Anyloan Australia :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

ANZ Settles $85 Million Dispute in Car Loan Commission Case

ANZ Settles $85 Million Dispute in Car Loan Commission Case

ANZ Settles $85 Million Dispute in Car Loan Commission Case?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

A significant settlement has been reached by financial powerhouse ANZ, totaling $85 million, concerning practices in its former car financing division.
The settlement puts an end to allegations surrounding ANZ's controversial loan commission strategy, which purportedly exploited consumers purchasing vehicles.

Bringing this issue to light, prominent law firm Maurice Blackburn Lawyers had initiated multiple class actions, implicating financial institutions including ANZ, Westpac, St George Finance, and Macquarie Leasing. The accusations centered on the employment of "flex commission" systems, which the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) prohibited in November 2018.

In essence, flex commissions permitted car dealerships to control the interest rates and terms of the vehicle loans they arranged. According to Maurice Blackburn, these provisions incentivized dealerships to inflate interest rates and prolong loan durations to secure more substantial commissions from banks.

"In our role as representatives of the affected group members, we contend that these commissions were not only unfair but also unlawful, leading consumers to incur inflated loan interest costs," reads a statement on Maurice Blackburn's website. "Compensation and other forms of redress are sought for those adversely impacted."

Rebecca Gilsenan, the national head of class actions at Maurice Blackburn, hailed the ANZ settlement as a transformative outcome for impacted customers. "This result represents a crucial victory for borrowers who were left paying undue amounts on their car loans," Gilsenan announced on Friday.

Gilsenan emphasized the expectation of borrowers that dealers, distinct from lenders, should provide the most competitive loan rates. She noted the positive rectification by ANZ as they accorded fairness to their past customers.

This outcome, originating from a report by NewsWire, signals the end of a lengthy legal confrontation for ANZ, occurring alongside forthcoming proceedings involving Westpac and St George Finance and Macquarie Leasing at the Victorian Supreme Court, scheduled to resume late October.

Despite agreeing to the settlement, ANZ clarified that it does not admit liability within any of the cases it resolved. "The Esanda class action concerned flex commissions applied to Esanda car loans arranged by dealers from 2011 till the end of March 2016," mentioned a statement from ANZ. Notably, the bank divested its Esanda Dealer Finance holdings in 2016, showcasing its departure from this business model.

Further, ANZ disclosed a $14 million settlement concerning another legal issue related to superannuation fund investments through its formerly owned entities, OnePath Custodians and OnePath Life.

Conclusively, the described settlements require approval from the court, maintaining ANZ's consistent stance of no liability affirmation. Responses from Westpac and Macquarie Bank remain awaited.

Published:Sunday, 6th Oct 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Finance News

Cochlear's Profit Warning Sends Ripples Through ASX 200
Cochlear's Profit Warning Sends Ripples Through ASX 200
25 May 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian stock market experienced a notable decline following Cochlear's announcement of a significant reduction in its profit guidance. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 105.8 points lower, a 1.18% decrease, marking the largest single-day fall in over a month. Cochlear, a leading medical device company, slashed its FY26 earnings outlook by approximately 30%, citing challenges in key markets and increased competition. - read more
P&N Bank and Bank Australia Set to Merge
P&N Bank and Bank Australia Set to Merge
25 May 2026: Paige Estritori
P&N Bank has announced plans to merge with Bank Australia, aiming to establish a $30 billion mutual lender. This move comes less than six months after a previous merger attempt with Great Southern Bank was unsuccessful. The proposed merger is expected to enhance the combined entity's ability to offer competitive products and services to their members. - read more
RBA's Latest Rate Hike: What It Means for Australian Borrowers
RBA's Latest Rate Hike: What It Means for Australian Borrowers
17 May 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced an increase in the official cash rate to 4.35%, a move aimed at curbing the nation's rising inflation, which currently stands at 4.6%. This decision marks a continued effort by the RBA to stabilise the economy amid persistent cost-of-living pressures. - read more
Non-Bank Lenders Push for Access to Government's Economic Support Program
Non-Bank Lenders Push for Access to Government's Economic Support Program
17 May 2026: Paige Estritori
Non-bank lenders are advocating for inclusion in the Australian government's $1 billion Economic Resilience Program, emphasising their critical role in providing finance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This push highlights the evolving landscape of SME financing and the need for inclusive policy measures. - read more
Understanding the 2026 Federal Budget's Impact on Your Household Expenses
Understanding the 2026 Federal Budget's Impact on Your Household Expenses
17 May 2026: Paige Estritori
The recently unveiled 2026 Federal Budget introduces several measures poised to influence the financial landscape for Australian households. Key areas affected include groceries, fuel, utility bills, and taxation. - read more


Finance Articles

Fueling Your Startup Success: Navigate Business Finance
Fueling Your Startup Success: Navigate Business Finance
Launching a startup is an exhilarating journey, filled with the promise of innovation, independence, and growth. However, it also comes with its share of challenges. From planning and execution to funding and scaling, each step requires careful consideration and decisive action. For many aspiring entrepreneurs in Australia, securing the necessary capital is one of the greatest hurdles they face on the path to success. - read more
Smart Saving for Big Purchases: Training Your Dollars to Work Harder
Smart Saving for Big Purchases: Training Your Dollars to Work Harder
With the rising costs of living and the all-too-familiar financial hurdles, saving for large purchases can seem like a daunting task for many Australians. From buying a new car to securing the deposit on a home, significant expenses require a level of financial commitment and foresight that goes beyond everyday spending. - read more
Loan Eligibility Requirements for Self-Employed Australians: A Quick Guide
Loan Eligibility Requirements for Self-Employed Australians: A Quick Guide
Acquiring a loan as a self-employed individual in Australia can often feel like navigating a labyrinth. Without the regular pay cheques and conventional financial documentation typically provided by salaried employees, self-employed Australians face unique challenges in proving their creditworthiness to lenders. - read more
How to Create a Solid Business Plan to Secure Funding in Australia
How to Create a Solid Business Plan to Secure Funding in Australia
A business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the vision, objectives, and strategies of a business. It serves as a vital road map for entrepreneurs, detailing how they plan to achieve success. Importantly, a well-crafted business plan is essential when seeking funding, as it provides investors with a clear picture of the business's potential and its path to profitability. - read more
Do You Qualify? Crucial Factors That Affect Your Loan Approval Odds
Do You Qualify? Crucial Factors That Affect Your Loan Approval Odds
For Australians, the quest to secure a loan can be as nerve-wracking as it is pivotal. Whether it's to finance a home, car, or even to consolidate debts, the outcome can profoundly impact your financial trajectory. Acquiring loan approval is not merely about ticking boxes; it's about presenting a financial profile that reassures lenders of your capacity and commitment to repay. - read more


Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!
Loan Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.

All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation.
We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Volatility:
A statistical measure of the dispersion of returns for a given security or market index. Higher volatility indicates higher risk.


Quick Links: | Personal And Business Loans Australia | Business Loan Options | Personal Loans Australia | Leasing Finance Solutions | Finance Brokers Australia | Unsecured Business Loans | Vehicle And Equipment Finance | Compare Finance Quotes | Quick Loan Approval | Low Interest Loans | Flexible Loan Terms