Ann: Westpac 2022 Full Year Financial Results Announcement, page-137

Agree and disagree, as far as the NH Bank, was then a serious international bank, and with a few others was granted a banking licence by the then Labor Govt (Hawke/Keating), hindsight not an easy opt out now. You conveniently overlooked Bankwest, Bank Melbourne, Bank SA, all fell over and had to be rescued by others. Strongly refute 2008 banks saved us, absolute nonsense, it was the banks that brought us into the GFC, high risk loans, poor managment decisions, and after initially denying, had a significant investment in those very high-risk USA CDI's and such. ANZ wobbled very badly. Another notable omission on your part, the decades of scandals and rorts, noncompliance with the Regulators, Banking RC's and yet they kept their valuable banking licence, sheer arrogance and self-entitlement writ large. Unknown as to your specific situation but all the assistance and endless handouts and such during the pandemic, were underwritten by the then LNP Govt, like them or not. The banks will chase you down a blind dark alley for $5. Re dividends, even with optimal economy barely 5% and declining, much less than inflation and withering sp's under water since the GFC. However, leave it at that, good luck with your life membership in the bankers' cheer squad.