Westpac NZ profit knocked by mounting impairment charges

Westpac was buffeted by the North Island storms. (Image: Depositphotos)

Mon, 08 May 2023

Westpac New Zealand reported a 33% decline in first-half profit as the lender booked bigger charges on stressed loans, although the prior period was plumped up by a $126 million gain on the sale of its life insurance division.The local unit of the Australian lender reported a net profit of $426m in the six months ended March 31 from $640m a year earlier, when the bottom line was bolstered by the asset sale and a $10m writeback on impaired loans. Westpac NZ reported impairment charges totalling $154m in the period, which accounted for the i...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Property

Developer Kurt Gibbons buys Ryman’s Newtown site

The land was formerly the site of Wellington's Tip Top bread factory.

Gregor Thompson 10:30am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk: Thursday, Oct 31

One Night in Bangkok was a hit song from what musical?By inserting an extra letter, what word meaning a small group of trees can be changed to one meaning a dead body?State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Opotiki passes through what gorge?What was the nickname of a 1940s Hollywood...

The Quizmaster 9:15am