Westpac share price and dividend: where next as CEO resigns
Westpac (ASX: WBC) today announced that Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Hartzer, would step down from his current role(s), effective December 2.
Westpac CEO resigns
It was just yesterday that the Australian Financial Review ran a story pointing out that Westpac’s (ASX: WBC) Chairman – Lindsay Maxsted – had put Westpac’s CEO – Brian Hartzer – on notice.
Given the circumstances, it was hardly a surprise.
Even less surprising then was today's announcement that Westpac’s MD and CEO, Brian Hartzer, would be stepping down from the role – effective December 2.
'As CEO I accept that I am ultimately accountable for everything that happens at the Bank. And it is clear that we have fallen well short of what the community expects of us and we expect of ourselves.'
Adding to this, it was pointed out that:
'Mr Hartzer has been given 12 months notice and will be paid his fixed remuneration of $2.686m over this period.'
Not a bad outcome considering the circumstances and at the very least Mr Hartzer will be forgoing his ‘FY19 'Short-Term Variable Reward.'
Of course, given the magnitude of the alleged breaches – some 23 million of Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act – it always seemed a matter of when there was going to be a radical upper-management shakeup – not if.
Peter King, Westpac’s current Chief Financial Officer, will assume the top CEO spot in an acting capacity, in the interim.
In step with this, Westpac’s current Chief Operating Officer – Gary Thursby – will assume the role of acting Chief Financial Officer.
Practise trading Australian banks stocks with an IG demo account now
Board disruptions and a continued discussion
Besides this C-suite shakeup, Mr Maxstead announced that he would bring his previously planned retirement as Chairman from the Westpac (ASX: WBC) Board forward to H1 FY20.
Speaking of these broad changes, Mr Maxsted said:
'As was appropriate, we sought feedback from all our stakeholders including shareholders and having done so it became clear that board and management changes were in the best interest of the Bank.'
Other directors, such as Ewen Crouch, noted that they would not seek re-election at Westpac’s upcoming AGM.
Westpac share price: the potential implications
With all this instability, it is unsurprising that some brokers have turned further bearish on the bank.
On a conservative estimate, Bell Potter for example suggests that Westpac could be fined as much as $3.7bn – or $161 per offence of the AML/CTF Act.
With this fine in focus, the broker also believes that Westpac’s dividend – which was also slashed during the bank’s FY19 results – could come under further pressure. Specifically, the broker expects it to be cut to $1.50 per share in the years ahead.
As a result of this Westpac (ASX: WBC), may also be required to pursue another capital raise, says the broker.
In saying that, legal storm clouds are already beginning to form around the bank over the $2bn cap raise it completed just a few weeks ago.
Watch this space.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
Act on share opportunities today
Go long or short on thousands of international stocks with spread bets and CFDs.
- Get full exposure for a comparatively small deposit
- Trade on spreads from just 0.1%
- Get greater order book visibility with direct market access
See opportunity on a stock?
Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.
- Log in to your demo
- Take your position
- See whether your hunch pays off
See opportunity on a stock?
Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.
- Trade a huge range of popular stocks
- Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
- See and react to breaking news in-platform
See opportunity on a stock?
Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take advantage while conditions prevail.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Equities
- Indices
- Forex
- Commodities
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
