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ANZ Group Holdings Limited (ANZ) has submitted a notice to the ASX outlining a reduction in aggregate voting share holdings held via its controlled entities. As of 20 July 2026, these entities collectively held 1,089,768 fully paid ordinary shares, equating to 0.04% of ANZ’s total issued share capital of 3,015,919,897 shares. This marks a decrease from the 1,154,739 shares reported in the previous notice dated 29 April 2026. The filing, made under the Corporations Act subsection 259C(2) exemption, provides detailed disclosures on changes related to ANZ’s employee share plan and investment fund activities during the reporting period.
Key Points
- ANZ Group Holdings Limited (ANZ), an Australian banking and financial services company headquartered at Level 9A, ANZ Centre Melbourne, 833 Collins Street, Docklands, Victoria
- Reported aggregate voting share holdings decreased from 1,154,739 shares (0.04%) to 1,089,768 shares (0.04%) as at 20 July 2026
- Total issued share capital remains at 3,015,919,897 fully paid ordinary shares, with the aggregate percentage holding unchanged despite the numerical reduction
- Changes driven by employee share plan forfeitures, vesting adjustments, allocations, and an on-market sale by ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited on 26 June 2026
Overview of ANZ's Controlled Entity Shareholdings and Structure
ANZ Group Holdings Limited operates through multiple controlled entities that manage voting shares and economic interests on its behalf. The notice lodged on 21 July 2026 identifies three registered holders managing shares for various ANZ controlled entities. Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited holds 45,865 shares for ANZEST Pty Ltd, trustee of ANZ's employee share acquisition plan. JP Morgan Chase Bank holds 912,761 shares for ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited, representing various investment funds and client portfolios. JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited holds 131,142 shares for ANZ Custodial Services New Zealand Limited, trustee for private clients.
Collectively, these controlled entities hold 1,089,768 shares, equating to 0.04% of ANZ’s issued capital. This structure reflects ANZ’s extensive banking operations across Australia and New Zealand and its use of custodial and nominee arrangements typical of large financial institutions managing employee equity schemes and investment portfolios. The notice complies with the Corporations Act subsection 259C(2) exemption, allowing aggregated reporting rather than individual substantial shareholder disclosures.
Employee Share Plan Activity During Reporting Period
The primary factor influencing changes in ANZ’s controlled entity holdings was activity within the ANZ Employee Share Acquisition Plan administered by ANZEST Pty Ltd. Between 4 May 2026 and 14 July 2026, eight transactions affected plan shareholdings. On 4 May 2026, a net change of 3,651 shares occurred due to forfeitures from employment cessation or unmet vesting conditions alongside new allocations. On 29 May 2026, the plan saw a net increase of 16,910 shares from similar forfeiture and allocation activity.
The largest adjustment happened on 17 June 2026, with a decrease of 77,067 shares due to forfeitures and vesting changes, partially offset by a 29,349-share increase on 15 June 2026. Additional smaller changes included a 25,712-share decrease on 11 June 2026, increases of 3,082 shares on 19 June, 6,551 shares on 22 June, and 1,883 shares on 14 July 2026. These routine adjustments reflect ongoing administration of the employee share scheme, with no monetary consideration recorded, consistent with forfeiture and vesting events rather than market transactions.
Investment Fund Transactions and On-Market Sale by ANZ New Zealand Investments
Aside from employee plan movements, ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited executed an on-market sale of 23,618 shares on 26 June 2026, receiving $823,354.18 in consideration. This sale, conducted on behalf of various investment funds and client portfolios, reduced holdings from 936,379 to 912,761 shares, maintaining this entity as the largest controlled shareholder. This transaction highlights ANZ’s active management of third-party investment portfolios beyond its core banking functions.
ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited operates from ANZ Centre, 23-29 Albert Street, Auckland, reflecting the company’s trans-Tasman presence. The sale represents portfolio rebalancing or client-directed investment decisions rather than a strategic change in ANZ’s own shareholding. Overall, the reporting period saw a net decrease of 64,971 shares across controlled entities, with the aggregate percentage holding steady at 0.04%.
Net Economic Exposure and Voting Power Disclosures Under Corporations Act
The Corporations Act subsection 259C(2) filing discloses both voting power and net economic exposure held by ANZ’s controlled entities. For ordinary fully paid shares, both metrics align exactly, with 1,154,739 shares (0.04%) reported in the prior notice and 1,089,768 shares (0.04%) in the current notice. This indicates that ANZ’s controlled entities hold equivalent economic interests and voting rights, with no derivatives or other instruments causing divergence.
The stable 0.04% aggregated percentage despite share count reduction reflects proportional calculations relative to the constant total issued capital of 3,015,919,897 shares during the period. The consistency confirms that ANZ’s controlled entities do not utilize derivative positions affecting voting or economic exposure, ensuring transparency of actual holdings.
ANZ's Banking Operations and Regulatory Compliance
ANZ Group Holdings Limited is a major Australian banking and financial services provider with significant operations in Australia and New Zealand. Headquartered at Level 9A, ANZ Centre Melbourne, 833 Collins Street, Docklands, Victoria 3008, ANZEST Pty Ltd shares this address. The company’s ABN is 16 659 510 791, identifying it within the Australian regulatory framework. As of 20 July 2026, ANZ has 3,015,919,897 fully paid ordinary shares issued, reflecting its substantial capital base and broad shareholder base.
ANZ’s adherence to Corporations Act subsection 259C(2) reporting requirements demonstrates compliance with ASIC regulations governing substantial shareholdings. The exemption permits consolidated reporting of holdings across multiple controlled entities, avoiding separate substantial shareholder notices. The notice was authorized for release by ANZ’s Company Secretary Simon Pordage on 21 July 2026, confirming management’s responsibility for disclosure accuracy.
Roles of Controlled Entities in Managing ANZ Shareholdings and Client Assets
ANZ’s controlled entities fulfill distinct roles in managing shareholdings and client assets. ANZEST Pty Ltd acts as trustee for the ANZ Employee Share Acquisition Plan, overseeing shareholdings for employees participating in equity compensation. This includes managing forfeitures, vesting conditions, and new share allocations, integral to ANZ’s employee remuneration and retention strategies.
ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited manages shares on behalf of external investment funds and client portfolios, illustrating ANZ’s investment management activities. The on-market sale on 26 June 2026 exemplifies active portfolio management. ANZ Custodial Services New Zealand Limited serves as trustee for private client holdings via JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited, highlighting ANZ’s custodial services in private wealth management. These functions showcase ANZ’s comprehensive financial services extending beyond traditional banking.
Total Issued Share Capital and Shareholder Composition
ANZ’s total issued share capital of 3,015,919,897 fully paid ordinary shares represents its entire equity base. This substantial share count indicates a widely held shareholder structure typical of a major ASX-listed banking institution. The 0.04% aggregate holding by ANZ’s controlled entities is modest, reflecting no significant treasury shareholding by ANZ itself. The majority of shares are held by external investors, institutional shareholders, and employee participants.
The stable capital structure during the reporting period indicates no capital management activities such as buybacks, rights issues, or dividend reinvestment conversions occurred between 29 April 2026 and 20 July 2026. Variations in controlled entity holdings result solely from employee plan adjustments and investment fund transactions. This stability provides a consistent basis for calculating aggregated percentage holdings.
Registered Holders and Custodial Arrangements for ANZ Shares
Shares disclosed in ANZ’s notice are held through three registered holders serving custodial and nominee roles. Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited, located at CITIGROUP CENTRE, 2 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000, holds 45,865 shares for ANZEST Pty Ltd’s employee share plan. JP Morgan Chase Bank, at 85 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000, holds 912,761 shares for ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited’s investment funds and client portfolios. JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited, also at 85 Castlereagh Street, holds 131,142 shares for ANZ Custodial Services New Zealand Limited’s private clients.
These arrangements provide legal and operational separation between ANZ’s functions and administered holdings. Use of registered holders is standard in Australian markets for managing institutional and beneficial interests efficiently. The involvement of established custodians ensures compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
Notice Timing and Reporting Cycle
The current notice dated 21 July 2026 reports changes since the prior filing on 29 April 2026, representing a roughly 12-week reporting interval. This aligns with ANZ’s compliance under the Corporations Act subsection 259C(2) exemption, which permits consolidated aggregated reporting of controlled entity holdings. The notice does not specify the exact trigger for the current filing, as these are determined under ASIC’s exemption framework.
These periodic updates provide transparency to investors on changes in ANZ’s controlled shareholdings. The reported activities—primarily employee share plan administration and a single on-market sale—reflect routine business operations rather than significant strategic shifts. Future notices will follow subsequent reporting triggers under the exemption arrangement, assisting stakeholders in monitoring ANZ’s shareholding structure.
