November 2023 and November 2024 respectively for performance in her previous role.
    (i) 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 VR deferred shares granted in February 2020, February 2021, February 2022, February 2023 and February 2024 respectively to Cathryn Carver for performance in her previous role, restricted until November 2022 (2019 VR), November 2023 (2020 VR), November 2024 (2021 VR), November 2025 (2022 VR) and November 2026 (2023 VR).
  7. 2024 expense based on the grant date fair value, amortised on a straight line basis over the vesting period for:
    (a) 2024 deferred VR rights scheduled to be granted in December 2024. The deferred VR rights are restricted for up to two years, with 50% scheduled to vest in November 2025 and 50% in November 2026. The deferred rights are subject to continued employment, malus and clawback.
    (b) 2023 deferred VR rights granted in February 2024. The deferred VR rights are restricted for up to four years, with 25% scheduled to vest in November 2024, 25% in November 2025, 25% in November 2026 and 25% in November 2027. The deferred rights are subject to continued employment, malus and clawback.
    (c) 2022 deferred VR rights granted in February 2023. The deferred VR rights are restricted for up to four years, with 25% scheduled to vest in November 2023, 25% in November 2024, 25% in November 2025 and 25% in November 2026. The deferred rights are subject to continued employment, malus and clawback.
    (d) 2021 deferred VR rights granted in February 2022, with 25% vested in November 2022, 25% scheduled to vest in November 2023, 25% in November 2024 and 25% in November 2025. The deferred rights are subject to continued employment, malus and clawback.
    (e) LTVR performance rights granted in February 2020, February 2021, February 2022 and February 2023 respectively.
    (f) 2024 LTVR and LTEA performance rights granted in February 2024.
    (g) 2025 LTVR and LTEA performance rights scheduled to be granted in December 2024.
  8. The percentage of 2024 total remuneration which was performance-based was: Andrew Irvine 65%, Sharon Cook 63%, Shaun Dooley 59%, Nathan Goonan 63%, Les Matheson 63%, Rachel Slade 64%, Patrick Wright 68%, Daniel Huggins 61%, Sarah White 54%, Ana Marinkovic 54%, Cathryn Carver 60%, Ross McEwan 85%, David Gall 75%, Angela Mentis 94%.
  9. In addition to the remuneration benefits below, NAB paid an insurance premium for a contract insuring the Group CEO and Group Executives as officers. It is not possible to allocate the benefit of this premium between individuals. In accordance with usual commercial practice, the insurance contract prohibits disclosure of details of the premium paid.
  10. On his retirement on 1 July 2024, Ross McEwan received a $239,463 payment in respect of statutory entitlements. Mr McEwan retained his 2021 deferred VR rights, 2022 deferred VR rights, 2023 deferred VR rights, his LTVR rights granted in 2020-2023 and his 2024 LTEA/LTVR rights. The value of the retained equity has been fully accounted for on retirement, being $6,322,240. That equity remains subject to the relevant performance measures and restriction periods.
  11. David Gall ceased employment with NAB effective 1 October 2024. In accordance with the terms of NAB’s VR programs, Mr Gall retained all unvested short term and long-term VR awards. The value of the retained equity has been fully accounted for on cessation, being $3,765,290. That equity remain subject to the relevant performance measures, restrictions and vesting requirements under the terms of the awards. Mr Gall also received a $642,000 payment in respect of statutory entitlements, support to transition to external opportunities and in recognition of his contribution to the Group. Payments made in connection with Mr Gall’s cessation complied with the termination benefits regime in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Mr Gall remained eligible to participate in the FY24 Annual VR plan. Mr Gall’s Annual VR will be delivered in cash (60%) and deferred cash (40%), vesting in two equal annual tranches.
  12. On her retirement on 31 October 2023, Angela Mentis received a $613,315 payment in respect of statutory entitlements and in recognition of her contribution to the Group. Ms Mentis retained her 2021 deferred VR rights, 2022 deferred VR rights and her LTVR rights granted in 2020-2023. The value of the retained equity has been fully accounted for on retirement, being $1,989,597. That equity remains subject to the relevant performance measures and restriction periods.
  13. On her retirement on 31 October 2023, Susan Ferrier received a $566,986 payment in respect of statutory entitlements, support for transition to retirement and in recognition of her contribution to the Group. Ms Ferrier retained her 2021 deferred VR rights, 2021 recognition shares, 2022 deferred VR rights and her LTVR rights granted in 2021-2023. The value of the retained equity has been fully accounted for on retirement, being $1,308,298. That equity remains subject to the relevant performance measures and restriction periods.
  14. On his retirement on 1 October 2023, Gary Lennon received a $562,205 payment in respect of statutory entitlements and in recognition of his contribution to the Group. Mr Lennon retained his 2021 deferred VR rights, 2022 deferred VR rights and his LTVR rights granted in 2020-2023. The value of the retained equity has been fully accounted for on retirement, being $1,708,675. That equity remains subject to the relevant performance measures and restriction periods.

6.2 Value of shares and rights

The following table shows the number and value of shares and rights that were granted by NAB and held by the Group CEO and each Group Executive under NAB's employee equity plans during the year to 30 September 2024. Rights refer to deferred VR rights, LTI performance rights and any other deferred rights or performance rights provided under a current or previous VR plan. A right is a right to receive one NAB share subject to the satisfaction of the relevant performance and service conditions. The grant value shown is the full accounting value to be expensed over the vesting period, which is generally longer than the current year. The Group CEO and Group Executives did not pay any amounts for rights that vested and were exercised during 2024. There are no amounts unpaid on any of the shares exercised.

There have been no changes to the terms and conditions of these awards, or any other awards since the awards were granted.

All rights that vest are automatically exercised when they vest. For the awards allocated during the year to 30 September 2024, the maximum number of shares or rights that may vest is shown for the Group CEO and each Group Executive. The maximum value of the equity awards is the number of shares or rights subject to NAB’s share price at the time of vesting. The minimum number of shares or rights and the value of the equity awards is zero if the equity is fully forfeited or lapsed.

    Total  2024
    Granted1 Grant date  Granted Forfeited / lapsed Forfeited / lapsed2 Vested3 Vested4
Name    No.   $ No. $ No $
Group CEO            
Andrew Irvine (for part year)  LTI - LTEA rights  45,056 22-02-2024  1,303,020 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  45,056 22-02-2024  1,303,020 - - - -
            
Group Executives            
Sharon Cook  LTVR Rights  30,150 26-02-2020  - - - 30,150 916,259
  LTVR Rights  65,036 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  10,808 23-02-2022  - - - 3,603 101,172
  LTVR Rights  42,483 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  15,162 23-02-2023  - - - 3,791 106,451
  LTVR rights  43,485 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  15,908 22-02-2024  460,059 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  24,204 22-02-2024  699,980 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  24,204 22-02-2024  699,980 - - - -
Shaun Dooley  LTVR rights  33,500 26-02-2020  - - - 33,500 1,018,065
  LTVR rights  72,262 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  11,559 23-02-2022  - - - 3,853 108,192
  LTVR rights  51,924 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  14,299 23-02-2023  - - - 3,575 100,386
  LTVR rights  54,929 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  15,068 22-02-2024  435,767 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  31,466 22-02-2024  909,997 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  31,466 22-02-2024  909,997 - - - -
Nathan Goonan  LTVR rights  65,036 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  10,808 23-02-2022  - - - 3,603 101,172
  LTVR rights  42,483 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  14,364 23-02-2023  - - - 3,591 100,835
  LTVR rights  41,197 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  18,412 22-02-2024  532,475 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  28,440 22-02-2024  822,485 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  28,440 22-02-2024  822,485 - - - -
Andrew Irvine (for part year)  Commencement shares  37,594 6-11-2020  - - - 34,239 1,051,137
  LTVR Rights  86,714 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  21,445 23-02-2022  - - - 7,149 200,744
  LTVR Rights  56,644 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  22,982 23-02-2023  - - - 5,746 161,348
  LTVR Rights  54,929 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  24,880 22-02-2024  719,530 - - - -
Les Matheson  LTVR rights  75,875 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  10,816 23-02-2022  - - - 3,606 101,256
  LTVR rights  49,564 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  16,758 23-02-2023  - - - 4,190 117,655
  LTVR rights  48,063 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  18,420 22-02-2024  532,706 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  27,834 22-02-2024  804,959 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  27,834 22-02-2024  804,959 - - - -
Rachel Slade  LTVR rights  39,195 26-02-2020  - - - 39,195 1,191,136
  LTVR rights  86,714 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  21,445 23-02-2022  - - - 7,149 200,744
  LTVR rights  56,644 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  20,109 23-02-2023  - - - 5,028 141,186
  LTVR rights  54,929 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  22,964 22-02-2024  664,119 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  29,770 22-02-2024  860,948 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  29,770 22-02-2024  860,948 - - - -
Patrick Wright  LTVR Rights  65,326 26-02-2020  - - - 65,326 1,985,257
  LTVR Rights  108,393 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  26,807 23-02-2022  - - - 8,936 250,923
  LTVR rights  70,806 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  23,940 23-02-2023  - - - 5,985 168,059
  LTVR rights  68,661 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  27,512 22-02-2024  795,647 - - - -
  Recognition Rights  77,800 22-02-2024  2,249,976 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  37,214 22-02-2024  1,076,229 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  37,214 22-02-2024  1,076,229 - - - -
Daniel Huggins  LTVR rights  54,019 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  18,997 23-02-2023  - - - 4,750 133,380
  LTVR rights  48,340 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  21,188 22-02-2024  612,757 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  28,784 22-02-2024  832,433 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  28,784 22-02-2024  832,433 - - - -
Sarah White  General employee shares  43 9-12-2020  - - - 43 1,008
  Deferred VR shares  1,442 24-02-2021  - - - 1,442 40,491
  Deferred VR shares  3,956 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR shares  1,950 10-11-2022  - - - 650 18,252
  Deferred VR shares  3,948 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  21,784 22-02-2024  629,993 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  21,784 22-02-2024  629,993 - - - -
  Deferred VR shares  4,469 22-02-2024  150,203 - - - -
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)  General employee shares  43 9-12-2020  - - - 43 1,008
  Deferred VR shares  5,701 24-02-2021  - - - 5,701 160,084
  Recognition shares  3,668 18-08-2021  - - - 3,668 132,305
  Recognition shares  34,978 12-11-2021  - - - 17,489 491,091
  Deferred VR shares  13,039 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR shares  4,014 6-05-2022  - - - 2,007 56,357
  Deferred VR shares  13,040 23-02-2023  - - - 2,302 64,640
  Deferred VR shares  16,562 22-02-2024  556,649 - - - -
Cathryn Carver (for part year)  General employee shares  43 9-12-2020  - - - 43 1,008
  Deferred VR shares  7,778 10-11-2021  - - - 3,889 109,203
  Recognition shares  34,978 12-11-2021  - - - 17,489 491,091
  Deferred VR shares  11,212 24-02-2021  - - - 11,212 314,833
  Deferred VR shares  28,512 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR shares  25,080 23-02-2023  - - - 3,780 106,142
  Deferred VR shares  27,972 22-02-2024  940,139 - - - -
            
Former Group Executives            
Ross McEwan (for part year)  LTVR rights  180,655 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  41,104 23-02-2022  - - - 13,702 384,752
  LTVR rights  118,010 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  47,664 23-02-2023  - - - 11,916 334,601
  LTVR rights  111,645 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  46,680 22-02-2024  1,349,986 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  45,383 22-02-2024  1,312,476 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  45,383 22-02-2024  1,312,476 - - - -
David Gall
(for part year)
 LTVR rights  52,261 26-02-2020  - - - 52,261 1,588,212
  LTVR rights  86,714 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  22,303 23-02-2022  - - - 7,435 208,775
  LTVR rights  56,644 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  22,025 23-02-2023  - - - 5,507 154,637
  LTVR rights  54,929 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  23,920 22-02-2024  691,766 - - - -
  LTI - LTEA rights  29,770 22-02-2024  860,948 - - - -
  LTI - LTVR rights  29,770 22-02-2024  860,948 - - - -
Angela Mentis (for part year)  LTVR rights  52,261 26-02-2020  - - - 52,261 1,588,212
  LTVR rights  86,714 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  24,327 23-02-2022  - - - 8,109 227,701
  LTVR rights  56,644 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  19,152 23-02-2023  - - - 4,788 134,447
  LTVR rights  54,929 23-02-2023  - - - - -
Gary Lennon  LTVR rights  47,906 26-02-2020  - - - 47,906 1,455,863
  LTVR rights  79,488 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  15,726 23-02-2022  - - - 5,242 147,195
  LTVR rights  51,924 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  19,311 23-02-2023  - - - 4,828 135,570
  LTVR rights  50,352 23-02-2023  - - - - -
Susan Ferrier  LTVR Rights  65,036 24-02-2021  - - - - -
  Recognition shares  11,570 24-02-2021  - - - 11,570 351,612
  Deferred VR rights  9,457 23-02-2022  - - - 3,153 88,536
  LTVR rights  42,483 23-02-2022  - - - - -
  Deferred VR rights  14,364 23-02-2023  - - - 3,591 100,835
  LTVR rights  41,197 23-02-2023  - - - - -
  1. The following securities have been granted during 2024:
    a) LTVR and LTEA rights allocated in February 2024 (in respect of 2024) to the Group CEO and all Group Executives at the time of allocation. The performance rights are subject to service and performance measures.
    b) Deferred VR rights allocated in February 2024 (in respect of 2023) to the Group CEO and all Group Executives at the time of allocation. The rights vest annually in four equal tranches between November 2024 and November 2027.
    c) Deferred VR shares allocated in February 2024 (in respect of 2023) to Sarah White, Ana Marinkovic and Cathryn Carver for their roles prior to becoming a KMP.
  2. Calculated using NAB's closing share price on the forfeiture / lapsing date.
  3. The following securities have vested during 2024:
    a) Deferred VR rights allocated in February 2022 and February 2023 partially vested in November 2023.
    b) LTVR rights allocated in February 2020 vested in December 2023 for Angela Mentis, David Gall, Gary Lennon, Patrick Wright, Rachael Slade, Sharon Cook and Shaun Dooley.
    c) Recognition shares allocated in August 2021 and November 2021 vested in July 2024 and November 2023 respectively for Ana Marinkovic.
    d) Recognition shares allocated in February 2021 vested in November 2023 for Susan Ferrier.
    e) Deferred VR shares allocated in February 2021 vested in November 2023 for Ana Marinkovic, Cathryn Carver and Sarah White.
    f) Deferred VR shares allocated in November 2021 and February 2023 vested in November 2023 for Cathryn Carver.
    g) Deferred VR shares allocated in May 2022 and February 2023 vested in November 2023 for Ana Marinkovic.
    h) Deferred VR shares allocated in November 2022 vested in November 2023 for Sarah White.
    i) Commencement shares allocated in November 2020 vested in December 2023 for Andrew Irvine.
    j) General employee shares granted to Ana Marinkovic, Cathryn Carver and Sarah White in December 2020, fully vested in December 2023.
  4. Calculated using NAB's closing share price on the vesting date.

6.3 Determining the value of equity remuneration

The number of shares and rights provided to the Group CEO and Group Executives by NAB are determined using a face value methodology. The table below shows the fair value of shares and rights granted by NAB during 2024 in accordance with statutory requirements. The grant date fair value of each share is determined by the market value of NAB shares and is generally a five day weighted average share price. The grant date fair value of shares and rights with market performance measures is determined using a simulated version of the Black-Scholes model.

No performance options have been granted during the year. Shares and rights granted during 2024 were granted at no cost to the Group CEO or Group Executive and have a zero exercise price.

       
  Award type Grant date  Grant share price1 Fair value Restriction period end2
Type of allocation     $ $  
Deferred VR3  Performance rights 22 February 2024  33.48 28.92 15 November 2024 -
15 November 2027
Deferred VR4  Shares 22 February 2024   27.87 15 November 2026
General Employee Share Offer  Shares 19 December 2023   29.71 19 December 2026
Performance Rights5  Performance rights 22 February 2024  33.48 28.92 22 December 2027 -
22 December 2028
Long-Term Equity Award6  Performance rights 22 February 2024  33.48 27.65 22 December 2027 -
22 December 2029
Long-Term Variable Reward6  Performance rights 22 February 2024  33.48 18.40 22 December 2027 -
22 December 2029
  1. The grant share price is NAB's closing share price at the date of valuation (being the grant date of the relevant award). The grant share price was used to determine the fair value for the LTEA and LTVR performance rights.
  2. Any performance rights that vest are automatically exercised at the end of the relevant restriction period for each tranche. The end of the restriction period for the performance rights is also the expiry date for those performance rights. Awards may be released from the restriction period over several years on a pro-rata basis and the range presented represents the earliest and latest vesting tranches.
  3. The number of deferred rights allocated to each eligible participant was calculated using the weighted average share price over the five trading days up to 30 September 2023, inclusive. The deferred rights are split across four equal tranches vesting on 15 November in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.
  4. Deferred shares provided to Sarah White, Ana Marinkovic and Cathryn Carver relating to the period prior to becoming a KMP.
  5. Patrick Wright received performance rights relating to technology modernisation as set out in Section 2.3. The performance rights are split across two equal tranches vesting on December 2027 and 2028.
  6. The number of LTI performance rights allocated to each eligible participant was calculated using the weighted average share price over the five trading days up to 30 September 2023, inclusive. For the Group CEO, the awards are split across three equal tranches with restriction periods ending on 22 December in 2027, 2028 and 2029. For all other Group Executives, the awards are split across two equal tranches with restriction periods ending on 22 December in 2027 and 2028.

Hedging policy

Directors and employees are prohibited from protecting the value of their equity awards by hedging. Further details are available in the Group Securities Trading Policy.

NAB’s Group Securities Trading Policy explains the law and the Policy our colleagues must comply with when trading in NAB securities. All employees are prohibited from using derivatives in relation to elements of their remuneration that are unvested. In addition, closely related parties of KMP are prohibited from using derivatives or otherwise entering into hedging arrangements in relation to elements of their remuneration that are unvested or which have vested but remain subject to forfeiture conditions.

The Group Securities Trading Policy is available at nab.com.au/content/dam/nabrwd/documents/policy/corporate/group-securities-trading-policy.pdf.

6.4 Rights holdings

Rights were granted to the Group CEO and Group Executives in 2024 under the Annual VR, LTVR and LTEA plans. No rights or performance options (i.e. entitlements to NAB shares) are granted to the Group CEO or Group Executives' related parties.

No performance options (i.e. a right requiring payment of a subscription price on vesting) are currently held by the Group CEO or Group Executives. The number of rights that vested during the year was equivalent to the number of rights that were exercised during the year. As at 30 September 2024, no rights held by the Group CEO or Group Executives were: (i) vested and exercisable; nor (ii) vested but not exercisable.

  Balance at beginning of year1 Granted during year as remuneration Exercised during year Forfeited / lapsed or expired during year Balance at end of year2
Name  No. No. No. No. No.
Group CEO       
Andrew Irvine  242,714 114,992 (12,895) - 344,811
Group Executives       
Sharon Cook  207,124 64,316 (37,544) - 233,896
Shaun Dooley  238,473 78,000 (40,928) - 275,545
Nathan Goonan  173,888 75,292 (7,194) - 241,986
Les Matheson  201,076 74,088 (7,796) - 267,368
Rachel Slade  279,036 82,504 (51,372) - 310,168
Patrick Wright  363,933 179,740 (80,247) - 463,426
Dan Huggins  121,356 78,756 (4,750) - 195,362
Sarah White  - 43,568 - - 43,568
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)  - - - - -
Cathryn Carver (for part year)  - - - - -
Former Group Executives       
Ross McEwan (for part year)  499,078 137,446 (25,618) - 610,906
David Gall (for part year)  294,876 83,460 (65,203) - 313,133
Angela Mentis (for part year)  294,027 - - - 294,027
  1. Balance may include rights granted prior to individuals becoming KMP. For individuals who became KMP during 2024, the balance is at the date they became KMP.
  2. For Executives who ceased being KMP during 2024, the balance is as at the date they ceased being KMP.

6.5 Group CEO and Group Executives' share ownership

The number of NAB shares held (directly and nominally) by the Group CEO and each Group Executive or their related parties (their close family members or any entity they, or their close family members, control, jointly control or significantly influence) are set out below:

    Balance at beginning of year1 Granted during year as remuneration Received during year on exercise of rights Other changes during year Balance at end of year23
Name    No. No. No. No. No.
Group CEO         
Andrew Irvine    37,594 - 12,895 - 50,489
Group Executives         
Sharon Cook    11,850 - 37,544 - 49,394
Shaun Dooley    74,957 - 40,928 82 115,967
Nathan Goonan    7,193 - 7,194 - 14,387
Les Matheson    3,606 - 7,796 (7,796) 3,606
Rachel Slade    55,584 - 51,372 51,372 158,328
Patrick Wright    77,000 - 80,247 (155,247) 2,000
Dan Huggins    - - 4,750 (4,750) -
Sarah White    11,992 4,469 - (2,788) 13,673
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)    100,402 - 85,529 (99,395) 86,536
Cathryn Carver (for part year)    99,195 - - - 99,195
Former Group Executives         
Ross McEwan (for part year)    67,599 - 25,618 - 93,217
David Gall (for part year)    119,948 - 65,203 3,461 188,612
Angela Mentis (for part year)    204,414 - - - 204,414
  1. Balance may include shares held prior to individuals becoming KMP. For individuals who became KMP during 2024, the balance is at the date they became KMP.
  2. NAB maintains a minimum shareholding policy. Holdings included in meeting the minimum shareholding requirement are NAB shares, unvested deferred shares and deferred rights not subject to further performance conditions held by the executive and shares held by a closely related party or self-managed superannuation fund for the benefit of the executive. Refer to section 6.6 for further details. The Group CEO and Group Executives have all met or are on track to meet the minimum shareholding requirement.
  3. For Executives who ceased being KMP during 2024, the balance is as at the date they ceased being KMP.

6.6 Group CEO and Group Executive contract terms

The Group CEO and Group Executives are employed on the following contractual terms:

Contractual term Arrangement
Duration
  • Permanent ongoing employment
Notice period1
  • 26 weeks
Other key arrangements on separation
  • If the Group CEO or a Group Executive resigns they do not receive any annual or long-term variable reward in that year and any unvested awards are forfeited.
  • If the Group CEO or a Group Executive ceases employment for any reason other than resignation (for example, retrenchment or retirement), they will retain all of their unvested awards unless the Board exercises its discretion to determine a different treatment.2
  • All statutory entitlements are paid.
Change of control
  • If a change of control occurs, the Board has discretion to determine the treatment of unvested shares and rights. Vesting of shares and rights will not be automatic or accelerated and the Board will retain discretion in relation to the vesting outcome including absolute discretion to forfeit all shares and rights.
Post-employment obligations
  • Non-compete and non-solicitation obligations apply.
Minimum shareholding policy
  • The Group CEO is required to hold NAB shares to the value of two times FR and Group Executives are required to hold NAB shares equal to their individual FR.
  • The Group CEO and Group Executives are required to satisfy the minimum shareholding requirement within a five-year period from the date of commencement in their role.
  • Holdings included in meeting the minimum shareholding requirement are NAB shares, unvested deferred shares and deferred rights not subject to further performance conditions held by the executive and shares held by a closely related party or self-managed superannuation fund for the benefit of the executive.
  1. Payment in lieu of notice for some or all of the notice period may be approved by the Board in certain circumstances. Termination payments are not paid on resignation, summary termination or termination for unsatisfactory performance, although the Board may determine exceptions to this.
  2. Any unvested awards retained will be held by the Group CEO or Group Executive on the same terms. Unvested LTI awards retained (including the LTEA and LTVR components) will remain subject to the performance measure, with that measure tested in accordance with the normal timetable.

7 - Non-executive director remuneration

7.1 Fee policy and pool

Non-executive directors receive fees to recognise their contribution to the work of the Board. Additional fees are paid, where applicable, for serving on Board committees, on Boards of controlled entities and internal advisory boards. Fees include NAB’s compulsory contributions to superannuation. Fees are set to reflect the time commitment and responsibilities of the role. The Board undertook a review of the quantum of Board fees in December 2023 and based on this review, the Board approved an increase to Board fees effective 1 January 2024. The Board fees were last reviewed in 2022 with no increase in 2023.

To maintain independence and objectivity, non-executive directors do not receive any performance related remuneration. Non-executive directors do not receive any termination payments.

The total amount of non-executive directors' remuneration is capped at a maximum aggregate fee pool that is approved by shareholders. The current aggregate fee pool of $4.5 million per annum was approved by shareholders at NAB's 2008 AGM.

The total Board and committee fees, including superannuation, paid to non-executive directors in 2024 are within the approved aggregate fee pool.

The following table shows the 2024 non-executive director Board and committee fee policy structure (effective from 1 January 2024).

  2024 2023
  Chair ($pa) Non-executive director ($pa) Chair ($pa) Non-executive director ($pa)
Board  850,000 245,000 825,000 240,000
Audit Committee  65,000 32,500 65,000 32,500
Risk & Compliance Committee  65,000 32,500 65,000 32,500
People & Remuneration Committee  65,000 32,500 55,000 27,500
Customer Committee  45,000 22,500 40,000 20,000
Nomination & Governance Committee  - 10,000 - 10,000

7.2 Minimum shareholding policy

To align with shareholder interests, the Board has adopted a policy that non-executive directors must hold a minimum number of NAB ordinary shares equal in value to the Chair’s and other directors’ respective annual Board fees within five years of appointment.

Under the policy, the minimum number of shares required to be held is based on the amount outlaid to buy the shares. As a result, the number of shares a non-executive director must hold is different for each director.

Apart from more recent appointees, all other non-executive directors have met the minimum shareholding requirement in full.

7.3 Statutory remuneration

The fees paid to the non-executive directors are set out in the table below.

    Short-term benefits  Post-employment benefits   
    Cash salary and fees12 Non-monetary3  Superannuation4  Total
Name    $ $  $  $
Non-executive directors          
Philip Chronican (Chair)  2024  815,718 2,079  28,032  845,829
  2023  799,181 415  25,819  825,415
Kathryn Fagg  2024  305,044 -  28,032  333,076
  2023  276,319 -  25,819  302,138
Anne Loveridge  2024  320,813 368  -  321,181
  2023  318,677 415  6,323  325,415
Douglas McKay5  2024  472,927 5,658  28,032  506,617
  2023  557,145 415  25,819  583,379
Simon McKeon  2024  293,773 -  28,032  321,805
  2023  289,181 -  25,819  315,000
Ann Sherry  2024  290,718 3,920  28,032  322,670
  2023  281,681 415  25,819  307,915
Alison Kitchen  2024  291,760 -  28,032  319,792
  2023  2,923 -  321  3,244
Carolyn Kay  2024  289,431 -  20,549  309,980
  2023  41,890 -  3,998  45,888
Christine Fellowes  2024  263,458 -  27,743  291,201
  2023  82,007 -  8,500  90,507
Former non-executive directors          
David Armstrong (for part year)  2024  70,982 1,436  -  72,418
  2023  337,500 -  -  337,500
Peeyush Gupta (for part year)  2024  58,261 1,436  5,886  65,583
  2023  277,043 -  25,819  302,862
Total  2024  3,472,885 14,897  222,370  3,710,152
Total  2023  3,263,547 1,660  174,056  3,439,263
  1. The portion of fees in connection with their roles, duties and responsibilities as a non-executive director, and includes attendance at meetings of the Board, Board committees and boards of controlled entities, received as cash.
  2. In December 2023, the Board approved increases to non-executive director fees, effective from 1 January 2024. Refer to section 7.1 for further details.
  3. Relates to gifts and other incidental benefits for the individual.
  4. Reflects compulsory company contributions to superannuation. David Armstrong and Anne Loveridge elected to receive all or part of their payments in fees and therefore received reduced or nil superannuation contributions during this period.
  5. Douglas McKay received fees of $220,000 in his capacity as Chair of Bank of New Zealand, which were paid in NZD.

7.4 Non-executive directors' share ownership and other interests

The number of NAB shares held (directly and nominally) by each non-executive director of NAB and the Group or their related parties (their close family members or any entity they, or their close family members, control, jointly control or significantly influence) are set out below. No rights or performance options are granted to non-executive directors or their related parties.

    Balance at beginning of year1 Acquired Other changes during year Balance at end of year23
Name    No. No. No. No.
Non-executive directors        
Philip Chronican (Chair)    42,120 - - 42,120
Kathryn Fagg    9,426 - - 9,426
Anne Loveridge    12,120 - - 12,120
Douglas McKay    11,972 - - 11,972
Simon McKeon    15,000 - - 15,000
Ann Sherry    12,698 - - 12,698
Alison Kitchen    - 6,120 - 6,120
Carolyn Kay    5,567 7,659 - 13,226
Christine Fellowes    3,438 1,457 - 4,895
Former Non-executive directors        
David Armstrong (for part year)    21,926 650 - 22,576
Peeyush Gupta (for part year)    9,571 - - 9,571
  1. Balance may include shares held prior to individuals becoming a non-executive director.
  2. All non-executive directors met or are on track to meet the minimum shareholding requirements for the year.
  3. For non-executive directors who ceased being KMP during 2024, the balance is as at the date they ceased being KMP.

8 - Loans, other transactions and other interests

8.1 Loans

Loans made to non-executive directors of NAB are made in the ordinary course of business on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions. Loans to the Group CEO and Group Executives may be made on similar terms and conditions generally available to other employees of the Group. Loans to KMP of NAB and the Group may be subject to restrictions under applicable laws and regulations including the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The opening balance is 1 October and closing balance is 30 September, or the date of commencement or cessation of a KMP.

Total aggregated loans provided to KMP and their related parties
   Terms and conditions Balance at beginning of year1 Interest charged2 Interest not charged2 Write-off2 Balance at end of year3
NAB and the Group    $ $ $ $ $
KMP4   Normal 13,664,729 452,711 - - 13,168,175
   Employee 29,819,756 956,169 - - 35,370,257
Other related parties5   Normal 20,633,322 651,143 - - 17,670,165
  1. For KMPs who commenced during the year, the balance is as at the date they became a KMP.
  2. Relates to the period during which the Group Executive was KMP.
  3. For KMPs who ceased during the year, the balance is as at the date they ceased to be a KMP.
  4. The aggregated loan balance at the end of the year includes loans issued to 18 KMP.
  5. Includes the KMP's related parties, which includes their close family members or any entity they or their close family members control, jointly control or significantly influence.

Aggregated loans to KMP and their related parties above $100,000
  KMP and related parties  KMP
  Balance at beginning of year1 Interest charged2 Interest not charged Write-off Balance at end of year3  Highest indebtedness during 20244
NAB and the Group  $ $ $ $ $  $
Non-executive directors         
David Armstrong (for part year)  988,994 10,398 - - 1,003,729  -
Kathryn Fagg  2,755,514 72,459 - - 2,654,108  2,754,830
Doug McKay  2,226,851 101,156 - - 1,501,249  50,435
Carolyn Kay  719,290 35,536 - - 665,054  710,237
Simon McKeon  1,742,185 102,693 - - 1,719,859  1,742,185
Group CEO         
Andrew Irvine  14,374,813 395,610 - - 15,478,449  15,673,507
Group Executives         
Sharon Cook  3,354,097 118,510 - - 3,242,351  1,004,112
Shaun Dooley  1,047,745 30,346   1,013,517  580,372
Nathan Goonan  4,273,509 178,578 - - 4,158,047  4,279,067
Daniel Huggins  4,938,801 258,540 - - 4,808,869  4,844,677
Les Matheson  3,655,493 182,498 - - 2,418,088  68,363
Rachel Slade  5,240,616 165,916 - - 5,102,986  5,266,427
Patrick Wright  3,006,150 38,726 - - 2,577,515  22,591
Sarah White  3,448,696 130,361 - - 3,492,274  3,492,274
Ana Marinkovic (for part year)  3,095,388 92,434 - - 6,930,380  6,930,031
Cathryn Carver (for part year)  3,180,327 38,702 - - 3,439,014  2,356,565
Former Group Executives         
Ross McEwan (for part year)  1,090,667 25,087 - - 1,267,174  950,500
David Gall (for part year)  4,338,972 78,325 - - 4,084,474  709,231
Angela Mentis (for part year)  639,676 4,150 - - 650,130  15,190
  1. For KMPs who commenced during the year, the balance is as at the date they became a KMP.
  2. The interest charged may include the impact of interest offset facilities and only relates to the period during which the non-executive director, Group CEO or Group Executive was KMP.
  3. For KMPs who ceased during the year, the balance is as at the date they ceased to be a KMP.
  4. Represents aggregate highest indebtedness of the KMP during 2024. All other items in this table relate to the KMP and their related parties.

8.2 Other transactions

From time to time various KMP and their related parties will hold investments in funds that are either managed, related to or controlled by the Group. All such transactions with KMP and their related parties are made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions.

All other transactions that have occurred with KMP are made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions. These transactions generally involve the provision of financial and investment services including services to eligible international assignees ensuring they are neither financially advantaged nor disadvantaged by their relocation. All such transactions that have occurred with KMP and their related parties have been trivial or domestic in nature. In this context, transactions are trivial in nature when they are considered of little or no interest to the users of the Remuneration Report in making and evaluating decisions about the allocation of scarce resources. Transactions are domestic in nature when they relate to personal household activities.

8.3 Other equity instrument holdings

In the year ending 30 September 2024, no KMP or their related parties held or transacted any equity instruments (either directly or indirectly) other than the NAB shares and equity-based compensation disclosed in Sections 6 and 7.

8.4 Other relevant interests

Each KMP or their related parties from time to time invest in various debentures, registered schemes and securities offered by NAB and certain subsidiaries of NAB. The level of interests held directly and indirectly as at 30 September 2024 were:

Name  Nature of product  Relevant Interest (Units)
Non-executive directors     
Ann Sherry  NAB Capital Notes 3  1,500
Group Executives     
Sharon Cook  NAB Capital Notes 3  2,000

There are no contracts, other than those disclosed in Table 8.4 immediately above, to which directors are a party, or under which the directors are entitled to a benefit and that confer the right to call for, or deliver shares in, debentures of, or interests in, a registered scheme made available by NAB or a related body corporate. All of the directors have disclosed interests in organisations not related to the Group and are to be regarded as interested in any contract or proposed contract that may be made between NAB and any such organisations.

Directors' signatures

This report of directors is signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

 

Philip ChronicanChair7 November 2024
 

 

Andrew IrvineGroup Chief Executive Officer7 November 2024

Auditor's independence declaration

Financial report

Income statements

    Group
For the year ended 30 September  Note  2024 2023
    $m $m
Interest income      
Effective interest rate method    52,012 46,358
Fair value through profit or loss    6,285 1,714
Interest expense    (41,540) (31,265)
Net interest income  3  16,757 16,807
Other income  4  3,889 3,841
Operating expenses  5  (10,026) (9,382)
Credit impairment charge  17  (741) (816)
Profit before income tax    9,879 10,450
Income tax expense  6  (2,798) (2,980)
Net profit for the year from continuing operations    7,081 7,470
Net loss after tax for the year from discontinued operations    (103) (51)
Net profit for the year    6,978 7,419
Attributable to non-controlling interests    18 5
Attributable to owners of the Company    6,960 7,414
      
Earnings per share  cents cents
Basic  7  224.6 236.4
Diluted  7  222.7 228.7
Basic from continuing operations  7  227.9 238.0
Diluted from continuing operations  7  225.8 230.2

    Company
For the year ended 30 September  Note  2024 2023
    $m $m
Interest income      
Effective interest rate method    48,036 42,478
Fair value through profit or loss    5,745 1,404
Interest expense    (41,056) (30,894)
Net interest income  3  12,725 12,988
Other income  4  5,572 10,301
Operating expenses  5  (8,832) (8,423)
Credit impairment charge  17  (619) (654)
Profit before income tax    8,846 14,212
Income tax expense  6  (1,952) (2,200)
Net profit for the year from continuing operations    6,894 12,012
Net loss after tax for the year from discontinued operations    - -
Net profit for the year    6,894 12,012
Attributable to non-controlling interests    - -
Attributable to owners of the Company    6,894 12,012
      
Earnings per share    
Basic  7    
Diluted  7    
Basic from continuing operations  7    
Diluted from continuing operations  7    

Statements of comprehensive income

  Group
For the year ended 30 September  2024 2023
  $m $m
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  7,081 7,470
Other comprehensive income    
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss    
Fair value changes attributable to the Group's own credit risk on financial liabilities designated at fair value  (87) (67)
Revaluation of land and buildings  (2) (4)
Revaluation of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income  4 17
Tax on items transferred directly to equity  26 20
Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss  (59) (34)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss    
Cash flow hedge reserve  2,101 66
Cost of hedging reserve1  (198) (160)
Foreign currency translation reserve:    
Currency adjustments on translation of foreign operations  (222) 709
Transfer to the income statement on disposal or partial disposal of foreign operations  -(29)
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve:    
Revaluation losses  (520) (14)
Losses transferred to income statement  104 (32)
Tax on items transferred directly to equity  (445) 38
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss  820 578
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax  761 544
Total comprehensive income for the year from continuing operations  7,842 8,014
Net loss after tax for the year from discontinued operations  (103) (51)
Total comprehensive income for the year  7,739 7,963
Attributable to non-controlling interests2  18 13
Total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the Company  7,721 7,950
  1. During the 2024 financial year, approximately $4 million was reclassified out of the cost of hedging reserve and into profit or loss in the Group, as a result of early termination of a hedging instrument.
  2. The Group includes $0 (2023: $8 million) relating to foreign currency translation of the non-controlling interests in BNZ.

  Company
For the year ended 30 September  2024 2023
  $m $m
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  6,894 12,012
Other comprehensive income    
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss    
Fair value changes attributable to the Group's own credit risk on financial liabilities designated at fair value  (95) (70)
Revaluation of land and buildings  - -
Revaluation of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income  5 16
Tax on items transferred directly to equity  26 22
Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss  (64) (32)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss    
Cash flow hedge reserve  2,152 303
Cost of hedging reserve 1  (87) (44)
Foreign currency translation reserve:    
Currency adjustments on translation of foreign operations  (41) 117
Transfer to the income statement on disposal or partial disposal of foreign operations  - (29)
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve:    
Revaluation losses  (520) (14)
Losses transferred to income statement  104 (32)
Tax on items transferred directly to equity  (492) (63)
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss  1,116 238
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax  1,052 206
Total comprehensive income for the year from continuing operations  7,946 12,218
Net loss after tax for the year from discontinued operations  - -
Total comprehensive income for the year  7,946 12,218
Attributable to non-controlling interests 2  - -
Total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the Company  7,946 12,218
  1. During the 2024 financial year, approximately $4 million was reclassified out of the cost of hedging reserve and into profit or loss in the Group, as a result of early termination of a hedging instrument.
  2. The Group includes $0 (2023: $8 million) relating to foreign currency translation of the non-controlling interests in BNZ.

Balance sheets

    Group
As at 30 September  Note  2024 2023
    $m $m
Assets      
Cash and liquid assets1  8  2,499 24,699
Due from other banks  8  110,438 117,306
Collateral placed    9,633 11,286
Trading assets  9  133,606 101,168
Derivative assets  18  28,766 34,269
Debt instruments  10  41,999 46,357
Other financial assets  11  769 1,430
Loans and advances  12  732,692 702,702
Current tax assets    25 20
Due from controlled entities    --
Deferred tax assets  6  3,181 3,499
Property, plant and equipment    2,865 3,016
Investments in controlled entities    --
Goodwill and other intangible assets  22  5,224 4,952
Other assets  23  8,551 8,379
Total assets    1,080,248 1,059,083
Liabilities      
Due to other banks1  8  12,328 39,516
Collateral received    5,151 10,672
Other financial liabilities  16  70,272 66,352
Deposits and other borrowings  13  712,566 682,120
Derivative liabilities  18  32,576 35,633
Current tax liabilities    1,042 1,012
Provisions  24  1,804 1,852
Due to controlled entities    --
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  14  156,294 135,645
Debt issues  15  9,560 8,561
Other liabilities  25  16,442 16,217
Total liabilities    1,018,035 997,580
Net assets    62,213 61,503
Equity      
Contributed equity  27  36,581 38,546
Reserves  29  (362) (1,192)
Retained profits    25,236 23,800
Total equity (attributable to owners of the Company)    61,455 61,154
Non-controlling interests  28  758 349
Total equity    62,213 61,503
  1. During the 2023 financial year, the Group and the Company established new portfolios of reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements which are held for trading. New transactions under these agreements are measured at fair value through profit or loss and are included in Note 9 Trading assets and Note 16 Other financial liabilities.

    Company
As at 30 September  Note  2024 2023
    $m $m
Assets      
Cash and liquid assets1  8  2,318 23,959
Due from other banks  8  105,061 106,955
Collateral placed    8,929 10,214
Trading assets  9  120,517 90,417
Derivative assets  18  28,458 33,784
Debt instruments  10  41,983 46,336
Other financial assets  11  769 1,708
Loans and advances  12  634,346 607,684
Current tax assets    25 19
Due from controlled entities    51,039 43,577
Deferred tax assets  6  2,802 3,059
Property, plant and equipment    2,220 1,935
Investments in controlled entities    11,076 10,025
Goodwill and other intangible assets  22  2,661 2,392
Other assets  23  6,884 7,717
Total assets    1,019,088 989,781
Liabilities      
Due to other banks1  8  7,909 33,965
Collateral received    4,180 9,281
Other financial liabilities  16  62,836 51,745
Deposits and other borrowings  13  636,565 608,641
Derivative liabilities  18  33,013 36,110
Current tax liabilities    864 978
Provisions  24  1,466 1,651
Due to controlled entities    51,830 44,059
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  14  140,556 124,329
Debt issues  15  9,560 8,561
Other liabilities  25  12,984 13,938
Total liabilities    961,763 933,258
Net assets    57,325 56,523
Equity      
Contributed equity  27  35,795 37,760
Reserves  29  (434) (1,565)
Retained profits    21,964 20,328
Total equity (attributable to owners of the Company)    57,325 56,523
Non-controlling interests  28  - -
Total equity    57,325 56,523
  1. During the 2023 financial year, the Group and the Company established new portfolios of reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements which are held for trading. New transactions under these agreements are measured at fair value through profit or loss and are included in Note 9 Trading assets and Note 16 Other financial liabilities.

Statements of cash flows

    Group
For the year ended 30 September  Note  2024 2023
    $m $m
Cash flows from operating activities      
Interest received    58,715 47,338
Interest paid    (40,575) (28,548)
Dividends received    4 2
Net trading income received    405 4,993
Other income received    2,392 2,572
Operating expenses paid    (7,712) (7,614)
Income tax paid    (2,834) (2,973)
Cash flows from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities    10,395 15,770
Changes in operating assets and liabilities      
Net (increase) / decrease in      
Collateral placed    1,637 2,075
Deposits with central banks and other regulatory authorities    2,934 10,490
Trading assets    (31,708) (58,148)
Other financial assets designated at fair value    610 682
Loans and advances    (32,547) (15,854)
Other assets    999 (237)
Net increase / (decrease) in      
Collateral received    (5,513) (6,893)
Deposits and other borrowings    31,687 (9,157)
Other financial liabilities    7,452 44,592
Other liabilities    (2,807) 296
Net funds advanced to and receipts from other banks    (23,145) (10,468)
Net movement in derivative assets and liabilities    4,225 153
Changes in operating assets and liabilities arising from cash flow movements    (46,176) (42,469)
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities  37  (35,781) (26,699)
Cash flows from investing activities      
Movement in debt instruments      
Purchases    (27,966) (34,455)
Proceeds from disposal and maturity    33,927 31,296
Net movement in other debt and equity instruments    69 59
Net movement in amounts due from controlled entities    --
Net movement in shares in controlled entities    --
Net movement in shares in associates and joint ventures    (4) -
Proceeds from sale of controlled entities and business closures, net of costs and cash disposed    104 82
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and software    (1,440) (1,192)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, equipment and software, net of costs    1 -
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities    4,691 (4,210)
Cash flows from financing activities      
Repayments of bonds‚ notes and subordinated debt    (26,638) (31,143)
Proceeds from issue of bonds‚ notes and subordinated debt‚ net of costs1    42,783 42,827
Payments for share buy-back    (2,077) (904)
Purchase of shares for dividend reinvestment plan neutralisation    (509) (693)
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer    (25) (23)
Proceeds from debt issues, net of costs    999 1,243
Proceeds from issue of BNZ perpetual preference shares    404 336
Dividends and distributions paid (excluding dividend reinvestment plan)    (4,700) (4,339)
Repayments of other financing activities    (321) (328)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities    9,916 6,976
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    (21,174) (23,933)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    40,589 62,179
Effects of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents    (579) 2,343
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  37  18,836 40,589
  1. Includes RBNZ's FLP.

     Company
For the year ended 30 September  Note   2024 2023
     $m $m
Cash flows from operating activities       
Interest received     54,250 43,275
Interest paid     (40,251) (28,555)
Dividends received     3,108 2,053
Net trading income received     65 4,083
Other income received     1,752 1,704
Operating expenses paid     (6,585) (6,598)
Income tax paid     (2,208) (2,034)
Cash flows from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities     10,131 13,928
Changes in operating assets and liabilities       
Net (increase) / decrease in       
Collateral placed     1,283 528
Deposits with central banks and other regulatory authorities     2,934 10,490
Trading assets     (29,764) (53,920)
Other financial assets designated at fair value     54 1,036
Loans and advances     (27,953) (13,534)
Other assets     1,346 (432)
Net increase / (decrease) in       
Collateral received     (5,111) (6,297)
Deposits and other borrowings     28,195 (12,366)
Other financial liabilities     10,752 43,099
Other liabilities     (3,660) 814
Net funds advanced to and receipts from other banks     (23,209) (10,857)
Net movement in derivative assets and liabilities     2,794 2,300
Changes in operating assets and liabilities arising from cash flow movements     (42,339) (39,139)
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities  37   (32,208) (25,211)
Cash flows from investing activities       
Movement in debt instruments       
Purchases     (27,957) (34,435)
Proceeds from disposal and maturity     33,914 31,280
Net movement in other debt and equity instruments     94 (32)
Net movement in amounts due from controlled entities     (770) (3,320)
Net movement in shares in controlled entities     611 5
Net movement in shares in associates and joint ventures     - -
Proceeds from sale of controlled entities and business closures, net of costs and cash disposed     - 82
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and software     (1,168) (900)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, equipment and software, net of costs     - -
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities     4,724 (7,320)

    Company
For the year ended 30 September    2024 2023
    $m $m
Cash flows from financing activities      
Repayments of bonds‚ notes and subordinated debt    (20,734) (26,937)
Proceeds from issue of bonds‚ notes and subordinated debt‚ net of costs1    37,655 38,948
Payments for share buy-back    (2,077) (904)
Purchase of shares for dividend reinvestment plan neutralisation    (509) (693)
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer    (25) (23)
Proceeds from debt issues, net of costs    999 1,243
Proceeds from issue of BNZ perpetual preference shares    - -
Dividends and distributions paid (excluding dividend reinvestment plan)    (4,682) (4,334)
Repayments of other financing activities    (283) (284)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities    10,344 7,016
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    (17,140) (25,515)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    31,781 55,183
Effects of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents    (496) 2,113
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  37  14,145 31,781
  1. Includes RBNZ's FLP.

Statements of changes in equity

  Contributed equity1 Reserves2 Retained profits Total Non-controlling interests Total equity
Group  $m $m $m $m $m $m
Year to 30 September 2023        
Balance at 1 October 2022  39,399 (1,839) 21,472 59,032 -59,032
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  --7,465 7,465 5 7,470
Net loss for the year from discontinued operations  --(51) (51) -(51)
Other comprehensive income for the year from continuing operations  -583 (47) 536 8 544
Total comprehensive income for the year  -583 7,367 7,950 13 7,963
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity        
Contributions by and distributions to owners        
Share buy-back  (904) --(904) -(904)
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer3  (23) --(23) -(23)
Transfer from / (to) retained profits  -7 (7) ---
Transfer from / (to) equity-based compensation reserve  74 (74) ----
Equity-based compensation  -131 -131 -131
Dividends and distributions paid4  --(5,027) (5,027) (5) (5,032)
Other equity movements        
Issue of BNZ perpetual preference shares  --(5) (5) 341 336
Balance at 30 September 2023  38,546 (1,192) 23,800 61,154 349 61,503
Restatement for adoption of AASB 17 Insurance Contracts5  --(271) (271) -(271)
Restated balance as at 1 October 2023  38,546 (1,192) 23,529 60,883 349 61,232
Year to 30 September 2024        
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  --7,063 7,063 18 7,081
Net loss for the year from discontinued operations  --(103) (103) -(103)
Other comprehensive income for the year from continuing operations  -822 (61) 761 -761
Total comprehensive income for the year  -822 6,899 7,721 18 7,739
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity        
Contributions by and distributions to owners        
Share buy-back  (2,077) --(2,077) -(2,077)
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer6  (25) --(25) -(25)
Transfer from / (to) retained profits  -(4) 4 ---
Transfer from / (to) equity-based compensation reserve  137 (137) ----
Equity-based compensation  -149 -149 -149
Dividends and distributions paid4  --(5,191) (5,191) (18) (5,209)
Other equity movements        
Issue of BNZ perpetual preference shares7  --(5) (5) 409 404
Balance as at 30 September 2024  36,581 (362) 25,236 61,455 758 62,213
  1. Refer to Note 27 Contributed equity for further details.
  2. Refer to Note 29 Reserves for further details.
  3. This represents an on-market purchase of 748,032 shares at an average price of $30.70 per share.
  4. Refer to Note 30 Dividends for further details.
  5. Refer to Note 1 Basis of preparation for further details.
  6. This represents an on-market purchase of 862,221 shares at an average price of $29.17 per share.
  7. Refer to Note 28 Non-controlling interests for further details.

  Contributed equity1 Reserves2 Retained profits Total
equity
Company  $m $m $m $m
Year to 30 September 2023      
Balance at 1 October 2022  38,613 (1,874) 13,389 50,128
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  - - 12,012 12,012
Other comprehensive income for the year from continuing operations  - 254 (48) 206
Total comprehensive income for the year  - 254 11,964 12,218
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity      
Contributions by and distributions to owners      
Share buy-back  (904) - - (904)
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer3  (23) - - (23)
Transfer from / (to) retained profits  - (2) 2 -
Transfer from / (to) equity-based compensation reserve  74 (74) - -
Equity-based compensation  - 131 - 131
Dividends and distributions paid4  - - (5,027) (5,027)
Balance at 30 September 2023  37,760 (1,565) 20,328 56,523
Year to 30 September 2024      
Net profit for the year from continuing operations  - - 6,894 6,894
Other comprehensive income for the year from continuing operations  - 1,121 (69) 1,052
Total comprehensive income for the year  - 1,121 6,825 7,946
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity      
Contributions by and distributions to owners      
Share buy-back  (2,077) - - (2,077)
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer5  (25) - - (25)
Transfer from / (to) retained profits  - (2) 2 -
Transfer from / (to) equity-based compensation reserve  137 (137) - -
Equity-based compensation  - 149 - 149
Dividends and distributions paid4  - - (5,191) (5,191)
Balance as at 30 September 2024  35,795 (434) 21,964 57,325
  1. Refer to Note 27 Contributed equity for further details.
  2. Refer to Note 29 Reserves for further details.
  3. This represents an on-market purchase of 748,032 shares at an average price of $30.70 per share.
  4. Refer to Note 30 Dividends for further details.
  5. This represents an on-market purchase of 862,221 shares at an average price of $29.17 per share.

Notes to the financial statements

Introduction

1 Basis of preparation

This is the financial report of National Australia Bank Limited (the Company) together with its controlled entities (Group) for the year ended 30 September 2024. The Company, incorporated and domiciled in Australia, is a for-profit company limited by shares which are publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange.

The directors resolved to authorise the issue of the financial report on 7 November 2024. The directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial report.

The financial report includes information to the extent the Group considers it material and relevant to the understanding of users. Disclosed information is considered material and relevant if, for example:

  • The dollar amount is significant in size or by nature.

  • The Group’s results cannot be understood by users without the specific disclosure.

  • The information is important to help users understand the impact of significant changes in the Group’s business during the financial year, for example, a business acquisition, disposal, or an impairment / write-down.

  • The information relates to an aspect of the Group’s operations which is important to its future performance.

  • The information is required under legislative requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Banking Act 1959 (Cth) or by the Group’s principal regulators, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Basis of preparation

This general purpose financial report has been prepared by a for-profit company, in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and accounting standards and interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB). Compliance with standards and interpretations issued by the AASB ensures that this financial report complies with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Amounts are presented in Australian dollars (unless otherwise stated), which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. These amounts have been rounded to the nearest million dollars ($m), except where indicated, as allowed by ASIC Corporations Instrument 2016/191.

Unless otherwise stated, comparative information has been restated for any changes to presentation made in the current year. Discontinued operations are excluded from the results of continuing operations and are presented as a single amount in the Group's income statement and statement of comprehensive income.

To comply with its obligations as an Australian Financial Services Licence holder, the Group includes the separate financial statements of the Company in this financial report, which is permitted by ASIC Corporations (Parent Entity Financial Statements) Instrument 2021/195.

Basis of measurement

The financial report has been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for:

  • Certain assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) measured at fair value through profit or loss, or at fair value through other comprehensive income.

  • Financial assets and liabilities that are otherwise measured on an amortised cost basis but adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk being hedged in qualifying fair value hedge relationships.

Accounting policies

The Group adopted AASB 17 Insurance Contracts (AASB 17) effective 1 October 2023. The impact from the adoption of AASB 17 was limited to a reduction of $271 million in the carrying value of the Group’s equity-accounted investment in MLC Life (included in Note 23 Other assets), with a corresponding decrease in retained profits.

Except as explained above, the accounting policies and methods of computation applied in this report are consistent with those applied in the Group's 2023 Annual Report. There were no other amendments to Australian Accounting Standards adopted during the year that have a material impact on the Group.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management have made a number of judgements and assumptions and applied estimates of future events. Some of these areas include:

  • Impairment charges on loans and advances.

  • Fair value of financial assets and liabilities.

  • Impairment assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets.

  • Determination of income tax.

  • Provisions for customer-related remediation and other regulatory matters.

Further details of these critical accounting judgements and estimates are provided in the respective notes to the financial statements.

Future accounting developments

AASB 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements was issued in June 2024 and replaces AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements and will be effective for the Group from 1 October 2027. AASB 18 introduces enhanced presentation requirements in the financial statements, including new categories and subtotals in the income statement, disclosures about management-defined performance measures (i.e. cash earnings), and enhanced guidance on the grouping of information. The Group is currently assessing the impact of this new Standard.

There are no other new standards or amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective which are expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.

Financial performance

Overview

A description of the operating activities of each reportable segment is provided below:

  • Business and Private Banking focuses on NAB's priority small and medium enterprise (SME) customer segments. This includes diversified businesses, as well as specialised Agriculture, Health, Professional Services, Franchisees, Government, Education and Community service segments along with Private Banking and JBWere.

  • Personal Banking provides banking products and services to customers including securing a home loan and managing personal finances through deposits, credit card or personal loan facilities. Customers are supported through a network of branches and ATMs, call centres, digital capabilities as well as through proprietary lenders and mortgage brokers.

  • Corporate and Institutional Banking partners with customers globally to meet their most complex financial needs, through a range of products and services including client coverage, corporate finance, markets, transactional banking, enterprise payments and asset servicing (which is being wound down over approximately three years from November 2022). Corporate and Institutional Banking serves its customers across Australia, US, Europe and Asia with specialised industry relationships and product teams. Corporate and Institutional Banking included the Bank of New Zealand's Markets Trading operations up to 30 September 2023. From 1 October 2023, these operations are reported within New Zealand Banking.

  • New Zealand Banking serves customers across New Zealand with personal and business banking services, through a nationwide network of customer centres, digital and assisted channels. From 1 October 2023, the Bank of New Zealand’s Markets Trading operations and enabling units are reported within New Zealand Banking. Previously the Bank of New Zealand’s Markets Trading operations were reported in Corporate and Institutional Banking and the enabling units within Corporate Functions and Other.

  • Corporate Functions and Other includes ubank and enabling units that support all businesses including Treasury, Technology and Enterprise Operations, Data, Digital and Analytics, Support Units and eliminations. Corporate Functions and Other included the enabling units of the Bank of New Zealand up to 30 September 2023. From 1 October 2023, these enabling units are reported within New Zealand Banking.

During the year, the Group transferred some customer lending and deposit portfolios between Personal Banking and Business and Private Banking. There have also been some unrelated refinements to the allocation of support costs which resulted in some costs previously recognised in Corporate Functions and Other being allocated to Business and Private Banking. Comparative information has been restated to reflect these changes. Other than the above changes, the Group's reportable segments are consistent with the 2023 Annual Report.

The Group evaluates performance on the basis of cash earnings as it better reflects what is considered to be the underlying performance of the Group. Cash earnings is a non-IFRS key financial performance measure used by the Group and the investment community.

Cash earnings is calculated by adjusting statutory net profit from continuing operations for certain non-cash earnings items. Non-cash earnings items are those items which are considered separately when assessing performance and analysing the underlying trends in the business. Cash earnings for the year ended 30 September 2024 has been adjusted for hedging and fair value volatility, amortisation of acquired intangible assets, and certain other items associated with the acquisition, integration, disposal or closure of Group businesses. Cash earnings does not purport to represent the cash flows, funding or liquidity position of the Group, nor any amount represented on a statement of cash flows.

The Group earns the vast majority of its revenue in the form of net interest income, being the difference between interest earned on financial assets and interest paid on financial liabilities and other financing costs.

2 Segment information

  2024
  Business and Private Banking Personal Banking Corporate and Institutional Banking New Zealand Banking Corporate Functions and Other1 Total Group
  $m $m $m $m $m $m
Reportable segment information        
Net interest income  7,268 3,953 2,550 2,669 314 16,754
Other income  1,031 626 1,346 545 (52) 3,496
Net operating income  8,299 4,579 3,896 3,214 262 20,250
Operating expenses  (3,111) (2,618) (1,445) (1,185) (1,068) (9,427)
Underlying profit / (loss)  5,188 1,961 2,451 2,029 (806) 10,823
Credit Impairment (charge) / write-back  (523) (288) 7 (129) 205 (728)
Cash earnings / (loss) before tax and distributions  4,665 1,673 2,458 1,900 (601) 10,095
Income tax (expense) / benefit  (1,408) (499) (686) (549) 167 (2,975)
Cash earnings / (loss) before non-controlling interests  3,257 1,174 1,772 1,351 (434) 7,120
Non-controlling interests  - - - (18) - (18)
Cash earnings / (loss)  3,257 1,174 1,772 1,333 (434) 7,102
Hedging and fair value volatility  (11) 1 - 16 (12) (6)
Other non-cash earnings items  (9) (13) - 24 (35) (33)
Net profit / (loss) for the year from continuing operations  3,237 1,162 1,772 1,373 (481) 7,063
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to owners of the Company  - - - - (103) (103)
Net profit / (loss) attributable to owners of the Company  3,237 1,162 1,772 1,373 (584) 6,960
        
Reportable segment assets2  262,096 260,056 278,047 120,389 159,660 1,080,248
  1. Corporate Functions and Other includes eliminations.
  2. Reportable segment assets include inter-company balances which are eliminated within the Corporate Functions and Other segment.

  2023
  Business and Private Banking1 Personal Banking1 Corporate and Institutional Banking1 New Zealand Banking1 Corporate Functions and Other12 Total Group
  $m $m $m $m $m $m
Reportable segment information        
Net interest income  7,232 4,367 2,304 2,673 231 16,807
Other income  989 554 1,584 545 175 3,847
Net operating income  8,221 4,921 3,888 3,218 406 20,654
Operating expenses  (2,996) (2,561) (1,428) (1,129) (909) (9,023)
Underlying profit / (loss)  5,225 2,360 2,460 2,089 (503) 11,631
Credit Impairment (charge) / write-back  (564) (291) (32) (141) 226 (802)
Cash earnings / (loss) before tax and distributions  4,661 2,069 2,428 1,948 (277) 10,829
Income tax (expense) / benefit  (1,403) (608) (588) (549) 55 (3,093)
Cash earnings / (loss) before non-controlling interests  3,258 1,461 1,840 1,399 (222) 7,736
Non-controlling interests  - - - (5) - (5)
Cash earnings / (loss)  3,258 1,461 1,840 1,394 (222) 7,731
Hedging and fair value volatility  (2) (6) (97) (6) 82 (29)
Other non-cash earnings items  (9) (17) - - (211) (237)
Net profit / (loss) for the year from continuing operations  3,247 1,438 1,743 1,388 (351) 7,465
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to owners of the Company  - - - - (51) (51)
Net profit / (loss) attributable to owners of the Company  3,247 1,438 1,743 1,388 (402) 7,414
        
Reportable segment assets3  246,585 256,800 276,679 120,988 158,031 1,059,083
  1. Restated for changes to segments.
  2. Corporate Functions and Other includes eliminations.
  3. Reportable segment assets include inter-company balances which are eliminated within the Corporate Functions and Other segment.

Major customers

No single customer contributes revenue greater than 10% of the Group’s revenues.

Geographical information

The Group has operations in Australia (the Company’s country of domicile), New Zealand, Europe, the United States and Asia. The allocation of income and non-current assets is based on the geographical location in which transactions are booked.

  Group
  Income  Non-current assets1
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Australia  16,255 16,674  6,891 7,115
New Zealand  3,339 3,218  1,612 1,275
Other International  1,374 1,051  152 118
Total before inter-geographic eliminations  20,968 20,943  8,655 8,508
Elimination of inter-geographic items  (322) (295)  - -
Total  20,646 20,648  8,655 8,508
  1. Non-current assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and investments in joint ventures and associates.

3 Net interest income

Accounting policy

Interest income and expense are recognised in the income statement using the effective interest method. The effective interest method measures the amortised cost of a financial asset or financial liability using the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate discounts the estimated stream of future cash payments or receipts over the expected life of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial instrument.

Fees and costs which form an integral part of the effective interest rate of a financial instrument (for example, loan origination fees) are recognised using the effective interest method and recorded in interest income or expense depending on whether the underlying instrument is a financial asset or liability.

Included in net interest income are interest income and expense on trading assets, hedging instruments and financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Interest income       
Effective interest rate method       
Amortised cost       
Due from other banks  5,398 5,253  4,926 4,713
Loans and advances  43,302 35,807  36,700 30,175
Due from controlled entities  - -  3,349 2,586
Other interest income  1,036 3,554  787 3,261
Fair value through other comprehensive income       
Debt instruments  2,276 1,744  2,274 1,743
Total effective interest method  52,012 46,358  48,036 42,478
Fair value through profit or loss       
Trading instruments  6,225 1,607  5,685 1,328
Other financial assets  60 107  60 76
Total fair value through profit or loss  6,285 1,714  5,745 1,404
Total interest income  58,297 48,072  53,781 43,882
       
Interest expense       
Effective interest rate method       
Amortised cost       
Due to other banks  726 1,705  562 1,525
Deposits and other borrowings  25,600 19,889  22,410 17,636
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  9,539 7,083  8,649 6,413
Due to controlled entities  - -  4,571 3,515
Debt issues  475 362  475 362
Other interest expense  419 640  319 555
Total effective interest method  36,759 29,679  36,986 30,006
Fair value through profit or loss       
Trading instruments  63 51  63 51
Other financial liabilities  4,322 1,163  3,611 465
Total fair value through profit or loss  4,385 1,214  3,674 516
Bank levy  396 372  396 372
Total interest expense  41,540 31,265  41,056 30,894
Net interest income  16,757 16,807  12,725 12,988

4 Other income

Accounting policy

Categories of other income are measured as follows:

Item  Measurement basis
Trading instruments  Trading derivatives - Total fair value change (including interest income or expense).Trading assets - All fair value changes except for interest income or expense, which is recognised within net interest income.
Hedge ineffectiveness  Represents hedge ineffectiveness arising from hedge accounting, which are the fair value movements (excluding interest income or expense) that do not offset the hedged risk.
Financial instruments designated at fair value  Includes fair value movements on such items, other than interest income or interest expense and fair value movements attributable to the Group’s own credit risk on financial liabilities.
Dividend revenue  Dividend revenue is recognised in the income statement when the Group’s right to receive the dividend is established.
Lending fees and other fees and commissions  Unless they form an integral part of the effective interest rate, fees and commissions are recognised on an accruals basis when the service has been provided or on completion of the underlying transaction. Fees charged for providing ongoing services (for example, maintaining and administering existing facilities) are recognised as income over the period the service is provided.When a third party is involved in providing goods or services to the Group's customer, the Group assesses whether the nature of the arrangement with its customer is as a principal or an agent of the third party. When the Group is not acting in a principal capacity, the income earned by the Group is net of the amounts paid to the third party provider. The net consideration represents the Group's income for facilitating the transaction.
Net investment management income  Investment management income is recognised on an accruals basis as the services are provided and is presented net of direct and incremental investment management expenses incurred in the provision of these services.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Net fees and commissions       
Lending fees  1,202 1,141  976 932
Other fees and commissions1  936 893  673 667
Net investment management income       
Investment management income  284 304  - -
Investment management expense  (163) (155)  - -
Total net fees and commissions  2,259 2,183  1,649 1,599
       
Gains less losses on financial instruments at fair value       
Trading instruments  2,097 1,141  1,363 813
Hedge ineffectiveness  (21) (21)  (16) (27)
Financial instruments designated at fair value  (798) 390  (446) 416
Total gains less losses on financial instruments at fair value  1,278 1,510  901 1,202
       
Other operating income       
Dividends2  4 2  3,108 7,423
Share of profit from associates and joint ventures  - 25  - -
Other34  348 121  (86) 77
Total other operating income  352 148  3,022 7,500
Total other income  3,889 3,841  5,572 10,301
  1. In the 2024 financial year, the Group recognised customer-related remediation charges of $35 million (2023: $29 million) and the Company recognised customer-related remediation charges of $82 million (2023: $39 million) in other fees and commissions. Customer-related remediation charges in the Company include MLC Wealth-related matters which are presented in discontinued operations at the Group level.
  2. In the 2023 financial year, the Company received a dividend of $5.4 billion from National Equities Limited (following a dividend payment by BNZ) which was reinvested into additional ordinary shares.
  3. On 30 April 2024, the Group completed the disposal of its New Zealand wealth businesses in return for a 45% stake in FirstCape and cash proceeds of $135 million, resulting in a gain on disposal of $395 million in other income. Refer to Note 32 Interest in subsidiaries and other entities for further information.
  4. Includes $104 million of realised losses that have been transferred to the income statement on disposal of debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income.

5 Operating expenses

Accounting policy

Operating expenses are recognised as services are provided to the Group, over the period in which an asset is consumed or once a liability is created.

Amounts received by the Group as a reimbursement for costs incurred are recognised as a reduction of the related expense.

Annual leave, long service leave and other personnel expenses

Salaries, annual leave and other employee entitlements expected to be paid or settled within 12 months of employees rendering service are measured at their nominal amounts using remuneration rates that the Group expects to pay when the liabilities are settled. A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonuses when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably. All other employee entitlements that are not expected to be paid or settled within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the present value of net future cash flows. Employee entitlements to long service leave are accrued using an actuarial calculation, which includes assumptions regarding employee departures, leave utilisation and future salary increases.

Termination benefits are recognised as an expense when the Group is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to either terminate employment before the normal retirement date, or to provide termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. Termination benefits for voluntary redundancy are recognised as an expense if the Group has made an offer of voluntary redundancy, it is probable that the offer will be accepted, and the number of acceptances can be estimated reliably.

Refer to Note 24 Provisions for balances of provisions for employee entitlements.

  Group1  Company12
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Personnel expenses       
Salaries and related on-costs  4,399 4,353  3,564 3,590
Superannuation costs-defined contribution plans  396 366  370 348
Performance-based compensation  596 557  535 510
Other expenses  475 215  394 196
Total personnel expenses  5,866 5,491  4,863 4,644
       
Occupancy and depreciation expenses       
Rental expense  99 100  118 209
Depreciation and impairment  434 440  333 274
Other expenses  58 57  49 53
Total occupancy and depreciation expenses  591 597  500 536
       
Technology expenses       
Computer equipment and software  1,019 888  811 740
Amortisation of software  681 577  577 500
Depreciation of IT equipment  154 156  132 136
Data communication and processing charges  118 126  103 109
Communications  56 58  45 44
Impairment losses recognised  8 11  9 2
Total technology expenses  2,036 1,816  1,677 1,531
       
General expenses       
Fees and commissions expense  23 18  24 17
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets3  43 43  18 19
Advertising and marketing  209 220  157 166
Operational risk event losses and customer-related remediation4  136 103  185 72
Postage and stationery  88 92  77 81
Professional fees  646 711  585 679
Impairment losses recognised  - -  - 10
Other expenses  388 291  746 668
Total general expenses  1,533 1,478  1,792 1,712
Total operating expenses  10,026 9,382  8,832 8,423
  1. During the year, the Group revised its presentation of operating expenses to present more relevant information about the categorisation of expenses. The 'Technology expenses' category includes amounts previously included within 'Occupancy and depreciation expenses' and 'General expenses'. Comparative information has been restated accordingly.
  2. Operating expenses in the Company include amounts which are presented in discontinued operations at the Group level.
  3. Relates to the amortisation of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, including software, customer relationships and core deposits.
  4. In the 2024 financial year, the Group recognised $40 million (2023: $20 million) of costs for executing customer-related remediation programs. The company recognised $76 million (2023: $45 million) of costs for customer-related remediation, including MLC Wealth related matters.

6 Income tax

Accounting policy

Income tax expense (or benefit) is the tax payable (or receivable) on the current year's taxable income based on the applicable tax rate in each jurisdiction, adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Income tax expense is recognised in the income statement except when the tax relates to items recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income respectively.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted as at the reporting date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are only recognised for temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits if it is probable that future taxable amounts will arise to utilise those temporary differences and losses. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and current tax liabilities and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

The Company and its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries are part of a tax consolidated group. The Company is the head entity in the tax consolidated group. The members of the tax consolidated group have entered into tax funding and tax sharing agreements, which set out the funding obligations of members. Any current tax liabilities / assets and deferred tax assets from unused tax losses of subsidiaries in the tax consolidated group are recognised by the Company and funded in line with the tax funding arrangements.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

The Group undertakes transactions in the ordinary course of business where the income tax treatment requires the exercise of judgement. The Group estimates the amount expected to be paid to tax authorities based on its understanding and interpretation of relevant tax laws. The effect of uncertainty over income tax treatments is reflected in determining the relevant taxable profit or tax loss, tax bases, unused tax losses and unused tax credits or tax rates. Uncertain tax positions are presented as current or deferred tax assets or liabilities as appropriate.

Income tax expense

The income tax expense for the year reconciles to the profit before income tax as follows:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Profit before income tax  9,879 10,450  8,846 14,212
Prima facie income tax expense at 30%  2,964 3,135  2,654 4,264
Tax effect of permanent differences:       
Assessable foreign income  16 11  16 11
Foreign tax rate differences  (76) (68)  (28) (24)
Adjustments to deferred tax balances for tax losses and timing differences  (120) (142)  (120) (142)
Foreign branch income not deductible / (assessable)  (18) 6  (18) 6
Over provision in prior years  (15) (11)  (14) (11)
Offshore banking unit adjustment  - (77)  - (65)
Restatement of deferred tax balances for tax rate changes  1 (1)  1 (1)
Non-deductible interest on convertible instruments  143 109  143 109
Dividend income adjustments  - -  (607) (1,954)
Gain on disposal of New Zealand Wealth businesses  (114) -  (82) -
Other  17 18  7 7
Income tax expense  2,798 2,980  1,952 2,200
Current tax expense  2,950 3,081  2,118 2,323
Deferred tax benefit  (152) (101)  (166) (123)
Total income tax expense  2,798 2,980  1,952 2,200

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Deferred tax assets       
Individually assessed provision for credit impairment  224 159  189 137
Collective provision for credit impairment  1,524 1,485  1,270 1,239
Employee entitlements  267 275  242 257
Tax losses  105 131  100 121
Unrealised derivatives in funding vehicles  - 39  - -
Other provisions1  162 162  153 151
Depreciation  391 327  378 244
Reserves       
Cash flow hedge reserve  87 732  78 724
Other reserves  222 45  195 42
Other1  307 253  296 244
Total deferred tax assets  3,289 3,608  2,901 3,159
Set-off of deferred tax liabilities pursuant to set-off provisions  (108) (109)  (99) (100)
Net deferred tax assets  3,181 3,499  2,802 3,059
       
Deferred tax liabilities       
Intangible assets  29 32  24 27
Defined benefit superannuation plan assets  14 12  12 10
Reserves  - 28  - 28
Other  65 37  63 35
Total deferred tax liabilities  108 109  99 100
Deferred tax liabilities set off against deferred tax assets pursuant to set-off provisions  (108) (109)  (99) (100)
Net deferred tax liabilities  - -  - -
  1. Deferred tax assets relating to certain provisions previously included within 'Other' are included within 'Other provisions' for the September 2024 financial year. Comparative information has been restated accordingly.

Deferred tax assets not brought to account

Deferred tax assets have not been brought to account for the following realised losses as the utilisation of the losses is not regarded as probable:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Capital gains tax losses  1,801 1,909  1,801 1,909
Income tax losses  41 125  41 125

Income tax losses of $36 million for the Group and Company are expected to expire in the September 2036 financial year. Capital gains tax losses of the Group and Company do not have any expiry date.

7 Earnings per share

  Group
  Basic  Diluted
  2024 2023  2024 2023
Earnings ($m)       
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company  6,960 7,414  6,960 7,414
Potential dilutive adjustments       
Interest expense on convertible notes1  - -  374 371
Adjusted earnings  6,960 7,414  7,334 7,785
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to owners of the Company  103 51  103 51
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations  7,063 7,465  7,437 7,836
       
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)       
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (net of treasury shares)  3,099 3,136  3,099 3,136
Weighted average number of dilutive potential ordinary shares       
Convertible notes1  - -  184 258
Share-based payments  - -  10 10
Total weighted average number of ordinary shares  3,099 3,136  3,293 3,404
       
Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company (cents)  224.6 236.4  222.7 228.7
Earnings per share from continuing operations  227.9 238.0  225.8 230.2
Earnings per share from discontinued operations  (3.3) (1.6)  (3.1) (1.5)
  1. NAB Capital Notes 3 are potentially dilutive instruments as they may convert into ordinary shares in the future. These convertible notes have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the 2024 financial year as they were antidilutive, however they could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. Refer to Note 15 Debt issues for further details on convertible notes.

Financial instruments

Overview

Financial instruments represent the majority of the Group's balance sheet, including loans and advances, deposits, trading assets and derivatives.

Initial recognition of financial instruments

A financial asset or financial liability is recognised on the balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The Group recognises regular way transactions on the trade date.

All financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value. Directly attributable transaction costs are added to or deducted from the carrying value of the asset or liability on initial recognition, unless the instrument is measured at fair value through profit or loss, in which case they are recognised in profit or loss.

Classification

Subsequently, financial instruments are measured either at amortised cost or fair value depending on their classification. Classification of financial assets is driven by the Group's business model for managing the asset and the contractual cash flows of the asset. The Group uses the following flowchart to determine the appropriate classification for financial assets.

Non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost unless the Group elects to measure the financial liability at fair value through profit or loss. The Group will elect to measure a financial liability at fair value through profit or loss if such measurement significantly reduces or eliminates an accounting mismatch.

Refer to the table at the end of this section for a summary of the classification of the Group's financial instruments.

Measurement
Financial instruments measured at amortised cost

Amortised cost is the amount at which a financial asset or financial liability is measured at initial recognition minus principal repayments, plus or minus the cumulative amortisation of transaction costs, premiums or discounts using the effective interest method, and for financial assets, adjusted for any credit impairment.

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate component of equity. Upon disposal, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to the income statement.

Investments in equity instruments that are neither held for trading nor contingent consideration recognised by the Group in a business combination to which AASB 3 Business Combinations applies, are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, where an irrevocable election has been made by management. Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income are not subsequently transferred to profit or loss. Dividends on such investments are recognised in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment.

Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

Changes in the fair value of financial assets are recognised in profit or loss.

Where a financial liability is designated at fair value through profit or loss, the movement in fair value attributable to changes in the Group’s own credit risk is calculated by determining the changes in own credit spreads and is recognised separately in other comprehensive income.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

Derivative financial instruments are contracts whose value is derived from an underlying price, index or other variable, and include instruments such as swaps, forward rate agreements, futures and options.

All derivatives are recognised initially on the balance sheet at fair value and are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss, except where they are designated as a part of an effective hedge relationship and classified as hedging derivatives. Derivatives are presented as assets when their fair value is positive and as liabilities when their fair value is negative.

The method of recognising the resulting fair value gain or loss on a derivative depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. Refer to Note 18 Derivatives and hedge accounting.

Derecognition of financial instruments

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual cash flows from the asset expire or it transfers its rights to receive contractual cash flows from the financial asset in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. Any interest in transferred financial assets that is created or retained by the Group is recognised as a separate asset or liability.

The Group derecognises a financial liability when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements (and similar lending and borrowing)

The Group executes reverse repurchase agreements where it purchases a security under an agreement to resell that security at a predetermined price. These securities are not recognised on the balance sheet because the Group does not acquire the risks and rewards of ownership of the security. Consideration paid for the purchase is accounted for as a reverse repurchase agreement and classified as a financial asset. Reverse repurchase agreements that are part of a portfolio of financial instruments managed together for short-term profit taking are measured at fair value through profit or loss and are included within Note 9 Trading assets. All other reverse repurchase agreements are measured at amortised cost.

The Group also executes repurchase agreements, where it sells a security under an agreement to repurchase that security at a predetermined price. These securities are not derecognised from the balance sheet because the Group retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the security. Consideration received for the sale is accounted for as a repurchase agreement and classified as a financial liability. Repurchase agreements that are part of a portfolio of financial instruments managed together for short-term profit taking are measured at fair value through profit or loss and are included within Note 16 Other financial liabilities. All other repurchase agreements are measured at amortised cost.

Summary of classification and measurement basis
Financial assets
    
Type of instrument Classification and measurement  Reason Note
Loans and advances (customer loans and facilities) Amortised cost  Cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, held with the objective to collect contractual cash flows Note 12 Loans and advances
Trading assets (bonds, reverse repurchase agreements, notes or securities issued by government, financial institutions or other corporates) Fair value through profit or loss  Principal purpose is selling or repurchasing in the near term, or part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of short-term profit taking Note 9 Trading assets
Other financial assets  Cash flows are not solely payments of principal and interest or designated at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate an accounting mismatch Note 11 Other financial assets
Debt instruments (bonds, notes or securities issued by government, financial institutions or other corporates) Fair value through other comprehensive income  Cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, held with the objective to both collect contractual cash flows and to sell Note 10 Debt instruments
Derivatives (forwards, swaps, futures, options) Fair value1  Trading derivatives - not in a qualifying hedging relationship Note 18 Derivatives and hedge accounting
 Hedging derivatives - designated in a qualifying hedging relationship
     
     
Financial liabilities
    
Type of instrument Classification and measurement  Reason Note
Deposits and other borrowings (deposits, commercial paper, repurchase agreements) Amortised cost  Not designated at fair value through profit or loss Note 13 Deposits and other borrowings
Bonds and notes  Note 14 Bonds, notes and subordinated debt
Convertible notes  Note 15 Debt issues
Certain bonds, notes and deposits Fair value through profit or loss2  Designated at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate an accounting mismatch Note 16 Other financial liabilities
Repurchase agreements, securities sold short, other financial liabilities Fair value through profit or loss  Part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of short-term profit taking
Derivatives (forwards, swaps, futures, options) Fair value1  Trading derivatives - not in a qualifying hedging relationship Note 18 Derivatives and hedge accounting
 Hedging derivatives - designated in a qualifying hedging relationship
  1. Fair value movements on trading derivatives are recognised in profit or loss. The recognition of the fair value movements on hedging derivatives will depend on the type of hedge (i.e. fair value hedge or cash flow hedge). Refer to Note 18 Derivatives and hedge accounting.
  2. Except for fair value movements attributable to changes in the Group's own credit risk which are recognised in other comprehensive income.

8 Cash and balances with other banks

Accounting policy

Cash and liquid assets, and balances with other banks are initially measured at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost. For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and liquid assets (including reverse repurchase agreements and short-term government securities) and amounts due from other banks net of amounts due to other banks that are highly liquid, readily convertible to known amounts of cash within three months and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. They are held for the purposes of meeting short-term cash commitments (rather than for investment or other purposes). Refer to Note 37 Notes to the statement of cash flows for a detailed reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Cash and liquid assets       
Coins, notes and cash at bank  1,149 1,030  1,057 937
Reverse repurchase agreements1  - 21,808  - 21,350
Other (including bills receivable and remittances in transit)  1,350 1,861  1,261 1,672
Total cash and liquid assets  2,499 24,699  2,318 23,959
       
Due from other banks       
Central banks  99,577 105,034  95,105 95,638
Other banks1  10,861 12,272  9,956 11,317
Total due from other banks  110,438 117,306  105,061 106,955
       
Due to other banks       
Central banks2  6,069 25,394  2,872 21,041
Other banks1  6,259 14,122  5,037 12,924
Total due to other banks  12,328 39,516  7,909 33,965
  1. During the 2023 financial year, the Group and the Company established new portfolios of reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements which are held for trading. New transactions under these agreements are measured at fair value through profit or loss and are included in Note 9 Trading assets and Note 16 Other financial liabilities.
  2. Included within amounts due to central banks is $3,102 million (2023: $21,869 million) for the Group and $nil (2023: $17,596 million) for the Company relating to the TFF provided by the RBA and the TLF, FLP provided by the RBNZ.

9 Trading assets

Accounting policy

Trading assets comprise assets that are classified as held for trading because they are acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term, or form part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of short-term profit taking. Trading assets are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Trading assets include commodities measured at fair value less cost to sell in accordance with AASB 102 Inventories.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Trading assets       
Government bonds, notes and securities  27,562 29,237  23,758 26,690
Semi-government bonds, notes and securities  12,539 10,092  9,574 6,887
Corporate / financial institution bonds, notes and securities  5,331 5,360  3,348 3,392
Reverse repurchase agreements1  87,815 55,403  83,481 52,373
Commodity inventory at fair value  73 610  73 610
Other bonds, notes, securities, equities and other assets  286 466  283 465
Total trading assets  133,606 101,168  120,517 90,417
  1. During the 2023 financial year, the Group and the Company established a new portfolio of reverse repurchase agreements which are held for trading.

10 Debt instruments

Accounting policy

Debt instruments are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income as they are held in a business model with the objective of both collecting contractual cash flows and realising assets through sale and they have contractual cash flows which are considered to be solely payments of principal and interest.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Debt instruments       
Government bonds, notes and securities  1,554 2,691  1,545 2,691
Semi-government bonds, notes and securities  31,285 28,892  31,285 28,892
Corporate / financial institution bonds, notes and securities  6,393 8,238  6,393 8,238
Other bonds, notes and securities  2,767 6,536  2,760 6,515
Total debt instruments  41,999 46,357  41,983 46,336

11 Other financial assets

Accounting policy

Other financial assets are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Changes in fair value and transaction costs are recognised in the income statement. Financial assets are measured at fair value through profit or loss when they have contractual cash flow characteristics that are not considered to be solely payments of principal and interest or they have been designated as such to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Other financial assets       
Loans at fair value  576 1,243  576 682
Other financial assets at fair value  193 187  193 1,026
Total other financial assets  769 1,430  769 1,708

The maximum credit exposure of loans (excluding any undrawn facility limits) included in other financial assets is $576 million (2023: $1,243 million) for the Group and $576 million (2023: $682 million) for the Company.

12 Loans and advances

Accounting policy

Loans and advances are financial assets for which the contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest and that are held in a business model with the objective of collecting contractual cash flows.

Loans and advances are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs directly attributable to the origination of the loan or advance, which are primarily brokerage and origination fees. Subsequently, loans and advances are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, net of any provision for credit impairment.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Loans and advances       
Housing loans  416,758 406,298  361,195 352,113
Other term lending  279,441 261,520  239,250 223,490
Asset and lease financing  18,879 17,214  18,822 17,158
Overdrafts  5,886 5,459  3,870 3,420
Credit card outstandings  9,455 9,528  8,725 8,609
Other lending  7,211 7,209  6,767 6,766
Total gross loans and advances  737,630 707,228  638,629 611,556
Unearned income and deferred net fee income  (2,003) (1,453)  (2,126) (1,536)
Capitalised brokerage costs  2,986 2,512  2,808 2,357
Provision for credit impairment  (5,921) (5,585)  (4,965) (4,693)
Total net loans and advances  732,692 702,702  634,346 607,684

13 Deposits and other borrowings

Accounting policy

Deposits and other borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Deposits and other borrowings       
Term deposits  207,016 191,924  171,638 159,535
On-demand and short-term deposits  309,218 299,969  280,395 272,035
Certificates of deposit  65,504 55,290  65,504 55,290
Deposits not bearing interest  96,561 95,491  85,159 82,754
Commercial paper and other borrowings  34,267 35,255  33,869 34,835
Repurchase agreements1  - 4,191  - 4,192
Total deposits and other borrowings  712,566 682,120  636,565 608,641
  1. During the 2023 financial year, the Group and the Company established a new portfolio of repurchase agreements which are held for trading. New transactions under these agreements are measured at fair value through profit or loss and are included in Note 16 Other financial liabilities.

14 Bonds, notes and subordinated debt

Accounting policy

Bonds, notes and subordinated debt are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Premiums, discounts and associated issue expenses are recognised using the effective interest method through the income statement from the date of issue.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt       
Medium-term notes  97,420 83,218  88,717 76,801
Securitisation notes  3,548 2,593  - -
Covered bonds  32,916 30,093  29,429 27,787
Subordinated medium-term notes  22,410 19,741  22,410 19,741
Total bonds, notes and subordinated debt  156,294 135,645  140,556 124,329
       
Issued bonds, notes and subordinated debt by currency       
AUD  48,683 40,873  45,095 38,245
USD  56,896 46,363  50,189 40,838
EUR  29,151 24,979  24,557 22,487
GBP  11,610 10,342  11,633 10,389
JPY  1,876 3,952  1,876 3,952
CHF  3,344 3,756  2,479 3,011
Other  4,734 5,380  4,727 5,407
Total bonds, notes and subordinated debt  156,294 135,645  140,556 124,329

Subordinated medium-term notes
      Group  Company
Currency Notional amount
Currency amount (m)
1
Rate First optional call date2 Maturity date3  2024
$m
2023
$m
 2024
$m
2023
$m
AUD 1,000 Float n/a Matured 2024  - 1,000  - 1,000
CAD 1,000 Fixed 2025 2030  1,055 1,080  1,055 1,080
AUD 1,250 Float 2025 2030  1,250 1,250  1,250 1,250
USD 1,500 Fixed n/a 2030  1,838 1,785  1,838 1,785
GBP 600 Fixed 2026 2031  1,085 994  1,085 994
AUD 1,175 Float 2026 2031  1,175 1,175  1,175 1,175
AUD 225 Fixed 2026 2031  214 205  214 205
USD 1,250 Fixed n/a 2031  1,597 1,561  1,597 1,561
AUD 275 Fixed 2027 2032  270 262  270 262
JPY 17,000 Fixed 2027 2032  171 174  171 174
AUD 1,000 Fixed 2027 2032  1,000 1,000  1,000 1,000
AUD 250 Float 2027 2032  250 250  250 250
HKD 382 Fixed 2027 2032  71 71  71 71
AUD 950 Fixed 2028 2033  950 950  950 950
AUD 300 Float 2028 2033  300 300  300 300
HKD 640 Fixed 2028 2033  122 122  122 122
USD 1,250 Fixed n/a 2033  1,815 1,796  1,815 1,796
AUD 1,100 Float 2029 2034  1,100 -  1,100 -
AUD 650 Fixed 2029 2034  650 -  650 -
USD 1,500 Fixed 2029 2034  2,017 2,004  2,017 2,004
AUD 205 Fixed n/a 2035  205 205  205 205
USD 1,250 Fixed 2032 2037  1,591 1,549  1,591 1,549
AUD 85 Fixed n/a 2037  85 85  85 85
AUD 1,250 Fixed 2034 2039  1,250 -  1,250 -
AUD 215 Fixed n/a 2040  138 122  138 122
AUD 245 Fixed n/a 2040  157 140  157 140
AUD 100 Fixed n/a 2040  64 57  64 57
USD 1,250 Fixed n/a 2041  1,292 1,206  1,292 1,206
AUD 195 Fixed n/a 2041  195 195  195 195
AUD 203 Fixed n/a 2042  203 203  203 203
AUD 300 Float 2038 2043  300 -  300 -
Total      22,410 19,741  22,410 19,741
  1. Subordinated medium-term notes qualify as Tier 2 capital.
  2. Reflects calendar year of first optional call date (subject to APRA's prior written approval).
  3. Reflects calendar year of maturity date.

15 Debt issues

Accounting policy

Convertible notes are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Debt issues       
Convertible notes  9,560 8,561  9,560 8,561
Total debt issues  9,560 8,561  9,560 8,561

The table below highlights the key features of the Group’s debt issuances.

Convertible notes1 Outstanding amount Issued date Interest payment frequency (in arrears) Interest rate (per annum) Maturity / Conversion
Mandatory conversion2 Issuer conversion option3
NAB Capital Notes 3 $1.87bn 20 March 2019 Quarterly 4.00% above 3 month BBSW 19 June 2028 17 June 2026
NAB Capital Notes 5 $2.39bn 17 December 2020 Quarterly 3.50% above 3 month BBSW 17 December 2029 17 December 2027
NAB Capital Notes 6 $2.00bn 7 July 2022 Quarterly 3.15% above 3 month BBSW 17 September 2032 17 December 20294
NAB Capital Notes 7 $1.25bn 14 September 2023 Quarterly 2.80% above 3 month BBSW 17 June 2033 17 September 20305
NAB Capital Notes 8 $1.00bn 6 June 2024 Quarterly 2.60% above 3 month BBSW 18 December 2034 17 March 20326
NAB Wholesale Capital Notes $0.5bn 12 December 2019 Semi-annually until the optional call date. Quarterly thereafter. 4.95% until the optional call date. 3.75% above 3 month BBSW thereafter. 12 December 2031 12 December 2029
NAB Wholesale Capital Notes 2 $0.6bn 17 July 2020 Quarterly 4.00% above 3 month BBSW 17 July 2027 17 July 2025
  1. All convertible notes are treated as AT1 capital.
  2. The mandatory conversion into ordinary shares is subject to certain conditions.
  3. The Issuer Conversion Option is subject to certain conditions, including APRA approval.
  4. First optional conversion date of 17 December 2029, with subsequent optional conversion dates on 17 March 2030, 17 June 2030 and 17 September 2030.
  5. First optional conversion date of 17 September 2030, with subsequent optional conversion dates on 17 December 2030, 17 March 2031 and 17 June 2031.
  6. First optional conversion date of 17 March 2032, with subsequent optional conversion dates on 17 June 2032, 17 September 2032 and 17 December 2032.

16 Other financial liabilities

Accounting policy

In certain circumstances, the Group fair values financial liabilities.

Some financial liabilities are measured at fair value through profit or loss because they are part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of a pattern of short-term profit taking. For these, changes in fair value due to own credit risk is recognised through profit or loss.

Some financial liabilities are designated at fair value through profit or loss from initial recognition. This option is applied where it eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise. For these, changes in fair value due to own credit risk is recognised in other comprehensive income.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Other financial liabilities designated at fair value       
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  10,287 13,741  4,885 4,371
Deposits and other borrowings       
Certificates of deposit  1,379 1,477  - -
Commercial paper and other borrowings  433 854  - -
       
Other financial liabilities measured at fair value       
Repurchase agreements1  54,677 42,547  54,593 39,860
Securities sold short  1,947 6,697  1,809 6,476
Other financial liabilities  1,549 1,036  1,549 1,038
Total other financial liabilities  70,272 66,352  62,836 51,745
  1. During the 2023 financial year, the Group and the Company established a new portfolio of repurchase agreements which are held for trading. New transactions under these agreements are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

The change in fair value of bonds, notes and subordinated debt attributable to changes in credit risk amounted to a loss for the 2024 financial year of $87 million (2023: $67 million loss) for the Group and a loss of $95 million (2023: $75 million loss) for the Company. The cumulative change in fair value of bonds, notes and subordinated debt attributable to changes in credit risk amounted to a loss of $166 million (2023: $79 million loss) for the Group and a loss of $134 million (2023: $39 million loss) for the Company. The contractual amount to be paid at the maturity of the bonds, notes and subordinated debt is $10,561 million (2023: $14,964 million) for the Group and $5,238 million (2023: $5,335 million) for the Company.

17 Provision for credit impairment on loans at amortised cost

Accounting policy

The Group applies a three-stage approach to measuring expected credit losses (ECL) for the following categories of financial assets that are not measured at fair value through profit or loss:

  • Debt instruments measured at amortised cost and fair value through other comprehensive income.

  • Loan commitments.

  • Financial guarantee contracts.

Exposures are assessed on a collective basis in each stage unless there is sufficient evidence that one or more events associated with an exposure could have a detrimental impact on estimated future cash flows. Where such evidence exists, the exposure is assessed on an individual basis.

Stage Measurement basis
Performing - 12-month ECL (Stage 1) The portion of lifetime ECL associated with the probability of default events occurring within the next 12 months.
Performing - Lifetime ECL (Stage 2) ECL associated with the probability of default events occurring throughout the life of an instrument.
Non-performing - Lifetime ECL (Stage 3) Lifetime ECL, but interest revenue is measured based on the carrying amount of the instrument net of the associated ECL.

At each reporting date, the Group assesses the default risk of exposures in comparison to the default risk at initial recognition, to determine the stage that applies to the associated ECL measurement. If no significant increase in default risk is observed, the exposure will remain in Stage 1. If the default risk of an exposure has increased significantly since initial recognition, the exposure will migrate to Stage 2. Should an exposure become non-performing it will migrate to Stage 3.

For this purpose, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes quantitative and qualitative information and also forward looking analysis.

ECL are derived from probability-weighted estimates of expected loss, and are measured as follows:

  • Financial assets that are performing at the reporting date: as the present value of all cash shortfalls over the expected life of the financial asset discounted by the effective interest rate. The cash shortfall is the difference between the cash flows due to the Group in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive.

  • Financial assets that are non-performing at the reporting date: as the difference between the gross carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted by the effective interest rate.

  • Undrawn loan commitments: as the present value of the difference between the contractual cash flows that are due to the Group if the commitment is drawn down and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive.

  • Financial guarantee contracts: as the expected payments to reimburse the holder less any amounts that the Group expects to recover.

Credit quality of financial assets

The Group’s internally developed credit rating system utilises historical default data drawn from a number of sources to assess the potential default risk of lending, or other financial services products, provided to counterparties or customers. The Group has defined counterparty probabilities of default across retail and non-retail loans and advances, including performing (pre-default) and non-performing (post-default) rating grades. In assessing for credit impairment of financial assets under the ECL model, the Group aligns credit impairment with the definition of default prescribed in its Credit Policy and Procedures.

Assessment of significant increase in credit risk

When determining whether the default risk has increased significantly since initial recognition, the Group considers both quantitative and qualitative information, including expert credit risk assessment, forward looking information and analysis based on the Group’s historical default experience.

  • For retail and non-retail facilities, internally derived credit ratings, as described above, represent a key determinant of default risk. The Group assigns each customer a credit rating at initial recognition based on available information. Credit risk is deemed to have increased significantly if the credit rating has significantly deteriorated at the reporting date, relative to the credit rating at the date of initial recognition.

  • In addition, the Group considers that significant increase in credit risk occurs when a facility is more than 30 days past due.

Definition of default

Default occurs when a loan obligation is contractually 90+ days past due, or when it is considered unlikely that the credit obligation to the Group will be paid in full without remedial action, such as realisation of security. Exposures which are in default align to the non-performing exposures definition in APS 220 Credit Risk Management.

Calculation of ECL
  • ECL are calculated using three main parameters being probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD) and exposure at default (EAD). These parameters are generally derived from internally developed statistical models combined with historical, current and forward looking information, including macro-economic data.

  • For accounting purposes, the 12-month and lifetime PD represent the expected point-in-time probability of a default over the next 12 months and remaining expected lifetime of the financial instrument, respectively, based on conditions existing at the balance sheet date and future economic conditions that affect credit risk.

  • The LGD represents expected loss conditional on default, taking into account the mitigating effect of collateral, its expected value when realised and the time value of money.

  • The EAD represents the expected exposure at default, taking into account the repayment of principal and interest from the balance sheet date to the default event together with any expected drawdown of a facility.

  • The 12-month ECL is equal to the discounted sum over the next 12-months of monthly PD multiplied by LGD and EAD. Lifetime ECL is calculated using the discounted sum of monthly PD over the expected remaining life multiplied by LGD and EAD.

Incorporation of forward looking information
  • The Group uses internal subject matter experts from Risk, Economics and customer divisions to consider a range of relevant forward looking data, including macro-economic forecasts and assumptions, for the determination of general economic adjustments and any idiosyncratic or targeted portfolio / industry adjustments, to support the calculation of ECL.

  • Forward looking provisions for both general macro-economic adjustments (EA) and more targeted portfolio / industry forward looking adjustments (FLAs), reflect reasonable and supportable forecasts of potential future conditions that are not captured within the base ECL calculations.

  • Macro-economic factors taken into consideration include (but are not limited to) the cash rate, unemployment rates, GDP growth rates, inflation and residential and commercial property prices, and require an evaluation of both the current and forecast direction of the macro-economic cycle.

  • Incorporating forward looking information, including macro-economic forecasts, increases the degree of judgement required to assess how changes in these data points will affect ECL. The methodologies and assumptions, including any forecasts of future economic conditions, are reviewed regularly.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

Judgement is applied in determining ECL using objective, reasonable and supportable information about current and forecast economic conditions. Macro-economic variables used in these scenarios include (but are not limited to) the cash rate, unemployment rates, GDP growth rates, inflation and residential and commercial property prices. When determining whether the risk of default has increased significantly since initial recognition, both quantitative and qualitative information is considered, including expert credit assessment, forward looking information and analysis based on the Group’s historical loss experience.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Credit impairment charge on loans and advances at amortised cost       
New and increased provisions (net of collective provision releases)  968 1,043  815 820
Write-backs of individually assessed provisions  (132) (148)  (106) (93)
Recoveries of amounts previously written-off  (95) (79)  (90) (73)
Total charge to the income statement  741 816  619 654

  Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3   
  Performing
12-mth ECL
 Performing
Lifetime ECL
 Non-performing
Lifetime ECL
  
  Collective  Collective  Collective Individually assessed  Total
Group  $m  $m  $m $m  $m
Balance at 1 October 2022  448  3,276  817 515  5,056
Changes due to financial assets recognised in the opening balance that have:          
Transferred to performing - 12-mth ECL - collective  247  (234)  (13) -  -
Transferred to performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (26)  104  (78) -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (1)  (49)  50 -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - individually assessed  -  (14)  (46) 60  -
New and increased provisions (net of collective provision releases)  (143)  428  242 516  1,043
Write-backs of individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (148)  (148)
Write-offs from individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (409)  (409)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments  4  29  5 5  43
Balance as at 30 September 2023  529  3,540  977 539  5,585
Changes due to financial assets recognised in the opening balance that have:          
Transferred to performing - 12-mth ECL - collective  408  (373)  (35) -  -
Transferred to performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (54)  179  (125) -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (2)  (87)  89 -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - individually assessed  (1)  (28)  (81) 110  -
New and increased provisions (net of collective provision releases)  (223)  165  273 753  968
Write-backs of individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (132)  (132)
Write-offs from individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (512)  (512)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments  9  4  1 (2)  12
Balance as at 30 September 2024  666  3,400  1,099 756  5,921

Impact of movements in gross carrying amount on provision for ECL for the Group

Provision for credit impairment reflects ECL measured using the three-stage approach. The below explains how significant changes in the gross carrying amount of loans and advances during the 2024 financial year have contributed to the changes in the provision for credit impairment for the Group under the ECL model.

Overall, the total provision for credit impairment increased by $336 million compared to the balance as at 30 September 2023; Individually assessed provisions increased by $217 million compared to the balance as at 30 September 2023, mainly due to new and increased individually assessed provisions raised in Business and Private Banking; and Collective provisions increased by $119 million compared to the balance as at 30 September 2023, comprised of:

  • Collective provision performing – 12-months ECL (Stage 1) increased by $137 million as a result of:

    • $211 billion of loans and advances that were newly originated or migrated into Stage 1 from Stage 2 or Stage 3 due to credit quality improvement, including the impact of methodology refinements.

    • This was partially offset by:

      • $160 billion of loans and advances that were repaid, experienced movement in underlying account balances during the period or migrated from Stage 1 to Stage 2 or Stage 3 due to deterioration in credit quality.

  • Collective provision performing – Lifetime ECL (Stage 2) decreased by $140 million as a result of:

    • $105 billion of loans and advances that migrated to Stage 1 as a result of improved credit quality, including the impact of methodology refinements or into Stage 3 due to deterioration in credit quality, were repaid or experienced movement in underlying account balances during the period.

    • A decrease in net forward looking provisions, including the impact of methodology refinements.

    • This was partially offset by:

      • $83 billion of loans and advances that were originated and migrated over the year to Stage 2, including the impact of forward looking economic information applied in the ECL model or migrated to Stage 2 as a result of loans and advances transferred from Stage 1 or Stage 3.

  • Collective provision non-performing - Lifetime ECL (Stage 3) increased by $122 million as a result of:

    • $8 billion of loans and advances that experienced movement in underlying account balances during the period or were transferred into Stage 3 from Stage 1 and Stage 2 due to credit quality deterioration.

    • This was partially offset by:

      • $6 billion of loans and advances that were repaid or migrated to Stage 1 or Stage 2 due to credit quality improvement or migrated to individually credit assessed with individually assessed provisions raised.

      • A decrease in net forward looking provisions, including the impact of methodology refinements.

ECL scenario analysis

The Group’s ECL measurement is derived from a probability weighted average of three distinct scenarios (base case, upside and downside) applied across each of the Group’s major loan portfolios, in addition to FLAs for emerging risk at an industry, geography or segment level. The probability of each scenario is determined by considering relevant macro-economic outlooks and their likely impact on the Group’s credit portfolio.

The following table shows the key macro-economic variables for the Australian economy used in the base case and downside scenarios as at 30 September 2024:

  Base case  Downside
  Financial year  Financial year
  2025 2026 2027  2025 2026 2027
  % % %  % % %
GDP change (year ended September)  2.3 2.1 2.3  (1.2) (2.6) 2.8
Unemployment (as at 30 September)  4.5 4.5 4.4  4.7 7.9 9.1
House price change (year ended September)  3.9 3.0 3.0  (24.5) (20.3) 5.5

The following table shows the reported total provisions for ECL based on the probability weighting of scenarios, with the sensitivity range reflecting the ECL impacts assuming a 100% weighting is applied to the base case scenario or the downside scenario (with all other assumptions held constant):

  Group
  2024 2023
  $m $m
Total provisions for ECL    
Probability weighted  5,921 5,585
100% Base case  4,116 4,000
100% Downside  8,333 7,546

Applying the average provision coverage ratios by stage, if 1% of the Group's Stage 1 gross loans and advances, contingent liabilities and credit commitments were included as Stage 2 the provision for ECL as at September 2024 would increase by $130 million (September 2023: $111 million).

Applying the average provision coverage ratios by stage, if 1% of the Group's Stage 2 gross loans and advances, contingent liabilities and credit commitments were included as Stage 1 the provision for ECL as at September 2024 would decrease by $32 million (September 2023: $34 million).

The table below shows weightings applied to the Australian portfolio to derive the probability weighted ECL:

  2024 2023
  % %
Macro-economics scenario weightings    
Upside  2.5 2.5
Base case  55.0 52.5
Downside  42.5 45.0

  • The September 2024 provisions for ECL in the 100% base case and downside scenarios have increased since September 2023 primarily due to an increase in provisions held due to deterioration in asset quality in the Australian business lending and mortgage portfolios, combined with volume growth in Business and Private Banking. This was partially offset by a decrease in net forward looking provisions reflecting credit deterioration in underlying outcomes, combined with the impact of methodology refinements and model changes.

  • The downside scenario weighting for the Australian portfolio has decreased from 45.0% as at September 2023 to 42.5% as at September 2024 due to a reduction in downside risks to the economic outlook.

The table below provides a breakdown of the probability weighted ECL by key portfolios:

  Group
  2024 2023
  $m $m
Total provision for ECL for key portfolios    
Housing  1,246 1,424
Business  4,245 3,744
Others  430 417
Total  5,921 5,585

  Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3   
  Performing
12-mth ECL
 Performing
Lifetime ECL
 Non-performing
Lifetime ECL
  
  Collective  Collective  Collective Individually assessed  Total
Company  $m  $m  $m $m  $m
Balance at 1 October 2022  385  2,758  747 442  4,332
Changes due to financial assets recognised in the opening balance that have:          
Transferred to performing - 12-mth ECL - collective  223  (212)  (11) -  -
Transferred to performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (18)  88  (70) -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (1)  (42)  43 -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - individually assessed  -  (11)  (32) 43  -
New and increased provisions (net of collective provision releases)  (135)  360  160 435  820
Write-backs of individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (93)  (93)
Write-offs from individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (367)  (367)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments  -  -  - 1  1
Balance as at 30 September 2023  454  2,941  837 461  4,693
Changes due to financial assets recognised in the opening balance that have:          
Transferred to performing - 12-mth ECL - collective  359  (337)  (22) -  -
Transferred to performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (41)  142  (101) -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - collective  (2)  (79)  81 -  -
Transferred to non-performing - Lifetime ECL - individually assessed  -  (20)  (65) 85  -
New and increased provisions (net of collective provision releases)  (215)  97  277 656  815
Write-backs of individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (106)  (106)
Write-offs from individually assessed provisions  -  -  - (458)  (458)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments  9  12  3 (3)  21
Balance as at 30 September 2024  564  2,756  1,010 635  4,965

Impact of movements in gross carrying amount on provision for ECL for the Company

Provision for credit impairment reflects ECL measured using the three-stage approach. The below explains how significant changes in the gross carrying amount of loans and advances during the 2024 financial year have contributed to the changes in the provision for credit impairment for the Company under the ECL model.

Overall, the total provision for credit impairment increased by $272 million compared to the balance as at 30 September 2023; Individually assessed provisions increased by $174 million compared to the balance as at 30 September 2023, mainly due to new and increased individually assessed provisions raised in Business and Private Banking; and Collective provisions increased by $98 million compared to the balance as at 30 September 2023, comprised of:

  • Collective provision performing – 12-months ECL (Stage 1) increased by $110 million due to:

    • $180 billion of loans and advances that were newly originated or migrated into Stage 1 from Stage 2 or Stage 3 due to credit quality improvement, including the impact of methodology refinements.

    • This was partially offset by:

      • $139 billion of loans and advances that were repaid, experienced movement in underlying account balances during the period or migrated from Stage 1 to Stage 2 or Stage 3 due to deterioration in credit quality.

  • Collective provision performing – Lifetime ECL (Stage 2) decreased by $185 million due to:

    • $92 billion of loans and advances that were repaid, experienced movement in underlying account balances during the period, migrated to Stage 1 as a result of improved credit quality, including the impact of methodology refinements or into Stage 3 due to deterioration in credit quality.

    • A decrease in net forward looking provisions, including the impact of methodology refinements.

    • This was partially offset by:

      • $67 billion of loans and advances that were originated and migrated over the year to Stage 2, including the impact of forward looking economic information applied in the ECL model or migrated to Stage 2 as a result of loans and advances transferred from Stage 1 or Stage 3.

  • Collective provision non-performing - Lifetime ECL (Stage 3) increased by $173 million due to:

    • $7 billion of existing loans and advances that were transferred into Stage 3 from Stage 1 and Stage 2 due to credit quality deterioration or experienced movement in underlying account balances during the period.

    • This was partially offset by:

      • $5 billion of loan and advances that were repaid, migrated to Stage 1 or Stage 2 due to credit quality improvement or migrated to individually credit assessed with individually assessed provisions raised.

      • A decrease in net forward looking provisions, including the impact of methodology refinements.

Write-offs still under enforcement activity

The contractual amount outstanding on loans and advances that were written off during the 2024 financial year, which are still subject to enforcement activity, was $26 million (2023: $9 million) for the Group and $25 million (2023: $8 million) for the Company.

18 Derivatives and hedge accounting

Accounting policy

Trading derivatives

Trading derivatives are not in a qualifying hedging relationship and are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Hedge accounting

The Group utilises the following types of hedge relationships in managing its exposure to risk. At inception of all hedge relationships the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item, the risk being hedged, the Group’s risk management objective and strategy and how effectiveness will be measured throughout the hedge relationship.

 Cash flow hedge Fair value hedge
Objective To hedge changes to cash flows arising from interest rate and foreign currency risk. To hedge fair value changes to recognised assets and liabilities arising from interest rate and foreign currency risk.
Methods for testing hedge effectiveness Critical terms matching, regression analysis or cumulative dollar offset. Critical terms matching or cumulative dollar offset.
Potential sources of ineffectiveness Primarily mismatches in terms of the hedged item and the hedging instrument.Discounting basis between the hedged item and hedging instrument. Primarily mismatches in terms of the hedged item and the hedging instrument, prepayment risk and reset risk.Discounting basis between the hedged item and hedging instrument.
Recognition of effective hedge portion Fair value changes of the hedging instrument associated with the hedged risk are recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve in equity. Fair value changes of the hedging instrument and those arising from the hedged risk on the hedged item are recognised in the income statement.
Recognition of ineffective hedge portion Recognised in the income statement as ineffectiveness arises.
Hedging instrument expires, is sold, or when hedging criteria are no longer met Transferred to the income statement as / when the hedged item affects the income statement. If the hedged item is no longer expected to occur the effective portion accumulated in equity is transferred to the income statement immediately. Cumulative hedge adjustment to the hedged item is amortised to the income statement on an effective yield basis.
Cost of hedging reserve For qualifying hedging instruments, the Group excludes foreign currency basis spreads from hedge designations. Any change in the fair value of these hedging instruments for changes in cross currency basis spreads is deferred to the cost of hedging reserve and released to profit or loss either when the hedged exposure affects profit or loss or on a systematic basis over the life of the hedge. The cumulative movements are expected to be nil by maturity of the hedging instruments.

Derivative assets and liabilities

The tables below set out total derivative assets and liabilities disclosed as trading and hedging derivatives.

Total derivatives
  Group  Company
  Assets  Liabilities  Assets  Liabilities
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Trading derivatives  26,759 30,770  27,026 31,122  27,161 31,079  29,678 33,587
Hedging derivatives  2,007 3,499  5,550 4,511  1,297 2,705  3,335 2,523
Total derivatives  28,766 34,269  32,576 35,633  28,458 33,784  33,013 36,110

Trading derivatives
  Group  Company
  Assets  Liabilities  Assets  Liabilities
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Foreign exchange rate-related contracts             
Spot and forward contracts  10,325 11,514  11,079 10,284  9,795 11,209  10,360 10,022
Cross currency swaps  8,206 8,656  8,358 7,969  10,087 10,545  12,134 11,446
Options / swaptions  68 138  127 133  69 136  127 133
Total foreign exchange rate-related contracts  18,599 20,308  19,564 18,386  19,951 21,890  22,621 21,601
Interest rate-related contracts             
Swaps  6,575 8,710  5,970 10,671  5,605 7,429  5,554 9,919
Options / swaptions  846 1,148  1,062 1,393  846 1,148  1,060 1,389
Total interest rate-related contracts  7,421 9,858  7,032 12,064  6,451 8,577  6,614 11,308
Credit derivatives  255 146  300 134  255 146  300 134
Commodity derivatives  479 453  128 533  499 461  141 541
Other derivatives  5 5  2 5  5 5  2 3
Total trading derivatives  26,759 30,770  27,026 31,122  27,161 31,079  29,678 33,587

Risk management strategy for hedge accounting
Overview

The Group’s hedging strategy is to manage its exposure to interest rate risk on a net variable basis in Australian or New Zealand dollars. For Australian and New Zealand denominated exposures the Group will enter into interest rate swaps where the exposure is to a fixed interest rate. In some instances, cash flow hedges of interest rate risk are also used to arrive at a net variable rate position. Foreign currency exposures are swapped to Australian or New Zealand dollars using cross-currency swaps and interest rate swaps. The material risks and the risk management strategy are explained further below.

Cash flow hedges – interest rate risk

The Group manages interest rate risk exposure on deposits and loans via interest rate derivatives. The Group accounts for these hedge relationships as a macro cash flow hedge. The gross exposures are allocated to time buckets based on expected repricing dates, with interest rate derivatives allocated to hedge accordingly. The benchmark interest rate is hedged which represents the largest component of changes in fair value and is observable in relevant financial markets.

Cash flow hedges – foreign currency risk

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on credit margin cash flows and foreign currency risk on the principal cash flows, both of which arise from foreign currency debt issuances. The Group is also exposed to foreign currency risk on certain operating costs. The Group uses foreign currency derivatives to manage changes between the foreign currency and Australian and New Zealand dollars for the above mentioned cash flows.

Fair value hedges – interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arises on fixed rate bonds, notes and subordinated debt issuances, fixed rate debt instruments held for liquidity purposes and fixed rate loans and advances. The Group hedges its interest rate risk on these instruments with relevant interest rate derivatives to reduce its exposure to changes in fair value due to interest rate fluctuations.

With all the fair value hedges, the benchmark interest rate is hedged which represents the largest component of changes in fair value and is observable in relevant financial markets.

Hedging derivatives

Hedging derivative assets and liabilities are disclosed by the hedged risk and type of hedge relationship in which they are designated. The Group may designate separate derivatives to hedge different risk components of one hedged item. In such a scenario the notional amount of hedging derivatives will, in sum, exceed the notional amount of the hedged item. In the case of cross-currency swaps, the Group can designate a single instrument to hedge both interest rate risk in a fair value hedge and currency risk in a cash flow hedge.

      Group  Company
      2024 2023  2024 2023
      Carrying amount Notional Carrying amount Notional  Carrying amount Notional Carrying amount Notional
  Hedging instrument  Risk  $m $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m
Derivative assets               
Cash flow hedges  Interest rate swaps  Interest  - 264,288 - 177,400  - 252,314 - 159,050
Cash flow hedges  Cross-currency swaps  Currency  1,894 55,741 3,370 90,389  1,223 32,809 2,576 70,629
Cash flow hedges  Foreign exchange contracts  Currency  1 226 98 7,908  1 226 98 7,908
Fair value hedges  Interest rate swaps  Interest  102 87,680 28 67,540  63 72,387 28 65,635
Fair value and cash flow hedges  Cross-currency swaps  Interest and currency  10 598 1 21  10 598 1 21
Cash flow hedges  Futures1  Interest  - 66 2 1,866  - 66 2 1,866
Total derivative assets      2,007 408,599 3,499 345,124  1,297 358,400 2,705 305,109
               
Derivative liabilities               
Cash flow hedges  Interest rate swaps  Interest  3 218,005 3 165,627  3 199,437 3 152,929
Cash flow hedges  Cross-currency swaps  Currency  4,598 132,755 2,580 94,734  3,036 90,308 1,844 56,839
Cash flow hedges  Foreign exchange contracts  Currency  146 3,930 151 15,864  146 3,930 151 15,864
Fair value hedges  Interest rate swaps  Interest  106 79,733 425 108,249  78 63,348 290 81,548
Fair value and cash flow hedges  Cross-currency swaps  Interest and currency  697 5,378 1,352 6,773  72 931 235 1,934
Cash flow hedges  Futures1  Interest  - 1,153 - 465  - 1,153 - 465
Total derivative liabilities      5,550 440,954 4,511 391,712  3,335 359,107 2,523 309,579
  1. Futures notional amounts are netted for presentation purposes.

The following table shows the maturity profile of hedging instruments based on their notional amounts.

  2024  2023
  0 to 12 months 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total  0 to 12 months 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total
  $m $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m
Group           
Interest rate swaps  384,458 210,694 54,554 649,706  235,775 229,751 53,290 518,816
Foreign exchange contracts  4,120 36 - 4,156  23,714 58 - 23,772
Futures  1,171 48 - 1,219  1,681 650 - 2,331
Cross-currency swaps - interest and currency  2,236 3,440 300 5,976  744 5,746 304 6,794
Cross-currency swaps - currency  35,147 121,154 32,195 188,496  28,518 120,530 36,075 185,123
           
Company           
Interest rate swaps  368,551 169,000 49,937 587,488  220,232 191,754 47,176 459,162
Foreign exchange contracts  4,120 36 - 4,156  23,714 58 - 23,772
Futures1  1,171 48 - 1,219  1,681 650 - 2,331
Cross-currency swaps - interest and currency  647 581 300 1,528  404 1,247 304 1,955
Cross-currency swaps - currency  28,872 70,799 23,445 123,116  26,676 75,784 25,008 127,468
  1. Futures notional amounts are netted for presentation purposes.

The average rate for major currencies of the final exchange of cross-currency swaps designated in hedge accounting relationships is as follows:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
USD:AUD  1.437 1.416  1.429 1.412
EUR:AUD  1.538 1.514  1.579 1.546
GBP:AUD  1.874 1.867  1.892 1.861
USD:NZD  1.508 1.488  n/a n/a
CHF:NZD  1.554 1.554  n/a n/a
EUR:NZD  1.724 1.715  n/a n/a

The range of executed rates for interest rate swaps in hedge accounting relationships for major currencies is as follows:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  Fair value hedges Cash flow hedges Fair value hedges Cash flow hedges  Fair value hedges Cash flow hedges Fair value hedges Cash flow hedges
  % % % %  % % % %
NZD interest rates  0.25 to 3.05 0.04 to 7.30 1.95 to 3.05 0.04 to 7.30  1.95 to 3.05 - 1.95 to 3.05 -
USD interest rates  0.61 to 5.08 - 0.61 to 4.85 -  0.61 to 2.73 - 0.61 to 2.73 -
AUD interest rates  0.40 to 3.19 0.15 to 7.02 0.40 to 4.37 0.06 to 7.02  0.40 to 3.19 0.15 to 7.02 0.40 to 3.99 0.06 to 7.02
EUR interest rates  (0.19) to 3.71 - (0.22) to 3.71 -  (0.19) to 2.61 - (0.22) to 2.61 -

Hedged items

The balance of the cash flow hedge reserve, which represents the effective portion of the movements in the hedging instrument, is presented in Note 29 Reserves. The movements in hedging instruments recognised in other comprehensive income are reported in the statement of other comprehensive income. As at 30 September, the amounts recognised in the Group’s cash flow hedge reserve for which hedge accounting is no longer applied is a loss of $16 million (2023: loss of $11 million).

The following table shows the carrying amount of fair value hedged items in hedge relationships, and the accumulated amount of fair value hedge adjustments in these carrying amounts. The Group does not hedge its entire exposure to a class of financial instruments, therefore the carrying amounts below do not equal the total carrying amounts disclosed in other notes.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  Carrying amount Fair value hedge adjustments Carrying amount Fair value hedge adjustments  Carrying amount Fair value hedge adjustments Carrying amount Fair value hedge adjustments
  $m $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m
Debt instruments1           
Semi-government bonds, notes and securities  27,012 - 22,872 -  27,003 - 22,872 -
           
Loans and advances           
Other term lending  725 (16) 763 (54)  725 (16) 763 (54)
           
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt           
Medium-term notes  50,516 (670) 46,451 (2,876)  41,813 (558) 40,033 (2,348)
Covered bonds2  25,652 (246) 22,969 (1,463)  - - - -
Subordinated medium-term notes  13,497 (1,667) 13,128 (2,906)  13,497 (1,667) 13,128 (2,906)
  1. The carrying amount of debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income does not include a fair value hedge adjustment as the hedged asset is measured at fair value. The accounting for the hedge relationship results in a transfer from other comprehensive income to the income statement.
  2. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to covered bonds, however these are designated for hedge accounting purposes at the Group level.

Hedge ineffectiveness

Fair value and cash flow hedge relationships result in the following changes in value used as the basis for recognising hedge ineffectiveness for the years ended 30 September:

  Change in fair value on hedging instruments  Change in fair value on hedged items  Hedge ineffectiveness recognised in income statement
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Group         
Fair value hedges (interest rate risk)  2,171 (1,660)  (2,205) 1,610  (34) (50)
Cash flow hedges (interest rate risk)  2,288 151  (2,287) (149)  1 2
Cash flow hedges (currency risk)  (4,276) 3,065  4,288 (3,038)  12 27
Fair value and cash flow hedges (interest rate and currency risk)  45 21  (45) (21)  - -
Total  228 1,577  (249) (1,598)  (21) (21)
          
Company         
Fair value hedges (interest rate risk)  596 (1,488)  (624) 1,439  (28) (49)
Cash flow hedges (interest rate risk)  2,307 352  (2,307) (352)  - -
Cash flow hedges (currency risk)  (3,417) 1,502  3,429 (1,480)  12 22
Total  (514) 366  498 (393)  (16) (27)

The below tables present movements in the cash flow hedge reserve for each type of hedged risk.

     Group  Company
     2024 2023  2024 2023
     $m $m  $m $m
Cash flow hedge (interest rate risk)       
Cash flow hedges - gains / (losses) recognised in other comprehensive income  1,214 (292)  1,091 (357)
Amount reclassified from the cash flow hedge reserve to income statement  1,067 427  1,217 711

     Group  Company
     2024 2023  2024 2023
     $m $m  $m $m
Cash flow hedge (currency risk)       
Cash flow hedges - gains / (losses) recognised in other comprehensive income  (4,300) 3,034  (3,428) 1,480
Amount reclassified from the cash flow hedge reserve to income statement  4,120 (3,103)  3,272 (1,531)

19 Financial risk management

Overview of Risk Management Framework

Risk is the potential for harm and an inherent part of the Group's business. The Group's ability to manage risk effectively is critical to being a safe and secure bank that can serve customers well and help our communities prosper. The Group's risk management is in line with APRA Prudential Standard CPS 220 Risk Management.

The Group's Risk Management Framework (RMF) consists of systems, structures, policies, processes and people within the Group that manage the Group's material risks. The RMF is comprehensively reviewed every three years for appropriateness, effectiveness and adequacy by an operationally independent party. The Board is ultimately responsible for the Risk Management Framework and oversees its operation by management. In addition, directors and senior executives are held accountable for the parts of the Group’s operations they manage or control.

The Group applies a 'Three Lines of Accountability' operating model in relation to the management of risk. The overarching principle of the model is that risk management capability must be embedded within the business to be effective. The role of each line is:

  • First Line - Businesses own risks and obligations, and the controls and mitigation strategies that help manage them.

  • Second Line - A functionally segregated Risk function develops risk management frameworks, defines risk boundaries, provides objective review and challenge regarding the effectiveness of risk management within the first line businesses, and executes specific risk management activities where a functional segregation of duties and/or specific risk capability is required.

  • Third Line - An independent Internal Audit function reporting to the Board monitors the end-to-end effectiveness of risk management and compliance with the RMF.

Further risk management information for the Group is set out in Risk management overview.

Credit risk

Credit risk overview, management and control responsibilities

Credit is any transaction that creates an actual or potential obligation for a counterparty or a customer to pay the Group. Credit risk is the potential that a counterparty or customer will fail to meet its obligations to the Group in accordance with the agreed terms. Lending activities account for most of the Group’s credit risk, however other sources of credit risk also exist throughout the activities of the Group. These activities include the trading book, and other financial instruments and loans (including, but not limited to, acceptances, placements, inter-bank transactions, trade financing, foreign exchange transactions, swaps, bonds and options), as well as in the extension of commitments and guarantees and the settlement of transactions.

The Group structures the levels of credit risk it undertakes by placing limits on the amount of risk accepted in relation to existing or potential counterparties or customers, groups of related counterparties or groups of related customers, and to geographical and industry segments. Such risks are monitored on an ongoing basis and are subject to annual or more frequent review.

In general, the Group does not take possession of collateral it holds as security or call on other credit enhancements that would result in recognition of an asset on the balance sheet.

Exposure to credit risk is managed through regular analysis of the ability of existing or potential counterparties, customers, groups of related counterparties or groups of related customers to meet repayment obligations, primarily interest and principal, and by changing credit limits where appropriate. Exposure to credit risk is also managed in part, by obtaining collateral and corporate and personal guarantees.

The Group further restricts its exposure to credit losses by entering into master netting arrangements for derivatives, repurchase and securities lending transactions with counterparties with which it undertakes a significant volume of transactions. The credit risk associated with contracts favourable to a Group entity is reduced by a master netting arrangement to the extent that if a counterparty failed to meet its obligations in accordance with agreed terms, all contracts with a counterparty can be terminated and settled on a net basis.

ESG risks

The Group is exposed to ESG and other emerging risks. The following items are examples of how these risks may impact the Group:

  • Increases in the frequency and severity of climatic events could impact customers’ ability to service their loans or the value of the collateral held to secure the loans.

  • Action taken by governments, regulators and society more generally, to transition to a low-carbon economy, could impact the ability of some customers to generate long-term returns in a sustainable way or lead to certain assets being stranded in the future.

  • Failure to comply with environmental and social legislation (emerging and current) may impact customers’ ability to generate sustainable returns and service their loans.

  • If customers don’t hold appropriate levels of insurance for physical assets against certain risks, this may impact the value the Group can recover in the event of certain natural disasters.

The Group considers these risks as part of the credit risk assessment and due diligence process before relevant customers are granted credit and for new product development. The Group also manages its total credit portfolio within established risk appetite and limits, particularly for specific industries or regions that are more exposed to these types of risks. In addition, the Group may recognise FLAs to the provision for credit impairment for the impact of adverse climate events. There were no such provisions required in the year ended 30 September 2024.

Maximum exposure to credit risk

For financial assets recognised on the balance sheet, the maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying amount. In certain circumstances, there may be differences between the carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet and the amounts reported in the tables below. Principally, these differences arise in respect of financial assets that are subject to risks other than credit risk, such as equity instruments which are primarily subject to market risk, or bank notes and coins.

For financial guarantees granted, the maximum exposure to credit risk is the maximum amount that the Group would have to pay if the guarantees are called upon. For irrevocable loan commitments and other credit-related commitments, the maximum exposure to credit risk is the full amount of committed facilities.

The table below shows the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk for on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet positions before taking into account any collateral held or other credit enhancements.

    Group  Company
    2024 2023  2024 2023
  Footnote  $m $m  $m $m
Financial assets         
Cash and liquid assets  (a)  1,350 23,669  1,261 23,022
Due from other banks  (b)  110,438 117,306  105,061 106,955
Collateral placed  (c)  9,633 11,286  8,929 10,214
Trading assets  (d)  133,606 101,168  120,517 90,417
Derivative assets  (d)  28,766 34,269  28,458 33,784
Debt instruments  (e)  41,999 46,357  41,983 46,336
Other financial assets  (f)  769 1,430  769 1,708
Gross loans and advances  (f)  737,630 707,228  638,629 611,556
Due from controlled entities  (g)  - -  51,039 43,577
Other assets  (g)  6,733 6,869  5,759 6,572
Total    1,070,924 1,049,582  1,002,405 974,141
Bank guarantees and letters of credit  (h)  26,597 26,321  24,860 24,637
Credit commitments  (h)  210,124 208,853  190,297 188,268
Total    236,721 235,174  215,157 212,905
Total credit risk exposure    1,307,645 1,284,756  1,217,562 1,187,046

  1. The balance of Cash and liquid assets that is exposed to credit risk is comprised primarily of bills receivable and remittances in transit. In the September 2023 financial year the balance also included reverse repurchase agreements.

  2. The balance of Due from other banks that is exposed to credit risk is comprised of securities borrowing agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as balances held with central supervisory banks and other interest earning assets. Securities borrowing agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are collateralised with highly liquid securities and the collateral is in excess of the borrowed or loaned amount.

    Balances held with central supervisory banks and other interest earning assets that are due from other banks are managed based on the counterparty’s creditworthiness. The Group utilises master netting arrangements where possible to reduce its exposure to credit risk.

  3. The maximum exposure to credit risk from Collateral placed is the collateral placed with the counterparty before consideration of any netting arrangements.

  4. At any one time, the maximum exposure to credit risk from Trading assets and Derivative assets is limited to the current fair value of instruments that are favourable to the Group less collateral obtained. This credit risk is managed as part of the overall lending limits with customers, together with potential exposures from market movements.

    The Group uses documentation including International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements to document derivative activities. Under ISDA Master Agreements, if a default of a counterparty occurs, all contracts with the counterparty are terminated. They are then settled on a net basis at market levels current at the time of default. The Group also executes Credit Support Annexes in conjunction with ISDA Master Agreements.

    Credit risk from over-the-counter trading and hedging derivatives is mitigated where possible through netting arrangements whereby derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty can be offset in certain circumstances. Derivatives that are cleared through a central clearing counterparty or an exchange have less credit risk than over-the-counter derivatives and are subject to relevant netting and collateral agreements. For these, where settled to market has been applied, the unrealised or outstanding fair value of derivative assets and liabilities are settled daily through cash receipts and payments, further reducing credit risk.

    Collateral is obtained against derivative assets, depending on the creditworthiness of the counterparty and / or the nature of the transaction.

  5. Debt instruments are generally comprised of government, semi-government, corporate and financial institution bonds, notes and securities. The amount of collateral held against such instruments will depend on the counterparty and the nature of the specific financial instrument.

    The Group may utilise credit default swaps, guarantees provided by central banks, other forms of credit enhancements or collateral to minimise the Group’s exposure to credit risk.

  6. Gross loans and advances and Other financial assets primarily comprise general lending and line of credit products. The distinction is due to accounting classification and measurement. These lending products will generally have a significant level of collateralisation depending on the nature of the product.

    Other lending to non-retail customers may be provided on an unsecured basis or secured (partially or fully) by acceptable collateral defined in specific Group credit policy and business unit procedures. Collateral is generally comprised of business assets, inventories and in some cases personal assets of the borrower. The Group manages its exposure to these products by completing a credit evaluation to assess the customer’s character, industry, business model and capacity to meet their commitments without distress. Collateral provides a secondary source of repayment for funds advanced in the event that a customer cannot meet their contractual repayment obligations. For amounts due from customers on acceptances the Group generally has recourse to guarantees, underlying inventories or other assets in the event of default which significantly mitigates the credit risk associated with accepting the customer’s credit facility with a third party.

    Housing loans are secured against residential property as collateral and, where applicable, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is obtained by the Group (mostly in Australia) to cover any shortfall in outstanding loan principal and accrued interest. LMI is generally obtained for residential mortgages with a Loan to Valuation Ratio (LVR) in excess of 80%. The financial effect of these measures is that remaining credit risk on residential mortgage loans is minimal. Other retail lending products are mostly unsecured (e.g., credit card outstandings and other personal lending).

  7. The balance of Other assets which is exposed to credit risk includes securities sold not delivered, interest receivable accruals and other receivables. Interest receivable accruals are subject to the same collateral as the underlying borrowings. Other receivables will mostly be unsecured. There are typically no collateral or other credit enhancements obtained in respect of amounts Due from controlled entities.

  8. Bank guarantees and letters of credit are comprised primarily of guarantees to customers, standby or documentary letters of credit and performance related contingencies. The Group will typically have recourse to specific assets pledged as collateral in the event of a default by a party for which the Group has guaranteed its obligations to a third party and therefore tend to carry the same credit risk as loans.
    Credit commitments represent binding commitments to extend credit where the Group is potentially exposed to loss of an amount equal to the total unused commitments. However, the likely amount of loss is generally less than the total unused commitments, as most commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards.

    The Group monitors the term to maturity of credit commitments because, in general, longer-term commitments have a greater degree of credit risk than shorter term commitments.

Offsetting financial assets and liabilities

The tables below present the amounts of financial instruments that have been offset on the balance sheet, as well as those amounts that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The tables exclude financial instruments that are not subject to offsetting arrangements but are instead only subject to collateral arrangements.

The ‘Net amounts’ presented in the tables are not intended to represent the Group’s actual exposure to credit risk. The Group utilises a wide range of strategies to mitigate credit risk in addition to netting and collateral arrangements, including placing limits on the amount of risk accepted in relation to counterparties, customers, groups of related counterparties or customers and geographical and industry segments.

The amounts recognised on the balance sheet are presented in the 'Total balance sheet amount' column in the tables below, and comprise the sum of the 'Net amount reported on balance sheet' and 'Amounts not subject to enforceable netting arrangements'.1

  2024     
  Subject to enforceable netting arrangements  Amounts not subject to enforceable netting arrangements  Total balance sheet amount
  Amounts offset on balance sheet  Amounts not offset on balance sheet  
  Gross amount Amount offset Net amount reported on balance sheet  Financial Instruments Non-cash collateral Cash collateral Net Amount  
Group  $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m  $m  $m
Derivative assets12  33,021 (8,763) 24,258  (16,234) (112) (5,038) 2,874  4,508  28,766
Reverse repurchase agreements  106,934 (16,663) 90,271  - (90,271) - -  -  90,271
Loans and advances  4,910 (4,798) 112  - - - 112  738,094  738,206
Total assets  144,865 (30,224) 114,641  (16,234) (90,383) (5,038) 2,986  742,602  857,243
Derivative liabilities12  (35,761) 8,763 (26,998)  16,144 60 8,732 (2,062)  (5,578)  (32,576)
Repurchase agreements  (74,444) 16,663 (57,781)  - 57,781 - -  -  (57,781)
Deposits and other borrowings  (9,257) 4,798 (4,459)  - - - (4,459)  (709,919)  (714,378)
Total liabilities  (119,462) 30,224 (89,238)  16,144 57,841 8,732 (6,521)  (715,497)  (804,735)
              
Company              
Derivative assets12  23,924 - 23,924  (14,487) (112) (4,072) 5,253  4,534  28,458
Reverse repurchase agreements  101,320 (15,384) 85,936  - (85,936) - -  -  85,936
Loans and advances  4,347 (4,324) 23  - - - 23  639,182  639,205
Total assets  129,591 (19,708) 109,883  (14,487) (86,048) (4,072) 5,276  643,716  753,599
Derivative liabilities12  (26,714) - (26,714)  14,409 60 8,388 (3,857)  (6,299)  (33,013)
Repurchase agreements  (69,977) 15,384 (54,593)  - 54,593 - -  -  (54,593)
Deposits and other borrowings  (6,638) 4,324 (2,314)  - - - (2,314)  (634,251)  (636,565)
Total liabilities  (103,329) 19,708 (83,621)  14,409 54,653 8,388 (6,171)  (640,550)  (724,171)
  1. As at 30 September 2024, the amount offset for derivative assets includes $419 million (Company: $nil) of cash collateral netting and the amount offset for derivative liabilities includes $77 million (Company: $nil) of cash collateral netting.
  2. The decrease in ‘Gross amount’ and ‘Amount offset’ for derivative assets and derivative liabilities since 30 September 2023 was driven by an increase in the number of centrally cleared derivatives subject to settled-to-market arrangements.

  2023     
  Subject to enforceable netting arrangements  Amounts not subject to enforceable netting arrangements  Total balance sheet amount
  Amounts offset on balance sheet  Amounts not offset on balance sheet  
  Gross amount Amount offset Net amount reported on balance sheet  Financial Instruments Non-cash collateral Cash collateral Net Amount  
Group  $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m  $m  $m
Derivative assets1  157,389 (127,890) 29,499  (14,611) (362) (10,164) 4,362  4,770  34,269
Reverse repurchase agreements  95,197 (14,542) 80,655  - (80,655) - -  -  80,655
Loans and advances  5,748 (5,705) 43  - - - 43  708,428  708,471
Total assets  258,334 (148,137) 110,197  (14,611) (81,017) (10,164) 4,405  713,198  823,395
Derivative liabilities1  (154,459) 127,891 (26,568)  14,611 210 9,171 (2,576)  (9,065)  (35,633)
Repurchase agreements  (88,674) 14,542 (74,132)  - 74,132 - -  -  (74,132)
Deposits and other borrowings  (9,122) 5,705 (3,417)  - - - (3,417)  (681,034)  (684,451)
Total liabilities  (252,255) 148,138 (104,117)  14,611 74,342 9,171 (5,993)  (690,099)  (794,216)
              
Company              
Derivative assets1  143,179 (114,623) 28,556  (12,808) (83) (8,822) 6,843  5,228  33,784
Reverse repurchase agreements  91,333 (14,166) 77,167  - (77,167) - -  -  77,167
Loans and advances  4,203 (4,191) 12  - - - 12  612,226  612,238
Total assets  238,715 (132,980) 105,735  (12,808) (77,250) (8,822) 6,855  617,454  723,189
Derivative liabilities1  (141,028) 114,624 (26,404)  12,808 210 8,701 (4,685)  (9,706)  (36,110)
Repurchase agreements  (81,339) 14,166 (67,173)  - 67,173 - -  -  (67,173)
Deposits and other borrowings  (6,163) 4,191 (1,972)  - - - (1,972)  (606,669)  (608,641)
Total liabilities  (228,530) 132,981 (95,549)  12,808 67,383 8,701 (6,657)  (616,375)  (711,924)
  1. As at 30 September 2023, the amount offset for derivative assets includes $9,495 million (Company: $8,377 million) of cash collateral netting and the amount offset for derivative liabilities includes $4,828 million (Company: $4,758 million) of cash collateral netting.

Derivative assets and derivative liabilities

Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are only offset on the balance sheet where the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset in all circumstances and there is an intention to settle the asset and liability on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. The Group has applied offsetting to certain centrally cleared derivatives and their associated collateral amounts which satisfy the AASB 132 Financial Instruments: Presentation requirements. For centrally cleared derivatives subject to settled-to-market arrangements, the unrealised fair values are settled daily through cash receipts and payments.

Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements

Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements will typically be subject to Global Master Repurchase Agreements or similar agreements whereby all outstanding transactions with the same counterparty can only be offset and closed out upon a default or insolvency event. In some instances, the agreement provides the Group with a legally enforceable right to offset in all circumstances. In such a case and where there is an intention to settle the asset and liability on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously, the amounts with that counterparty are offset on the balance sheet.

Where the Group has a right to offset on default or insolvency only, the related non-cash collateral amounts comprise highly liquid securities, either obtained or pledged, which can be realised in the event of a default or insolvency by one of the counterparties. The value of such securities obtained or pledged must at least equate to the value of the exposure to the counterparty, therefore the net exposure is considered to be nil.

Loans and advances, deposits and other borrowings

The amounts offset for loans and advances and deposits and other borrowings represent amounts subject to set-off agreements that satisfy the AASB 132 requirements. The 'Net amounts reported on balance sheet' are included within ‘Overdrafts’ in Note 12 Loans and Advances and ‘On-demand and short-term deposits’ and ‘Deposits not bearing interest’ in Note 13 Deposits and other borrowings. The 'Amounts not subject to enforceable netting arrangements' represent all other loans and advances and deposits and other borrowings of the Group, including those measured at fair value.

Credit risk exposure by risk grade

The following tables show the credit quality of credit risk exposures to which the expected credit loss model is applied, for both recognised and unrecognised financial assets, based on the following risk grades:

  • Senior investment grade: broadly corresponds with Standard & Poor’s ratings of AAA to A- (internal rating 1 to 5).

  • Investment grade: broadly corresponds with Standard & Poor’s ratings of BBB+ to BBB- (internal rating 6 to 11).

  • Sub-investment grade: broadly corresponds with Standard & Poor’s ratings of BB+ (internal rating 12 to 23).

  • Default: broadly corresponds with Standard & Poor’s rating of D (internal rating 98 and 99).

Notional stage allocations (Stage 1 and Stage 2) for credit risk exposures incorporate the impact of forward looking economic information applied in the expected credit loss model. Refer to the Accounting Policy section of Note 17 Provision for credit impairment on loans at amortised cost for further details.

  Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3  Total
Performing  Performing  Non-performing   
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
Group  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Gross loans and advances             
Senior investment grade  136,091 124,634  434 2,356  - -  136,525 126,990
Investment grade  288,298 277,097  18,541 27,385  - -  306,839 304,482
Sub-investment grade  146,773 126,373  137,653 141,747  - -  284,426 268,120
Default  - -  - -  9,840 7,636  9,840 7,636
Total gross loans and advances  571,162 528,104  156,628 171,488  9,840 7,636  737,630 707,228
Contingent liabilities and credit commitments             
Senior investment grade  90,818 88,046  1,033 3,442  - -  91,851 91,488
Investment grade  82,754 75,102  7,503 12,832  - -  90,257 87,934
Sub-investment grade  27,764 25,753  26,459 29,643  - -  54,223 55,396
Default  - -  - -  390 356  390 356
Total contingent liabilities and credit commitments  201,336 188,901  34,995 45,917  390 356  236,721 235,174
Total gross loans and advances, contingent liabilities and credit commitments  772,498 717,005  191,623 217,405  10,230 7,992  974,351 942,402
             
Debt instruments             
Senior investment grade  41,999 46,357  - -  - -  41,999 46,357
Investment grade  - -  - -  - -  - -
Sub-investment grade  - -  - -  - -  - -
Default  - -  - -  - -  - -
Total debt instruments  41,999 46,357  - -  - -  41,999 46,357

  Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3  Total
Performing  Performing  Non-performing   
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
Company  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Gross loans and advances             
Senior investment grade  97,682 88,177  379 1,257  - -  98,061 89,434
Investment grade  270,869 255,873  13,163 22,003  - -  284,032 277,876
Sub-investment grade  130,007 114,773  117,736 122,956  - -  247,743 237,729
Default  - -  - -  8,793 6,517  8,793 6,517
Total gross loans and advances  498,558 458,823  131,278 146,216  8,793 6,517  638,629 611,556
Contingent liabilities and credit commitments             
Senior investment grade  84,903 82,623  978 2,484  - -  85,881 85,107
Investment grade  76,081 68,954  5,295 10,087  - -  81,376 79,041
Sub-investment grade  25,151 22,744  22,364 25,665  - -  47,515 48,409
Default  - -  - -  385 348  385 348
Total contingent liabilities and credit commitments  186,135 174,321  28,637 38,236  385 348  215,157 212,905
Total gross loans and advances, contingent liabilities and credit commitments  684,693 633,144  159,915 184,452  9,178 6,865  853,786 824,461
             
Debt instruments             
Senior investment grade  41,983 46,336  - -  - -  41,983 46,336
Investment grade  - -  - -  - -  - -
Sub-investment grade  - -  - -  - -  - -
Default  - -  - -  - -  - -
Total debt instruments  41,983 46,336  - -  - -  41,983 46,336

Concentration of exposure

Concentration of credit risk exists when a number of counterparties are engaged in similar activities, or operate in the same geographical areas or industry sectors and have similar economic characteristics so that their ability to meet contractual obligations is similarly affected by changes in economic, political or other conditions.

The diversification and size of the Group is such that its lending is widely spread both geographically and in terms of the types of industries it serves.

Industry concentration of financial assets
  Net loans and advances1  Other financial assets2  Contingent liabilities and credit commitments  Total
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Group             
Accommodation and hospitality  10,795 9,337  - -  2,181 2,101  12,976 11,438
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining  58,807 55,912  - -  13,234 14,112  72,041 70,024
Business services and property services  19,682 19,266  - -  9,714 8,754  29,396 28,020
Commercial property  73,828 70,739  - -  14,462 12,660  88,290 83,399
Construction  9,315 8,500  - -  7,753 7,109  17,068 15,609
Financial and insurance  45,407 38,456  126,377 137,048  46,373 49,722  218,157 225,226
Government and public authorities  1,116 1,820  32,899 31,005  2,870 2,884  36,885 35,709
Manufacturing  13,733 13,383  - -  8,052 8,313  21,785 21,696
Personal  11,374 12,161  - -  21,185 18,594  32,559 30,755
Residential mortgages  415,303 404,870  2,767 6,489  65,437 68,943  483,507 480,302
Retail and wholesale trade  22,410 20,679  - -  12,938 12,699  35,348 33,378
Transport and storage  14,747 15,662  - -  9,843 9,246  24,590 24,908
Utilities  12,097 10,818  - 157  10,005 7,187  22,102 18,162
Other  23,671 21,283  27 250  12,674 12,850  36,372 34,383
Total  732,285 702,886  162,070 174,949  236,721 235,174  1,131,076 1,113,009
             
Company             
Accommodation and hospitality  9,461 8,103  - -  2,017 1,955  11,478 10,058
Agriculture, forestry, fishing & mining  44,343 41,642  - -  11,311 11,963  55,654 53,605
Business services and property services  18,104 17,640  - -  8,910 7,851  27,014 25,491
Commercial property  66,658 63,613  - -  13,406 11,196  80,064 74,809
Construction  7,871 7,072  - -  6,702 6,118  14,573 13,190
Financial & insurance  42,847 36,369  120,447 125,643  44,888 47,114  208,182 209,126
Government & public authorities  1,113 1,753  32,740 30,987  2,191 2,224  36,044 34,964
Manufacturing  10,616 10,189  - -  5,816 6,374  16,432 16,563
Personal  10,598 11,194  - -  19,162 16,460  29,760 27,654
Residential mortgages  359,901 350,823  2,759 6,467  61,156 65,403  423,816 422,693
Retail and wholesale trade  18,059 16,638  - -  10,975 10,695  29,034 27,333
Transport and storage  12,907 13,914  - -  8,371 7,738  21,278 21,652
Utilities  10,638 9,775  - 157  8,965 6,612  19,603 16,544
Other  21,124 18,820  27 251  11,287 11,202  32,438 30,273
Total  634,240 607,545  155,973 163,505  215,157 212,905  1,005,370 983,955
  1. Net loans and advances includes loans at fair value.
  2. Other financial assets represents amounts due from other banks, debt instruments and collateral placed.

Geographic concentration of financial assets
  Australia  New Zealand  Other International
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Group          
Cash and liquid assets  1,240 4,345  - 36  110 19,288
Due from other banks  84,039 92,378  5,216 10,140  21,183 14,788
Collateral placed  8,518 8,709  679 1,030  436 1,547
Trading assets  70,065 65,086  8,808 7,782  54,733 28,300
Derivative assets  21,806 24,329  2,151 2,720  4,809 7,220
Debt instruments  34,037 35,377  9 -  7,953 10,980
Other financial assets  769 869  - 561  - -
Loans and advances  613,248 588,961  97,473 94,206  21,971 19,535
Other assets  5,541 6,110  1,664 764  1,135 1,321
Total  839,263 826,164  116,000 117,239  112,330 102,979
          
Company          
Cash and liquid assets  1,228 4,259  - -  33 18,763
Due from other banks  84,039 92,371  - -  21,022 14,584
Collateral placed  8,506 8,701  - -  423 1,513
Trading assets  70,063 65,086  - -  50,454 25,331
Derivative assets  23,498 26,247  - -  4,960 7,537
Debt instruments  34,038 35,378  - -  7,945 10,958
Other financial assets  769 869  - -  - 839
Loans and advances  612,805 588,288  - -  21,541 19,396
Other assets  5,850 6,255  - -  863 1,300
Total  840,796 827,454  - -  107,241 100,221

Market risk

Market risk overview and management

Market risk primarily stems from the Group’s trading and balance sheet management activities, the impact of changes and correlation between interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit spreads and volatility in bond, commodity or equity prices.

Market risk is represented by the below two categories:

Traded Market Risk Non-Traded Market Risk
Traded Market Risk is the potential for gains or losses to arise from trading activities undertaken by the Group as a result of movements in market prices. The trading activities of the Group are principally carried out by Corporate and Institutional Banking.Trading activities represent dealings that encompass both active management of market risk and supporting client sales businesses. The types of market risk arising from these activities include interest rate, foreign exchange, commodity, equity price, credit spread and volatility risk. The Group has exposure to non-traded market risk, primarily Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book (IRRBB). IRRBB is the risk that the Group’s earnings or economic value will be affected or reduced by changes in interest rates. The sources of IRRBB are as follows:
  • Repricing risk, arising from changes to the overall level of interest rates and inherent mismatches in the repricing term of banking book items.
  • Yield curve risk, arising from a change in the relative level of interest rates for different tenors and changes in the slope or shape of the yield curve.
  • Basis risk, arising from differences between the actual and expected interest margins on banking book items over the implied cost of funds of those items.
  • Optionality risk, arising from the existence of stand-alone or embedded options in banking book items, to the extent that the potential for those losses is not included in the above risks.

Measurement of market risk

The Group primarily manages and controls market risk using Value at Risk (VaR), which is a standard measure used throughout the industry. VaR gauges the Group’s possible loss for the holding period based on historical market movements. VaR is measured at a 99% confidence interval. This means that there is a 99% chance that the loss will not exceed the VaR estimate during the holding period.

The Group employs other risk measures to supplement VaR, with appropriate limits to manage and control risks, and communicate the specific nature of market exposures to management, the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and ultimately the Board. These supplementary measures include stress testing, stop loss, position and sensitivity limits.

Traded market risk

The VaR methodology involves multiple revaluations of the trading books using 550 days of historical pricing shifts. The pricing data is rolled daily.

The use of VaR methodology has limitations, which include:

  • The historical data used to calculate VaR is not always an appropriate proxy for current market conditions. If market volatility or correlation conditions change significantly, losses may occur more frequently and to a greater magnitude than the VaR measure suggests.

  • VaR methodology assumes that positions are held for one day and may underestimate losses on positions that cannot be hedged or reversed inside that timeframe.

  • VaR is calculated on positions at the close of each trading day and does not measure risk on intra-day positions.

  • VaR does not describe the directional bias or size of the positions generating the risk.

The table below shows the Group and Company VaR for the trading portfolio, including both physical and derivative positions:

  Group  Company
  As at 30 September  Average value  Minimum value  Maximum value  As at 30 September  Average value  Minimum value  Maximum value
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Value at Risk at a 99% confidence level                         
Foreign exchange risk  3.5 3.3  3.0 2.7  1.0 1.0  7.3 5.7  3.4 3.7  2.7 2.2  0.9 0.8  7.1 5.0
Interest rate risk  6.9 6.7  7.3 8.4  4.7 5.3  14.7 17.8  8.1 6.1  6.8 7.5  4.7 5.1  11.5 17.4
Volatility risk  1.0 1.8  1.1 1.8  0.7 0.9  1.9 2.7  1.0 1.8  1.1 1.8  0.7 0.9  1.9 2.8
Commodities risk  0.6 1.0  1.1 1.4  0.5 0.9  2.5 2.9  0.6 1.0  1.1 1.4  0.5 0.9  2.5 2.9
Credit risk  2.5 2.0  1.7 1.8  0.9 0.9  2.7 3.2  1.8 1.8  1.6 1.5  0.8 0.7  2.5 2.9
Inflation risk  1.7 2.3  1.7 2.4  1.4 1.6  2.3 3.4  1.7 2.3  1.7 2.4  1.4 1.6  2.3 3.4
Diversification benefit  (7.8) (7.1)  (6.5) (7.8)  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  (6.7) (6.7)  (6.3) (7.2)  n/a n/a  n/a n/a
Total Diversified VaR at 99% confidence interval  8.4 10.0  9.4 10.7  6.7 7.2  16.8 20.3  9.9 10.0  8.7 9.6  6.4 6.8  13.7 17.5
Other market risks  1.9 2.3  2.3 1.9  1.5 0.6  3.1 3.2  1.9 2.3  2.3 1.9  1.5 0.6  3.1 3.2
Total  10.3 12.3  11.7 12.6  8.2 7.8  19.9 23.5  11.8 12.3  11.0 11.5  7.9 7.4  16.8 20.7

Non-traded market risk - Balance sheet risk management

The principal objective of balance sheet risk management is to maintain acceptable levels of interest rate and liquidity risk to mitigate the negative impact of movements in interest rates on the earnings and market value of the Group’s banking book, while ensuring the Group maintains sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations as they fall due.

Non-traded market risk – Interest rate risk management

IRRBB is measured, monitored, and managed from both an internal management and regulatory perspective. The Risk Management Framework incorporates both market valuation and earnings based approaches in accordance with the IRRBB Policy and Prudential Practice Guides. Risk measurement techniques include VaR, Earnings at Risk (EaR), interest rate risk stress testing, repricing analysis, cash flow analysis and scenario analysis. The IRRBB regulatory capital calculation incorporates repricing, yield curve, basis, and optionality risk, embedded gains / losses and any inter-risk and / or inter-currency diversification. The Group has been accredited by APRA to use its internal model for the measurement of IRRBB.

Key features of the internal interest rate risk management model include:

  • Historical simulation approach utilising instantaneous interest rate shocks.

  • Static balance sheet (i.e. any new business is assumed to be matched, hedged or subject to immediate repricing).

  • VaR and EaR are measured on a consistent basis.

  • 99% confidence level.

  • Three month holding period.

  • EaR utilises a 12 month forecast period.

  • At least six years of business day historical data (updated daily).

  • Investment term for capital is modelled with an established benchmark term of between one and five years.

  • Investment term for core non-interest bearing assets and liabilities is modelled on a behavioural basis with a term that is consistent with sound statistical analysis.

The following table shows the Group and the Company aggregate VaR and EaR for the IRRBB:

  Group  Company
  As at 30 September  Average value  Minimum value  Maximum value  As at 30 September  Average value  Minimum value  Maximum value
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Value at Risk                         
Australia  461.7 379.1  433.9 375.1  373.6 315.0  461.7 407.9  461.7 379.1  433.9 375.1  373.6 315.0  461.7 407.9
New Zealand  50.6 33.6  46.6 31.6  35.0 24.1  55.7 36.7  - -  - -  - -  - -
Other International  17.5 34.6  25.5 44.0  16.5 27.0  38.5 62.8  17.4 34.6  25.4 44.0  16.5 27.0  38.4 62.8
Earnings at Risk1                         
Australia  73.2 59.1  71.9 55.3  55.8 38.2  96.8 73.3  73.2 59.1  71.9 55.3  55.8 38.2  96.8 73.3
New Zealand  12.0 9.6  10.6 15.0  6.4 7.8  18.1 22.7  - -  - -  - -  - -
Other International  0.2 -  0.2 -  - -  0.3 0.1  - -  - -  - -  - -
  1. EaR amounts calculated under the IRRBB model include Australian banking and other overseas banking subsidiary books, however exclude offshore branches.

Residual value risk
As part of its normal lending activities, the Group takes residual value risk on assets such as industrial, mining, rail, aircraft, marine, technology, healthcare and other equipment. This exposes the Group to a potential fall in prices of these assets below the outstanding residual exposure at the facility expiry.

Liquidity risk and funding mix

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. These obligations include the repayment of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of wholesale borrowings and loan capital as they mature and the payment of interest on borrowings.

These risks are governed by the Group’s funding and liquidity risk appetite which is set by the Board. Group Treasury is responsible for the management of these risks. Objective review and challenge of the effectiveness of risk management is provided by Group Balance Sheet and Liquidity Risk Management with oversight by the Group Asset and Liability Committee. The Board has the ultimate responsibility to monitor and review the adequacy of the Group’s funding and liquidity RMF and the Group’s compliance with risk appetite.

Key principles adopted in the Group’s approach to managing liquidity risk include:

  • Monitoring the Group’s liquidity position on a daily basis, using a combination of contractual and behavioural modelling of balance sheet and cash flow information.

  • Maintaining a HQLA portfolio which supports intra-day operations and may be sold in times of market stress.

  • Operating a prudent funding strategy which ensures appropriate diversification and limits maturity concentrations. The Group undertakes a conservative approach by imposing internal limits that are in addition to regulatory requirements.

  • Maintaining a contingent funding plan designed to respond to an accelerated outflow of funds from the Group.

  • Requiring the Group to have the ability to meet a range of survival horizon scenarios, including name-specific and general liquidity stress scenarios.

The Group maintained funding and liquidity metrics well above regulatory minimums throughout the 2024 financial year.

The liquid asset portfolio held as part of these principles is well diversified by currency, counterparty and product type with the mix consistent with the liquidity risks of the Group. The composition of the portfolio includes cash, government securities and highly rated investment grade paper. The market value of total on-balance sheet liquid assets held as at 30 September 2024 was $224,612 million (2023: $222,463 million). In addition, the Group holds internal RMBS as a source of contingent liquidity. As at 30 September 2024, the cash value of unencumbered internal RMBS held and available was $99,404 million (2023: $80,089 million).

Funding mix

The Group’s funding is comprised of a mix of deposits, term wholesale funding, short-term wholesale funding and equity. The Group manages this within risk appetite settings to ensure suitable funding of its asset base and to enable it to respond to changing market conditions and regulatory requirements.

The Group maintains a strong focus on stable deposits both from a growth and quality perspective and continues to utilise deposits as a key funding source for funded assets.

The Group supplements deposit-raising via its term funding programmes, raising $37,493 million1 of term wholesale funding in the 2024 financial year (2023: $40,254 million12). The weighted average maturity of term wholesale funding issued by the Group was 5.03years to first call (2023: 4.33 years). In addition, during the 2024 financial year, the Group continued to access international and domestic short-term wholesale markets.

On 19 March 2020, the RBA announced the establishment of the TFF for the Australian banking system to support ADIs in providing credit into the economy. The TFF provided access to three-year secured funding, supporting lending to the Group's customers and reducing wholesale funding refinancing risks at the time. As at 30 September 2024, the full TFF allocation has been repaid.

  1. Excludes AT1 Capital.
  2. Includes FLP.
  3. Excludes AT1 capital, Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS) and FLP.

Contractual maturity of assets and liabilities

The following tables show an analysis of contractual maturities of assets and liabilities at the reporting date. The Group expects that certain assets and liabilities will be recovered or settled at maturities which are different to their contractual maturities, including deposits where the Group expects as part of normal banking operations that a large proportion of these balances will roll over.

  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  No specific maturity  Total
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Group             
Assets             
Cash and liquid assets  2,499 24,699  - -  - -  2,499 24,699
Due from other banks  110,248 116,984  190 322  - -  110,438 117,306
Collateral placed  9,633 11,286  - -  - -  9,633 11,286
Trading assets  96,961 66,717  36,645 34,434  - 17  133,606 101,168
Derivative assets  62 236  1,945 3,263  26,759 30,770  28,766 34,269
Debt instruments  5,226 6,505  36,773 39,852  - -  41,999 46,357
Other financial assets  293 858  476 572  - -  769 1,430
Loans and advances  150,969 130,430  572,268 562,744  9,455 9,528  732,692 702,702
All other assets  7,624 7,429  - 97  12,222 12,340  19,846 19,866
Total assets  383,515 365,144  648,297 641,284  48,436 52,655  1,080,248 1,059,083
Liabilities             
Due to other banks  10,788 37,200  1,540 2,316  - -  12,328 39,516
Collateral received  5,151 10,672  - -  - -  5,151 10,672
Other financial liabilities  60,261 52,386  10,011 13,966  - -  70,272 66,352
Deposits and other borrowings  650,126 631,645  62,440 50,475  - -  712,566 682,120
Derivative liabilities  1,470 985  4,080 3,526  27,026 31,122  32,576 35,633
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  28,847 20,848  127,447 114,797  - -  156,294 135,645
Debt issues  - -  - -  9,560 8,561  9,560 8,561
All other liabilities  12,611 12,726  4,064 4,456  2,613 1,899  19,288 19,081
Total liabilities  769,254 766,462  209,582 189,536  39,199 41,582  1,018,035 997,580
Net (liabilities) / assets  (385,739) (401,318)  438,715 451,748  9,237 11,073  62,213 61,503
             
Company             
Assets             
Cash and liquid assets  2,318 23,959  - -  - -  2,318 23,959
Due from other banks  104,873 106,634  188 321  - -  105,061 106,955
Collateral placed  8,929 10,214  - -  - -  8,929 10,214
Trading assets  90,222 61,684  30,295 28,716  - 17  120,517 90,417
Derivative assets  147 571  1,150 2,134  27,161 31,079  28,458 33,784
Debt instruments  5,219 6,499  36,764 39,837  - -  41,983 46,336
Other financial assets  293 1,147  476 561  - -  769 1,708
Loans and advances  124,015 108,016  501,606 491,059  8,725 8,609  634,346 607,684
All other assets  5,710 6,472  506 609  70,491 61,643  76,707 68,724
Total assets  341,726 325,196  570,985 563,237  106,377 101,348  1,019,088 989,781
Liabilities             
Due to other banks  7,713 33,965  196 -  - -  7,909 33,965
Collateral received  4,180 9,281  - -  - -  4,180 9,281
Other financial liabilities  56,396 42,512  6,440 9,233  - -  62,836 51,745
Deposits and other borrowings  576,550 560,238  60,015 48,403  - -  636,565 608,641
Derivative liabilities  935 957  2,400 1,566  29,678 33,587  33,013 36,110
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  27,515 20,587  113,041 103,742  - -  140,556 124,329
Debt issues  - -  - -  9,560 8,561  9,560 8,561
All other liabilities  11,023 11,567  2,617 3,324  53,504 45,735  67,144 60,626
Total liabilities  684,312 679,107  184,709 166,268  92,742 87,883  961,763 933,258
Net (liabilities) / assets  (342,586) (353,911)  386,276 396,969  13,635 13,465  57,325 56,523

20 Fair value of financial instruments

Accounting policy

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where the classification of a financial asset or liability results in it being measured at fair value, wherever possible, the fair value is determined with reference to the quoted bid or offer price in the most advantageous active market to which the Group has immediate access. An adjustment for credit risk (CVA) is also incorporated into the fair value as appropriate as well as an adjustment for funding costs (FVA) related to uncollateralised over-the-counter derivatives. The fair value measurement technique of each class of instrument is described below.

Instrument Fair value measurement technique
Loans and advances The fair value of loans and advances that are priced based on a variable rate with no contractual repricing tenor is assumed to equate to the carrying value. The fair value of all other loans and advances is calculated using discounted cash flow models based on the maturity of the loans and advances. The discount rates applied are based on interest rates at the reporting date for similar types of loans and advances, if the loans and advances were performing at the reporting date.
Deposits and other borrowings The fair value of deposits and other borrowings that are non-interest bearing or at call, is assumed to equate to the carrying value. The fair value of other deposits and other borrowings is calculated using discounted cash flow models based on the deposit type and maturity.
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt and debt issues The fair values of bonds, notes and subordinated debt and debt issues are calculated based on a discounted cash flow model using a yield curve appropriate to the remaining maturity of the instruments and appropriate credit spreads, or in some instances are calculated based on market quoted prices when there is sufficient liquidity in the market.
Derivatives The fair values of trading and hedging derivative assets and liabilities are obtained from quoted closing market prices at the reporting date, discounted cash flow models or option pricing models as appropriate.
Trading assets and debt instruments The fair values of trading assets and debt instruments are based on quoted closing market prices at the reporting date. Where securities are unlisted and quoted market prices are not available, the Group obtains the fair value by means of discounted cash flows and other valuation techniques that are commonly used by market participants. These techniques address factors such as interest rates, credit risk and liquidity.
Equity instruments The fair value of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income is estimated on the basis of the actual and forecasted financial position and results of the underlying assets or net assets taking into consideration their risk profile.
Other financial assets and liabilities The fair values of other financial assets and liabilities are based on quoted closing market prices and data or valuation techniques, appropriate to the nature and type of the underlying instrument.
Due to controlled entities and due from controlled entities Includes reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements that are classified as held for trading and measured at fair value through profit and loss. The fair values are based on a discounted cash flow model using an appropriate yield curve.

The carrying amounts of cash and liquid assets, due from and to other banks, other assets, other liabilities and amounts due from and to controlled entities, approximate their fair value as they are short-term in nature or are receivable or payable on demand.

Guarantees, letters of credit, performance related contingencies and credit related commitments are generally not sold or traded and estimated fair values are not readily ascertainable. The fair value of these items are not calculated, as very few of the commitments extending beyond six months would commit the Group to a predetermined rate of interest, and the fees attaching to these commitments are the same as those currently charged for similar arrangements.

Fair value for a net open position is the offer price for a financial liability and the bid price for a financial asset, multiplied by the number of units of the instrument issued or held.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred at the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer occurs.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

A significant portion of financial instruments are carried on the balance sheet at fair value.

Where no active market exists for a particular asset or liability, the Group uses a valuation technique to arrive at the fair value, including the use of transaction prices obtained in recent arm’s length transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models and other valuation techniques, based on market conditions and risks existing at the reporting date. In doing so, fair value is estimated using a valuation technique that makes maximum use of observable market inputs and places minimal reliance upon entity-specific inputs.

The best evidence of the fair value of a financial instrument at initial recognition is the transaction price (i.e. the fair value of the consideration given or received) unless the fair value of that instrument is evidenced by comparison with other observable current market transactions in the same instrument (i.e. without modification or repackaging) or based on a valuation technique whose variables include only data from observable markets. When such evidence exists, the Group recognises the difference between the transaction price and the fair value in profit or loss on initial recognition (i.e. on day one).

Fair value hierarchy

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement is categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

  • Level 1 – Financial instruments that have been valued by reference to unadjusted quoted prices for identical financial assets or financial liabilities in active markets. Financial instruments included in this category are Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand government bonds, and spot and exchange traded derivatives.

  • Level 2 – Financial instruments that have been valued through valuation techniques incorporating inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the financial asset or financial liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices). Financial instruments included in this category are over-the-counter trading and hedging derivatives, semi-government bonds, financial institution and corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, loans measured at fair value, and issued bonds, notes and subordinated debt measured at fair value.

  • Level 3 – Financial instruments that have been valued through valuation techniques incorporating inputs that are not based on observable market data. Unobservable inputs are those not readily available in an active market due to market illiquidity or complexity of the product. Financial instruments included in this category are bespoke trading derivatives, trading derivatives where the credit valuation adjustment is considered unobservable and significant to the valuation, and certain asset-backed securities valued using unobservable inputs, and equity instruments.

Transfers into and out of Level 3 take place when there are changes to the inputs in the valuation technique. Where inputs are no longer observable the fair value measurement is transferred into Level 3. Conversely, a measurement is transferred out of Level 3 when inputs become observable.

The Group’s exposure to fair value measurements based in full or in part on unobservable inputs is restricted to a small number of financial instruments, which comprise an insignificant component of the portfolios in which they belong. As such, a change in the assumption used to value the instruments as at 30 September 2024 attributable to reasonably possible alternatives would not have a material effect.

Fair value of financial instruments, carried at amortised cost

The financial assets and financial liabilities listed in the table below are carried at amortised cost. While this is the value at which the Group expects the assets to be realised and the liabilities to be settled, the table below includes their fair values as at 30 September:

  2024  2023
  Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair value  Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair value
  $m $m $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m $m
Group             
Financial assets             
Loans and advances  732,692 - 5,970 726,039 732,009  702,702 - 5,530 693,672 699,202
Total financial assets  732,692 - 5,970 726,039 732,009  702,702 - 5,530 693,672 699,202
Financial liabilities             
Deposits and other borrowings  712,566 - 715,221 - 715,221  682,120 - 683,857 - 683,857
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  156,294 - 156,913 368 157,281  135,645 - 135,405 7 135,412
Debt issues  9,560 8,914 1,059 - 9,973  8,561 7,802 1,040 - 8,842
Total financial liabilities  878,420 8,914 873,193 368 882,475  826,326 7,802 820,302 7 828,111
             
Company             
Financial assets             
Loans and advances  634,346 - 3,865 630,054 633,919  607,684 - 3,414 602,221 605,635
Total financial assets  634,346 - 3,865 630,054 633,919  607,684 - 3,414 602,221 605,635
Financial liabilities             
Deposits and other borrowings  636,565 - 639,142 - 639,142  608,641 - 610,438 - 610,438
Bonds, notes and subordinated debt  140,556 - 141,296 - 141,296  124,329 - 122,888 - 122,888
Debt issues  9,560 8,914 1,059 - 9,973  8,561 7,802 1,040 - 8,842
Total financial liabilities  786,681 8,914 781,497 - 790,411  741,531 7,802 734,366 - 742,168

Fair value measurements recognised on the balance sheet
  2024  2023
  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
  $m $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m
Group           
Financial assets           
Trading assets  27,550 106,056 - 133,606  30,482 70,686 - 101,168
Debt instruments  1,553 40,198 248 41,999  2,691 43,377 289 46,357
Other financial assets  - 576 193 769  - 1,243 187 1,430
Derivative assets  - 28,350 416 28,766  - 33,946 323 34,269
Equity instruments1  - - 290 290  - - 257 257
Total financial assets measured at fair value  29,103 175,180 1,147 205,430  33,173 149,252 1,056 183,481
Financial liabilities           
Other financial liabilities  1,043 69,229 - 70,272  5,453 60,899 - 66,352
Derivative liabilities  - 32,311 265 32,576  - 35,362 271 35,633
Total financial liabilities measured at fair value  1,043 101,540 265 102,848  5,453 96,261 271 101,985
           
Company           
Financial assets           
Trading assets  23,744 96,773 - 120,517  27,935 62,482 - 90,417
Debt instruments  1,545 40,190 248 41,983  2,691 43,356 289 46,336
Other financial assets  - 576 193 769  - 1,521 187 1,708
Derivative assets  - 28,042 416 28,458  - 33,461 323 33,784
Equity instruments1  - - 139 139  - - 122 122
Due from controlled entities  - 7,154 - 7,154  - 1,238 - 1,238
Total financial assets measured at fair value  25,289 172,735 996 199,020  30,626 142,058 921 173,605
Financial liabilities           
Other financial liabilities  955 61,881 - 62,836  5,254 46,491 - 51,745
Derivative liabilities  - 32,748 265 33,013  - 35,839 271 36,110
Due to controlled entities  - 2,650 - 2,650  - 1,159 - 1,159
Total financial liabilities measured at fair value  955 97,279 265 98,499  5,254 83,489 271 89,014
  1. Includes equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income and equity instruments at fair value through profit or loss.

There were no material transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during either the 2023 or 2024 financial year for the Group or the Company.

The table below summarises changes in fair value classified as Level 3:

  Assets  Liabilities
  Derivatives Debt instruments Other1  Derivatives
  2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m $m $m $m $m  $m $m
Group           
Balance at the beginning of year  323 449 289 723 444 508  271 369
Gains / (losses) on assets and (gains) / losses on liabilities recognised:           
In profit or loss  (21) (20) - - 8 7  (11) (18)
In other comprehensive income  - - (1) 5 4 17  - -
Purchases and issues  1 25 6 77 35 59  - -
Sales and settlements  (12) - (225) (237) (7) (112)  - -
Transfers into Level 3  131 20 245 72 - -  5 -
Transfers out of Level 3  (7) (153) (65) (351) - (49)  - (81)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  1 2 (1) - (1) 14  - 1
Balance at end of year  416 323 248 289 483 444  265 271
Gains / (losses) on assets and (gains) / losses on liabilities for the reporting period related to financial instruments held at the end of the reporting period recognised:           
In profit or loss  (21) (20) - - 8 7  (11) (18)
In other comprehensive income  - - (1) 5 4 17  - -
           
Company           
Balance at the beginning of year  323 449 289 723 309 407  271 369
Gains / (losses) on assets and (gains) / losses on liabilities recognised:           
In profit or loss  (21) (20) - - 8 7  (11) (18)
In other comprehensive income  - - (1) 5 5 16  - -
Purchases and issues  1 25 6 77 9 20  - -
Sales and settlements  (12) - (225) (237) - (105)  - -
Transfers into Level 3  131 20 245 72 - -  5 -
Transfers out of Level 3  (7) (153) (65) (351) - (49)  - (81)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  1 2 (1) - 1 13  - 1
Balance at end of year  416 323 248 289 332 309  265 271
Gains / (losses) on assets and (gains) / losses on liabilities for the reporting period related to financial instruments held at the end of the reporting period recognised:           
In profit or loss  (21) (20) - - 8 7  (11) (18)
In other comprehensive income  - - (1) 5 5 16  - -
  1. Includes other financial assets and equity instruments.

21 Financial asset transfers

The Group and the Company enter into transactions by which they transfer financial assets to counterparties or to structured entities. Financial assets that do not qualify for derecognition are typically associated with repurchase agreements, covered bonds and securitisation program arrangements. The following table sets out the carrying amount of financial assets that did not qualify for derecognition and their associated liabilities. Where relevant, the table also sets out the net position of the fair value of financial assets where the counterparty to the associated liabilities has recourse only to the transferred assets.

  Group  Company
  Repurchase agreements1  Covered bonds  Securitisation  Repurchase agreements1  Covered bonds  Securitisation2
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Carrying amount of transferred assets  45,705 61,185  45,713 40,508  3,484 2,545  41,188 55,299  40,009 33,439  3,590 2,738
Carrying amount of associated liabilities  44,668 52,684  34,287 33,617  3,484 2,545  41,103 47,891  29,395 27,701  3,590 2,738
For those liabilities that have recourse only to the transferred assets                   
Fair value of transferred assets  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  3,481 2,532  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  3,588 2,729
Fair value of associated liabilities  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  3,506 2,541  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  3,609 2,706
Net position  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  (25) (9)  n/a n/a  n/a n/a  (21) 23
  1. Comparative information has been restated to align to the presentation in the current period.
  2. Securitisation assets exclude $122,214 million of assets (2023 $124,807 million) where the Company holds all of the issued instruments of the securitisation vehicle.

Other assets and liabilities

22 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Accounting policy
Goodwill

Goodwill arises on the acquisition of an entity and represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.

Software costs

External and internal costs that are incurred to acquire or develop software are capitalised and recognised as an intangible asset. Capitalised software costs and other intangible assets are amortised on a systematic basis once deployed, using the straight-line method over their expected useful lives which are between three and ten years.

Impairment of intangible assets

Assets with an indefinite useful life, including goodwill, are not subject to amortisation and are tested on an annual basis for impairment, and additionally whenever an indication of impairment exists. Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal or its value in use. For assets that do not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit (CGU) to which that asset belongs.

Goodwill impairment is assessed for each CGU or group of CGUs that represents the lowest level within the Group at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

Recoverable amounts of CGUs

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined using either value in use or fair value less costs of disposal. Assumptions for determining the recoverable amount of each CGU are based on past experience and expectations for the future. Cash flow projections for value in use are based on the latest management approved forecasts and are then extrapolated using a constant growth rate for up to a further five years. These forecasts use management estimates to determine income, expenses, capital expenditure and cash flows for each CGU.

The discount rate used reflects the market determined post-tax discount rate which is adjusted for specific risks relating to the CGUs and the countries in which they operate. The growth rate applied to extrapolate cash flows beyond the forecast period are based on forecast assumptions of the CGUs’ long-term performance in their respective markets.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

The measurement of goodwill is subject to a number of key judgements and estimates. These include:

  • The allocation of goodwill to CGUs on initial recognition.

  • The re-allocation of goodwill in the event of disposal or reorganisation.

  • The appropriate cash flow forecasts, growth rates and discount rates.

Further details about these items are provided below.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Goodwill and other intangible assets       
Goodwill  2,070 2,070  80 80
Internally generated software  2,774 2,484  2,308 2,052
Acquired software  239 238  147 115
Customer relationships, core deposits and other acquired intangible assets  141 160  126 145
Total goodwill and other intangible assets  5,224 4,952  2,661 2,392
At cost  12,235 11,560  8,798 7,949
Deduct: Accumulated amortisation / impairment losses  (7,011) (6,608)  (6,137) (5,557)
Total goodwill and other intangible assets  5,224 4,952  2,661 2,392

Reconciliation of movements in goodwill and internally generated software
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Goodwill       
Balance at beginning of year  2,070 2,089  80 99
Acquisition of controlled entities and business combinations1  - (19)  - (19)
Balance at end of year  2,070 2,070  80 80
       
Internally generated software       
Balance at beginning of year  2,484 2,174  2,052 1,837
Additions from internal development  1,000 863  821 702
Disposals, impairments and write-offs  (51) (9)  (9) (2)
Amortisation  (655) (558)  (555) (485)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (4) 14  (1) -
Balance at end of year  2,774 2,484  2,308 2,052
  1. Acquisition of controlled entities and business combinations in 2023 relate to post-completion adjustments to the fair value of customer relationships and core deposit intangibles, arising from the Group's acquisition of the Citi consumer business during the year ended 30 September 2022.

Goodwill allocation to CGUs

The key assumptions used in determining the recoverable amount of CGUs, to which goodwill has been allocated, are as follows:

  Goodwill  Discount rate per annum Terminal growth rate per annum
  2024 2023  2024 2024
  $m $m  % %
CGUs       
Business and Private Banking  94 94  10.1 3.4
New Zealand Banking  258 258  10.6 3.1
Personal Banking  1,592 1,592  10.1 3.4
ubank  126 126  10.6 3.4
Total goodwill  2,070 2,070  n/a n/a

23 Other assets

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Other assets       
Accrued interest receivable  2,274 2,527  2,026 2,285
Prepayments  359 328  286 264
Receivables  362 349  154 102
Other debt instruments at amortised cost  - 97  505 608
Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income  275 245  125 111
Investments in associates and joint ventures1  538 515  477 477
Securities sold not delivered  3,941 3,742  2,944 3,447
Other  802 576  367 423
Total other assets  8,551 8,379  6,884 7,717
  1. Refer to section (b) in Note 32 Interest in subsidiaries and other entities for further details.

24 Provisions

Accounting policy
Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not discounted to the present value of their expected net future cash flows except where the time value of money is material.

Operational risk event losses

Provisions are recognised for non-lending losses which include losses arising from specific legal actions not directly related to amounts of principal outstanding for loans and advances, and losses arising from forgeries, fraud and the correction of operational issues.

Customer-related remediation

Provisions for customer-related remediation include provisions for potential refunds and other compensation to customers as well as associated program costs.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

Provisions are held in respect of a range of future obligations such as employee entitlements, restructuring costs, customer-related remediation and litigation and regulatory investigations. The recognition and measurement of some of these provisions involves significant judgement about the existence of a present obligation, the likely outcome of various future events and the related estimated future cash flows. If the future events are uncertain or where the outflows cannot be reliably measured a contingent liability is disclosed, refer to Note 31 Commitments and contingent liabilities.

Payments that are expected to be incurred after more than one year from the reporting date are discounted at a rate which reflects both current interest rates and the risks specific to that provision.

In relation to customer-related remediation, determining the amount of the provision requires the exercise of significant judgement. This includes forming a view on a number of different estimates, including the number of impacted customers, average refund per customer and the associated costs required to complete the remediation activities. The appropriateness of underlying assumptions is reviewed on a regular basis against actual experience and other available evidence, and adjustments are made to the provision where required.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Provisions       
Employee entitlements  958 1,021  816 872
Operational risk event losses  63 43  61 25
Customer-related remediation  276 305  122 305
Other  507 483  467 449
Total provisions  1,804 1,852  1,466 1,651

Reconciliation of movements in provisions
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Operational risk event losses       
Balance at beginning of year  43 47  25 29
Provisions made  118 90  112 68
Payments out of provisions  (94) (94)  (76) (72)
Provisions no longer required and net foreign currency movements  (4) -  - -
Balance at end of year  63 43  61 25
       
Customer-related remediation       
Balance at beginning of year  305 557  305 554
Provisions made  188 87  120 86
Payments out of provisions  (217) (339)  (170) (335)
Transfers to Due to controlled entities  - -  (133) -
Balance at end of year  276 305  122 305

25 Other liabilities

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Other liabilities       
Accrued interest payable  5,561 4,599  4,821 4,011
Payables and accrued expenses  1,074 1,094  810 684
Securities purchased not delivered  4,256 5,341  3,484 5,048
Lease liabilities  2,072 2,259  1,609 1,816
Trail commission payable  2,018 1,795  1,512 1,330
Other  1,461 1,129  748 1,049
Total other liabilities  16,442 16,217  12,984 13,938

26 Leases

Accounting policy

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of their relative stand-alone selling prices. For leases of land and buildings where the Group is the lessee, the Group has elected not to separate non-lease components, and accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset, less any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently measured under the cost model and depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term. In addition, the right-of-use asset is reviewed for impairment and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that have not been paid at the commencement date, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate which is based on the Group’s funds transfer pricing curve. The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a lease modification that is not accounted for as a separate lease, there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Group’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or if the Group changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option. The Group does not include extension options in the measurement of the lease liability until such time that it is reasonably certain that the options will be exercised.

The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. The Group recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance lease or an operating lease. To classify each lease, the Group makes an overall assessment of whether the lease transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset. Where this is the case, the lease is a finance lease. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Effect of leases on the balance sheets
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Right-of-use assets       
Property, plant and equipment       
Buildings  1,709 1,912  1,291 1,481
Technology  42 47  37 45
Total right-of-use assets  1,751 1,959  1,328 1,526
       
Additions to right-of-use assets during the period  143 334  76 121
       
Lease liabilities       
Other liabilities  2,072 2,259  1,609 1,816
Total lease liabilities  2,072 2,259  1,609 1,816

Effect of leases on the income statements
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Depreciation       
Buildings  309 318  257 264
Technology  20 20  18 18
Total depreciation on right-of-use assets  329 338  275 282
       
Interest       
Interest expense on lease liabilities  61 49  37 39
Total interest expense on lease liabilities  61 49  37 39
       
Short-term lease expense       
Short-term lease expense  5 7  3 4
Total short-term lease expense  5 7  3 4

Future cash flow effect of leases

The table below is a maturity analysis of future lease payments in respect of existing lease arrangements on an undiscounted basis.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Due within one year  360 361  307 306
Due after one year but no later than five years  1,039 1,151  871 974
Due after five years  1,018 1,176  554 686
Total future lease payments  2,417 2,688  1,732 1,966

Capital management

27 Contributed equity

In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Company does not have authorised capital and all ordinary shares have no par value. Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are included within equity. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as determined from time to time and are entitled to one vote, on a show of hands or on a poll, for each fully paid ordinary share held at shareholders’ meetings. In the event of a winding-up of the Company, ordinary shareholders rank after all other shareholders and creditors and are fully entitled to any residual proceeds of liquidation.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Issued and paid-up ordinary share capital       
Ordinary shares, fully paid  36,581 38,546  35,795 37,760
Total contributed equity  36,581 38,546  35,795 37,760

Reconciliation of movement in ordinary shares
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Balance at beginning of year  38,546 39,399  37,760 38,613
Shares issued:       
Transfer from equity-based compensation reserve  137 74  137 74
Purchase of treasury shares for employee share offer  (25) (23)  (25) (23)
Share buy-back  (2,077) (904)  (2,077) (904)
Balance at end of year  36,581 38,546  35,795 37,760

The number of ordinary shares on issue for the last two years as at 30 September was as follows:

  Company
  2024 2023
  No. ’000 No. ’000
Ordinary shares, fully paid    
Balance at beginning of year  3,128,949 3,153,813
Shares issued:    
Bonus share plan  1,314 1,338
Share-based payments  4,456 3,628
Paying up of partly paid shares  9 3
Share buy-back  (60,690) (29,833)
Total ordinary shares, fully paid  3,074,038 3,128,949
Ordinary shares, partly paid to 25 cents    
Balance at beginning of year  9 12
Paying up of partly paid shares  (9) (3)
Total ordinary shares, partly paid to 25 cents  - 9
Total ordinary shares (including treasury shares)  3,074,038 3,128,958
Less: Treasury shares  (8,642) (8,137)
Total ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares)  3,065,396 3,120,821

28 Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests represent the share in the net assets of controlled entities attributable to equity interests which the Company does not own directly or indirectly.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Non-controlling interests       
BNZ perpetual preference shares  758 349  - -
Total  758 349  - -

Bank of New Zealand preference shares

BNZ perpetual preference shares (PPS) are issued by Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group. These PPS are classified as non-controlling interests to the Group. On 21 August 2024, BNZ issued an additional NZD $450 million of PPS. The balance as at 30 September 2024 represents an AUD equivalent of $750 million of PPS issued and $8 million foreign currency translation differences between AUD and NZD.

The key terms of the PPS are summarised below:

PPS distributions

Distributions on the PPS are discretionary and non-cumulative. If a PPS distribution is not paid, there are certain restrictions on the ability of BNZ to pay a dividend on its ordinary shares. Holders of the PPS have no other rights to participate in the profits or property of BNZ.

Any distributions will comprise a cash amount and imputation credits.

Redemption

The PPS have no fixed maturity date and will remain on issue indefinitely if not redeemed by BNZ.

BNZ may redeem the PPS on the first optional redemption date or on each quarterly scheduled distribution payment date thereafter, or at any time if a tax event or regulatory event occurs. Redemption is subject to certain conditions being met, including obtaining the RBNZ’s approval. Holders of PPS have no right to require that the PPS be redeemed.

29 Reserves

Accounting policy
Foreign currency translation reserve

Exchange differences arising on translation of the Group’s foreign operations, any offsetting gains or losses on net investment hedges and any associated tax effect are reflected in the foreign currency translation reserve.

The results and financial position of the Group entities that have a functional currency different from Australian dollars are translated into Australian dollars as follows:

  • Assets and liabilities are translated at the closing exchange rate at the balance sheet date.

  • Income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the period.

  • All resulting exchange differences are recognised in the foreign currency translation reserve.

A cumulative credit balance in this reserve would not normally be regarded as available for payment of dividends until such gains are realised and recognised in the income statement on sale or disposal of the foreign operation.

Asset revaluation reserve

The asset revaluation reserve is used to record revaluation adjustments on land and buildings. When an asset is sold or disposed of the related balance in the reserve is transferred directly to retained profits.

Cash flow hedge reserve and cost of hedging reserve

The cash flow hedge reserve includes fair value gains and losses associated with the effective portion of designated cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax. For hedging instruments in designated hedge accounting relationships, the cost of hedging reserve records fair value gains and losses on forward contracts due to changes in market forward points and fair value gains and losses on cross currency swaps due to changes in market cross-currency basis spreads. These cumulative movements generally reduce to nil by maturity of these hedging instruments.

Equity-based compensation reserve

The equity-based compensation reserve comprises the fair value of shares and rights provided to employees.

Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve

The reserve includes all changes in the fair value of investments in debt instruments that are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, other than impairment losses, foreign exchange gains and losses, interest income and net of any related hedge accounting adjustments. The cumulative amount recognised in the reserve is transferred to profit or loss when the related asset is derecognised.

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve

The Group has made an irrevocable election to measure certain investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading purposes at fair value through other comprehensive income. Changes in the fair value of these investments are recognised in this reserve, while dividends are recognised in profit or loss. The cumulative amount recognised in the reserve is transferred directly to retained profits when the related asset is derecognised.

Reserves
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Foreign currency translation reserve  (66) 156  (175) (134)
Asset revaluation reserve  19 21  - -
Cash flow hedge reserve  (145) (1,611)  (184) (1,688)
Cost of hedging reserve  (173) (34)  (66) (5)
Equity-based compensation reserve  249 237  249 237
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve  (283) 5  (283) 5
Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve  37 34  25 20
Total reserves  (362) (1,192)  (434) (1,565)

Foreign currency translation reserve
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Balance at beginning of year  156 (516)  (134) (222)
Transfer from retained profits  - -  - -
Currency adjustments on translation of foreign operations, net of hedging  (222) 701  (41) 117
Transfer to the income statement on disposal or partial disposal of foreign operations  - (29)  - (29)
Balance at end of year  (66) 156  (175) (134)

30 Dividends

  Amount per share Total amount
  cents $m
Dividends paid    
For the year ended 30 September 2024    
Final dividend determined in respect of the year ended 30 September 20231  84 2,626
Interim dividend determined in respect of the year ended 30 September 20242  84 2,606
Deduct: Bonus shares in lieu of dividend  n/a (41)
Dividends paid by the Company during the year ended 30 September 2024  n/a 5,191
Add: Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in controlled entities  n/a 18
Total dividends paid by the Group (before dividend reinvestment plan)  n/a 5,209
    
For the year ended 30 September 2023    
Final dividend determined in respect of the year ended 30 September 20223  78 2,460
Interim dividend determined in respect of the year ended 30 September 20234  83 2,605
Deduct: Bonus shares in lieu of dividend  n/a (38)
Dividends paid by the Company during the year ended 30 September 2023  n/a 5,027
Add: Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in controlled entities  n/a 5
Total dividends paid by the Group (before dividend reinvestment plan)  n/a 5,032
  1. The DRP in respect of the final 2023 dividend was satisfied in full through the on market purchase and transfer of 6,807,692 shares at $28.32 to participating shareholders.
  2. The DRP in respect of the interim 2024 dividend was satisfied in full through the on market purchase and transfer of 9,239,285 shares at $34.20 to participating shareholders.
  3. The DRP in respect of the final 2022 dividend was satisfied in full through the on market purchase and transfer of 8,461,188 shares at $31.41 to participating shareholders.
  4. The DRP in respect of the interim 2023 dividend was satisfied in full through the on market purchase and transfer of 16,214,333 shares at $26.31 to participating shareholders.

Dividends paid during 2024 were fully franked at a tax rate of 30% (2023: 30%).

Final dividend

On 7 November 2024, the directors determined the following dividend:

  Amount per share Total amount  Franked amount per share
  cents $m  %
Final dividend determined in respect of the year ended 30 September 2024  85 2,613  100

The 2024 final dividend is payable on 16 December 2024. There is no DRP discount for the 2024 final dividend. Eligible shareholders have the ability to participate in the DRP for the 2024 final dividend for up to 5 million NAB ordinary shares per participant. The financial effect of this dividend has not been brought to account in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024 and will be recognised in subsequent financial reports.

Australian franking credits

The franking credits available to the Company as at 30 September 2024 are estimated to be $500 million (2023: $768 million) after allowing for Australian tax payable in respect of the current reporting period profit and the receipt of dividends recognised as a receivable at reporting date.

The final 2024 dividend will utilise the balance of franking credits available as at 30 September 2024.  The Company's franking account will fluctuate during the year depending on the timing of tax and dividend payments. A surplus franking account balance is only required as at 30 June each year for the purpose of complying with Australian income tax legislation.  Instalment tax payments made after 30 September 2024 will generate sufficient franking credits to enable the final 2024 dividend to be fully franked and comply with the income tax legislation.

Franking is not guaranteed.  The extent to which future dividends on ordinary shares and distributions on frankable hybrids will be franked will depend on a number of factors, including capital management activities and the level of profits that will be subject to tax in Australia. 

New Zealand imputation credits

The New Zealand imputation credits available to the Company as at 30 September 2024 are estimated to be NZD $1,858 million (2023: NZD $2,273 million).

The Company is able to attach available New Zealand imputation credits to dividends paid. As a result, New Zealand imputation credits of NZD $0.15 per share will be attached to the final 2024 dividend payable by the Company. New Zealand imputation credits are only relevant for shareholders who are required to file New Zealand income tax returns. 

Unrecognised items

31 Commitments and contingent liabilities

Accounting policy

The Group discloses certain items as contingent liabilities, as they are either possible obligations whose existence will be confirmed only by uncertain future events, or they are present obligations where a transfer of economic resources is not probable or cannot be reliably measured. Contingent liabilities are not recognised on the balance sheet but are disclosed unless an outflow of economic resources is remote.

Commitments

Financial assets are pledged as collateral predominantly under repurchase agreements with other banks. The financial assets pledged by the Group are strictly for the purpose of providing collateral for the counterparty. These transactions are conducted under terms that are usual and customary to standard lending and securities borrowing and lending activities, as well as requirements determined by exchanges where the Group acts as an intermediary. Repurchase agreements that do not qualify for derecognition are reported in Note 21 Financial asset transfers.

Bank guarantees and letters of credit

The Group provides guarantees in its normal course of business on behalf of its customers. Guarantees written are conditional commitments issued by the Group to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Guarantees are primarily issued to support direct financial obligations such as commercial bills or other debt instruments issued by a counterparty. The Group has four principal types of guarantees:

  • Bank guarantees.

  • Standby letters of credit.

  • Documentary letters of credit.

  • Performance-related contingencies.

The Group considers all bank guarantees and letters of credit as “at call” for liquidity management purposes because it has no control over when the holder might call upon the instrument.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Bank guarantees and letters of credit       
Bank guarantees  5,568 5,249  5,679 5,421
Standby letters of credit  7,250 7,380  7,246 7,380
Documentary letters of credit  1,863 2,767  1,810 2,434
Performance-related contingencies  11,916 10,925  10,125 9,402
Total bank guarantees and letters of credit  26,597 26,321  24,860 24,637

Clearing and settlement obligations

The Group is subject to a commitment in accordance with the rules governing clearing and settlement arrangements contained in the Australian Payments Network Regulations for the Australian Paper Clearing System, the Bulk Electronic Clearing System, the Consumer Electronic Clearing System and the High Value Clearing System which could result in a credit risk exposure and loss in the event of a failure to settle by a member institution. The Group also has a commitment in accordance with the Austraclear System Regulations and the Continuous Linked Settlement Bank Rules to participate in loss-sharing arrangements in the event that another financial institution fails to settle.

The Group is a member of various central clearing houses, most notably the London Clearing House (LCH) SwapClear and RepoClear platforms and the ASX Over-The-Counter Central Counterparty, which enables the Group to centrally clear derivative and repurchase agreement instruments respectively. As a member of these central clearing houses, the Group is required to make a default fund contribution. The exposure to risk associated with this commitment is reflected for capital adequacy purposes in the Group’s Pillar 3 reporting. In the event of a default of another clearing member, the Group could be required to commit additional funds to the default fund contribution.

Credit-related commitments

Binding credit-related commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided that there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the customer. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn down, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Nevertheless, credit-related commitments are considered “at call” for liquidity management purposes.

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Credit-related commitments       
Binding credit commitments  210,124 208,853  190,297 188,268
Total credit-related commitments  210,124 208,853  190,297 188,268
       
Credit-related commitments by geographical location       
Australia  167,797 165,594  166,798 164,994
New Zealand  18,636 19,985  - -
Other International  23,691 23,274  23,499 23,274
Total credit-related commitments  210,124 208,853  190,297 188,268

Parent entity guarantees and undertakings

The Company has provided the following guarantees and undertakings relating to entities in the Group. These guarantees and undertakings are not included in the previous tables in this note:

  • The Company will guarantee up to $14,431 million (2023: $15,440 million) of commercial paper issuances by National Australia Funding (Delaware) Inc. Commercial paper of $398 million (2023: $419 million) has been issued.

  • The Company is responsible to its customers for any direct loss suffered as a result of National Nominees Limited failing to perform its obligations to the Company.

  • The Company has issued letters of support and given guarantees and indemnities in respect of certain subsidiaries and associates in the normal course of business or arising from contractual or legislative commitments . The letters of support and provision of guarantees and indemnities recognises that the Company has a responsibility to ensure that those subsidiaries and associates continue to meet their obligations.

Contingent liabilities

The Group is exposed to contingent risks and liabilities arising from the conduct of its business including:

  • Actual and potential disputes, claims and legal proceedings.

  • Investigations into past conduct, including actual and potential regulatory breaches carried out by regulatory authorities on either an industry-wide or Group-specific basis.

  • Internal investigations and reviews into past conduct, including actual and potential regulatory breaches, carried out by or on behalf of the Group.

  • Contracts that involve giving contingent commitments such as warranties, indemnities or guarantees.

There are contingent liabilities in respect of all such matters. Such matters are often highly complex and uncertain. Where appropriate, provisions have been made. The aggregate potential liability of the Group in relation to these matters cannot be accurately assessed.

Further details on some specific contingent liabilities that may impact the Group are set out below.

Legal proceedings
United Kingdom matters

Nine separate claims (comprising 904 individual claimants) focused on Tailored Business Loans (TBLs) have been commenced against the Company and Clydesdale Bank Plc, now owned by Virgin Money UK Plc and trading as Virgin Money (Virgin Money) by former customers of Virgin Money, represented by RGL Management Limited (a claims management company) (RGL) and law firm Fladgate LLP, in the English Courts. The cases involving four individual claimants (being the first and fourth claims) proceeded to a 12 week trial which commenced on 2 October 2023, effectively as test cases. The cases of the remaining individual claimants are currently stayed pending the outcome of the first and fourth claims.

The claims concern TBLs which customers entered into with Virgin Money and in respect of which NAB employees performed various functions. The claimants allege they were misled about: (1) the cost of repaying (or restructuring) their TBLs early; and (2) the composition of fixed interest rates/other rates offered under the TBLs. The alleged misconduct is said to give rise to several causes of action, including negligent misstatement, misrepresentation and deceit.

On 19 March 2024 the English High Court delivered its judgment in the first and fourth claims dismissing all claims made against the Company and Virgin Money. In July 2024 NAB received an interim costs award payment of £9.125 million ($18 million). The claimants have received permission to appeal. A date has not yet been fixed for the appeal hearing.

Walton Construction Group class action

In January 2022, a class action complaint was filed in the Federal Court by subcontractors of Walton Construction Group (WCG) regarding the Company's alleged conduct in the period prior to the collapse of WCG. It is alleged that the Company's conduct contributed to losses incurred by subcontractors following the liquidation of WCG. The Company filed and served its defence to the claims on 16 December 2022, however, the Applicants filed an Amended Statement of Claim in March 2024. The Company filed its defence in July 2024 denying all allegations. The potential outcome and total costs associated with the claims under this class action remain uncertain.

Regulatory activity, compliance investigations and associated proceedings
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing program uplift and compliance issues

The Group continues to enhance its systems and processes to comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) requirements. The Group continues to keep AUSTRAC informed of its progress. In addition to an ongoing general uplift in capability, the Group is remediating specific known compliance issues and weaknesses. The Group has reported a number of compliance issues to relevant regulators, including in relation to ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) requirements (particularly with enhanced customer due diligence for non-individual customers), systems and process issues that impacted some aspects of transaction monitoring and reporting, and other financial crime risks. As this work progresses, further compliance issues may be identified and reported to AUSTRAC or equivalent foreign regulators, and additional uplifting and strengthening may be required.

On 29 April 2022, the Company entered into an enforceable undertaking (EU) with AUSTRAC to address AUSTRAC’s concerns with the Group’s compliance with certain AML and CTF requirements. In accepting the EU, AUSTRAC stated that the regulator had “formed the view at the start of the investigation that a civil penalty proceeding was not appropriate at that time” and that it had “not identified any information during the investigation to change that view”. Under the terms of the EU, the Company and certain subsidiaries are required to:

  • Complete a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) approved by AUSTRAC.

  • Address to AUSTRAC’s satisfaction any deficiencies or concerns with activities in the RAP identified by AUSTRAC.

While the Company has completed the delivery of its required activities under the RAP, some activities are yet to be reviewed by the external auditor of the RAP. The conclusion or otherwise of the EU will be determined by AUSTRAC.

The total costs associated with the above remain uncertain.

Banking matters

A number of reviews into banking-related matters are being carried on across the Group, both internally and in some cases by regulatory authorities, including matters regarding:

  • Incorrect fees being applied in connection with certain products.

  • Incorrect interest rates being applied in relation to certain products.

  • Capturing customer consent to receive electronic statements and inconsistencies with recording statement preferences.

  • Compliance with financial hardship obligations.

  • Issues with treatment of deregistered companies identified in the customer base.

The potential outcome and total costs associated with these matters remains uncertain.

Employment matters

The Group continues to review its processes for compliance with obligations under Australian employment laws and its enterprise agreements. The Group is engaging with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) on its progress in respect of these matters. The Group has reported a number of compliance issues to the FWO and the associated remediation work is ongoing. As this work progresses, further compliance issues may be identified and reported to the FWO and additional remediation may be required. There remains potential for further developments regarding these issues, including enforcement action by the FWO or other legal actions and penalties, so the final outcome and total costs associated with these issues remain uncertain.

In March 2023, the Finance Sector Union (FSU) filed proceedings against NAB and MLC Wealth Limited in the Federal Court alleging that those parties had breached provisions of the Fair Work Act which prohibit an employer from requesting or requiring an employee to work unreasonable additional hours. The claim relates to four current and former employees. The FSU is seeking declarations that NAB and MLC Wealth Limited breached the Fair Work Act, the imposition of penalties in respect of the alleged breaches, as well as compensation for loss and damage to the four named current and former employees and the payment of legal costs. The final outcome and total costs associated with this matter remain uncertain.

Wealth - Advice review

In October 2015, the Group began contacting certain groups of customers where there was a concern that they may have received non-compliant financial advice since 2009 to: (a) assess the appropriateness of that advice; and (b) identify whether customers had suffered loss as a result of non-compliant advice that would warrant compensation. These cases have progressed, or are now progressing, through the Customer Response Initiative review program, the scope of which includes the advice businesses of MLC Advice (formerly known as NAB Financial Planning), NAB Advice Partnerships and JBWere, with compensation offered and paid in a number of cases1. Where customer compensation is able to be reliably estimated, provisions have been recognised. The final outcome and total costs associated with this work remain uncertain.

Wealth - Adviser service fees

The Group is undertaking a remediation program in relation to financial advice fees paid by customers pursuant to ongoing service arrangements. This matter relates to JBWere and the various advice businesses, which were operated by the Group prior to completion of the MLC Wealth Transaction discussed below, including MLC Advice and NAB Advice Partnerships.1 Payments with respect to MLC Advice are now complete. Payments with respect to NAB Advice Partnerships are largely complete.

JBWere is identifying potentially impacted customers, assessing impacts to those customers and has made remediation payments in some cases.

While the Group has taken provisions in relation to these matters based on current information, there remains the potential for further developments and the potential outcomes and total costs associated with these matters remains uncertain.

Contingent tax risk

The tax affairs of the Group are subject to regular reviews by the Australian Taxation Office as well as the Revenue Offices of the various Australian States and Territories. These reviews cover various aspects of NAB’s tax affairs including prior tax returns lodged and compliance with various customer data reporting regimes. The reviews described above may result in additional tax-related liabilities (including interest and penalties). Where appropriate, provisions have been made. The potential outcome and total costs associated with these activities remain uncertain.

Contractual commitments
FirstCape transaction

On 30 April 2024, National Australia Group (NZ) Limited (NAGNZ) and BNZ completed the sale of the entities comprising the Group’s New Zealand wealth businesses to FirstCape Limited (FirstCape). The transaction resulted in the combination of those businesses with Jarden Wealth and Asset Management Holdings Limited’s (Jarden Wealth) wealth advice and asset management businesses in New Zealand. The ultimate holding company of FirstCape is FirstCape Group Limited (FirstCape Group). FirstCape Group is jointly owned by NAGNZ, Jarden Wealth and Pacific Equity Partners. Under the sale agreements, NAGNZ and BNZ have provided certain warranties and indemnities in favour of FirstCape under which NAGNZ or BNZ may be liable to FirstCape. The potential outcome and total costs associated with these warranties and indemnities remain uncertain.

MLC Wealth Transaction

On 31 May 2021, the Group completed the sale of MLC Wealth, comprising its advice, platforms, superannuation and investments, and asset management businesses to Insignia Financial Ltd (MLC Wealth Transaction). As part of the MLC Wealth Transaction, the Company has provided Insignia Financial Ltd with indemnities relating to certain pre-completion matters, including:

  • A remediation program relating to workplace superannuation (including matters where some employer superannuation plans and member entitlements were not correctly set up in the administration systems, and matters relating to disclosure and administration of certain features of the super product such as insurance and fees).

  • Breaches of anti-money laundering laws and regulations.

  • Regulatory fines and penalties.

  • Certain litigation and regulatory investigations (including the NULIS and MLCN class actions described below).

The Company also provided covenants and warranties in favour of Insignia Financial Ltd. A breach or triggering of these contractual protections may result in the Company being liable to Insignia Financial Ltd. The claims periods for some of these covenants, warranties and indemnities have expired.

As part of the MLC Wealth Transaction, the Group retained the companies that operated the advice business, such that the Group has retained all liabilities associated with the conduct of that business pre-completion.

The Company has also agreed to provide Insignia Financial Ltd with certain transitional services and continuing access to records, as well as support for data migration activities. The Company may be liable to Insignia Financial if it fails to perform its obligations under these agreements.

The final financial impact associated with the MLC Wealth Transaction remains uncertain and subject to other contingencies as outlined above.

NULIS and MLCN - class actions

In October 2019, litigation funder Omni Bridgeway (formerly IMF Bentham) and William Roberts Lawyers commenced a class action against NULIS Nominees (Australia) Limited (NULIS) alleging breaches of NULIS’s trustee obligations to act in the best interests of the former members of The Universal Super Scheme in deciding to maintain grandfathered commissions on their transfer into the MLC Super Fund on 1 July 2016. NULIS filed its first defence in the proceeding in February 2020. An initial trial to make determinations on the individual claims of the applicant and one sample group member was held on 9 October 2023. Judgment has been reserved.

In January 2020, Maurice Blackburn commenced a class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against NULIS and MLC Nominees Pty Ltd (MLCN) alleging breaches of NULIS's trustee obligations in connection with the speed with which NULIS and MLCN effected transfers of members’ accrued default amounts to the MySuper product. The matter is listed for trial commencing on 18 November 2024.

The potential outcomes and total costs associated with these matters remains uncertain. While NULIS and MLCN are no longer part of the Group following completion of the MLC Wealth Transaction, the Company remains liable for the costs associated with, and retains conduct of, these matters pursuant to the terms of the MLC Wealth Transaction.

  1. While the businesses of MLC Advice and NAB Advice Partnerships have been sold to Insignia Financial Ltd pursuant to the MLC Wealth Transaction (defined below), the Group has retained the companies that operated the advice business, such that the Group has retained all liabilities associated with the conduct of these businesses pre-completion of the MLC Wealth Transaction. JBWere is not within the scope of the MLC Wealth Transaction.

Other disclosures

32 Interest in subsidiaries and other entities

Accounting policy
Investments in controlled entities

Controlled entities are all those entities (including structured entities) to which the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. An assessment of control is performed on an ongoing basis. Entities are consolidated from the date on which control is obtained by the Group. Entities are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. The effects of transactions between entities within the Group are eliminated in full upon consolidation.

Investments in associates and joint ventures

Associates and joint ventures are entities over which the Group has significant influence or joint control, but no control. The Group's investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, with the carrying amount of the investment increased or decreased to recognise the Group's share of the profit or loss of the investee.

Structured entities

A structured entity is an entity that has been designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity. Structured entities generally have restricted activities and a narrow and well-defined objective which is created through contractual arrangement. Depending on the Group's power over the relevant activities of the structured entity and its exposure to and ability to influence its own returns, it may or may not consolidate the entity.

Unconsolidated structured entities refer to all structured entities that are not controlled by the Group. The Group enters into transactions with unconsolidated structured entities in the normal course of business to facilitate customer transactions or for specific investment opportunities.

Interests in unconsolidated structured entities include, but are not limited to, debt and equity investments, guarantees, liquidity arrangements, commitments, fees from investment structures, and derivative instruments that expose the Group to the risks of the unconsolidated structured entities. Interests do not include plain vanilla derivatives (e.g. interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps) and positions where the Group:

  • Creates rather than absorbs variability of the unconsolidated structured entity.

  • Provides administrative, trustee or other services as agent to third party managed structured entities.

Involvement is considered on a case by case basis, taking into account the nature of the structured entity’s activities. This excludes involvement that exists only because of typical customer-supplier relationships.

(a) Investments in controlled entities

The following table presents the material controlled entities as at 30 September 2024:

Entity name      Ownership % Incorporated / formed in
National Equities Limited      100 Australia
National Australia Group (NZ) Limited      100 New Zealand
Bank of New Zealand      100 New Zealand

Significant restrictions

Subsidiary companies that are subject to prudential regulation are required to maintain minimum capital and other regulatory requirements that may restrict the ability of these entities to make distributions of cash or other assets to the parent company. These restrictions are managed in accordance with the Group’s normal risk management policies set out in Note 19 Financial risk management and capital adequacy requirements in Note 36 Capital adequacy.

(b) Investments in associates and joint ventures

      Group
      2024 2023 Ownership as at 30 Sep 2024 Country of incorporation Principal activity
      $m $m
Entity name           
MLC Life1      237 515 20% Australia Life insurance
FirstCape2      301 - 45% New Zealand Wealth management
Total      538 515    
  1. Includes a reduction of $271 million due to the restatement for adoption of AASB 17 Insurance Contracts. Refer to Note 1 Basis for preparation.
  2. The Group acquired a 45% interest in FirstCape on 30 April 2024.

Significant restrictions

Assets in a statutory fund of MLC Life can only be used to meet the liabilities and expenses of that fund, to acquire investments to further the business of that fund, or to make profit distributions when solvency and capital adequacy requirements of the Life Insurance Act 1995 (Cth) are met. This may impact MLC Life's ability to transfer funds to the Group in the form of dividends. In addition, in certain circumstances the payment of dividends may require approval by APRA.

Transactions

Under a financial services agreement and certain linked arrangements, the Group provides MLC Life with certain financial services on an arm’s length basis, including custody, transactional banking facilities, fixed income and currency services.

There are commercial agreements between BNZ and FirstCape, under which fees are charged by FirstCape to BNZ for managing specific BNZ branded wealth products, and fees are also charged by BNZ to FirstCape for distributing specific BNZ branded wealth products. Separately, BNZ provides banking services to FirstCape, interest and fees are charged on these services. All services are provided on an arm’s length basis.

In addition, FirstCape has committed cash advance facilities with BNZ, with limits totalling $129 million, currently $44 million has been drawn down.

(c) Consolidated structured entities

The Group has interests in the following types of consolidated structured entities:

Type Details
Securitisation The Group engages in securitisation activities for funding, liquidity and capital management purposes. The Group principally packages and sells residential mortgage loans as securities to investors through a series of bankruptcy remote securitisation vehicles. The Group is entitled to any residual income after all payments to investors and costs related to the program have been met. The note holders only have recourse to the pool of assets. The Group is considered to hold the majority of the residual risks and benefits of the vehicles. All relevant financial assets continue to be held on the Group balance sheet, and a liability is recognised for the proceeds of the funding transaction.The Group provides liquidity facilities to the securitisation vehicles. These facilities can only be drawn to manage the timing mismatch of cash inflows from securitised loans and cash outflows due to investors. The Group also provides redraw facilities to certain securitisation vehicles to manage the timing mismatch of principal collections from securitised loans and cash outflows in respect of customer redraws. The aggregate limit of these liquidity and redraw facilities as at 30 September 2024 is $1,351 million.
Covered bonds The Group is entitled to any residual income after all payments due to covered bonds investors and costs related to the program have been met. Residential mortgage loans are assigned to a bankruptcy remote structured entity, which provides guarantees on the payments to covered bondholders. The covered bondholders have recourse to the Group and, following certain trigger events including payment default, the covered pool of assets.

(d) Unconsolidated structured entities

The Group has interests in the following types of unconsolidated structured entities:

Type Details
Securitisation The Group engages with third party (client) securitisation vehicles by providing warehouse facilities, liquidity support and derivatives. The Group invests in residential mortgage and asset-backed securities.
Other financing The Group provides tailored lending to limited recourse single purpose vehicles which are established to facilitate asset financing for clients. The assets are pledged as collateral to the Group. The Group engages in raising finance for leasing assets such as aircraft, trains, shipping vessels and other infrastructure assets. The Group may act as a lender, arranger or derivative counterparty to these vehicles.Other financing transactions are generally senior, secured self-liquidating facilities in compliance with Group credit lending policies. Regular credit and financial reviews of the borrowers are conducted to ensure collateral is sufficient to support the Group’s maximum exposures.
Investment funds The Group has direct interests in unconsolidated investment funds. The Group’s interests include holding units and receiving fees for services. The Group’s interest in unconsolidated investment funds is immaterial.

The table below shows the carrying value and maximum exposure to loss of the Group’s interests in unconsolidated structured entities:

  Group
  Securitisations  Other financing  Total
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Loans and advances  24,108 19,833  2,497 2,564  26,605 22,397
Debt instruments  2,767 6,536  - -  2,767 6,536
Total carrying value of assets in unconsolidated structured entities  26,875 26,369  2,497 2,564  29,372 28,933
Commitment / contingencies  8,133 7,486  202 62  8,335 7,548
Total maximum exposure to loss in unconsolidated structured entities  35,008 33,855  2,699 2,626  37,707 36,481

Exposure to loss is managed as part of the Group's risk management framework. The Group’s maximum exposure to loss is the total of its on-balance sheet positions and its off-balance sheet arrangements, being loan commitments, financial guarantees, and liquidity support. Consequently, the Group has presented these measures rather than the total assets of the unconsolidated structured entities. Refer to Note 19 Financial risk management for further details. Income earned from interests in unconsolidated structured entities primarily results from interest income, mark-to-market movements and fees and commissions.

The majority of the Group’s exposures are senior investment grade, but in some limited cases, the Group may be required to absorb losses from unconsolidated structured entities before other parties because the Group’s interests are subordinated to others in the ownership structure. The table below shows the credit quality of the Group’s exposures in unconsolidated structured entities:

  Group
  Securitisations  Other financing  Total
  2024 2023  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m  $m $m
Senior investment grade  26,866 26,358  606 708  27,472 27,066
Investment grade  6 9  1,618 1,352  1,624 1,361
Sub-investment grade  3 2  273 504  276 506
Total1  26,875 26,369  2,497 2,564  29,372 28,933
  1. Of the total, $29,230 million (2023: $28,798 million) represents the Group's interest in senior notes and $142 million in subordinated notes (2023: $135 million).

33 Related party disclosures

The Group provides a range of services to related parties including the provision of banking facilities and standby financing arrangements. Other dealings include granting loans and accepting deposits, and the provision of finance. These transactions are normally entered into on terms equivalent to those that prevail on an arm’s length basis in the ordinary course of business.

Other transactions with controlled entities may involve provision of data processing services or access to intellectual or other intangible property rights. Charges for these transactions are normally on an arm’s length basis or are otherwise on the basis of equitable rates agreed between the parties. The Company also provides various administrative services to the Group, which may include accounting, secretarial and legal. Fees may be charged for these services.

Loans made to subsidiaries are generally entered into on terms equivalent to those that prevail on an arm’s length basis, except that there are often no fixed repayment terms for the settlement of loans between parties. Outstanding balances are unsecured and are repayable in cash.

The Company may incur costs on behalf of controlled entities in respect of customer-related remediation, regulatory activity, compliance investigations and associated proceedings. Refer to Note 31 Commitments and contingent liabilities for further details in respect of these matters.

Subsidiaries

The table below shows the net amounts payable to subsidiaries for the years ended 30 September:

  Company
  2024 2023
  $m $m
Balance at beginning of year  (482) (3,413)
Net cash outflows / (inflows)  770 3,320
Net foreign currency translation movements and other amounts receivable  (1,079) (389)
Balance at end of year  (791) (482)

The table below shows material transactions with subsidiaries for the years ended 30 September:

  Company
  2024 2023
  $m $m
Net interest expense  (1,222) (929)
Net management fees (expense)1  (476) (483)
Dividend revenue  3,105 7,421
  1. Comparative information has been restated to align to the presentation in the current period.

Superannuation plans

The following payments were made to superannuation plans sponsored by the Group:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
Payment to:  $m $m  $m $m
National Australia Bank Group Superannuation Fund A  297 298  297 298
Other  11 9  11 9

Transactions between the Group and superannuation plans sponsored by the Group were made on commercial terms and conditions.

Key Management Personnel (KMP)

The list of the Company's KMP is assessed each year and comprises the non-executive directors of the Company, the Group CEO (an executive director of the Company) and those employees of the Group who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of both the Company and the Group. Details of KMP are set out in Section 6.1 and Section 7.3 of the Remuneration Report included in the Report of the Directors.

Remuneration

Total remuneration of KMP is included within total personnel expenses in Note 5 Operating expenses. The total remuneration is as follows:

  Group
  2024 2023
  $ $
Short-term benefits    
Cash salary  17,132,887 18,860,539
Variable reward cash  5,881,820 8,312,680
Non-monetary  128,670 172,600
Post-employment benefits    
Superannuation  604,197 578,764
Other long-term benefits    
Other long-term benefits  211,734 200,462
Equity-based benefits    
Shares  746,980 489,226
Performance rights  26,953,189 14,955,354
Other    
Other remuneration  881,463 1,742,506
Total  52,540,940 45,312,131

Performance rights and shareholdings of KMP are set out in the Remuneration Report included in the Report of the Directors.

Loans to KMP and their related parties

During the 2024 financial year, loans made to KMP and other related parties of the Group and Company were $9 million (2023: $21 million). Loans to non-executive directors of the Company are made in the ordinary course of business on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions. Loans to the Group CEO and Group Executives may be made on similar terms and conditions generally available to other employees of the Group. Loans may be secured or unsecured depending on the nature of the lending product advanced. As at 30 September 2024, the total loan balances outstanding were $66 million (2023: $59 million).

No amounts were written off in respect of any loans made to directors or other KMP of the Group and Company during the current or prior reporting period.

Further details regarding loans advanced to KMP of the Group and Company are included in the Remuneration Report within the Report of the Directors.

34 Remuneration of external auditor

  Group  Company
  2024 20231  2024 20231
  $'000 $'000  $'000 $'000
EY Australia - consolidated entities       
Audit services  13,323 12,862  10,992 10,527
Total audit services  13,323 12,862  10,992 10,527
Audit-related services       
Other statutory assurance services2  4,857 4,910  4,549 4,610
Other assurance services3  1,270 750  1,234 693
Total audit-related services  6,127 5,660  5,783 5,303
Other services       
Taxation-related services  41 50  41 50
Non-audit services4  6 500  6 500
Total other services  47 550  47 550
       
Total Australia  19,497 19,072  16,822 16,380
       
EY Overseas - consolidated entities       
Audit services  4,103 4,152  1,874 1,991
Total audit services  4,103 4,152  1,874 1,991
Audit-related services       
Other statutory assurance services2  439 648  428 355
Other assurance services3  387 379  - -
Total audit-related services  826 1,027  428 355
Other services       
Taxation-related services  8 5  - -
Non-audit services4  13 56  - -
Total other services  21 61  - -
       
Total Overseas  4,950 5,240  2,302 2,346
       
Total Australia and Overseas  24,447 24,312  19,124 18,726
Fees paid to the external auditor for services to non-consolidated entities of the Group  215 673  - -
Total remuneration paid to the external auditor  24,662 24,985  19,124 18,726
  1. Comparative information has been restated to align to the presentation in the current period.
  2. Other statutory assurance services relate to engagements required under prudential standards and other legislative or regulatory requirements.
  3. Other assurance services include assurance and attestation relating to climate and sustainability reporting, comfort letters over financing programmes as well as agreed upon procedures.
  4. The Board Audit Committee considered all non-audit services and were satisfied that these are compatible with maintaining audit independence.

Total remuneration paid to another audit firm where EY is in a joint audit arrangement for the audit of a Group subsidiary is $108,000 (2023: $104,000).

A description of the Board Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are set out in Assurance and Control in the Corporate Governance Statement and included in the Report of the Directors.

35 Equity-based plans

Accounting policy

The value of shares and rights provided to employees are measured by reference to their grant date fair value. The grant date fair value of each share is determined by the market value of NAB shares and is generally a five-day weighted average share price. The grant date fair value of shares and rights with market performance hurdles is determined using a simulated version of the Black-Scholes model.

With the exception of general employee shares in Australia, the expense for each tranche of shares or rights granted is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis, adjusted for forfeitures, over the vesting period for the shares or rights. The expense for general employee shares in Australia is recognised in the income statement in the year the shares are granted as they are not subject to forfeiture. A corresponding increase is recorded in the equity-based compensation reserve.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

The key estimates and inputs used in the Black-Scholes model vary depending on the award and type of security granted. They include the NAB share price at the time of the grant, exercise price of the rights (which is nil), the expected volatility of NAB’s share price, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield on NAB shares for the life of the rights. When estimating expected volatility, historic daily share prices are analysed to arrive at annual and cumulative historic volatility estimates (which may be adjusted for any abnormal periods or non-recurring significant events). Trends in the data are analysed to estimate volatility movements in the future for use in the numeric pricing model. The simulated version of the Black-Scholes model takes into account both the probability of achieving market performance conditions and the potential for early exercise of vested rights.

While market performance conditions are incorporated into the grant date fair values, non-market conditions are not taken into account when determining the fair value and expected time to vesting of shares and rights. Instead, non-market conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of shares and rights included in the measurement of the expense so that the amount recognised in the income statement reflects the number of shares or rights that actually vest.

Under the Group’s employee equity plans, employees of the Group are awarded shares and rights. An employee’s right to participate in a plan is often dependent on their performance or the performance of the Group, and shares and rights awarded under the plans are often subject to service and/or performance conditions.

Generally, a right entitles its holder to be allocated one share when the right vests and is exercised. However, under certain bespoke plans, a right entitles its holder to be allocated a number of shares equal to a predetermined value on vesting and exercise of the right.

The Board determines the maximum total value of shares or rights offered under each plan having regard to the rules of the relevant plan and, where required, the method used in calculating the fair value per security. Under ASX Listing Rules, shares and rights may not be issued to the Company's directors under an employee equity plan without specific shareholder approval.

Under the terms of most offers, there is a period during which shares are held on trust for the employee they are allocated to and cannot be dealt with, or rights granted to an employee cannot be exercised, by that employee. There may be forfeiture or lapse conditions which apply to shares or rights allocated to an employee (as described below), including as a result of the employee ceasing employment with the Group during those periods or conduct standards not being met. Shares allocated to employees are eligible for any cash dividends paid by the Company on those shares from the time those shares are allocated to the trustee on their behalf. Rights granted to employees are not eligible for any cash dividends paid by the Company. In some limited circumstances, there may be a cash dividend equivalent payment made in the event that rights vest.

The table below sets out details of the Group’s employee equity plans that are offered on a regular basis. As noted above, the Group also offers bespoke plans in certain circumstances, including in connection with material transactions, as a retention mechanism and to encourage the achievement of certain specific business growth targets.

 Variable Reward (VR) Long-term Variable Reward (LTVR) (Up to 30 September 2023) Long-term Incentive (LTI) - LTEA and LTVR (From 1 October 2023) Annual Equity Award (AEA) Commencement awards Recognition/ Retention awards General employee shares
Description A proportion of an employee’s annual VR is provided in equity and is deferred for a specified period. The deferred amount and the deferral period is different based on the incentive plan participated in, and the level of risk, responsibility and seniority of the employees.VR was referred to as ‘short-term incentive’ before the 2019 financial year. LTVRs (including prior year Long-term Incentive (LTI) grants) are awarded to encourage long-term decision-making critical to creating long-term value for shareholders through the use of challenging long-term performance hurdles. LTI consists of two equally weighted components:Long-term Equity Award (LTEA) - Represents the non-financial measure component of LTI, focused on risk. It is awarded to ensure risk management is front of mind in making long-term decisions and encourage the creation of safe, sustainable growth in shareholder value.Long-term Variable Reward (LTVR) - Represents the financial measure component of LTI. It is awarded to encourage long-term decision-making critical to creating long-term value for shareholders. Annual awards of deferred shares under the AEA to create shareholder alignment, drive continued sustainable performance and emphasise focus on risk management and good conduct and behaviour outcomes. Deferred shares are subject to restrictions and certain forfeiture or lapsing conditions, including forfeiture or lapsing on resignation from the Group,  or if conduct standards are not met. Provided to enable the buy-out of equity or other incentives from an employee’s previous employment. Offered to key individuals in roles where retention is critical over the medium-term (generally between two and three years). Shares up to a target value of $1,000 are offered to eligible employees.
Eligibility Certain employees based in Australia and certain overseas jurisdictions having regard to their individual performance and the performance of the Group. The ELT up to and including the 2023 financial year (except for the 2018 financial year when no LTVRs were awarded). The ELT from the 2024 financial year onwards, subject to pre-grant assessments undertaken by the Board. Certain employees appointed to Group 5 and 6 roles based in Australia and certain overseas jurisdictions. Provided on a case by case basis, with the recommendation of the People & Remuneration Committee and the approval of the Board. Provided on a case by case basis, with the recommendation of the People & Remuneration Committee and the approval of the Board. Permanent employees in Australia.

 Variable Reward (VR) Long-term Variable Reward (LTVR) (Up to 30 September 2023) Long-term Incentive (LTI) - LTEA and LTVR (From 1 October 2023) Annual Equity Award (AEA) Commencement awards Recognition/ Retention awards General employee shares
Type of equity- based payment Generally shares. However, rights are also granted for jurisdictional reasons. Performance rights. Performance rights. Generally shares. Generally shares. However, rights are also granted in some circumstances. Generally shares. However, rights are also granted in some circumstances. Shares.
Service conditions and performance hurdles Deferred shares or rights are forfeited or lapsed during the vesting period if:
  • The employee resigns.
  • The employee does not meet conduct standards.
  • The employee's employment with the Group is terminated, subject to certain exclusions.
During the vesting period, all of an executive’s performance rights will lapse on the executive’s resignation from the Group. Performance rights will also lapse if conduct standards or performance hurdles are not met. The Board has absolute discretion to determine vesting or lapsing outcomes for the performance rights. During the performance period and post-vesting deferral period, all of an executive’s performance rights will lapse on the executive’s resignation from the Group.Performance rights will also lapse if risk management, conduct standards or performance hurdles are not met. The Board has absolute discretion to determine vesting or lapsing outcomes for the performance rights. Deferred shares are subject to restrictions and certain forfeiture or lapsing conditions, including forfeiture or lapsing on resignation from the Group,  or if conduct standards are not met. Shares or rights are subject to restrictions and certain forfeiture or lapsing conditions, including forfeiture or lapsing on resignation from the Group or if conduct standards are not met. Shares or rights are subject to restrictions and certain forfeiture or lapsing conditions, including forfeiture or lapsing on resignation from the Group or if conduct standards are not met. Shares are subject to restrictions on dealing for three years and are not subject to forfeiture.

 Variable Reward (VR) Long-term Variable Reward (LTVR) (Up to 30 September 2023) Long-term Incentive (LTI) - LTEA and LTVR (From 1 October 2023) Annual Equity Award (AEA) Commencement awards Recognition/ Retention awards General employee shares
Vesting, performance or deferral period Defined period which differs based on the VR plan participated in and the employee's seniority. The period aligns with the level of risk, impact of the role on business performance and results and regulatory requirements. The vesting period will generally be between one and seven years. Defined period set at time of grant, generally between four and five years. Defined performance period of four years, followed by a further two years (for CEO) or one year (all other ELT) restriction period.A risk and conduct assessment will be undertaken by the Board prior to vesting. Defined period set at time of grant. Deferred Shares vest in equal tranches over three years. Defined period set at time of grant, based on satisfactory evidence of foregone awards from previous employment. Defined period set at time of grant. Three years.
Exercise period (only applicable for rights) If the applicable conditions are met, deferred rights will vest and each right will be automatically exercised.n/a for share grants. Performance rights will be automatically exercised if they vest. Performance rights will be automatically exercised if they vest. n/a If the applicable conditions are met, rights will vest and each right will be automatically exercised.n/a for share grants. If the applicable conditions are met, rights will vest and each right will be automatically exercised.n/a for share grants. n/a
Board discretion The Board regularly reviews Group performance for risk, reputation, conduct and performance considerations and has the ability to:
  • Extend the vesting, performance or deferral period beyond the original period for the ELT, other Accountable Persons and, in certain circumstances, other employees.
  • Forfeit or lapse the deferred shares or rights.
  • Clawback the deferred shares or rights from the ELT, other Accountable Persons and in certain circumstances, other employees.
In addition, the Board generally has discretion to determine the treatment of unvested shares and rights at the time a change of control event occurs. Vesting of shares and rights will not be automatic or accelerated and the Board will retain discretion in relation to the vesting outcome including absolute discretion to forfeit all shares and rights.
n/a

Employee share plan
  2024 2023
  Fully paid ordinary shares granted during the year Weighted average grant date fair value Fully paid ordinary shares granted during the year Weighted average grant date fair value
  No. $ No. $
Employee share plans      
Variable reward deferred shares  2,791,448 27.88 2,666,264 30.60
Commencement and recognition shares  302,673 33.10 235,641 30.23
General employee shares  827,475 29.71 747,328 30.71
Annual Equity Award shares  908,428 29.01 771,935 29.11

The closing market price of NAB shares as at 30 September 2024 was $37.35 (2023: $29.07). The volume weighted average share price during the year ended 30 September 2024 was $33.26 (2023: $28.86).

Rights movements
  2024 2023
Number of rights    
Opening balance as at 1 October  3,846,620 2,935,432
Granted1  1,253,851 1,194,372
Forfeited1  (204,536) (116,286)
Exercised  (583,089) (166,898)
Closing balance as at 30 September  4,312,846 3,846,620
Exercisable as at 30 September  - -
  1. Where rights have been allocated or forfeited to a predetermined value, the total number granted or forfeited has been estimated using a share price of $33.26, being the volume weighted average share price of NAB shares during the financial year ended 30 September 2024 (2023: $28.86).

  2024 2023
  Outstanding at 30 Sep Weighted average remaining life Outstanding at 30 Sep Weighted average remaining life
  No. months No. months
Terms and conditions      
Market hurdle  2,886,199 18 2,867,981 23
Non-market hurdle1  427,505 46 211,210 8
Individual hurdle1  999,142 18 767,429 17
  1. Where rights have been allocated or forfeited to a predetermined value, the total number granted or forfeited has been estimated using a share price of $33.26, being the volume weighted average share price of NAB shares during the financial year ended 30 September 2024 (2023: $28.86).

Information on fair value calculation

The table below shows the significant assumptions used as inputs into the grant date fair value calculation of rights granted during each of the last two years. In the following table, values have been presented as weighted averages, but the specific values for each grant are used for the fair value calculation. The table also shows a ‘no hurdle’ value for rights that do not have any market-based performance hurdles attached. The 'no hurdle' value is calculated as the grant date fair value of the rights, and in most instances is adjusted for expected dividends over the vesting period.

  2024 2023
Weighted average values    
Contractual life (years)  3.4 3.3
Risk-free interest rate (per annum) (%)  3.87 3.45
Expected volatility of share price (%)  15 31
Closing share price on grant date ($)  31.30 30.12
Dividend yield (per annum) (%)  5.31 5.00
Fair value of rights with a market hurdle ($)  18.40 11.62
Fair value of rights without a market hurdle ($)  25.72 27.35
Expected time to vesting (years)  3.39 3.18

36 Capital adequacy

As an ADI, the Company is subject to regulation by APRA under the authority of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). APRA has set minimum Prudential Capital Requirements (PCR) for ADIs consistent with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision capital adequacy framework. PCR are expressed as a percentage of total RWA. APRA requirements are summarised below:

CET1 capital Tier 1 capital Total capital
CET1 capital ranks behind the claims of depositors and other creditors in the event of winding-up of the issuer, absorbs losses as and when they occur, has full flexibility of dividend payments and has no maturity date. CET1 capital consists of the sum of paid-up ordinary share capital, retained profits plus certain other items as defined in APS 111 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital. CET1 capital plus AT1 capital. AT1 capital comprises high quality components of capital that satisfy the following essential characteristics:
  • Provide a permanent and unrestricted commitment of funds,
  • are freely available to absorb losses,
  • rank behind the claims of depositors and other more senior creditors in the event of winding up of the issuer,
  • provide for fully discretionary capital distributions.
Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital comprises other components of capital that, to varying degrees, do not meet the requirements of Tier 1 capital but nonetheless contribute to the overall strength of an ADI and its capacity to absorb losses.

Reporting levels

Regulatory capital requirements are measured on a Level 1 and Level 2 basis. Level 1 comprises the Company and Extended Licenced Entities approved by APRA. Level 2 comprises the Company and the entities it controls, excluding securitisation special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to which assets have been transferred in accordance with the requirements for regulatory capital relief in APS 120 Securitisation and funds management entities.

APRA minimum requirements

APRA’s revised capital framework has applied since 1 January 2023. Under this framework, APRA’s minimum PCR as a percentage of the ADI’s total RWA are: 4.5% of RWA for CET1 capital, 6% for Tier 1 capital and 8% for Total Capital. To comply with APRA’s Loss Absorbing Capacity requirements, domestic systemically important banks (which includes the Company) are required to hold an additional 3% of Total Capital from 1 January 2024 and 4.5% of Total Capital from 1 January 2026.

An ADI must hold a capital conservation buffer above the PCR for CET1 capital. The capital conservation buffer is 3.75% of the ADI’s total RWA. As a D-SIB in Australia, the Group is also required to hold an additional buffer of 1% in CET1 capital.

In addition, APRA requires the Group to hold a countercyclical capital buffer set on a jurisdictional basis, with a default setting of 1% for Australia.

APRA may determine higher PCRs for an ADI and may change an ADI’s PCRs at any time. A breach of the required ratios under APRA's prudential standards may trigger legally enforceable directions by APRA, which can include a direction to raise additional capital.

Capital Management

The Group’s capital management strategy is focused on adequacy, efficiency and flexibility. The capital adequacy objective seeks to ensure sufficient capital is held in excess of regulatory requirements, and within the Group’s balance sheet risk appetite. This approach is consistent across the Group’s subsidiaries.

Capital ratios are monitored against operating targets that are set by the Board above minimum capital requirements set by APRA.

The Group’s capital ratio operating targets are regularly reviewed in the context of the external economic and regulatory outlook with the objective of maintaining balance sheet strength.

The Group’s CET1 target range remains at 11.00-11.50%.

37 Notes to the statement of cash flows

Reconciliation of net profit attributable to owners the Company to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company  6,960 7,414  6,894 12,012
Add / (deduct) non-cash items in the income statement:       
(Increase) in interest receivable  (210) (1,086)  (194) (995)
Increase in interest payable  964 2,717  807 2,339
Increase in unearned income and deferred net fee income  552 381  594 419
Fair value movements on assets, liabilities and derivatives held at fair value  (872) 3,482  (836) 2,879
Increase in provisions  1,080 834  1,005 813
Equity-based compensation recognised in equity or reserves  149 131  149 131
Superannuation costs - defined benefit plans  (5) (2)  (7) (2)
Impairment losses on non-financial assets  10 13  11 14
Credit impairment charge  836 895  709 727
Gain on disposal of loans and advances  (2) -  (2) -
Depreciation and amortisation expense  1,310 1,214  1,058 927
(Increase) / decrease in other assets  93 150  1 (5,430)
Increase / (decrease) in other liabilities  (100) (293)  94 (8)
Increase / (decrease) in income tax payable  80 77  (96) 289
(Increase) in deferred tax assets  (212) (109)  (180) (134)
Increase in deferred tax liabilities  59 8  15 11
Operating cash flow items not included in profit  (46,176) (42,474)  (42,339) (39,141)
Investing or financing cash flows included in profit       
(Gain) on sale of controlled entities, before income tax  (407) (29)  (2) (29)
(Gain) / loss on sale of other debt and equity instruments  97 (32)  97 (32)
(Gain) / loss on sale of property, plant, equipment and other assets  13 10  14 (1)
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities  (35,781) (26,699)  (32,208) (25,211)

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities
  Group  Company
  Bonds‚ notes and subordinated debt Debt issues Lease liabilities  Bonds‚ notes and subordinated debt Debt issues Lease liabilities
  At fair value At amortised cost    At fair value At amortised cost   
  $m $m $m $m  $m $m $m $m
Balance as at 1 October 2022  15,061 119,283 7,318 2,238  4,479 109,674 7,318 1,978
Cash flows           
Proceeds from issue  1,466 41,361 1,243 -  78 38,870 1,243 -
Repayments  (3,325) (27,819) - (328)  (93) (26,844) - (284)
Non-cash changes           
Additions to lease liabilities  - - - 333  - - - 120
Fair value changes, including fair value hedge adjustments  (99) (817) - -  (159) (623) - -
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments  638 3,637 - 16  66 3,252 - 2
Balance as at 30 September 2023  13,741 135,645 8,561 2,259  4,371 124,329 8,561 1,816
Cash flows           
Proceeds from issue  960 41,823 1,000 -  187 37,468 1,000 -
Repayments  (4,997) (21,641) - (321)  (128) (20,606) - (283)
Non-cash changes           
Additions to lease liabilities  - - - 142  - - - 78
Fair value changes, including fair value hedge adjustments  979 4,614 - -  723 2,952 - -
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments  (396) (4,147) (1) (8)  (268) (3,587) (1) (2)
Balance as at 30 September 2024  10,287 156,294 9,560 2,072  4,885 140,556 9,560 1,609

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents includes cash and liquid assets and amounts due from other banks (including reverse repurchase agreements and short-term government securities) net of amounts due to other banks that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash within three months.

Cash and cash equivalents as shown in the cash flow statement is reconciled to the related items on the balance sheet as follows:

  Group  Company
  2024 2023  2024 2023
  $m $m  $m $m
Assets       
Cash and liquid assets  2,499 24,699  2,318 23,959
Treasury and other eligible bills  275 53  - -
Due from other banks (excluding mandatory deposits with supervisory central banks)  22,523 28,114  17,164 17,772
Total cash and cash equivalent assets  25,297 52,866  19,482 41,731
Liabilities       
Due to other banks  (6,461) (12,277)  (5,337) (9,950)
Total cash and cash equivalents  18,836 40,589  14,145 31,781

Non-cash investing activities

In the 2023 financial year, the Company received a dividend of $5.4 billion from National Equities Limited (following a dividend payment by BNZ) which was reinvested into additional ordinary shares. These transactions were settled on a net basis and no cash was transferred. As these are transactions between entities within the Group they are eliminated in full upon consolidation.

38 Events subsequent to reporting date

There are no items, transactions or events of a material or unusual nature that have arisen in the interval between 30 September 2024 and the date of this report that, in the opinion of the directors, have significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in future years.

Consolidated entity disclosure statement

Below is the Group consolidated entity disclosure statement as required by s295(3A) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

    Body Corporates  Tax residency1
           
Entity name  Entity type  Place formed or incorporated  % of share capital held  Australian or foreign  Foreign jurisdiction
National Australia Bank Limited  Body corporate  Australia  N/A  Australian  N/A
86 400 Holdings Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
86 400 Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
86 400 Technology Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Advantedge Financial Services Holdings Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Advantedge Financial Services Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
AFSH Nominees Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Apogee Financial Planning Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Bank of New Zealand  Body corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ Branch Properties Limited  Body Corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ Equity Investment No. 2 Limited  Body Corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ Facilities Management Limited  Body Corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ InterNational Funding Limited  Body Corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ Investments Limited  Body Corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ Property Investments Limited  Body Corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
Diners Club Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Equity Management Unit Holdings Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
GPL (VIC) Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
GWM Adviser Services Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
HICAPS Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Invia Custodian Pty. Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
JBWere (NZ) Holdings Limited  Body corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
JBWere Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Lantern Claims Pty. Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Medfin Australia Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Meritum Financial Group Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
NAB Global Innovation Centre India Private Limited  Body corporate  India  100%  Foreign  India
NAB Investments Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
NAB Japan Securities Limited  Body corporate  Japan  100%  Foreign  Japan
NAB Properties Australia Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
NABSecurities LLC2  Body corporate  United States  100%  Foreign  United States
NAB Trust Services Limited3  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
NAB Ventures Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Australia Bank Europe S.A.  Body corporate  France  100%  Foreign  France
National Australia Corporate Services Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Australia Finance (Commercial Leasing) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Finance (Europe Holdings) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Finance (Infrastructure Leasing No 2) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Funding (Delaware) Inc.  Body corporate  United States  100%  Foreign  United States
National Australia Group (NZ) Limited  Body corporate  New Zealand  100%  Foreign  New Zealand
National Australia Investment Capital Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Australia Managers Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Equities Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Margin Services Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Nominees Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Nautilus Insurance Pte Limited  Body corporate  Singapore  100%  Foreign  Singapore
NBA Properties Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
NMS Nominees Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Partown Pty. Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Sapient Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Tasovac Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
The Deep in Hull Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
Vietnam Software Development Center Co., Ltd  Body corporate  Vietnam  100%  Foreign  Vietnam
Wealthhub Securities Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Wealthhub Securities Nominees Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
BNZ Covered Bond Trust  Trust  N/A  N/A  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ Term Pie Unit Trust  Trust  N/A  N/A  Foreign  New Zealand
BNZ RMBS Trust Series 2008-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Foreign  New Zealand
CBSS Millennium Series BB Trust  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
Foxtel Receivables Trust  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian4  N/A
NAB Covered Bond Trust  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
Securitised Australian Mortgage Trust 2017-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2012-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2015-2  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2016-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2018-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2018-2  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2022-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2023-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
National RMBS Trust 2024-1  Trust  N/A  N/A  Australian  N/A
Entities in liquidation           
Custom Credit Corporation Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Custom Credit Holdings Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
NAB Europe Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Finance (Vessel Leasing No 1) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Finance (Vessel Leasing No 5) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Finance (Vessel Leasing No 6) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National Australia Finance (Vessel Leasing) Limited  Body corporate  United Kingdom  100%  Foreign  United Kingdom
National OBU Pty Limited  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
National Wealth Management International Holdings Pty Ltd  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Nautilus NAB Limited  Body corporate  Ireland  100%  Foreign  Ireland
Plan Australia Operations Pty. Ltd.  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
The Bank of Victoria  Body corporate  Australia  100%  Australian  N/A
Titan Securitisation Limited  Body corporate  Australia  0%5  Australian4  N/A
  1. All Australian entities are part of the NAB tax consolidated group unless otherwise stated.
  2. The entity is a disregarded entity for U.S. Federal tax purposes and is not a U.S. Person.  However income of the entity is incorporated into the tax calculation of NAB’s US branch for the purposes of Federal Income Tax and State and local taxes.
  3. This entity also acts as trustee for Foxtel Receivables Trust.
  4. This entity is not part of the NAB tax consolidated group.
  5. This entity is consolidated as it is controlled by the NAB Group.

Directors' declaration

The directors of National Australia Bank Limited declare that:

  1. in the opinion of the directors, the financial statements and notes for the year ended 30 September 2024, as set out on pages 167 to 261, are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including:

    1. in compliance with Australian Accounting Standards (including Australian Accounting Interpretations), International Financial Reporting Standards as stated in Note 1 Basis of preparation, and any further requirements of the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

    2. give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Company and the Group as at 30 September 2024, and of the performance of the Company and the Group for the year ended 30 September 2024.

  1. in the opinion of the directors, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

  2. the directors have been given the declarations required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for the year ended 30 September 2024.

  3. the consolidated entity disclosure statement, as required by Section 295(3A) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and as set out on pages 262 to 263, is true and correct.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

   

Philip ChronicanChair7 November 2024

Andrew IrvineGroup Chief Executive Officer7 November 2024

Report on the audit of the financial report

Additional information

Shareholder information

Ordinary shares
Twenty largest registered fully paid ordinary shareholders of the Company as at 11 October 2024
 Number of shares % of total shares
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 832,826,931 27.09
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 535,573,063 17.42
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 260,625,142 8.48
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <AGENCY LENDING A/C> 63,997,756 2.08
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 34,909,064 1.13
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED <COLONIAL FIRST STATE INV A/C> 31,876,872 1.04
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 27,849,770 0.91
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED <NT-COMNWLTH SUPER CORP A/C> 22,401,195 0.73
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD DEUTSCHE BANK TCA 17,166,794 0.55
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <WRAP SERVICES A/C> 14,997,044 0.49
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD> 14,491,249 0.47
AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED 12,335,000 0.40
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IPS SUPERFUND A/C> 6,064,668 0.20
ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED 5,834,685 0.19
BNP PARIBAS NOMS (NZ) LTD 5,182,635 0.17
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IOOF IDPS A/C> 4,817,556 0.16
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <CLEARSTREAM> 3,728,568 0.12
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED <AUSTRALIAN ETHICAL INV LTD> 3,603,938 0.12
MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD 2,759,781 0.09
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <SUPER SERVICES A/C> 2,734,074 0.09
Total 1,903,775,785 61.93

Substantial shareholders

The following organisations have disclosed a substantial shareholding notice to ASX. As at 11 October 2024, the Company has received no further update in relation to these substantial shareholdings.

Name Number of shares % of voting power
State Street Corporation1 193,328,701 6.23%
BlackRock Group2 177,651,034 6.02%
The Vanguard Group, Inc3 162,322,845 5.00%
  1. Substantial shareholding as at 6 June 2024, as per notice lodged on 11 June 2024.
  2. Substantial shareholding as at 18 March 2020, as per notice lodged on 20 March 2020.
  3. Substantial shareholding as at 1 February 2022, as per notice lodged on 4 February 2022.

Distribution of fully paid ordinary shareholdings
 Number of shareholders % of holders Number of shares % of shares
Range (number)     
1 - 1,000 330,178 60.28 112,593,398 3.66
1,001 - 5,000 168,605 30.78 383,982,809 12.49
5,001 - 10,000 30,546 5.58 213,211,218 6.94
10,001 - 100,000 18,028 3.29 362,428,522 11.79
100,001 and over 382 0.07 2,001,821,952 65.12
Total 547,739 100 3,074,037,899 100
Less than marketable parcel of $500 13,931  75,919  

Voting rights

Each ordinary shareholder present at a general meeting (whether in person or by proxy or representative) is entitled to one vote on a show of hands or, on a poll, one vote for each fully paid ordinary share held.

NAB Capital Notes 3 (NCN 3)
Twenty largest holders of NCN 3 as at 11 October 2024
 Number of securities % of total securities
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <AGENCY LENDING A/C> 3,283,631 17.52
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 1,124,390 6.00
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 881,048 4.70
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD> 441,034 2.35
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <WRAP SERVICES A/C> 337,454 1.80
MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD 209,873 1.12
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IPS SUPERFUND A/C> 192,536 1.03
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 146,686 0.78
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <SUPER SERVICES A/C> 130,798 0.70
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IOOF IDPS A/C> 122,405 0.65
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 110,087 0.59
DIMBULU PTY LTD 108,500 0.58
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <PITCHER PARTNERS> 87,480 0.47
INVIA CUSTODIAN PTY LIMITED <WEHI - INVESTMENT POOL A/C> 75,325 0.40
WILLIMBURY PTY LTD 65,609 0.35
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 62,557 0.33
JDB SERVICES PTY LTD <RAC & JD BRICE INVEST A/C> 53,429 0.29
BALMORAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 50,277 0.27
MARROSAN INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 45,000 0.24
SEYMOUR GROUP PTY LTD 38,660 0.21
Total 7,566,779 40.38

Distribution of NCN 3 holdings
 Number of security holders % of holders Number of securities % of securities
Range (number)     
1 - 1,000 14,752 87.86 5,311,640 28.34
1,001 - 5,000 1,815 10.81 3,833,737 20.46
5,001 - 10,000 146 0.87 1,093,795 5.84
10,001 - 100,000 64 0.38 1,413,068 7.54
100,001 and over 13 0.08 7,088,342 37.82
Total 16,790 100 18,740,582 100
Less than marketable parcel of $500 6  13  

Voting rights

In accordance with their terms of issue, holders of NCN 3 have no right to vote at any general meeting of the Company prior to conversion into NAB ordinary shares.

If NCN 3 is converted into NAB ordinary shares in accordance with their terms of issue, then voting rights will be as outlined on page 274 of this Additional information section for NAB ordinary shares.

NAB Capital Notes 5 (NCN 5)
Twenty largest holders of NCN 5 as at 11 October 2024
 Number of securities % of total securities
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 2,149,837 9.01
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 1,594,205 6.68
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD> 888,468 3.72
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <WRAP SERVICES A/C> 475,981 2.00
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED <143212 NMMT LTD A/C> 451,987 1.89
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <AGENCY LENDING A/C> 378,025 1.58
MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD 261,647 1.10
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IPS SUPERFUND A/C> 207,654 0.87
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IOOF IDPS A/C> 178,236 0.75
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <SUPER SERVICES A/C> 177,647 0.75
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 159,589 0.67
LEDA HOLDINGS PTY LTD 154,000 0.65
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <PITCHER PARTNERS> 118,727 0.50
JOHN E GILL TRADING PTY LTD 107,866 0.45
AM & EM NEXT GEN PTY LTD <AM & EM NEXT GEN A/C> 105,000 0.44
DIMBULU PTY LTD 100,000 0.42
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED-GSI EDA 70,000 0.29
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 69,673 0.29
PAMDALE INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 60,290 0.25
EASTCOTE PTY LTD <THE VAN-LIESHOUT FAMILY A/C> 57,329 0.24
Total 7,766,161 32.55

Distribution of NCN 5 holdings
 Number of security holders % of holders Number of securities % of securities
Range (number)     
1 - 1,000 20,157 87.27 7,659,182 32.10
1,001 - 5,000 2,656 11.50 5,493,849 23.03
5,001 - 10,000 174 0.75 1,236,093 5.18
10,001 - 100,000 94 0.41 2,062,177 8.64
100,001 and over 16 0.07 7,408,379 31.05
Total 23,097 100 23,859,680 100
Less than marketable parcel of $500 7  15  

Voting rights

In accordance with their terms of issue, holders of NCN 5 have no right to vote at any general meeting of the Company prior to conversion into NAB ordinary shares.

If NCN 5 is converted into NAB ordinary shares in accordance with their terms of issue, then voting rights will be as outlined on page 274 of this Additional information section for NAB ordinary shares.

NAB Capital Notes 6 (NCN 6)
Twenty largest holders of NCN 6 as at 11 October 2024
 Number of securities % of total securities
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <AGENCY LENDING A/C> 5,219,123 26.10
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 1,360,453 6.80
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 1,135,220 5.68
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD> 604,589 3.02
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <WRAP SERVICES A/C> 325,219 1.63
MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD 154,450 0.77
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <SUPER SERVICES A/C> 151,232 0.76
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <PITCHER PARTNERS> 104,082 0.52
TANDOM PTY LTD 100,192 0.50
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IPS SUPERFUND A/C> 83,833 0.42
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED-GSI EDA 75,000 0.38
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 72,966 0.35
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IOOF IDPS A/C> 61,338 0.31
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 52,000 0.26
DIMBULU PTY LTD 50,000 0.25
ELMORE HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED <PEABODY FAMILY A/C> 50,000 0.25
FAMILY ENDEAVOURS PTY LTD <BEST ENDEAVOURS A/C> 48,500 0.24
PESUTU PTY LTD <KAREDIS SUPER A/C> 43,729 0.22
JOHN E GILL TRADING PTY LTD 41,517 0.21
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <IB AU NOMS RETAILCLIENT> 36,671 0.18
Total 9,770,114 48.85

Distribution of NCN 6 holdings
 Number of security holders % of holders Number of securities % of securities
Range (number)     
1 - 1,000 13,009 86.97 4,683,386 23.42
1,001 - 5,000 1,757 11.74 3,652,665 18.26
5,001 - 10,000 109 0.73 807,457 4.04
10,001 - 100,000 73 0.49 1,701,932 8.51
100,001 and over 10 0.07 9,154,560 45.77
Total 14,958 100 20,000,000 100
Less than marketable parcel of $500 4  9  

Voting rights

In accordance with their terms of issue, holders of NCN 6 have no right to vote at any general meeting of the Company prior to conversion into NAB ordinary shares.

If NCN 6 is converted into NAB ordinary shares in accordance with their terms of issue, then voting rights will be as outlined on page 274 of this Additional information section for NAB ordinary shares.

NAB Capital Notes 7 (NCN 7)
Twenty largest holders of NCN 7 as at 11 October 2024
 Number of securities % of total securities
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 1,635,498 13.08
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD> 525,630 4.21
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 439,954 3.52
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <WRAP SERVICES A/C> 236,886 1.90
HIGHAM HILL PTY LTD 106,802 0.85
DIMBULU PTY LTD 100,000 0.80
MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD 94,388 0.76
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <PITCHER PARTNERS> 92,935 0.74
MR JOHN WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM 90,680 0.73
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <SUPER SERVICES A/C> 65,223 0.52
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IPS SUPERFUND A/C> 54,362 0.43
2 KINANE STREET PTY LTD 36,280 0.29
GILLIES FAMILY HOLDINGS PTY LTD 34,190 0.27
IOOF INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED <IOOF IDPS A/C> 31,831 0.26
POPEYE TREASURES PTY LTD 30,220 0.24
CORP OF THE TSTEES OF THE ROMAN CATH ARC 30,000 0.24
MR TETSUO KAWAI 29,000 0.23
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 28,845 0.23
CAPRI TRADING PTY LIMITED <THE CAPRI FAMILY A/C> 28,245 0.23
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 25,285 0.20
Total 3,716,254 29.73

Distribution of NCN 7 holdings
 Number of security holders % of holders Number of securities % of securities
Range (number)     
1 - 1,000 9,509 84.47 3,800,833 30.41
1,001 - 5,000 1,564 13.89 3,350,089 26.80
5,001 - 10,000 107 0.95 758,550 6.07
10,001 - 100,000 72 0.64 1,645,758 13.16
100,001 and over 6 0.05 2,944,770 23.56
Total 11,258 100 12,500,000 100
Less than marketable parcel of $500 -  -  

Voting rights

In accordance with their terms of issue, holders of NCN 7 have no right to vote at any general meeting of the Company prior to conversion into NAB ordinary shares.

If NCN 7 is converted into NAB ordinary shares in accordance with their terms of issue, then voting rights will be as outlined on page 274 of this Additional information section for NAB ordinary shares.

NAB Capital Notes 8 (NCN 8)
Twenty largest holders of NCN 8 as at 11 October 2024
 Number of securities % of total securities
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 903,350 9.03
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 420,211 4.20
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD> 338,984 3.39
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <WRAP SERVICES A/C> 182,998 1.83
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 149,559 1.50
DIMBULU PTY LTD 100,000 1.00
MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD 75,217 0.75
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD <PITCHER PARTNERS> 71,174 0.71
SEYMOUR GROUP PTY LTD 64,010 0.64
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED <SUPER SERVICES A/C> 57,578 0.58
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 50,000 0.50
HIGHAM HILL PTY LTD 50,000 0.50
MR JOHN WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM 49,500 0.50
KADOO PTY LIMITED <B & D FAMILY A/C> 48,445 0.48
REALEE PTY LTD <REALEE A/C> 31,500 0.32
BARRETT SUPERFUND PTY LTD <BARRETT SUPERFUND A/C> 30,000 0.30
PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL COMPANY(WA) PTY LTD <STEELFAB UNIT A/C> 30,000 0.30
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE PTY LIMITED 30,000 0.30
MARROSAN INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 29,750 0.29
BOWEN FAMILY SUPER CO PTY LTD <BOWEN FAMILY SUPER FUND A/C> 28,850 0.29
Total 2,741,126 27.41

Distribution of NCN 8 holdings
 Number of security holders % of holders Number of securities % of securities
Range (number)     
1 - 1,000 7,350 83.33 2,957,155 29.57
1,001 - 5,000 1,305 14.79 2,860,169 28.60
5,001 - 10,000 102 1.16 793,547 7.94
10,001 - 100,000 58 0.66 1,443,698 14.44
100,001 and over 5 0.06 1,945,431 19.45
Total 8,820 100 10,000,000 100
Less than marketable parcel of $500 2  4  

Voting rights

In accordance with their terms of issue, holders of NCN 8 have no right to vote at any general meeting of the Company prior to conversion into NAB ordinary shares.

If NCN 8 is converted into NAB ordinary shares in accordance with their terms of issue, then voting rights will be as outlined on page 274 of this Additional information section for NAB ordinary shares.

Official quotation

Fully paid ordinary shares of the Company are quoted on the ASX.

The Group has also issued:

Unquoted securities

As at 31 October 2024, the Company has 4,312,846 rights on issue, of which there are 63 holders (refer to page 118 of this report for further details).

Shareholder information

Chair

Mr Philip Chronican
BCom (Hons), MBA (Dist), GAICD, SF Fin

Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Mr Andrew Irvine
BSc Business Management (Hons), MBA

Group Chief Financial Officer

Mr Nathan Goonan
BCom, BAgrSc (Hons)

Registered office

Level 28, 395 Bourke Street, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Australia
Tel: 1300 889 398
Tel: +61 3 8615 3064

International locations

nab.com.au/corporate/global-relationships

Auditor

Ernst & Young
8 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Australia
Tel: +61 3 9288 8000

Company Secretary

Mrs Louise Thomson BBus (Dist), FGIA

Group Investor Relations

National Australia Bank Limited
Level 2
2 Carrington Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Australia
Email: investorrelations@nab.com.au

Sustainability

National Australia Bank Limited
Level 21
395 Bourke Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Australia
Email: sustainability@nab.com.au

Shareholder Centre website

The Group’s website at nab.com.au/shareholder has a dedicated separate section where shareholders can gain access to a wide range of information, including copies of recent announcements, annual reports as well as extensive historical information.

Shareholder information line

There is a convenient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week automated service. To obtain the current balance of your securities and relevant payment details, telephone 1300 367 647 (Australia) or +61 3 9415 4299 (outside Australia).

These services are secured to protect your interests. In all communications with the Share Registry, please ensure you quote your Securityholder Reference Number (SRN), or in case of broker sponsored shareholders, your Holder Identification Number (HIN).

Principal Share Register

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Yarra Falls
452 Johnston Street
ABBOTSFORD VIC 3067
Australia

Postal address:
GPO Box 2333
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Australia

Local call: 1300 367 647
Fax: +61 3 9473 2500
Telephone and fax (outside Australia):
Tel: +61 3 9415 4299; Fax: +61 3 9473 2500

Email: nabservices@computershare.com.au
Website: www.investorcentre.com/au

United Kingdom Share Register

Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road BRISTOL BS99 6ZZ
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 370 703 0197
Fax: +44 370 703 6101

Email: nabservices@computershare.com.au
Website: www.investorcentre.com/au

United States ADR Depositary, Transfer Agent and Registrar contact details for NAB ADR holders:

Deutsche Bank Shareholder Services
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC
48 Wall Street, Floor 23
New York, NY 10005
USA
Direct Dial: +1 866 249 2593
Email: adr@equiniti.com

Contact details for NAB ADR brokers & institutional investors:

US Tel: +1 212 250 9100
UK Tel: +44 207 547 6500
Email: adr@db.com

Glossary

12-month expected credit losses (ECL) The portion of lifetime expected credit losses that represent the expected losses arising from default events that could occur within 12 months of the reporting date.

86 400 86 400 refers to 86 400 Holdings Limited,
86 400 Pty Ltd and 86 400 Technology Pty Ltd, the entities acquired by the Group in May 2021.

AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard The standard is designed to enable organisations to respond to stakeholders in a comprehensive and balanced way. These are based on the principles Inclusivity, Materiality, Responsiveness, and Impact.

AASB Australian Accounting Standards Board.

Accountable Person An accountable person for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth).

Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital AT1 capital comprises high quality components of capital that satisfy the criteria for inclusion as Additional Tier 1 capital as defined in APS 111 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital.

ADI Authorised Deposit-taking Institution.

Advanced Internal ratings-based (IRB) The approach used by the Group, under approval from APRA, to calculate the capital requirement for credit risk, which utilises the outputs of internally developed models for probability of default, loss given default and exposure at default.

AGM Annual General Meeting of National Australia Bank Limited.

AML Anti-Money Laundering.

Annual Variable Reward (VR) An 'at risk' opportunity for individuals to receive an annual performance-based reward. The actual VR that an individual will receive in any particular year will reflect both business and individual performance.

APRA Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

APS Prudential Standards issued by APRA applicable to ADIs.

ASIC Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

ASX Australian Securities Exchange Limited (or the market operated by it).

AUSTRAC Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.

Available stable funding (ASF) The portion of an ADI's capital and liabilities expected to be reliably provided over a one-year time horizon.

Average interest earning assets The average balance of assets held by the Group over the period that generate interest income.

Bank levy A levy imposed under the Major Bank Levy Act 2017 (Cth) on ADIs with total liabilities of more than $100 billion.

Basel III Basel III is a global regulatory framework designed to increase the resilience of banks and banking systems and was effective for ADIs from 1 January 2013.

BBSW Bank Bill Swap Rate.

BEAR Banking Executive Accountability Regime.

BNZ Bank of New Zealand, a subsidiary of National Australia Bank Group.

Business lending Lending to non-retail customers including overdrafts, asset and lease financing, term lending, bill acceptances, foreign currency loans, international and trade finance, securitisation and specialised finance.

Carbon neutral in operations Refers to the process the Group follows to first avoid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with NAB's operational Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions (excluding financed emissions) and then to retire carbon offsets for residual emissions. NAB's Australian operations are certified carbon neutral under the Climate Active Standard for Organisations. BNZ and JBWere NZ are Toitū net carbonzero organisation certified.

Cash earnings Cash earnings is a non-IFRS key performance measure used by the Group and the investment community. Cash earnings is defined as net profit attributable to owners of the Company from continuing operations adjusted for non-cash items, including items such as hedging and fair value volatility, the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and gains or losses and certain other items associated with the acquisition, integration, disposal and closure of Group businesses.

Cash net interest income (Cash NII) Cash NII is derived from statutory net interest income, including management adjustments for fair value hedge ineffectiveness and a reclassification of income from the NAB Wealth Business that management considers better reflected in net interest income for their purposes. In these financial statements, there is no material difference between Cash NII and statutory net interest income.

Cash return on equity (cash ROE) Cash earnings after tax expressed as a percentage of total average equity (attributable to owners of the Company).

CGU Cash-generating unit.

Citi consumer business Citi consumer business refers to Citigroup's Australian consumer business, acquired by the Group in June 2022.

Citigroup Citigroup Pty Limited and Citigroup Overseas Investment Corporation.

Committed Liquidity Facility (CLF) A facility provided by the RBA to certain ADIs to assist them in meeting the Basel III liquidity requirements. The CLF was reduced to zero on 1 January 2023.

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital CET1 capital ranks behind the claims of depositors and other creditors in the event of winding-up of the issuer, absorbs losses as and when they occur, has full flexibility of dividend payments and has no maturity date. CET1 capital consists of the sum of paid-up ordinary share capital, retained profits plus certain other items as defined in APS 111 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital.

Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio CET1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

Company National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937.

Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) The CSLR is a scheme designed to make payments on a last-resort basis to eligible consumers where determinations by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for compensation remain unpaid, as approved by the Australian Parliament in June 2023.

Continuing operations Continuing operations are the components of the Group which are not discontinued operations.

Core assets Represents gross loans and advances including acceptances, financial assets at fair value, and other debt instruments at amortised cost.

CO₂-e (carbon dioxide equivalent) The common unit of measure for the expression of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Each unit of GHG has a different global warming potential. Therefore, all greenhouse gases are converted back to tonnes (tCO₂-e) of carbon dioxide equivalent to enable consistent comparison and measurement.

CQiB Career Qualified in Banking program.

CTF Counter-Terrorism Financing.

Customer deposits The sum of interest bearing, non-interest bearing and term deposits (including retail and corporate deposits).

Customer Funding Index (CFI) Customer deposits (excluding certain short dated institutional deposits used to fund liquid assets) divided by core assets.

D-SIB Domestic Systemically Important Banks.

Default Default occurs when a loan obligation is contractually 90 days or more past due, or when it is considered unlikely that the credit obligation to the Group will be paid in full without remedial action, such as realisation of security.

Default but not impaired assets Calculated as 'Non-performing exposures' less 'Gross impaired assets'.

Dilutive potential ordinary share A financial instrument or other contract that may entitle its holder to ordinary shares and which would have the effect of decreasing earnings per share.

Discontinued operations Discontinued operations are a component of the Group that either has been disposed of, or is classified as held for sale, and represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations, which is part of a single coordinated plan for disposal.

Distributions Payments to holders of equity instruments other than ordinary shares, including National Income Securities.

Dividend payout ratio Dividends paid on ordinary shares divided by cash earnings per share.

EaR Earnings at risk.

Earnings per share - basic Calculated as net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent (statutory basis) or cash earnings (cash earnings basis), divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares.

Earnings per share - diluted Calculated as net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent (statutory basis) or cash earnings (cash earnings basis), divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, after adjusting both earnings and the weighted average number of ordinary shares for the impact of dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Economic adjustments The economic adjustment forms part of the provision for credit impairment derived from reasonable and supportable forecasts of potential future conditions (forward looking information) that is not captured within the underlying credit provision. It incorporates general macro-economic forward looking information (for example, GDP, unemployment and interest rates).

Employee NPS Measurement of the likelihood of our colleagues to recommend NAB as a bank based on their experience as a NAB customer.

Enforceable Undertaking (EU) An enforceable undertaking under subsection 197(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) entered into between NAB and the CEO of AUSTRAC on 29 April 2022, in relation to concerns identified by AUSTRAC with the Group’s compliance with certain AML and CTF requirements which were the subject of a formal investigation by AUSTRAC.

Environmental reporting year Environmental reporting period from 1 July to 30 June. Aligned with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth).

Executive Leadership Team (ELT) Executive Leadership Team means the Group CEO and the Group Executives.

Fair value The price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at measurement date.

Fair value (for the purposes of equity awards set out in the Remuneration Report) The value of the awards provided are measured by reference to the grant date fair value of the shares and performance rights provided to employees. The grant date fair value of each share is determined by the market value of NAB shares, and is generally a five-day weighted average share price. The fair value of the shares and performance rights with market performance hurdles is determined using a simulated version of the Black-Scholes model.

FAR Financial Accountability Regime.

FAR accountable person For the purposes of the FAR, NAB has registered certain individuals (the directors, Group Executives, Executive Internal Audit and Executive Group Money Laundering Reporting Officer) as ‘Accountable Persons’ with APRA and ASIC.

Financed emissions Indirect GHG emissions attributable to financial institutions due to their involvement in providing capital or financing to the original emitter. Financed emissions are included within Category 15 'Investments' of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standard.

FINSIA Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

FirstCape FirstCape Group Limited was established to combine the Group’s New Zealand wealth businesses and Jarden Wealth and Asset Management Holdings Limited’s wealth and asset management business. References to FirstCape in this document refer to FirstCape Group Limited and/or its subsidiaries.

Fixed Remuneration (FR) Base salary and superannuation paid regularly during the year.

FLP Funding for Lending Program.

Forward looking adjustment (FLA) Forward looking adjustments reflect part of the provision for credit impairment derived from reasonable and supportable forecasts of potential future conditions (forward looking information) that are not otherwise captured within the underlying credit provision or the economic adjustments. They incorporate more targeted sector-specific forward looking information.

Full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) Includes all full-time, part-time, temporary, fixed term and casual employee equivalents, as well as agency temporary employees and external contractors either self-employed or employed by a third party agency. Note: this excludes consultants, IT professional services, outsourced service providers and non-executive directors.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Gaseous pollutants released into the atmosphere that amplify the greenhouse effect. Gases responsible include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) GDP is the market value of finished goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.

Gross impaired assets Calculated as the sum of ‘Impaired assets’ and ‘Restructured loans’.

Gross loans and acceptances (GLAs) Total loans, advances and acceptances, including unearned and deferred fee income, excluding associated provisions for expected credit losses. Calculated as the sum of 'Acceptances', 'Loans and advances at fair value’ and ‘Loans and advances at amortised cost’.

Group NAB and its controlled entities.

Group Executives The ELT, excluding the Group CEO.

Group Performance Indicators (GPI) A scorecard of financial and non-financial performance measures linked to the Group’s key strategic priorities, overlaid by a qualitative assessment. The GPI is used to assess the Group’s performance for the purpose of the Annual VR Plan.

Hedging and fair value volatility This volatility represents timing differences between the unrealised gains or losses recognised over the term of the transactions and the ultimate economic outcome which will only be realised in future. This volatility arises primarily from fair value movements relating to trading derivatives held for risk management purposes; fair value movements relating to assets, liabilities and derivatives designated in hedge relationships; and fair value movements relating to assets and liabilities designated at fair value.

High-quality liquid assets (HQLA) Consists primarily of cash, deposits with central banks, Australian government and semi-government securities and securities issued by foreign sovereigns as defined in APS 210 Liquidity.

Housing lending Mortgages secured by residential properties as collateral.

IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Impaired assets Consists of: Retail loans (excluding unsecured portfolio managed facilities) which are contractually 90 days or more past due with security insufficient to cover principal and interest or where sufficient doubt exists about the ability to collect principal and interest in a timely manner. Non-retail loans which are contractually past due and / or where there is sufficient doubt the ability to collect principal and interest. Off-balance sheet credit exposures where current circumstances indicate that losses may be incurred. Unsecured portfolio managed facilities that are 180 days or more past due (if not written off).

Imputation credit Tax credit passed on to shareholders who receive partially or fully franked dividend / distribution.

Just transition Global effort to transition to a low carbon economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to all people, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.

Key Management Personnel (KMP) NAB's Key Management Personnel (KMP) is assessed each year and comprises the non-executive directors of NAB, the Group CEO (an executive director of NAB) and those employees of the Group who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of both NAB and the Group.

Leverage ratio Tier 1 capital divided by exposures as defined by APS 110 Capital Adequacy. It is a simple, non-risk based measure to supplement the risk-weighted assets based capital requirements. Exposures include on-balance sheet exposures, derivative exposures, securities financing transaction exposures and non-market related off-balance sheet exposures.

Lifetime expected credit losses (ECL) The ECL that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) A metric that measures the adequacy of HQLA available to meet net cash outflows over a 30-day period during a severe liquidity stress scenario.

Location-based accounting An emissions accounting approach that calculates electricity emissions based on the average emissions intensity of the electricity grid in the location (state) in which the electricity consumption occurs. Location-based accounting therefore does not recognise the surrender of LGCs as evidence of renewable electricity use.

Long Term Variable Reward (LTVR) An 'at risk' opportunity for the ELT to receive a long-term performance-based reward, vesting after a four-year performance period subject to the applicable performance hurdle. The actual LTVR that an individual will receive on vesting will reflect achievement of the performance hurdle.

Market-based accounting An emissions accounting approach that allows total electricity consumption to be reduced by the megawatt hours of renewable electricity consumed by the company before applying an emissions factor to grid-imported electricity. Market-based accounting therefore recognises the surrender of LGCs as evidence of renewable electricity use.

MLC Life MLC Limited.

MLC Wealth MLC Wealth was the Group’s Wealth division which provided superannuation, investments, asset management and financial advice to retail, corporate and institutional customers, supported by several brands including MLC, Plum and investment brands under MLC Asset Management. The sale of MLC Wealth to Insignia Financial Ltd completed on 31 May 2021.

NAB 'NAB' or the 'Company' means National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937.

NAB Foundation A registered charity which does not form part of the Group.

NAB risk management Management of interest rate risk in the banking book, wholesale funding and liquidity requirements and trading market risk to support the Group’s franchises.

Net interest margin (NIM) Net interest income derived on a cash earnings basis expressed as a percentage of average interest earning assets.

Net Promoter Score (NPS) Net Promoter® and NPS® are registered trademarks, and Net Promoter Score and Net Promoter System are trademarks of Bain & Company, Satmetrix Systems and Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter Score measures the likelihood of a customer's recommendation to others.

Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) A ratio of the amount of available stable funding (ASF) to the amount of required stable funding (RSF).

Non-performing exposures Exposures which are in default aligned to the definition in APS 220 Credit Risk Management.

NZBA Net Zero Banking Alliance.

Official Cash Rate Official Cash Rate is an interest rate set by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

PPS Perpetual preference shares.

PRB Principles for Responsible Banking.

RBA Reserve Bank of Australia.

RBNZ Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Required stable funding (RSF) The amount of stable funding an ADI is required to hold measured as a function of the liquidity characteristics and residual maturities of the various assets held by an ADI, including off-balance sheet exposures.

Restructured loans Consists of facilities where a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty or hardship in meeting their credit obligation or is in default, and a non-commercial concession is granted to the borrower that would not otherwise be considered and the concession is outside of that which would be provided under normal market conditions, and the concession is provided as a path out of default.

Risk-weighted assets (RWA) A quantitative measure of risk required by the APRA risk-based capital adequacy framework, covering credit risk for on and off-balance sheet exposures, market risk, operational risk and interest rate risk in the banking book.

RMBS Residential Mortgage Backed Securities.

Royal Commission The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry established on 14 December 2017 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia to conduct a formal public inquiry into Australian financial institutions.

Scope 1 This includes direct emissions from within an organisation’s boundary. These emissions are from sources that the organisation owns or controls such as:

Scope 2 Indirect emissions from electricity that is used by the organisation but is generated outside the organisation’s boundary by another company, such as an electricity provider. This is called ‘purchased electricity’. This includes indirect emissions from purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heat or cooling.

Scope 3 All other indirect emissions that occur outside the boundary of the organisation as a result of the activities of the organisation, including indirect emissions from:

Sector decarbonisation targets Refers to interim 2030 sector-specific decarbonisation targets set towards achieving over-arching net zero emissions by 2050 targets. Also referred to as 'sector targets'.

Securitisation Structured finance technique which involves pooling, packaging cash flows and converting financial assets into securities that can be sold to investors.

SME Small and medium-sized enterprises.

Stable Funding Index (SFI) Term Funding Index (TFI) plus Customer Funding Index (CFI).

Standardised approach An alternative approach used to calculate the capital requirement for credit risk, which utilises regulatory prescribed risk-weights based on external ratings and / or the application of specific regulator defined metrics to determine risk-weighted assets.

Statutory net profit Net profit attributable to owners of the Company.

Statutory return on equity Statutory earnings after tax expressed as a percentage of total average equity (attributable to owners of the Company), calculated on a statutory basis.

Structured entity An entity created to accomplish a narrow well-defined objective (e.g., securitisation of financial assets). A structured entity may take the form of a corporation, trust, partnership or unincorporated entity. Structured entities are often created with legal arrangements that impose strict limits on the activities of the structured entity.

TCFD The Financial Stability Board Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Term Funding Index (TFI) Term wholesale funding with remaining maturity to first call date greater than 12 months, including Term Funding Facility (TFF) drawdowns divided by core assets.

Tier 1 capital Tier 1 capital comprises CET1 capital and instruments that meet the criteria for inclusion as Additional Tier 1 capital set out in APS 111 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital.

Tier 1 capital ratio Tier 1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

Tier 2 capital Tier 2 capital comprises other components of capital that, to varying degrees, do not meet the requirements as Tier 1 capital but nonetheless contribute to the overall strength of an ADI and its capacity to absorb losses.

Top quartile Top quartile comparison is based upon Glint’s client group (domestic and global, from all industries).

Total average assets The average balance of assets held by the Group over the period, adjusted for discontinued operations.

Total capital Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital.

Total capital ratio Total capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) The return that a shareholder receives through dividends (and any other distributions) together with capital gains over a specific period.

Treasury shares Shares issued to meet the requirements of employee incentive schemes which have not yet been distributed.

UN PRB United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking.

Underlying profit / loss Underlying profit / loss is a non-IFRS performance measure used by the Group. It represents cash earnings before credit impairment charges and income tax expense.

UNEP FI Guidelines United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative Guidelines for Climate Target Setting for Banks.

Value at Risk (VaR) A mathematical technique that uses statistical analysis of historical data to estimate the likelihood that a given portfolio’s losses will exceed a certain amount. 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares The number of ordinary shares outstanding at the beginning of the period, adjusted by the number of ordinary shares bought back or issued during the period multiplied by a time-weighting factor. The time-weighting factor is the number of days that the shares are outstanding as a proportion of the total number of days in the period.

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