A major independent review into ANZ Group has revealed that the bank’s internal culture rewards positive messaging to the point that staff avoid raising concerns, ultimately weakening its ability to identify operational risks. The findings, published as part of a regulator-mandated remediation process, show that Australia’s fourth-largest lender has structural and behavioural challenges that could undermine effective governance unless addressed decisively. The assessment raises important questions about how far ANZ must go to strengthen transparency and rebuild risk discipline after a series of regulatory actions.

A Culture That Discourages Speaking Up

The McKinsey review concluded that ANZ’s organisational environment places a premium on harmony and positive results, creating an atmosphere in which employees often avoid delivering difficult news. According to the report, staff were reluctant to escalate mistakes or emerging issues because doing so was viewed as disruptive. This “good news” mindset has the effect of dulling awareness of risks, preventing decision makers from seeing the full picture at critical moments. The review added that ANZ’s emphasis on collaboration, while positive in principle, has produced overly crowded decision processes. Too many stakeholders are involved in routine matters, diluting accountability and slowing the bank’s response to operational problems.

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Gaps in Curiosity and Cross-Functional Engagement

One of the more striking observations in the review was the finding that parts of the workforce demonstrate what the authors described as limited curiosity about the wider business. Employees tended to remain focused narrowly on their own responsibilities, assuming that issues in adjacent areas would be addressed by someone else. This behaviour reduced the likelihood that risks would be recognised early or viewed holistically across business units. The evaluation stressed the need for stronger leadership signals from senior management. A “tone from the top” that encourages challenge, transparency and constructive dissent is seen as essential to rebuilding a culture where staff feel confident raising concerns beyond their immediate remit.

Regulatory Scrutiny Following Bond-Market Failures

The cultural review stems from a court-enforced undertaking ANZ entered into in April after the prudential regulator raised concerns about risk management failures in its markets division. The trigger was a problematic A$14 billion government bond issuance in April 2023 that exposed gaps in governance and trading oversight. In the months that followed, the bank faced significant regulatory action. ANZ accepted a A$240 million penalty from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the largest single-entity fine the regulator has pursued. ASIC has brought eleven civil penalty cases against the bank since 2016, with total penalties exceeding A$310 million. While ANZ has submitted a remediation plan to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the details have not been released publicly. Regulators have reiterated that improvements in non-financial risk management are essential to restoring confidence in the bank’s operational systems.

Leadership Ramps Up Risk Reform Efforts

ANZ’s chief executive, Nuno Matos, who took over the role in May after moving from HSBC, has stated that strengthening the bank’s risk capabilities is one of his top priorities. Matos has acknowledged that the bank must shift internal behaviours and adopt stronger governance practices to avoid repeating past failures. His leadership team is expected to play a central role in pushing cultural change deeper into the organisation. The review’s findings make clear that rebuilding trust will require not only process improvements but a fundamental shift in how staff communicate risks, challenge assumptions and engage with colleagues across business lines. Without these changes, the bank risks remaining vulnerable to recurring governance lapses.

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What This Means for Australia’s Banking Landscape?

The case comes at a time when regulators worldwide are placing greater emphasis on non-financial risks, including conduct, operational resilience and cultural integrity. For ANZ, the review signals both a challenge and an opportunity. If the bank can translate the findings into meaningful reforms, it could strengthen its long-term stability and demonstrate a model for addressing cultural weaknesses in highly regulated sectors. If not, the risks of future compliance breaches and operational disruptions remain high. The path forward will test how effectively ANZ can confront long-standing internal habits and whether its governance systems can adapt quickly enough to keep pace with rising regulatory expectations.

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