The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group was fined $19 million for mishandling customer financial difficulties.

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that West Pacific Bank must pay a fine of 26 million Australian dollars, as the bank failed to properly assist customers in financial distress. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission issued a statement stating that in the nearly six years leading up to 2023, the bank had over 200 online hardship applications that were not processed within the statutory time limits. These applications came from customers of West Pacific Bank and its subsidiaries, St. George Bank, BankSA, and Bank of Melbourne. Sarah Court, Deputy Chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, stated on Wednesday: "The most vulnerable customers did not receive the help they needed from West Pacific Bank. These customers, who have experienced domestic violence, natural disasters, serious illnesses, or unemployment, were hoping for some breathing room in repaying their loans."