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

RBA Holds Cash Rate Steady at 4.35% in June 2026
RBA Holds Cash Rate Steady at 4.35% in June 2026
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to maintain the official cash rate at 4.35% during its June 2026 meeting. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainties and persistent inflationary pressures. - read more
RBA Holds Cash Rate at 4.35% Amid Economic Uncertainty
RBA Holds Cash Rate at 4.35% Amid Economic Uncertainty
09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to maintain the official cash rate at 4.35% during its June 2026 meeting. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of slowing economic growth and persistent inflationary pressures. - read more
APRA Evaluates 3% Serviceability Buffer Following Industry Consultation
APRA Evaluates 3% Serviceability Buffer Following Industry Consultation
09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is currently reviewing the 3% serviceability buffer applied to mortgage lending, following a consultation period that concluded in early June 2026. This buffer requires lenders to assess borrowers' ability to repay loans at an interest rate 3% higher than the current rate, aiming to ensure financial resilience among borrowers. - read more
Liberty Financial Achieves Record SME and SMSF Lending Amid Residential Loan Decline
Liberty Financial Achieves Record SME and SMSF Lending Amid Residential Loan Decline
09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
Liberty Financial Group has reported record lending volumes in the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) and Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) sectors for the first half of the 2026 financial year. This achievement has helped offset a decline in the company's residential loan portfolio. - read more
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


Finance Articles

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
How to Increase Your Borrowing Power Efficiently
How to Increase Your Borrowing Power Efficiently
Borrowing power refers to the amount of money a lender is willing to loan you, based on your financial situation. - read more
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
Comparing Loan Options in Australia: The Role of Loan Calculators
Comparing Loan Options in Australia: The Role of Loan Calculators
Loan calculators are powerful tools that assist borrowers in estimating their potential loan payments. By inputting variables such as loan amount, interest rate, and loan term, these calculators provide insight into what one's monthly repayments might look like. This can be invaluable for budgeting and financial planning purposes. - read more
Investing in Your Future: Building a Solid Financial Plan
Investing in Your Future: Building a Solid Financial Plan
Investing in your future is not just a prudent choice; it’s a necessity, particularly in the context of Australia's dynamic financial landscape. Making significant purchases like a home or car, or even affording a dream holiday, requires a strategic approach to saving. Understanding the value of foresight and preparation is the first step toward making your financial dreams a reality. - 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
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E):
A valuation ratio of a company's current share price compared to its per-share earnings.


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