Westpac Capital Notes 6 Prospectus
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Prospectus and
Westpac Capital Notes
Reinvestment Offer
Information
Arranger
Westpac Institutional Bank
Issuer
Westpac Banking Corporation
ABN 33 007 457 141
Joint Lead Managers
Westpac Institutional Bank
ANZ Securities Limited
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
J.P. Morgan Securities Australia Limited
Morgans Financial Limited
National Australia Bank Limited
UBS AG, Australia Branch
Date of this Prospectus
12 November 2018
Co-Managers
Bell Potter Securities Limited
Credit Suisse
Crestone Wealth Management Limited
Evans Dixon
JBWere Limited
Ord Minnett Limited
Shaw and Partners Limited
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some investors. Their complexity may
make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the
risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
Important notices
About this Prospectus
This Prospectus relates to the offer of Westpac Capital Notes 6 (“Notes”)
at an Issue Price of $100 each to raise approximately $750 million with the
ability to raise more or less.
The Westpac Capital Notes 6 offered under this Prospectus are designated as
Series 2018-2.
This Prospectus is dated 12 November 2018 and was lodged with the
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) on that date.
ASIC and ASX Limited (“ASX”) take no responsibility for the content of this
Prospectus nor for the merits of the investment to which this Prospectus
relates. This Prospectus expires on the date which is 13 months after the date
of this Prospectus (“Expiry Date”) and no Notes will be issued or transferred
on the basis of this Prospectus after the Expiry Date.
Status of Westpac Capital Notes 6
Westpac Capital Notes 6 are fully paid, non-cumulative, convertible,
transferable, redeemable, subordinated
1
, perpetual, unsecured notes issued by
Westpac.
The Notes are not deposit liabilities or protected accounts of Westpac
for the purposes of the Banking Act or Financial Claims Scheme and are
not subject to the depositor protection provisions of Australian banking
legislation (including the Australian Government guarantee of certain bank
deposits).
Investment-type products are subject to investment risk, including possible
delays in payment and loss of income and principal invested. Except as
required by law, and only to the extent so required, neither Westpac nor
any other person in any way warrants or guarantees the capital value or
performance of the Notes, the performance of Westpac or any particular
rate of return on any investment made under this Prospectus. If a Capital
Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs, Westpac will be required
to Convert some or all of the Notes (or, where Conversion does not occur
for any reason and Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm
on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date
or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may be), then:
(i) those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as the case may be) and will not be
Converted, Redeemed or Transferred on any subsequent date; (ii) all rights in
relation to those Notes will be terminated immediately on the Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date
(as the case may be); and (iii) Holders will suffer loss as a consequence).
If Conversion occurs in these circumstances, Holders may (in the case of a
Capital Trigger Event) and are likely to (in the case of a Non-Viability Trigger
Event) receive Ordinary Shares that are worth significantly less than the Face
Value of the Notes. If Holders receive Ordinary Shares worth less than the
Face Value of the Notes, they will suffer loss as a consequence.
Defined words and expressions
Some words and expressions used in this Prospectus are capitalised as
they have defined meanings. The Glossary in Appendix A and clause 16.2 of
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms in Appendix B define these words and
expressions.
A reference to time in this Prospectus is to Sydney time, unless otherwise
stated. A reference to $, A$, dollars and cents is to Australian currency, unless
otherwise stated.
No representations other than in this Prospectus
You should rely only on information in this Prospectus. No person is
authorised to provide any information or to make any representations in
connection with the Offer which are not contained in this Prospectus. Any
information or representations not contained in this Prospectus may not be
relied upon as having been authorised by Westpac in connection with the
Offer.
Past performance information
The financial information provided in this Prospectus is for information
purposes only and is not a forecast of operating results to be expected
in future periods. Past performance is not a reliable indication of future
performance.
This Prospectus does not provide investment advice – you
should seek your own professional investment advice
The information in this Prospectus is not investment advice and has
been prepared without taking into account your investment objectives,
financial situation and particular needs (including financial and taxation
considerations) as an investor. You should consider the appropriateness
of the Notes having regard to these factors before deciding to apply for
any Notes. It is important that you read the entire Prospectus (including
the investment risks described in Sections 1.5 and 5) and seek professional
investment advice from your financial adviser or other professional adviser
before deciding whether to apply for any Notes.
Except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law, each Joint Lead
Manager and its respective directors, officers, employees and advisers
expressly disclaims and does not accept any liability for the contents of this
Prospectus, the Notes or the Offer.
This Prospectus also contains information in relation to (amongst other
things) the Reinvestment Offer. Neither Westpac nor any other person is
providing any investment advice or making any recommendation to Eligible
Westpac Capital Notes Holders in respect of the Reinvestment Offer.
Restrictions in foreign jurisdictions
This Offer is being made in Australia only and this Prospectus does not
constitute an offer in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom,
it would not be lawful to make such an offer. No action has been taken to
register or qualify the Notes or the Offer or to otherwise permit a public
offering of the Notes in any jurisdiction outside Australia. The distribution
of this Prospectus (including an electronic copy) in jurisdictions outside
Australia may be restricted by law.
You should read the foreign selling restrictions (including, in particular, the
restrictions in the United States and on US Persons) in Section 7.14. If you
come into possession of this Prospectus in jurisdictions outside Australia,
you should seek advice on, and observe, any such restrictions. If you fail
to comply with such restrictions that failure may constitute a violation of
applicable securities laws.
Exposure period
The Corporations Act prohibits the acceptance of Applications during the
seven day period after the date this Prospectus was lodged with ASIC. This
period is referred to as the “exposure period” and ASIC may extend this
period by up to a further seven days (that is up to 14 days in total). The
purpose of the exposure period is to enable this Prospectus to be examined
by market participants before the Opening Date.
How to obtain a Prospectus and an Application Form
During the Offer Period:
• Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders and Eligible Securityholders may
access the electronic version of the Prospectus and the Reinvestment
Application Form or Securityholder Application Form online at
www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6;
• Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders and Eligible Securityholders
may also obtain a printed Prospectus with a personalised Reinvestment
Application Form or personalised Securityholder Application Form by:
–registering online at www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6; or
–calling the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to
Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497 (within
Australia) and +61 1300 653 497 (from outside Australia).
• Broker Firm Applicants can obtain a copy of this Prospectus, including
a Broker Firm Application Form, by downloading an electronic copy at
www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6 or from their Syndicate Broker.
An electronic copy of this Prospectus can be downloaded at
www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6.
This Prospectus is only available electronically to persons accessing
and downloading it in Australia. If you access an electronic copy of this
Prospectus, you should ensure that you download and read the entire
Prospectus.
The Corporations Act prohibits any person from passing the Application
Form on to another person unless it is attached to a printed Prospectus or
the complete and unaltered electronic version of this Prospectus.
Applications for Westpac Capital Notes 6
Applications for any Notes under this Prospectus may only be made during
the Offer Period on an Application Form attached to or accompanying
this Prospectus including, in the case of Eligible Westpac Capital Notes
Holders and Eligible Securityholders, by submitting an online Application at
www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6.
For information on who is eligible to apply for any Notes under the Offer and
how to make an Application – see Section 8 and the Application Form.
No withdrawal of Application
You cannot withdraw your Application once it has been lodged, except as
permitted under the Corporations Act.
Refunds
If you are Allocated less than the number of Notes that you applied for, you
will receive a refund as soon as possible after the Issue Date. If the Offer does
not proceed, any Application Payment you have made will be refunded to
you. No interest will be payable on Application Payments.
Trading in Westpac Capital Notes 6
It is your responsibility to determine your Allocation before trading in Notes
to avoid the risk of selling Notes you do not own. To assist you in determining
your Allocation before the receipt of your Holding Statement, you may call
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am
to 5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497 (within Australia) and +61 1300
653 497 (from outside Australia) if you are an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes
Holder or Eligible Securityholder, or contact your Syndicate Broker if you are
a Broker Firm Applicant. If you sell Notes before you receive confirmation of
your Allocation, you do so at your own risk.
Providing personal information
You will be asked to provide personal information to Westpac (directly or via
its agents, including the Registrar) if you apply for any Notes. See Section 7.15
for information on how Westpac (and its agents, including the Registrar on its
behalf) collects, holds and uses this personal information. You can also obtain
a copy of Westpac’s privacy policy at www.westpac.com.au/privacy.
Incorporation by reference
Information contained in or accessible through the documents or websites
mentioned in this Prospectus does not form part of this Prospectus unless
it is specifically stated that the document or website is incorporated by
reference and forms part of this Prospectus.
Note:
1. See Sections 1.4 and 2.7 for a description of how the Notes will rank in a Winding Up.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Appendix A
Appendix B
Table of contents
Important noticesInside front cover
Guidance for retail investors2
Key dates3
1. Investment overview4
2. Information about Westpac Capital Notes 617
3. Reinvestment Offer for Westpac Capital Notes36
4. About Westpac43
5. Investment risks52
6. Australian tax summary72
7. Other information78
8. Applying for Westpac Capital Notes 686
Appendix A Glossary92
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms104
Corporate directoryInside back cover
1
Guidance for retail investors
1. Read this
Prospectus in
full
• If you are considering applying for any Notes under the Offer, this Prospectus is important and
should be read in its entirety.
• You should have particular regard to the:
–“Investment overview” in Section 1 and “Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6” in
Section 2;
–“Reinvestment Offer for Westpac Capital Notes“ in Section 3;
–“Investment risks” in Section 5; and
–“Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms” in Appendix B.
• In considering whether to apply for any Notes, it is important to consider all risks and other
information regarding an investment in the Notes in light of your particular investment
objectives and circumstances.
• Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits
and may not be suitable for some investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to
understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them,
you should obtain professional advice.
2. Speak to your
professional
adviser
• You should seek professional advice from your stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other
independent and qualified professional adviser about the Offer.
• ASIC has published guidance on how to choose a professional adviser on its MoneySmart
website. You can also search ‘choosing a financial adviser’ at www.moneysmart.gov.au.
3. Consider the
ASIC guidance
for retail
investors
• Further guidance on investing in bank hybrid securities can be found on ASIC’s MoneySmart
website at www.moneysmart.gov.au or via a link at www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6.
• A free copy of the ASIC guidance may also be obtained by calling ASIC on 1300 300 630
(from within Australia) or +61 3 5177 3988 (from outside Australia).
4. Learn more
about
investing in
bank hybrid
securities
• Westpac’s Guide to Bank Hybrids, a web-based guide to help investors understand some
of the typical features and risks associated with an investment in bank hybrid securities, is
available at www.westpac.com.au/bankhybridguide. The Guide to Bank Hybrids provides a
brief overview of hybrid investments, including how to invest in an Australian bank and the
typical features and risks of different types of bank hybrids. The Guide to Bank Hybrids may be
helpful when you are considering an investment in the Notes.
5. Obtain further
information
about
Westpac and
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
• Westpac is a disclosing entity for the purposes of the Corporations Act and, as a result, is
subject to regular reporting and disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act and the
ASX Listing Rules. In addition, Westpac must notify ASX immediately (subject to certain
exceptions) if it becomes aware of information about Westpac that a reasonable person would
expect to have a material effect on the price or value of its securities, including the Notes.
• Copies of documents lodged with ASIC can be obtained from, or inspected at, an ASIC office
and Westpac’s ASX announcements may be viewed at www.asx.com.au (ASX code WBC).
Further information about Westpac, including Westpac’s half-yearly and annual financial
reports, presentations and other investor information, can be obtained from www.westpac.
com.au/investorcentre.
6. Labor Party
proposal to
remove excess
franking credit
refunds
• In March 2018, the Labor Party announced plans to remove cash refunds for excess franking
credits to entities that are currently able to claim them (including individuals and complying
superannuation entities), with effect from 1 July 2019. The full details of how the Labor Party
proposal would be implemented have not yet been announced.
• If the Labor Party forms Federal Government and its proposal becomes law in Australia,
Holders may not be able to claim cash refunds for excess franking credits received in respect
of Distributions on the Notes.
• If you plan to claim cash refunds for excess franking credits received in respect of Distributions
on the Notes, you should consider whether the Notes are a suitable investment for you, and in
any event you should seek professional advice in relation to your tax position and monitor the
potential Labor Party changes on an ongoing basis.
7. Enquiries• If you have any questions in relation to the Offer, please call the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Information Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497 (within
Australia) and +61 1300 653 497 (from outside Australia) (local call cost within Australia) or
contact your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
2
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Appendix A
Appendix B
Key dates
Key dates for the Offer
Record date for determining Eligible Securityholders (7.00pm Sydney time)5 November 2018
Announcement of the Offer and lodgement of this Prospectus with ASIC12 November 2018
Bookbuild 19 November 2018
Announcement of Margin19 November 2018
Lodgement of replacement Prospectus with ASIC20 November 2018
Opening Date20 November 2018
Closing Date for the Securityholder Offer (5.00pm Sydney time)11 December 2018
Closing Date for the Broker Firm Offer (5.00pm Sydney time)11 December 2018
Issue Date of Notes18 December 2018
Commencement of deferred settlement trading19 December 2018
Holding Statements dispatched by21 December 2018
Commencement of normal settlement trading24 December 2018
Key dates for Westpac Capital Notes 6
Record Date for first Distribution 8 March 2019
First Distribution Payment Date
1
18 March 2019
Option for Westpac to Convert
2
, Redeem
3
or Transfer the Notes31 July 2024
Scheduled Conversion Date
4
31 July 2026
Key dates for the Reinvestment Offer
Reinvestment Offer Record Date for determining Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders
(7.00pm Sydney time)
5 November 2018
Opening Date for the Reinvestment Offer 20 November 2018
Ex-date for Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution10 December 2018
Record date for Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution (7.00pm Sydney time)11 December 2018
Closing Date for the Reinvestment Offer (5.00pm Sydney time)11 December 2018
Expected date of transfer of Participating Westpac Capital Notes to Westpac Capital Notes
Nominated Party
18 December 2018
Issue Date of Notes for the Reinvestment Offer 18 December 2018
Payment date for Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution
5
18 December 2018
Key dates for the Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes
Ex-date for Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution 10 December 2018
Record date for Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution (7.00pm Sydney time)11 December 2018
Payment date for Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution
5
18 December 2018
Ex-date for intended Final Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Notes
27 February 2019
Record date for intended Final Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Notes (7.00pm Sydney time)
28 February 2019
Last day of trading in Westpac Capital Notes28 February 2019
Payment date for intended Final Westpac Capital Notes Distribution
5
on Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Notes
8 March 2019
Expected date of transfer of Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes to Westpac Capital Notes
Nominated Party
8 March 2019
Dates may change
These dates are indicative only and may change. Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers may, in their absolute discretion,
close the Offer early or extend the Offer Period without notice. Westpac may also withdraw the Offer at any time before
Notes are issued. Accordingly, if you wish to apply for any Notes, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible after
the Opening Date.
Except as otherwise specified in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms, if any of these dates are not Business Days and an
event under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms is stipulated to occur on that day, then the event will occur on the next
Business Day.
Note:
1. Distributions are payable quarterly, subject to satisfaction of the Distribution Payment Conditions – see Section 2.1.9.
2. Subject to satisfaction of the Optional Conversion Restriction – see Section 2.4.2.
3. There can be no certainty that APRA will provide its prior written approval for any such Redemption.
4. Conversion of the Notes to Ordinary Shares on this date is subject to satisfaction of the Scheduled Conversion Conditions – see Section 2.2.3.
5. Subject to satisfaction of the distribution payment conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms.
3
Section 1
Investment overview
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
1.1 Key features of the Offer and Westpac Capital Notes 6
1.2 Summary of the Distributions payable on Westpac Capital Notes 6
1.3 Summary of certain events which may affect what Holders of Westpac Capital Notes 6
receive and when they receive it
1.4 Ranking of Westpac Capital Notes 6 in a Winding Up of Westpac
1.5 Key risks associated with an investment in Westpac Capital Notes 6 and Westpac
1.6 Comparison of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 with certain other Westpac investments or
products
1.7 Structure of the Offer and how to apply for Westpac Capital Notes 6
4
1
Section 1 Investment overview
1.1 Key features of the Offer and Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
1.1.1 The Offer• The Offer is for the issue of Westpac Capital Notes 6 to raise
approximately $750 million, with the ability to raise more or
less. The Offer includes the Reinvestment Offer, which is a
priority offer to Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders to
reinvest some or all of their Westpac Capital Notes in the
Westpac Capital Notes 6.
Sections 2,
3 and 8
17, 36
and 86
1.1.2 The issuer• Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141.Section 443
1.1.3 Key features
of Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Westpac Capital Notes 6 are:
• fully paid – the Issue Price ($100 per Note, which will also be
the Initial Face Value of the Note) must be paid to Westpac
before the Notes are issued;
• non-cumulative – they offer Distributions which are
discretionary and unpaid Distributions do not accumulate.
Holders will not have any right to compensation if Westpac
does not pay a Distribution;
• convertible – in certain circumstances, Westpac will be
required or permitted to Convert the Notes into Ordinary
Shares;
• redeemable and transferable – in certain circumstances,
Westpac may be permitted to repay the Face Value (initially
$100 per Note) of the Notes to Holders or transfer the Notes
to a third party (but there are significant restrictions on
repayment of the Notes);
• perpetual – they do not have a fixed maturity date and could
exist indefinitely if not Redeemed, Converted or Transferred
(in which case you would not receive your capital back,
unless you sell your Notes on ASX at the prevailing market
price to realise your investment);
• unsecured – they are not guaranteed nor are they deposit
liabilities or protected accounts of Westpac under the
Banking Act or Financial Claims Scheme and they are not
subject to the depositor protection provisions of Australian
banking legislation;
• subject to a Capital Trigger Event and Non-Viability Trigger
Event – where such an event occurs (which includes where
Westpac suffers significant losses), some or all of the Notes
must be Converted into Ordinary Shares or, if Conversion
does not occur for any reason and Ordinary Shares are not
issued for any reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day
after the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-
Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may
be), the rights of Holders attaching to those Notes will
be terminated immediately on the Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion
Date (as the case may be), and Holders will lose all the value
of their investment in those Notes and they will not receive
any compensation or unpaid Distributions;
• subordinated – in the event of a Winding Up, if the Notes
are still on issue and have not been Redeemed or Converted,
or otherwise had the rights attaching to them terminated,
they will rank ahead of Ordinary Shares, equally among
themselves and with Equal Ranking Capital Securities and
behind Senior Creditors. However, it is likely that a Capital
Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event would occur
prior to a Winding Up and the Notes would have been
Converted into Ordinary Shares or otherwise had the rights
attaching to them terminated; and
Section 2
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
17
104
5
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
1.1.3 Key features
of Westpac
Capital Notes 6
(continued)
• listed – Westpac will apply for the Notes to be quoted on
ASX and the Notes are expected to trade under ASX code
WBCPI.
The Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms are complex and derive
from the detailed capital requirements that APRA applies to
these instruments. Westpac’s ability to pay Distributions or
to Convert or Redeem the Notes is subject to a number of
restrictions, including APRA not objecting to the Distributions
and APRA giving prior written approval to a Redemption.
1.1.4 Use of
proceeds of
the Westpac
Capital Notes 6
• Westpac is issuing the Notes to raise regulatory capital
which satisfies the regulatory capital requirements of APRA.
The proceeds received under the Offer will be used by
Westpac for general business purposes.
Sections
4.1.4 and
4.2.1
46 and
47
1.2 Summary of the Distributions payable on Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
1.2.1 Distributions
payable on
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
• The Notes offer Holders quarterly, floating rate Distributions
until the Notes are Converted at their full Face Value (or
terminated following a failure to Convert) or Redeemed.
• The Distribution Payment Dates are quarterly, being
18 March, 18 June, 18 September and 18 December of
each year. The first Distribution is scheduled to be paid on
18 March 2019.
• The Distribution Rate is determined in accordance with the
following formula:
(3 month BBSW Rate + Margin) x (1 – Tax Rate
1
)
• The Margin is expected to be in the range of 3.70% to
3.90% per annum and will be determined at the end of the
Bookbuild.
• Distributions are expected to be fully franked.
Section 2.1
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clause 3
18
105
1.2.2 Distributions
may not
be paid on
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
• Payments of Distributions are within the absolute discretion
of Westpac, which means Westpac does not have to
pay them. Distributions are also only payable if the other
Distribution Payment Conditions are satisfied.
• Distributions are non-cumulative, which means that unpaid
Distributions will not be made up or accumulate. Holders will
not have any rights to compensation if Westpac does not pay
Distributions. Failure to pay any Distribution is not an event
of default
2
and Holders have no right to apply for a Winding
Up on the grounds of non-payment of a Distribution.
• If for any reason a Distribution has not been paid in full for a
relevant Distribution Payment Date, then until a Distribution
is paid in full on a subsequent Distribution Payment Date (or
all Notes are Converted at their full Face Value, Redeemed or
terminated following a failure to Convert), Westpac must not:
–determine or pay any Dividends on its Ordinary Shares; or
–undertake any discretionary Buy Back or Capital
Reduction,
unless the amount of the unpaid Distribution is paid in full
within 20 Business Days of the relevant Distribution Payment
Date (and in certain other limited circumstances).
Sections
2.1.1 and
2.1.9 to 2.1.11
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clauses 3.3,
3.4, 3.7 and
3.8
18 and
22
106
Note:
1. The Tax Rate is 30% (or 0.30 expressed as a decimal) as at the date of this Prospectus but that rate may change.
2. The Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms do not include any events of default.
6
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1
Section 1 Investment overview
1.3 Summary of certain events which may affect what Holders of Westpac
Capital Notes 6 receive and when they receive it
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
1.3.1 Events that
may affect
the Westpac
Capital Notes 6
• The Notes do not have a fixed maturity date and Holders
do not have a right to request or require Westpac to
Convert, Redeem or arrange for the Transfer of the Notes.
Accordingly, what will happen to the Notes is uncertain.
• It is possible that the Notes could remain on issue indefinitely
and the Face Value (initially $100 per Note) will not be
repaid.
• The diagram and table in this Section 1.3.1 summarise certain
events that may occur while the Notes are on issue and
what Holders may receive in relation to the Notes under the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
Sections 2.2
to 2.6
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clauses 4
to 8
23 to
32
107 to
111
At Westpac’s Option
18 December
2018, the
Issue Date
31 July 2024
Conversion, Redemption (subject to
APRA approval) or Transfer at Westpac’s
option (see Sections 2.3 and 2.4)
Conversion
You receive
Ordinary
Shares
Redemption
You receive
the Face
Value from
Westpac
Transfer
You receive
the Face
Value
from a
nominated
third party
purchaser
You receive
Ordinary Shares
Tax Event or Regulatory Event
Conversion, Redemption (subject to APRA approval) or Transfer at Westpac’s option if a Tax Event or Regulatory
Event occurs (see Sections 2.3 and 2.4)
Acquisition Event
Automatic Conversion if an Acquisition Event occurs subject to the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition, as it
applies to an Acquisition Event, being satisfied (see Section 2.6)
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Vialibility Trigger Event
Automatic Conversion if a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Vialibility Trigger Event occurs (or if Conversion
does not occur for any reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date or Non-Vialibility Trigger Event Conversion Date, all rights in relation to those Notes will be terminated)
(see Section 2.5)
You receive
Ordinary Shares
31 July 2026, the first
possible Scheduled
Conversion Date
Scheduled Conversion
subject to the Scheduled
Conversion Conditions
being satisfied
(see Section 2.2.3)
Each Distribution
Payment Date after the
first possible Scheduled
Conversion Date
If Scheduled Conversion
does not occur on the
first possible Scheduled
Conversion Date of
31 July 2026, then
Scheduled Conversion
will occur on the first
Distribution Payment
Date after that date on
which the Scheduled
Conversion Conditions
are satisfied (see Section
2.2.3)
Scheduled Conversion Date
Perpetual
EVENTS THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME:
7
EventWhen?Is APRA
approval
required?
Are there
other pre-
conditions to
the event?
What value
will a Holder
receive?
In what form
will that value
be provided
to Holders?
Where to
find further
information?
Redemption
at Westpac's
option
31 July 2024
or if a Tax
Event or
Regulatory
Event
occurs
Ye s
3
Yes,
before or
concurrently
with
Redemption
4
Face Value
(initially $100
per Note) plus
a Distribution
5
CashSections 2.3.1
to 2.3.4
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clause 7
Transfer at
Westpac's
option
31 July 2024
or if a Tax
Event or
Regulatory
Event
occurs
NoNoFace Value
(initially $100
per Note) plus
a Distribution
5
Cash
6
Sections 2.3.1
and 2.3.5
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clause 8
Conversion
at Westpac's
option
31 July 2024
or if a Tax
Event or
Regulatory
Event
occurs
NoYe s
7
Ordinary
Shares worth
approximately
$101.01
8
per
Note plus a
Distribution
5
A variable
number of
Ordinary
Shares
plus a cash
Distribution
5
Section 2.4
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clauses 6
and 9
Scheduled
Conversion
31 July 2026NoYe s
7
Ordinary
Shares worth
approximately
$101.01
8
per
Note plus a
Distribution
5
A variable
number of
Ordinary
Shares
plus a cash
Distribution
5
Section 2.2
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clauses 4
and 9
Conversion
upon an
Acquisition
Event
If an
Acquisition
Event
occurs
NoYe s
7
Ordinary
Shares worth
approximately
$101.01
8
per
Note plus a
Distribution
5
A variable
number of
Ordinary
Shares
plus a cash
Distribution
5
Section 2.6
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clauses 5.9
and 9
Note:
3. Holders should not expect that APRA’s approval will be given if requested.
4. Westpac may only Redeem Notes if it replaces them with capital of the same or better quality (and the replacement is done under conditions that are
sustainable for the income capacity of Westpac) or obtains confirmation that APRA is satisfied that Westpac does not have to replace the Notes.
5. The Distribution would be for the period from (but excluding) the last Distribution Payment Date to (and including) the relevant Conversion Date,
Redemption Date or Transfer Date (as applicable). Payments of Distributions are within the absolute discretion of Westpac, which means Westpac does
not have to pay them. Distributions are also only payable if the Distribution Payment Conditions are satisfied.
6. On Transfer, Holders will receive the Face Value in cash from the Nominated Party to whom the Notes are transferred.
7. Conversion is conditional on Westpac’s share price being above a specified level in the period prior to Conversion.
8. Based on the Initial Face Value of $100 per Note and the VWAP of Ordinary Shares during the relevant VWAP Period before the Conversion Date, with
the benefit of a 1% discount. The value of Ordinary Shares received on the Conversion of one Note may be worth more or less than $101.01 depending on
the market price of Ordinary Shares before Conversion and the Face Value of the Notes at the Conversion Date.
8
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1
Section 1 Investment overview
EventWhen?Is APRA
approval
required?
Are there
other pre-
conditions to
the event?
What value
will a Holder
receive?
In what form
will that value
be provided
to Holders?
Where to
find further
information?
Conversion
upon a
Capital
Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event
If a Capital
Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger
Event
occurs
NoNoA variable
value,
depending on
the price of
the Ordinary
Shares at the
relevant time.
However,
Holders may
(in the case
of a Capital
Trigger Event)
and are likely
to (in the
case of a
Non-Viability
Trigger
Event) receive
significantly
less than
approximately
$101.01 for
each Note
(based on the
Initial Face
Value of $100
per Note), and
the value may
be nothing if
Conversion
does not
occur for
any reason
and Ordinary
Shares are
not issued for
any reason
by 5.00pm
on the fifth
Business
Day after
the Capital
Trigger Event
Conversion
Date or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event
Conversion
Date (as the
case may be)
9
A variable
number of
Ordinary
Shares up to
the Maximum
Conversion
Number.
However, if
Conversion
of the Notes
does not
occur for
any reason
and Ordinary
Shares are
not issued for
any reason
by 5.00pm
on the fifth
Business
Day after
the Capital
Trigger Event
Conversion
Date or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event
Conversion
Date (as the
case may
be), then
the rights
of Holders
attaching
to those
Notes will be
terminated
immediately
on the Capital
Trigger Event
Conversion
Date or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event
Conversion
Date (as the
case may be)
and Holders
will lose all
of the value
of their
investment
in those
Notes and
they will not
receive any
compensation
or unpaid
Distributions
Sections 2.5
and 5.1.7 to
5.1.9
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6
Terms
clauses 5.1 to
5.8 and 9
Note:
9. Section 2.5 provides further detail on the circumstances in which Holders are likely to receive significantly less than $101.01 due to a Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability Trigger Event.
9
1.4 Ranking of Westpac Capital Notes 6 in a Winding Up of Westpac
The table below illustrates how the Notes would rank upon a Winding Up of Westpac, if they are on issue at that time.
It is likely that a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event would occur prior to a Winding Up and the Notes
would have been Converted into Ordinary Shares or otherwise had the rights attaching to them terminated immediately
on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may be) where
Conversion does not occur for any reason and Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business
Day after the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may be).
Higher rankingIllustrative examples
10
Preferred and secured debtLiabilities in Australia in relation to protected accounts (generally,
savings accounts and term deposits) and other liabilities preferred
by law including employee entitlements and secured creditors
Unsubordinated unsecured
debt
Trade and general creditors, bonds, notes and debentures and other
unsubordinated unsecured debt obligations. This includes covered
bonds which are an unsecured claim on Westpac, though they are
secured over assets that form part of the Westpac Group
Subordinated unsecured
debt and subordinated
perpetual debt
Westpac NZD Subordinated Notes, other subordinated bonds,
notes and debentures and other subordinated unsecured debt
obligations with a fixed maturity date and subordinated perpetual
floating rate notes issued in 1986
Additional Tier 1 Capital
securities
Westpac Capital Notes 6, Westpac Capital Notes, Westpac Capital
Notes 2, Westpac Capital Notes 3, Westpac Capital Notes 4,
Westpac Capital Notes 5 and Westpac USD AT1 Securities
Lower rankingOrdinary sharesOrdinary Shares
1.5 Key risks associated with an investment in Westpac Capital Notes 6
and Westpac
Before applying for any Notes, you should consider whether the Notes are a suitable investment for you. There are risks
involved with investing in the Notes and in Westpac. Many of these risks are outside the control of Westpac and the
Westpac Directors. These risks include those in this Section 1.5 and Section 5 and any other matters referred to in this
Prospectus.
1.5.1 Key risks of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Westpac Capital
Notes 6 are not
deposit liabilities or
protected accounts
• The Notes are not deposit liabilities or protected accounts
of Westpac for the purposes of the Banking Act or Financial
Claims Scheme and are not subject to the depositor
protection provisions of Australian banking legislation
(including the Australian Government guarantee of certain
bank deposits).
Important
Notices and
Section 5.1.1
Inside
front
cover
and 53
Market price of the
Westpac Capital
Notes 6 may
fluctuate
• The Notes may trade at a market price below Face Value
(initially $100 per Note).
• Circumstances in which the market price of the Notes may
decline include general conditions, changes in government
policy, changes in regulatory policy, changes in investor
perception and sentiment in relation to Westpac, changes
in the market price of other securities issued by Westpac
or other issuers and the occurrence of or increase in the
likelihood of the occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event or a
Non-Viability Trigger Event.
Sections
5.1.2 and
5.1.4
53
Note:
10. This diagram and the descriptions are simplified and illustrative only, and do not include every type of security or obligation that may be issued or entered into
by Westpac, or every potential claim against Westpac in a Winding Up. Westpac will from time to time issue additional securities or incur other obligations
that rank ahead of, equally with, or subordinated to, the Notes. Further, some of the securities represented in the diagram (for example, Westpac NZD
Subordinated Notes and Additional Tier 1 Capital securities) may be converted into Ordinary Shares, which will then rank equally with other Ordinary Shares.
10
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1
Section 1 Investment overview
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Liquidity of the
Westpac Capital
Notes 6 may be low
• The market for the Notes will likely be less liquid than the
market for Ordinary Shares.
• Holders who wish to sell their Notes may be unable to do so
at an acceptable price, or at all, if insufficient liquidity exists
in the market for the Notes.
Section 5.1.353
Excess franking
credit refunds may be
removed under the
Labor Party
• If the Labor Party forms Federal Government and its
proposal as described in Sections 2.1.5 and 6.3.1 becomes
law in Australia, Holders may not be able to claim cash
refunds for excess franking credits received in respect of
Distributions on the Notes. Accordingly, the Notes may be
less valuable to those investors in the future and the market
price of the Notes and/or the liquidity of the market for the
Notes could be adversely impacted.
Sections
2.1.5, 5.1.4
and 6.3.1
20, 53
and 73
Distributions may not
be paid
• There is a risk that Distributions will not be paid.
Distributions are discretionary and are only payable subject
to the satisfaction of the Distribution Payment Conditions.
For example, this includes the Distribution not resulting in a
breach of capital requirements.
• Distributions are non-cumulative. If a Distribution is not
paid in full because the Distribution Payment Conditions are
not satisfied, Holders are not entitled to receive the unpaid
Distribution.
Section 2.1.922
Changes in the
Distribution Rate
• The Distribution Rate will fluctuate (and may increase and/or
decrease) over time with movements in the 3 month BBSW
Rate.
• There is a risk that the Distribution Rate may become less
attractive compared to returns available on comparable
securities or investments.
Sections
2.1.2 and
5.1.6
18 and
54
Conversion or
termination of rights
on account of a
Capital Trigger Event
or a Non-Viability
Trigger Event
• The value of Ordinary Shares received for each Note that is
Converted upon the occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability Trigger Event may (in the case of a Capital
Trigger Event) and is likely to (in the case of a Non-Viability
Trigger Event) be significantly less than approximately
$101.01 for each Note (based on the Initial Face Value of $100
per Note). This is because the number of Ordinary Shares
issued on Conversion is limited by the Maximum Conversion
Number, as required by APRA. The Maximum Conversion
Number applied on a Conversion of this kind is based on an
Ordinary Share price that reflects 20% of the Ordinary Share
price at the time of issue of the Notes.
• If Conversion of Notes does not occur for any reason and
Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm
on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion
Date (as the case may be) (for example, due to laws relating
to Australian foreign investment laws, Australian financial
sector ownership laws, Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act
or other applicable laws specified under the Banking Act, an
order of a court, an action of any government authority or
operational delays), then:
–those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event
(as the case may be) and will not be Converted,
Redeemed or Transferred on any subsequent date; and
–all rights in relation to those Notes will be terminated
immediately on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as
the case may be), and Holders will lose all of the value of
their investment in those Notes and they will not receive
any compensation or unpaid Distributions.
Sections
2.5.4, 2.5.5,
5.1.8 and
5.1.9
30 to 31
and 54
to 55
11
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Credit ratings• Any credit rating assigned to the Notes or other Westpac
securities could be reviewed, suspended, withdrawn or
downgraded by credit rating agencies, or credit rating
agencies could change their rating methodology, at any time
which could adversely affect the market price and liquidity
of the Notes and other Westpac securities.
Section 5.1.1156
The price used
to calculate the
number of Ordinary
Shares to be issued
on Conversion may
not be the market
price
• The Ordinary Share price used to calculate the number
of Ordinary Shares to be issued on Conversion may be
different to the market price of Ordinary Shares at the time
of Conversion because the price used in the calculation is
based on the VWAP during the relevant period prior to the
Conversion Date.
• The value of Ordinary Shares Holders receive based on
the calculation may therefore be less than the value of
those Ordinary Shares based on the market price on the
Conversion Date.
Section
5.1.12
56
It is not certain
whether and when
the Westpac
Capital Notes 6
will be Converted,
Redeemed or
Transferred
• Conversion may not occur on 31 July 2026, being the
first possible Scheduled Conversion Date, or at all if the
Scheduled Conversion Conditions are not satisfied.
• Conversion, Redemption or Transfer may occur in certain
circumstances before the Scheduled Conversion Date, which
may be disadvantageous in light of market conditions or
your individual circumstances.
• Holders have no right to request that their Notes be
Converted, Redeemed or Transferred. Unless their Notes are
Converted, Redeemed or Transferred, Holders would need
to sell their Notes on ASX at the prevailing market price to
realise their investment. That price may be less than the Face
Value (initially $100 per Note) and there may be no liquid
market in the Notes.
Sections
5.1.13 to
5.1.16
56 to
57
No fixed maturity
date
• As the Notes are perpetual instruments and have no fixed
maturity date, there is a risk the Notes could remain on issue
indefinitely and Holders may not be repaid their investment.
Section
5.1.17
57
Ranking of the
Westpac Capital
Notes 6
• In the event of a Winding Up, if the Notes are still on issue
and have not been Redeemed or Converted, they will rank
ahead of Ordinary Shares, equally among themselves and
with all Equal Ranking Capital Securities and behind Senior
Creditors (including depositors and holders of Westpac’s
senior or less subordinated debt). This means that if there
is a shortfall of funds on a Winding Up to pay all amounts
ranking senior to, and equally with, the Notes, Holders will
lose all or some of their investment.
• However, it is likely that a Capital Trigger Event or Non-
Viability Trigger Event would occur prior to a Winding Up
and the Notes would have been Converted into Ordinary
Shares, in which case Holders will hold Ordinary Shares
and rank equally with other holders of Ordinary Shares in
a Winding Up. If Conversion does not occur for any reason
following a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger
Event and Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by
5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date (as the case may be), all rights attaching to
those Notes will be terminated on the Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion
Date (as the case may be), and Holders will lose all of the
value of their investment in those Notes and they will not
receive any compensation or unpaid Distributions and those
Notes will have no ranking in a Winding Up.
Sections
1.4, 2.7, 5.1.9,
5.1.10, 5.1.24
and 5.1.25
10, 33,
55, 56
and 59
12
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1
Section 1 Investment overview
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Changes in
regulatory capital
requirements
• Any fall in Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
Ratio as a result of future changes to regulatory capital
requirements may adversely impact the market price of the
Notes or potentially increase the chance at a later date that
Conversion takes place due to the occurrence of a Capital
Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event.
Sections
4.2.1, 4.2.2,
4.2.3, 4.2.4
and 5.1.18
47 to
49 and
57
Future issues of
securities by Westpac
• Westpac may issue further securities which rank equally with
or ahead of the Notes.
Section
5.1.24
59
1.5.2 Key risks associated with Westpac and the Westpac Group
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Regulatory change
and compliance
• Westpac could be adversely affected by changes in laws,
regulations or regulatory policy, by failing to comply with
laws, regulations or regulatory policy, or by other regulatory
action (including as a result of the Royal Commission into
Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial
Services Industry).
Sections
4.4, 5.2.1 to
5.2.3 and
5.2.5
51, 60
to 63
and 64
Availability and cost
of funding
• Adverse credit and capital market conditions or depositor
preferences, or failure to maintain Westpac’s credit ratings,
may significantly affect the availability and cost of Westpac’s
funding.
Sections
5.2.8 and
5.2.10
65 to
66
Financial market
volatility
• Westpac could be adversely affected by disruptions to
global financial markets or other financial market volatility.
Sections
5.2.9 and
5.2.16
66 to
67
Economic conditions,
asset values,
commodity prices
and credit losses
• Economic disruptions, declines in asset values or declines in
commodity prices may cause Westpac to incur higher credit
losses on lending and counterparty exposures.
Sections
5.2.11 to
5.2.14 and
5.2.16
66 to
67
Other risks• Westpac may be adversely affected by other events such
as reputational damage, cyberattacks, technology failures,
changes in competition, operational failures, conduct issues
or other risks.
Sections
5.2.4 to
5.2.7, 5.2.15
and 5.2.17 to
5.2.29
63 to
65, 67,
68 to 71
1.6 Comparison of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 with certain other
Westpac investments or products
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Differences between
term deposits,
Westpac Capital
Notes 5, Westpac
Capital Notes 6 and
Ordinary Shares
• There are differences between term deposits, Westpac
Capital Notes 5, Westpac Capital Notes 6 and Ordinary
Shares. You should consider these differences in light of
your investment objectives, financial situation and particular
needs (including financial and taxation considerations)
before deciding to invest in the Notes.
• Please refer to the table in Section 3.4 setting out the key
differences between Westpac Capital Notes (which is the
subject of the Reinvestment Offer) and Westpac Capital
Notes 6.
See table in
this Section
1.6
Section 3.4
14 to 15
40
13
Westpac Term
Deposit
Westpac Capital
Notes 5
Westpac Capital
Notes 6
Ordinary Shares
ASX codeNot quoted on
ASX
WBCPHWBCPI
11
WBC
Legal formDepositUnsecured subordinated debt obligationOrdinary share
Protection under
the Banking Act or
Financial Claims
Scheme
Ye s
12
No
TermSeven days
to 60 months
Perpetual (no
fixed maturity
date) with the first
possible scheduled
conversion date on
22 September 2027
13
Perpetual (no
fixed maturity
date) with the first
possible Scheduled
Conversion Date
in approximately
7.6 years
14
Perpetual (no fixed
maturity date)
Distribution/
interest/dividend
rate
Fixed
15
Floating, calculated as the
(margin + 3 month BBSW rate) × (1 – tax rate)
Variable dividends
as determined by
Westpac
MarginN/A 3.20% per annumThe Margin is
expected to be
in the range of
3.70% to 3.90% per
annum and will be
determined at the
end of the Bookbuild
N /A
Distribution/
interest/dividend
payment frequency
Either at specific
intervals, at
maturity or at
early closure by
the customer
QuarterlySemi-annually
Are there
conditions to
payment of
distributions/
interest/dividend
payments?
No, subject to
applicable laws
15
Yes, subject to
Westpac's absolute
discretion and
distribution payment
conditions
Yes, subject to
Westpac's absolute
discretion and
Distribution Payment
Conditions (see
Section 2.1.9)
Yes, subject to
Westpac's absolute
discretion and
applicable laws and
regulations
Interest/
distribution/
dividend payments
restriction
if interest/
distribution/
dividend not paid
N /AYes, applies to
Ordinary Shares until
the next quarterly
distribution payment
date
Yes, applies to
Ordinary Shares until
the next quarterly
Distribution Payment
Date
No
Franking
of interest/
distribution/
dividend
N /AFrankable and grossed-up for a non franked
portion
Frankable
Note:
11. Westpac will apply for Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be quoted on ASX and they are expected to trade under the code WBCPI.
12. Customers may be entitled to payment under the Financial Claims Scheme for deposits up to an amount per account holder per ADI of $250,000.
13. Subject to possible early redemption (with APRA’s prior written approval), conversion or transfer in certain circumstances.
14. Subject to possible early Redemption (with APRA’s prior written approval), Conversion or Transfer in certain circumstances.
15. Interest rate adjustments may apply if a customer withdraws an amount before the end of the term of the Westpac Term Deposit.
14
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1
Section 1 Investment overview
Note:
16. Westpac will apply for Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be quoted on ASX and they are expected to trade under the code WBCPI.
17. For Westpac Term Deposits opened or renewed on or after 1 August 2014, customers must usually give 31 days’ notice to close the Westpac Term Deposit
during its term.
Westpac Term
Deposit
Westpac Capital
Notes 5
Westpac Capital
Notes 6
Ordinary Shares
Transferable by
holder
NoYes, quoted on ASXYes, quoted on ASX
16
Yes, quoted on ASX
Investor's ability to
withdraw or redeem
Yes, by closing
the deposit
17
No
Redemption at
issuer's option
(subject to APRA
approval and
certain other
conditions)
NoYes, on 22
September 2025, and
in certain specified
circumstances
Yes, on 31 July
2024, and in
certain specified
circumstances (see
Section 2.3)
No
Transfer to
nominated party at
issuer's option
NoYes, on 22
September 2025, and
in certain specified
circumstances
Yes, on 31 July
2024, and in
certain specified
circumstances (see
Section 2.3)
No
Conversion to
Ordinary Shares
at issuer’s option
(subject to certain
conditions)
NoYes, on 22
September 2025, and
in certain specified
circumstances
Yes, on 31 July
2024, and in
certain specified
circumstances (see
Section 2.4)
N /A
Potential
Conversion to
Ordinary Shares
(other than on a
Capital Trigger
Event or Non-
Viability Trigger
Event)
NoYes, scheduled
conversion on 22
September 2027
(subject to the
satisfaction of the
scheduled conversion
conditions), and in
certain specified
circumstances
Yes, Scheduled
Conversion on 31 July
2026 (subject to
the satisfaction
of the Scheduled
Conversion
Conditions), and in
certain specified
circumstances (see
Section 2.2)
N /A
Conversion to
Ordinary Shares on
a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-
Viability Trigger
Event
NoYes, following a capital trigger event or non-
viability trigger event
If a capital trigger event or non-viability trigger
event occurs and conversion of the notes does
not occur for any reason and Ordinary Shares
are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm on
the fifth business day after the capital trigger
event conversion date or non-viability trigger
event conversion date (as the case may be),
then all rights in relation to those notes will
be terminated immediately on the capital
trigger event conversion date or non-viability
trigger event conversion date (as the case
may be) (and holders will lose all of the value
of their investment in those notes and they
will not receive any compensation or unpaid
distributions)
Refer to Section 2.5 for more information in
relation to the conversion of Westpac Capital
Notes 6 on a Capital Trigger Event or Non-
Viability Trigger Event
N /A
RankingSee Sections 1.4, 2.7, 5.1.9, 5.1.10, 5.1.24 and 5.1.25
15
1.7 Structure of the Offer and how to apply for Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
1.7.1 Offer structure
and who can
apply
• The Offer consists of:
–a Reinvestment Offer – to Eligible Westpac Capital Notes
Holders;
–a Securityholder Offer – to Eligible Securityholders;
–a Broker Firm Offer – to Australian resident clients of the
Syndicate Brokers; and
–an Institutional Offer – to Institutional Investors invited by
Westpac Institutional Bank.
• There is no guaranteed Allocation under the Offer, but
Westpac will give priority to Applications received under the
Reinvestment Offer (but not for Applications for additional
Westpac Capital Notes 6 by Eligible Westpac Capital Notes
Holders).
• If there is excess demand, Applications may be scaled back
by Westpac.
• There is no general public offer of the Notes. However,
Westpac reserves the right to accept Applications from
other persons at its discretion.
Sections 3
and 8
36 and
86
1.7.2 How to apply• For information on how to apply for the Notes, see Section 8
and the Application Forms.
Section 886
1.7.3 Minimum
Application
amount
• Applications must be for a minimum of 50 Notes ($5,000).
• If your Application is for more than 50 Notes, you must
apply in multiples of 10 Notes ($1,000) thereafter.
• If you are an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder, you may
apply to reinvest some or all of your Westpac Capital Notes
in Westpac Capital Notes 6 under the Reinvestment Offer.
However if you wish to participate in the Reinvestment Offer
and:
–you own 50 Westpac Capital Notes or fewer, you must
apply to reinvest all your Westpac Capital Notes; or
–you own more than 50 Westpac Capital Notes, you must
apply to reinvest a minimum of 50 Westpac Capital
Notes ($5,000).
• If you apply to reinvest all your Westpac Capital Notes, you
may also apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6. Your
application for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 must be
for a minimum of 50 additional Westpac Capital Notes 6
($5,000), and in multiples of 10 Westpac Capital Notes 6
($1,000) thereafter (over and above your Application for
reinvestment).
Section 886
16
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2
Information about
Westpac Capital Notes 6
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
2.1 Distributions
2.2 Conversion on the Scheduled Conversion Date
2.3 Optional Redemption and optional Transfer
2.4 Optional Conversion
2.5 Automatic Conversion – Capital Trigger Event and Non-Viability Trigger Event
2.6 Automatic Conversion – Acquisition Event
2.7 Ranking of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 in a Winding Up
2.8 Other key features of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
17
The following is an overview of the key terms of Westpac Capital Notes 6. It is important that you read this Prospectus,
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms, the Notes Deed Poll and Westpac’s Constitution in full before deciding to invest
in Westpac Capital Notes 6. If you have any questions, you should seek advice from your financial adviser or other
professional adviser.
The full Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms are contained in Appendix B. Rights and liabilities attaching to Westpac Capital
Notes 6 may also arise under the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and other applicable laws.
2.1 Distributions
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.1.1 Distributions
on Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Distributions on Notes are calculated based on the
Distribution Rate and are expected to be paid quarterly in
arrear.
Distributions are discretionary, non-cumulative and only
payable subject to the satisfaction of the Distribution
Payment Conditions.
Distributions are expected to be fully franked and
accordingly Holders are expected to receive cash
Distributions and franking credits.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 3
105
2.1.2 Distribution
Rate
The Distribution Rate is a floating rate and will generally
be set on the first Business Day of each Distribution Period
using the following formula:
Distribution Rate = (3 month BBSW Rate + Margin) x
(1 – Tax Rate)
3 month
BBSW Rate
The 3 month BBSW Rate on the first
Business Day of the Distribution Period
(except for the first Distribution Period,
where the 3 month BBSW Rate will be
determined on the Issue Date)
1
MarginThe Margin is expected to be in the range
of 3.70% to 3.90% per annum. The Margin
will be determined at the end of the
Bookbuild and will not change after that
determination is made
Tax RateThe Australian corporate tax rate
applicable to the franking account of
Westpac at the relevant Distribution
Payment Date expressed as a decimal. At
the date of this Prospectus, the relevant
Tax Rate is 30% or, expressed as a
decimal in the formula, 0.30 (but that rate
may change)
As an example, assuming a Margin of 3.70% per annum, if
the 3 month BBSW Rate on the Issue Date is the same as
on 31 October 2018 and assuming that the Distribution will
be fully franked, the Distribution Rate for that Distribution
Period would be calculated as follows:
2
3 month BBSW Rate at 31 October
2018
1.9100% per annum
Plus the assumed Margin+ 3.7000% per annum
Equivalent unfranked Distribution Rate
Multiplied by (1 – Tax Rate)
5.6100% per annum
x 0.70
Distribution Rate3.9270% per annum
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 3.1
105
Note:
1. If for any reason the BBSW Rate does not appear on the relevant page, the BBSW Rate will be the rate determined by Westpac in good faith, having
regard to comparable indices then available.
2. The calculation of the Distribution Rate will be rounded to four decimal places. The Distribution Rate above is for illustrative purposes only and does not
indicate the actual Distribution Rate. It is not a guarantee or forecast of the actual Distribution Rate that may be achieved. The actual Distribution Rate
may be higher or lower than this and may vary each Distribution Period depending on the applicable 3 month BBSW Rate, the Margin and the Tax Rate.
18
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.1.3 Calculation of
Distributions
Distributions will be calculated as follows:
Distribution =
Distribution Rate x Face Value x N
365
Distribution RateSee Section 2.1.2
Face ValueInitially $100 per Note
NThe number of days in the Distribution
Period
Distribution
Period
The period from (but excluding) the
Issue Date in the case of the first
Distribution Period, or otherwise from
(but excluding) each Distribution
Payment Date, to (and including) the
next Distribution Payment Date
Distribution
Payment Date
See Section 2.1.7
As an example, if the Distribution was fully franked and the
Distribution Rate was 3.9270% per annum as calculated in
Section 2.1.2, then the cash amount of the Distribution on
each Note for the Distribution Period (if the Distribution
Period was 90 days) would be calculated as follows:
3,4
Distribution Rate3.9270% per annum
Multiplied by the Face Valuex $100
Multiplied by the number of days in
the Distribution Period (N)x 90
Divided by÷365
Cash amount of Distribution$0.9683
Franking credits
5
attached to the
cash amount of the Distribution$0.4150
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 3.1
105
2.1.4 Franking of
Distributions
Westpac expects, but does not guarantee, that Distributions
will be fully franked.
If a Distribution is not fully franked then the amount of
the cash Distribution entitlement would be adjusted to
compensate for the unfranked amount. The formula for
determining the adjusted Distribution is:
Adjusted Distribution =
Distribution
1 – [Tax Rate x (1 – Franking Rate)]
DistributionThe Distribution entitlement on
that Distribution Payment Date as
calculated under clause 3.1 of the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms –
see Section 2.1.3
Tax RateSee Section 2.1.2
Franking RateThe percentage of the Distribution
that would carry franking credits
Section 2.1.5
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 3.1 and
3.2
20
105
Note:
3. Distribution Periods will generally have 90-92 days in them.
4. All calculations of payments will be rounded to four decimal places. For the purposes of making any payment in respect of a Holder’s aggregate holding
of Notes, any fraction of a cent will be rounded to the nearest one Australian cent (with one half of an Australian cent being rounded up to one Australian
cent). The Distribution Rate on which this calculation is based, and the Distribution, are for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate the actual
Distribution Rate or Distribution. It is not a guarantee or forecast of the actual Distribution that may be obtained. Past performance is not a reliable
indicator of future performance.
5. See Section 2.1.5 in relation to the use of franking credits by Holders.
19
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.1.4 Franking of
Distributions
(continued)
If there is a change in the Tax Rate, the Distribution Rate will
change accordingly. For example, if the Tax Rate decreases,
the cash amount of any Distribution that Westpac may pay
would increase and the franking credits attached to that
Distribution would decrease.
2.1.5 Franking
credits in
respect of
Distributions
It is expected (but not guaranteed) that Holders will receive
franking credits in respect of Distributions (other than where
a Holder’s lack of entitlement to franking credits is a result of
an act by, or circumstance affecting, the Holder). The franking
credits represent each Holder’s share of tax paid by Westpac
on the profits from which the cash Distribution is paid.
Westpac has applied for a public Class Ruling on behalf of
Australian resident Holders who subscribe for Notes under
the Offer which should confirm the ability of Holders to
utilise the franking credits attached to those Distributions,
subject to satisfaction of certain criteria.
Impact of franking credits
If the Distribution is fully franked, the potential value of the
franking credits attached to a Distribution at the Distribution
Rate of 3.9270% per annum in the example in Section 2.1.2
would be 1.6830% per annum. If that potential value is taken
into account in full, the combined value of those franking
credits and the cash Distribution would be equivalent to an
unfranked Distribution Rate of approximately 5.6100% per
annum. However, you should be aware that the potential
value of the franking credits does not accrue to you at the
same time as you receive the cash Distribution and you may
not be able to obtain full value for these depending on your
circumstances (see below for more information).
Use of franking credits by Holders
Australian resident Holders may be entitled to use franking
credits to offset their tax liability and Australian resident
Holders that are individuals or complying superannuation
entities may be entitled to a refund of excess franking credits,
to the extent that the franking credits exceed their tax liability.
You should be aware that your ability to use the franking
credits, either as an offset to your tax liability or by claiming
a refund after the end of the year of income, will depend on
your individual tax position.
Investors should also be aware that in March 2018, the Labor
Party announced plans to remove cash refunds for excess
franking credits to entities that are currently able to claim
them (including individuals and complying superannuation
entities), with effect from 1 July 2019. The full details of how
the Labor Party proposal would be implemented have not
yet been announced and the implementation of the proposal
is contingent on Labor Party forming federal government in
Australia and passing the proposal as law.
The Labor Party proposal would not impact the level of
franking of Distributions. Accordingly, there would be no
requirement under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms to
adjust or gross up the cash amount of a Distribution for
any excess franking credits that are not able to be utilised
as a result of the Labor Party proposal being implemented.
Further, implementation of the Labor Party proposal would
not give rise to a Tax Event.
Investors should seek professional advice in relation to their
tax position and monitor these potential changes on an
ongoing basis.
Sections 5.1.4
and 6
53 and
72
20
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.1.6 3 month BBSW
Rate
The 3 month BBSW Rate is a key benchmark interest rate
for the Australian money market. It is the primary short-term
interest rate benchmark used in the financial markets for
the pricing and valuation of Australian dollar securities and
as a lending reference rate. This rate changes to reflect the
supply and demand within the cash and currency markets.
The movements in the 3 month BBSW Rate over the last 10
years are set out in the graph below.
6
The rate on 31 October
2018 was 1.91% per annum.
3 month BBSW Rate (% per annum)
0.00%
1.00%
2.00%
3.00%
4.00%
5.00%
6.00%
7.00%
Oct- 2008Oct- 2010Oct- 2012Oct- 2014Oct- 2016Oct- 2018
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 3.1
105
2.1.7 Distribution
Payment Dates
Distributions are payable quarterly in arrear on the
Distribution Payment Dates, subject to satisfaction of the
Distribution Payment Conditions.
The Distribution Payment Dates are:
• 18 March, 18 June, 18 September and 18 December of each
year commencing on 18 March 2019, until the Notes are
Converted at their full Face Value (or terminated following
a failure to Convert) or Redeemed; and
• the Conversion Date (other than a Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date), Redemption Date or Transfer Date, if
those dates are not 18 March, 18 June, 18 September and
18 December.
If a Distribution Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the
Distribution will be paid on the next Business Day (without
any interest in respect of the delay).
The first Distribution Period runs from (but excludes) the
Issue Date to (and includes) 18 March 2019. Thereafter, each
Distribution Period runs from (but excludes) the previous
Distribution Payment Date to (and includes) the next
Distribution Payment Date.
The Distribution Rate for the first Distribution Period will be
determined on the Issue Date.
After the first Distribution Period, the Distribution Rate will
be determined on the first Business Day of each Distribution
Period.
Distributions will be paid to persons who are Holders on the
Record Date in respect of the Distribution.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 3.1, 3.5,
3.6 and 11.1(b)
105 to
106 and
116
Note:
6. This graph is for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate, guarantee or forecast the actual 3 month BBSW Rate. Past levels are not necessarily
indicative of future levels. The actual 3 month BBSW Rate for the first and any subsequent Distribution Period may be higher or lower than the rates in
the above graph. Source: IRESS.
21
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.1.8 Method of
payment of
Distributions
Distributions will be paid in Australian dollars. Westpac
will only pay Distributions directly into an Australian dollar
account of a financial institution. Westpac reserves the
right to vary the way in which any Distribution is paid
in accordance with the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
(provided that Distributions are always paid in cash).
Section 8.5.1
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 11
91
116
2.1.9 Distribution
Payment
Conditions
Distributions are only payable subject to satisfaction of the
Distribution Payment Conditions, being:
• Westpac’s absolute discretion;
• the payment of the Distribution not resulting in a breach
of Westpac’s capital requirements (on a Level 1 basis) or
of the Westpac Group’s capital requirements (on a Level 2
basis) under the then current Prudential Standards at the
time of the payment;
• the payment of the Distribution not resulting in Westpac
becoming, or being likely to become, insolvent; and
• APRA not otherwise objecting to the payment.
Distributions will also be subject to the Corporations Act and
any other law regulating the payment of Distributions.
Section 5.1.5
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 3.3
53
106
2.1.10 Consequence if
a Distribution is
not paid in full
Payments of Distributions are within the absolute discretion
of Westpac and are non-cumulative. If a Distribution is not
paid in full because the Distribution Payment Conditions
are not satisfied or because of any other reason, Holders
will not be entitled to receive the unpaid portion of that
Distribution. No interest accrues on any unpaid Distributions
and Westpac has no liability to the Holder and the Holder
has no claim in respect of such non-payment. Non-payment
of a Distribution will not be an event of default
7
and Holders
have no right to apply for a Winding Up on the grounds of
Westpac’s failure to pay a Distribution.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 3.4
106
2.1.11 Dividend
and capital
restrictions
may apply to
Westpac if a
Distribution is
not paid
If for any reason a Distribution has not been paid in full for a
relevant Distribution Payment Date, then until a Distribution
is paid in full on a subsequent Distribution Payment Date (or
all Notes are Converted at their full Face Value, Redeemed or
terminated following a failure to Convert) Westpac must not:
• determine or pay any Dividends on its Ordinary Shares; or
• undertake any discretionary Buy Back or Capital
Reduction,
unless the amount of the unpaid Distribution is paid in full
within 20 Business Days of the relevant Distribution Payment
Date (and in certain other limited circumstances).
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 3.7
and 3.8
106
Note:
7. The Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms do not include any events of default.
22
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
2.2 Conversion on the Scheduled Conversion Date
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.2.1 Meaning of
Conversion
Conversion means the conversion of the Notes into a
variable number of Ordinary Shares in accordance with
the formula contained in clause 9.1 of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms.
On Conversion of a Note on the Scheduled Conversion
Date, the Holder’s rights in relation to that Note will be
immediately and irrevocably terminated and Westpac will
apply the Face Value of each Note by way of payment for
the subscription for the Ordinary Shares. The Ordinary
Shares issued will have the same rights as other Ordinary
Shares on issue at the relevant time.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 9.1
112
2.2.2 Scheduled
Conversion
Date
The Notes do not have a maturity date but have a Scheduled
Conversion Date. Conversion is scheduled to occur on the
Scheduled Conversion Date, which will be the earlier of:
• 31 July 2026; and
• the first Distribution Payment Date after 31 July 2026,
on which the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are satisfied.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 4.1
107
2.2.3 Scheduled
Conversion
Conditions
The Scheduled Conversion Conditions in relation to a
potential Scheduled Conversion Date are satisfied where:
• First Scheduled Conversion Condition: the VWAP of
Ordinary Shares on the 25
th
Business Day before (but not
including) the Scheduled Conversion Date is greater than
56.12% of the Issue Date VWAP; and
• Second Scheduled Conversion Condition: the VWAP of
Ordinary Shares during the 20 Business Days before (but
not including) the Scheduled Conversion Date is greater
than 50.51% of the Issue Date VWAP.
The percentages used in the Scheduled Conversion
Conditions are derived from market precedents and the cap
on the number of Ordinary Shares that are permitted to be
issued under applicable Prudential Standards and ratings
guidance.
The following diagram illustrates the timeframes that are
relevant for the Scheduled Conversion Conditions using the
date 31 July 2026 as a potential Scheduled Conversion Date.
These dates are indicative only and may change.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 4.2
107
20 Business Day VWAP Period
First Scheduled Conversion Condition
The VWAP of Ordinary Shares on the 25
th
Business Day before (but not including)
the Scheduled Conversion Date is greater
than 56.12% of the Issue Date VWAP
Second Scheduled Conversion Condition
The VWAP of Ordinary Shares during the
20 Business Days before (but not including)
the Scheduled Conversion Date is greater
than 50.51% of the Issue Date VWAP
26 June 2026
25
th
Business Day
before the Scheduled
Conversion Date
3 July 2026
First Business Day of VWAP
Period (20
th
Business Day
before the Scheduled
Conversion Date)
30 July 2026
Last Business Day of
VWAP Period (Business
Day before the Scheduled
Conversion Date)
31 July 2026
Scheduled Conversion Date
(subject to satisfaction
of the Scheduled
Conversion Conditions)
23
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.2.4 Purpose of
the Scheduled
Conversion
Conditions
It is intended that upon a Scheduled Conversion, Holders
should receive Ordinary Shares worth approximately $101.01
per Note (based on the Initial Face Value of $100 per Note
and the VWAP of Ordinary Shares during the 20 Business
Days before the Scheduled Conversion Date, with the benefit
of a 1% discount)
8
.
There is a cap on the number of Ordinary Shares (Maximum
Conversion Number) that Holders can be issued upon
Scheduled Conversion of the Notes, due to Prudential
Standards and ratings guidance. The Maximum Conversion
Number in the case of Scheduled Conversion is set by
dividing the Face Value (initially $100 per Note) by 50% of
the Issue Date VWAP.
If the price of Ordinary Shares were to fall significantly and
there were no Scheduled Conversion Conditions, the number
of Ordinary Shares that you would receive might be limited by
the Maximum Conversion Number. In that case, the value of
those Ordinary Shares would be likely to be less than $101.01
per Note. In order to give Holders some protection against
receiving Ordinary Shares worth less than approximately
$101.01 per Note, the Scheduled Conversion Conditions have
been included, so that where the VWAP of Ordinary Shares
has fallen to less than the specified percentage of the Issue
Date VWAP, Scheduled Conversion is deferred.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 4.2
107
2.2.5 Consequences
if the
Scheduled
Conversion
Conditions are
not satisfied
If the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are not satisfied
on 31 July 2026, Conversion will not occur until the next
Distribution Payment Date on which the Scheduled
Conversion Conditions are satisfied.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 4.1 and
4.2
107
2.2.6 VWAP and
Issue Date
VWA P
In general terms, VWAP refers to the average of the daily
volume weighted average sales prices of Ordinary Shares
sold on ASX and Chi-X during the relevant period.
The Issue Date VWAP means the VWAP of Ordinary Shares
during the 20 Business Days on which trading in Ordinary
Shares took place immediately preceding (but not including)
the Issue Date (as adjusted in accordance with the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms).
The satisfaction of the Scheduled Conversion Conditions
on a potential Scheduled Conversion Date will depend on
the price of Ordinary Shares. For example
9
, if the Issue Date
VWAP is $26.00, then, for the First Scheduled Conversion
Condition and Second Scheduled Conversion Condition to be
satisfied:
• the VWAP for the First Scheduled Conversion Condition
would need to be at least $14.60 (56.12% of the Issue Date
VWAP); and
• the VWAP for the Second Scheduled Conversion
Condition would need to be at least $13.14 (50.51% of the
Issue Date VWAP).
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 4.2,
9.1 to 9.8 and
16.2 (definition
of “Issue Date
VWAP” and
“VWAP”)
107, 112
to 113,
121 and
123
Note:
8. However, if the market price of Ordinary Shares on the Scheduled Conversion Date is different to the price used to calculate the number of Ordinary
Shares to be issued on Conversion, the value of Ordinary Shares resulting from the Conversion of one Note may be worth more or less than $101.01. The
value of Ordinary Shares Holders receive could also be less than this amount if the Face Value has previously been reduced (following a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event – see Section 2.5 for more information). If the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are not met, the Notes will not
Convert on the Scheduled Conversion Date and the Scheduled Conversion Conditions will be re-tested on the next possible Scheduled Conversion Date.
The Notes may remain on issue indefinitely.
9. This example is for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate whether or not the Scheduled Conversion Conditions will actually be satisfied in
respect of a potential Scheduled Conversion Date.
24
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.2.7 How many
Ordinary Shares
will I receive if
the Westpac
Capital Notes 6
are Converted?
Upon Conversion, Holders will receive for each Note they
hold a variable number of Ordinary Shares calculated using
the following formula:
Face Value
0.99 x VWAP
Face ValueInitially $100 per Note
VWA PThe VWAP during the VWAP Period
VWAP PeriodIn the case of a Scheduled Conversion,
the period of 20 Business Days on
which trading in Ordinary Shares took
place immediately preceding (but not
including) the Scheduled Conversion
Date
For example, assuming the VWAP is $26.00, the number
of Ordinary Shares that Holders will receive for each Note
on the Scheduled Conversion Date would be calculated as
follows:
Face Value$100.00
Divide by 0.99 x VWAP$25.74
Ordinary Shares per Note3.8850
Assuming the price of the Ordinary Shares on the Scheduled
Conversion Date is also $26.00, the aggregate value of the
Ordinary Shares would be approximately $101.01 (calculated
by multiplying 3.8850 Ordinary Shares by the Ordinary Share
price of $26.00).
Please be aware, the above example is for illustrative
purposes only. The actual VWAP and number of Ordinary
Shares that Holders may receive on Conversion on the
Scheduled Conversion Date may be higher or lower than
in this example. In addition, if the total number of Ordinary
Shares to be allotted and issued in respect of a Holder’s
aggregate holding of Notes includes a fraction of an Ordinary
Share, that fraction of an Ordinary Share will be disregarded.
This has not been considered in the above example.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 9.1
112
2.2.8 What if I do not
wish to receive
Ordinary
Shares or if
I am prohibited
or restricted
from receiving
Ordinary
Shares?
If you do not wish to receive Ordinary Shares, you can notify
Westpac of this at any time but no less than 15 Business
Days prior to the Conversion Date. If Conversion occurs and
you have notified Westpac that you do not wish to receive
Ordinary Shares, or if you are an Ineligible Holder
10
, then
Westpac will issue the relevant number of Ordinary Shares to
the Sale Agent who will hold the Ordinary Shares on trust for
sale for your benefit
11
. At the first reasonable opportunity, the
Sale Agent will arrange for the sale of the Ordinary Shares
on your behalf and pay the proceeds less selling costs,
brokerage, stamp duty and other taxes and charges, to you.
No guarantee is given in relation to the timing or price at
which any sale will occur or whether a sale can be achieved.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 9.10
114
Note:
10. Westpac will treat a Holder as not being an Ineligible Holder unless the Holder has otherwise notified it after the Issue Date and prior to the
Conversion Date.
11. If Conversion is occurring because of the occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event and the Conversion is not effective and
Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason to the Sale Agent by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or
Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may be), then: (i) those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such Capital Trigger Event or
Non-Viability Trigger Event (as the case may be) and will not be Converted, Redeemed or Transferred on any subsequent date; and (ii) all rights in relation
to those Notes will be terminated immediately on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case
may be) and Holders will lose all of the value of their investment in those Notes and they will not receive any compensation or unpaid Distributions.
25
2.3 Optional Redemption and optional Transfer
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.3.1 Westpac’s
option to
Redeem or
Transfer the
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Westpac may elect to Redeem or Transfer:
• all or some of the Notes on 31 July 2024; or
• all (but not some) of the Notes following a Tax Event or
Regulatory Event.
Redemption is subject to Westpac receiving APRA’s prior
written approval. There can be no certainty that APRA will
provide its prior written approval.
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Terms clauses
7, 8 and 16.2
(definition of
“Tax Event” and
“Regulatory
Event”)
110 to 111
and 122
to 123
2.3.2 Tax EventA Tax Event will occur if Westpac determines, after receiving
a supporting opinion of reputable legal counsel or other tax
adviser in Australia experienced in such matters, that (as a
result of a Change of Law) there is a more than insubstantial
risk that:
• Westpac would be exposed to a more than de minimis
adverse tax consequence or increased cost in relation to
the Notes; or
• any Distribution would not be a frankable distribution
within the meaning of Division 202 of the Tax Act.
A Tax Event will not arise where, at the Issue Date, Westpac
expected the event would occur.
The Labor Party proposal to remove cash refunds for excess
franking credits to certain entities, as described in Sections
2.1.5 and 6.3.1, if implemented, would not give rise to a
Tax Event.
Section 2.1.5
and Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Terms clause
16.2 (definition
of “Tax Event”)
20 and
123
2.3.3 Regulatory
Event
Broadly, a Regulatory Event will occur if Westpac determines,
after receiving a supporting opinion of reputable legal
counsel in Australia experienced in such matters or
confirmation from APRA that, as a result of a change of law
or regulation after the Issue Date:
• additional requirements would be imposed on the
Westpac Group or there would be a negative impact on
the Westpac Group in relation to (or in connection with)
Notes which Westpac determines to be unacceptable; or
• Westpac will not be entitled to treat some or all of the
Notes as Additional Tier 1 Capital of the Westpac Group.
A Regulatory Event will not arise where, at the Issue Date,
Westpac expected the event would occur.
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Terms clause
16.2 (definition
of “Regulatory
Event”)
122
2.3.4 Meaning of
Redemption
Redemption means Westpac will pay to Holders the Face
Value (initially $100 per Note) for each Note Redeemed.
Westpac may only Redeem Notes if it replaces them with
capital of the same or better quality (and the replacement
is done under conditions that are sustainable for the income
capacity of Westpac) or obtains confirmation that APRA is
satisfied that Westpac does not have to replace the Notes.
Holders cannot request Redemption of their Notes.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 7 and
16.2 (defi nition
of “Red-
emption”)
110 and
122
2.3.5 Meaning of
Transfer
Transfer means Westpac will arrange for a Nominated
Party to undertake to purchase Notes from Holders for the
Face Value. On Transfer, Holders will receive the Face Value
(initially $100 per Note) for each Note from the Nominated
Party, paid in cash.
If the Nominated Party does not pay the Face Value to
Holders on 31 July 2024 or on a Transfer Date following a Tax
Event or Regulatory Event, the Transfer will not proceed and
Holders will continue to hold their Notes.
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Terms clauses
8 and 16.2
(definition of
“Transfer”)
111 and
123
26
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.3.5 Meaning of
Transfer
(continued)
The Nominated Party means one or more third parties
selected by Westpac in its absolute discretion, which cannot
be a member of the Westpac Group or a related entity (as
described in the Prudential Standards) of Westpac.
Holders cannot request a Transfer of Notes.
2.4 Optional Conversion
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.4.1 When does
Westpac have
an option
to Convert
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6?
Subject to satisfaction of the Optional Conversion
Restriction, Westpac may elect to Convert:
• all or some of the Notes on 31 July 2024; or
• all (but not some) of the Notes following a Tax Event or
Regulatory Event.
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Terms clauses
6 and 16.2
(definition
of “Tax
Event” and
“Regulatory
Event”)
Sections 2.3.2
and 2.3.3
109 and
122 to
123
26
2.4.2 Restrictions
or conditions
on Optional
Conversion
There are two types of restrictions or conditions that apply
to Optional Conversion:
1. A restriction that may prevent Westpac from choosing
to Convert the Notes (i.e., from sending an Optional
Conversion Notice to Holders)
The Optional Conversion Restriction applies to Optional
Conversion such that Westpac may not elect to Convert
the Notes if on the second Business Day before the date
on which Westpac is to send an Optional Conversion
Notice the VWAP of Ordinary Shares is:
–less than or equal to 56.12% of the Issue Date VWAP,
where Westpac chooses to Convert the Notes on
31 July 2024; and
–less than or equal to 22.20% of the Issue Date VWAP,
where Westpac chooses to Convert the Notes on an
Optional Conversion Date following a Tax Event or
Regulatory Event.
2. A condition that may prevent Westpac from Converting
the Notes on the Optional Conversion Date
Once an Optional Conversion Notice has been sent,
Westpac may still be prevented from Converting the
Notes by the operation of the Second Scheduled
Conversion Condition, which is deemed to apply to
Optional Conversion as though the proposed Optional
Conversion Date were a Scheduled Conversion Date.
The Second Scheduled Conversion Condition otherwise
applies as set out in Section 2.2.3, except that in the case
of Optional Conversion on an Optional Conversion Date
following a Tax Event or Regulatory Event, it applies as
if the reference to 50.51% referred to 20.20% of the Issue
Date VWAP.
The percentages used in the above restrictions and
conditions for Optional Conversion are derived from
market precedents and the cap on the number of
Ordinary Shares that are permitted to be issued under
the Prudential Standards and ratings guidance.
Westpac
Capital Notes 6
Terms clauses
6.2 and 6.4
110
27
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.4.3 Number of
Ordinary
Shares Holders
will receive on
an Optional
Conversion
Date
If the Notes are Converted on an Optional Conversion
Date, Holders will receive a variable number of Ordinary
Shares on the Conversion Date equal to the Conversion
Number calculated in the same manner as if Conversion was
occurring on the Scheduled Conversion Date (see Section
2.2.7), except that the VWAP Period will be 20 Business Days
on which trading in Ordinary Shares took place immediately
preceding, but not including, the Optional Conversion Date.
Section 2.2.7
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 16.2
(definition
of “VWAP
Period”)
25
123
2.4.4 Consequences
if Conversion
does not occur
on an Optional
Conversion
Date
If Westpac chooses to Convert the Notes (and gives an
Optional Conversion Notice to Holders) but the Second
Scheduled Conversion Condition (applied as described in
Section 2.4.2) prevents Conversion from occurring on the
Optional Conversion Date, Westpac will notify Holders and
the Conversion will be deferred until the first Distribution
Payment Date on which the Scheduled Conversion
Conditions are satisfied as if that Distribution Payment
Date was a Scheduled Conversion Date (the “Deferred
Conversion Date”). The Scheduled Conversion Conditions
apply to Conversion on the Deferred Conversion Date except
that in the case of a Tax Event or Regulatory Event, the
Second Scheduled Conversion Condition will apply as if it
referred to 20.20% of the Issue Date VWAP.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 6.5
110
2.5 Automatic Conversion – Capital Trigger Event
and Non-Viability Trigger Event
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.5.1 Automatic
Conversion
of Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 –
Capital Trigger
Event and
Non-Viability
Trigger Event
Westpac must Convert all or some of the Notes following a:
• Capital Trigger Event; or
• Non-Viability Trigger Event.
The Scheduled Conversion Conditions do not need to be
satisfied following a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability
Trigger Event.
The proportion of Notes that will be Converted in these
circumstances may be determined by APRA (in the case
of a Non-Viability Trigger Event) or be dependent on
restoration of Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
to above 5.125% (either or both on a Level 1 or Level 2 basis,
as the case may be) (in the case of a Capital Trigger Event).
Where a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs because APRA
has determined that without a public sector injection of
capital, or equivalent support, Westpac would become non-
viable, all Notes must be Converted at their full Face Value.
If Conversion does not occur for any reason following a
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event and
Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm
on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion
Date (as the case may be), then:
• those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as
the case may be) and will not be Converted, Redeemed or
Transferred on any subsequent date; and
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 5.2 to
5.8
107 to
109
28
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.5.1 Automatic
Conversion
of Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 –
Capital Trigger
Event and
Non-Viability
Trigger Event
(continued)
• the Holder’s rights in relation to those Notes will be
immediately and irrevocably terminated on the Capital
Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date (as the case may be), and Holders will lose
all of the value of their investment in those Notes and they
will not receive any compensation or unpaid Distributions.
If Westpac is required to Convert some of the Notes following
a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event, Westpac
must treat Holders on an approximate pro-rata basis among
themselves and other holders of Relevant Securities or in a
manner that is otherwise, in the opinion of Westpac, fair and
reasonable. This is subject to such adjustments as Westpac
may determine to take into account the effect on marketable
parcels of Notes and the need to round to whole numbers
of Ordinary Shares and the face value of any Notes or other
Relevant Securities remaining on issue and the need to effect
the conversion, write-off or write-down immediately, provided
that such determination does not impede the immediate
Conversion of the relevant number of Notes.
2.5.2 Capital Trigger
Event
A Capital Trigger Event will occur when Westpac determines,
or APRA notifies Westpac in writing that it believes,
Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio is equal to or
less than 5.125% on either or both a Level 1 or Level 2 basis.
Upon a Capital Trigger Event occurring, Westpac must
Convert (or otherwise, if Conversion does not occur for
any reason and Ordinary Shares are not issued for any
reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the
Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date, terminate the
rights attaching to), that number of the Notes (or such
percentage of the Face Value of the Notes) as is sufficient
(taking into consideration any conversion, write-off or write
down of other Relevant Securities) to return either or both
the Westpac Level 1 Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
or Westpac Level 2 Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
(as the case may be) to above 5.125%.
Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio on a Level 2
basis of 10.6% as at 30 September 2018 equates to a surplus
of $23.4 billion of Common Equity Tier 1 Capital above the
Capital Trigger Event level of 5.125%. Westpac’s Common
Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio on a Level 1 basis of 10.5% as at
30 September 2018 equates to a surplus of $22.0 billion
of Common Equity Tier 1 Capital above the Capital Trigger
Event level of 5.125%.
See Sections 4.2.4 to 4.2.6 for more information about
Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio.
The graph below illustrates the historical Common Equity
Tier 1 Capital Ratio of Westpac on a Level 1 and Level 2 basis.
Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
(Level 1 and Level 2 basis) (%)
Sections 4.1.5
and 4.2.4 to
4.2.6
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 5.1, 5.2,
5.7, 5.8 and 9.1
47 and
49 to
50
107, 109
and 112
Sep 14Mar 15Sep 15Mar 16Sep 16Mar 17Sep 17Sep 18Mar 18
5.125%
9.2%
9.0%
8.7%
8.8%
9.7%
9.5%
10.8%
10.5%
9.7%
9.5%
10.2%
10.0%
10.4%
10.6%
10.4%
10.5%
Level 1
10.5%
Level 2
10.6%
CET 1 ratio - Level 1CET1 ratio - Level 2
29
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.5.2 Capital
Trigger Event
(continued)
The graph on the previous page is for illustrative purposes
only and does not indicate, guarantee or forecast Westpac’s
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio. The ratio may be
higher or lower and may be affected by regulatory change
to the measurement of capital or RWA calculations and
unexpected events affecting Westpac’s business, operations
and financial condition.
2.5.3 Non-Viability
Trigger Event
A Non-Viability Trigger Event will occur when APRA notifies
Westpac in writing that it believes Conversion of some or
all Notes (or conversion, write-off or write down of other
capital instruments of the Westpac Group) or a public sector
injection of capital, or equivalent support, is necessary
because, without it, Westpac would become non-viable.
Upon a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurring, Westpac
must Convert (or otherwise, if Conversion does not occur
for any reason and Ordinary Shares are not issued for any
reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the Non-
Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date, terminate the rights
attaching to), that number of the Notes (or such percentage
of the Face Value of the Notes) as is necessary (when added
to the amount of any other Relevant Securities converted,
written-off or written down) to satisfy APRA that Westpac
will no longer be non-viable. Where a Non-Viability Trigger
Event occurs because APRA has determined that without
a public sector injection of capital, or equivalent support,
Westpac would become non-viable, all Notes must be
Converted at their full Face Value.
Whether a Non-Viability Trigger Event will occur is at the
discretion of APRA. APRA has not provided guidance on
when it will consider an entity to be non-viable and there
are currently no Australian precedents for this. However, it
is likely that APRA will consider an entity to be non-viable
when, for example, the entity is suffering from significant
financial stress, is insolvent or cannot raise money in the
public or private market.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 5.3,
5.4, 5.7, 5.8
and 9.1
108 to
109 and
112
2.5.4 How many
Ordinary
Shares
will I receive
on Conversion
following a
Capital Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event?
If Notes are Converted following a Capital Trigger Event or
Non-Viability Trigger Event then in respect of each Note
that is Converted, Holders will receive a number of Ordinary
Shares equal to the lower of:
• the Maximum Conversion Number (which, applied on a
Conversion of this kind, is based on an Ordinary Share
price that reflects 20% of the Ordinary Share price at the
time of issue of the Notes); and
• the Conversion Number calculated in the same manner
as if Conversion was occurring on the Scheduled
Conversion Date (see Section 2.2.7) except that the
VWAP Period will be the 5 Business Days in which trading
of Ordinary Shares took place immediately preceding,
but not including, the Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date, as
applicable.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 5.5,
5.7, 9.1 and
16.2 (definition
of “VWAP
Period”)
108 to
109, 112
and 123
30
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.5.4 How many
Ordinary
Shares
will I receive
on Conversion
following a
Capital Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event?
(continued)
In addition, the Conversion of Notes into Ordinary Shares
on a Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability
Trigger Event Conversion Date is not subject to the
Scheduled Conversion Conditions being satisfied. This means
that, due to the application of the Maximum Conversion
Number, depending on the market price of Ordinary Shares
at the time, Holders may (in the case of a Capital Trigger
Event) and are likely to (in the case of a Non-Viability Trigger
Event) receive significantly less than approximately $101.01
per Note (based on the Initial Face Value of $100 per Note).
If Holders receive Ordinary Shares worth less than the Face
Value of the Notes, they will suffer loss as a consequence.
The value received may be nothing if Conversion does not
occur for any reason and Ordinary Shares are not issued
for any reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after
the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability
Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may be).
2.5.5 Is there a limit
on the number
of Ordinary
Shares I will
receive on
Conversion
following a
Capital Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event?
Yes. The Maximum Conversion Number is used to limit the
number of Ordinary Shares to be issued on Conversion
following a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event.
The below example illustrates how many Ordinary Shares
may be issued for each Note on Conversion following
a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event,
assuming a VWAP of $4.00 and an Issue Date VWAP of
$26.00. This example is for illustrative purposes only. The
actual VWAP, Issue Date VWAP and Maximum Conversion
Number may be higher or lower than provided in this
example, and may be adjusted in certain circumstances as
outlined in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
Step 1 - Calculate the Conversion Number of Ordinary
Shares for each Note
Face Value$100.00
Divide by 0.99 x VWAP$3.96
Ordinary Shares per Note25.2525
Step 2 - Calculate the Maximum Conversion Number for
each Note applicable to Conversion in the case of a Capital
Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Face Value$100.00
Divide by 0.20 x Issue Date VWAP$5.20
Ordinary Shares per Note19.2308
Step 3 - Assess the effect of the Maximum Conversion
Number
In this example, the Maximum Conversion Number is lower
than the Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares for each
Note. As a result, the number of Ordinary Shares a Holder
would receive for each Note would be limited to the
Maximum Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares for each
Note. For example, a Holder of a single Note would receive
19 Ordinary Shares on Conversion in the case of a Capital
Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as a fraction
of an Ordinary Share to be allotted in respect of a Holder’s
aggregate holding of Notes will be disregarded). If those
Ordinary Shares were sold on the ASX at the same price as
the VWAP (being $4.00), the Holder would receive $76.00,
thereby suffering a loss of $24.00 on their investment of
$100.00 on the Initial Face Value of the Note.
The Maximum Conversion Number will be announced by
Westpac to the ASX at the time of issue of the Notes.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 9.1 to
9.8
112 to
113
31
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.5.5 Is there a limit
on the number
of Ordinary
Shares I will
receive on
Conversion
following a
Capital Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event?
(continued)
The Maximum Conversion Number may be adjusted up or
down to reflect transactions affecting the capital of Westpac
(including bonus issues, share splits, consolidations or other
similar transactions not involving any cash payment (or the
giving of any other form of consideration) to or by holders
of Ordinary Shares) as set out in the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms. The Maximum Conversion Number will not
be adjusted to reflect other transactions which may affect
the price of Ordinary Shares, including, for example, rights
issues, returns of capital, buy-backs or special dividends.
2.5.6 What happens
if Westpac
does not issue
Ordinary
Shares for
any reason
following a
Capital Trigger
Event or
Non-Viability
Trigger Event?
If for any reason Conversion of Notes does not occur
(for example due to laws relating to Australian foreign
investment laws, Australian financial sector ownership laws,
Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act or other applicable laws
specified under the Banking Act, an order of a court, an
action of any government authority or operational delays)
and the Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by
5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date (as the case may be), then:
• those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as
the case may be) and will not be Converted, Redeemed or
Transferred on any subsequent date; and
• all rights in relation to those Notes will be terminated
immediately on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date
or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the
case may be), and Holders will lose all of the value of their
investment in those Notes and they will not receive any
compensation or unpaid Distributions.
Westpac
Capital Notes
6 Terms clause
5.8
109
2.6 Automatic Conversion – Acquisition Event
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.6.1 Automatic
Conversion
of Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 –
Acquisition Event
Westpac must Convert all (but not some) of the Notes
following an Acquisition Event subject to a modified
application of the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition
(see Section 2.6.3).
Westpac
Capital Notes
6 Terms
clause 5.9
109
2.6.2 Acquisition
Event
An Acquisition Event will occur where:
• a takeover bid is made for Ordinary Shares and certain
conditions are satisfied; or
• a scheme of arrangement is proposed and approved and
certain conditions are satisfied.
However, an Acquisition Event will not have occurred where
Westpac is replaced as the ultimate holding company of the
Westpac Group by an Approved Successor in accordance
with the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 16.2
(definition of
“Acquisition
Event”)
119
32
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.6.3 Conditions on
Conversion
following an
Acquisition
Event
The Second Scheduled Conversion Condition will apply in
a modified form following an Acquisition Event such that
Conversion will not occur unless the VWAP of Ordinary
Shares during the 20 Business Days
12
before (but not
including) the Acquisition Event Conversion Date is greater
than 20.20% of the Issue Date VWAP.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 4.2(a)
(ii) and 5.9(b)
107 and
109
2.6.4 How many
Ordinary
Shares will
I receive on
Conversion
following an
Acquisition
Event?
If Notes are Converted following an Acquisition Event,
Holders will receive a variable number of Ordinary
Shares on the Conversion Date equal to the Conversion
Number calculated in the same manner as if Conversion
was occurring on the Scheduled Conversion Date (see
Section 2.2.7), subject to the following adjustments:
• the VWAP Period will be the 20 Business Days
12
on
which trading in Ordinary Shares took place immediately
preceding, but not including, the Acquisition Event
Conversion Date;
• the First Scheduled Conversion Condition will not apply; and
• the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition will be applied
as if the reference to 50.51% were a reference to 20.20%.
Section 2.2.7
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 5.9(b),
9.1 and 16.2
(definition
of “VWAP
Period”)
25
109, 112
and 123
2.7 Ranking of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 in a Winding Up
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Ranking of Westpac
Capital Notes 6 in a
Winding Up
In the event of a Winding Up (and assuming the Notes are
still on issue and have not been Redeemed or Converted
or otherwise had the rights attaching to them terminated
following a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger
Event), the right of Holders to receive a return of capital will
rank ahead of Ordinary Shares, equally among themselves
and with Equal Ranking Capital Securities, but subordinated
to Senior Creditors. The ranking of the Notes in a Winding
Up will be adversely affected if a Capital Trigger Event or
a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs. It is likely that such
an event would occur prior to a Winding Up, requiring the
Conversion of Notes. If Conversion has occurred, Holders
will hold Ordinary Shares and will rank equally with other
holders of Ordinary Shares.
However, if for any reason Conversion of Notes following a
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event does
not occur (for example due to laws relating to Australian
foreign investment laws, Australian financial sector
ownership laws, Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act or
other applicable laws specified under the Banking Act, an
order of a court, an action of any government authority or
operational delays) and the Ordinary Shares are not issued
for any reason by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after
the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability
Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case may be), then:
• those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as
the case may be) and will not be Converted, Redeemed or
Transferred on any subsequent date; and
• all rights in relation to those Notes will be terminated
immediately on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date
or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the
case may be).
Sections 1.4,
5.1.9, 5.1.10,
5.1.24 and
5.1.25
Westpac
Capital Notes
6 Terms
clauses 2, 5.8
and 13.4
10, 55
to 56
and 59
105, 109
and 117
Note:
12. If trading in Ordinary Shares after an Acquisition Event occurs for less than 20 Business Days, the VWAP Period will be the number of Business Days
after the occurrence of the Acquisition Event on which trading in Ordinary Shares takes place, immediately preceding, but not including the Business Day
before the Acquisition Event Conversion Date.
33
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
Ranking of Westpac
Capital Notes 6
in a Winding Up
(continued)
In these circumstances, Holders will lose all of the value of
their investment in those Notes and they will not receive any
compensation or unpaid Distributions and those Notes will
have no ranking in a Winding Up.
For a diagrammatic representation of the way Notes will
rank on a Winding Up, see Section 1.4.
For the potential effect on the assets of Westpac available
to meet the claims of a Holder in a Winding Up where
Westpac is replaced by an Approved Successor as the
ultimate holding company of the Westpac Group, see
Section 5.1.25.
2.8 Other key features of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.8.1 Approved
Successor
Where Westpac is replaced as the ultimate holding
company of the Westpac Group by an Approved Successor
and certain other conditions are satisfied, Conversion of
the Notes will not be triggered but Westpac may instead
be allowed to make amendments (provided APRA’s prior
written approval is obtained) to substitute the Approved
Successor as the debtor of the Notes and the issuer of
ordinary shares issued on Conversion and to make certain
other amendments to the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
Accordingly, if:
• Westpac is replaced by an Approved Successor as the
ultimate holding company of the Westpac Group; and
• a substitution of the Approved Successor as the debtor of
the Notes and the issuer of ordinary shares on Conversion
is effected under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms,
Holders will be obliged to accept Approved Successor
Shares on Conversion, and will not receive Ordinary Shares
on Conversion.
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clauses 5.10
and 13.4
109 and
117
2.8.2 Westpac
Capital Notes 6
are not deposit
liabilities or
protected
accounts
The Notes are not deposit liabilities or protected accounts
of Westpac for the purposes of the Banking Act or Financial
Claims Scheme and are not subject to the depositor
protection provisions of Australian banking legislation
(including the Australian Government guarantee of certain
bank deposits).
Section 5.1.1
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 14.1
53
118
2.8.3 No restriction
on future issues
of securities by
Westpac
Westpac may issue other securities, including further Notes,
or other Capital Securities that rank equally with, ahead
of or behind the Notes whether in respect of distributions,
dividends, return of capital or principal in a Winding Up or
otherwise, without the approval of Holders.
Section 5.1.24
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 14.2
59
118
2.8.4 Participation
in future issues
of securities by
Westpac
The Notes do not carry a right for Holders to participate in
new issues of Westpac securities.
Westpac
Capital Notes
6 Terms clause
14.7
118
2.8.5 No set-offNeither Westpac nor any Holder is entitled to set-off any
amounts due in respect of the Notes against any amount
of any nature owed by Westpac to the Holder or by the
Holder to Westpac (as applicable).
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 14.3
118
34
Westpac Capital Notes 6
2
Section 2 Information about Westpac Capital Notes 6
TopicSummaryFurther
information
Page(s)
2.8.6 Voting rightsHolders have no right to vote at any general meeting of
Westpac before Conversion.
Holders have certain voting rights which can be exercised at
a meeting of Holders, as set out in the Notes Deed Poll.
Following Conversion, Holders will become holders of
Ordinary Shares and have the voting rights that attach to
Ordinary Shares.
Section 7.4.4
Westpac
Capital
Notes 6 Terms
clause 14.7
80
118
2.8.7 Notes Deed
Poll
A trustee has not been appointed for the Notes. Instead, a
Notes Deed Poll will be made by Westpac in favour of each
person who is from time to time a Holder.
The Notes Deed Poll will contain:
• the agreement of Westpac to observe its obligations as
set out in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms;
• an obligation on Westpac to appoint the Registrar and
procure the Registrar to establish and maintain a Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Register; and
• provisions for meetings of Holders.
Holders will be bound by the terms of the Notes Deed Poll,
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms and this Prospectus
when Notes are Allotted or transferred to them or they
purchase Notes.
The Registrar will hold the original executed Notes Deed
Poll on behalf of Holders. Each Holder can enforce the
obligations of Westpac under the Notes Deed Poll and
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms independently of the
Registrar and each other Holder.
The Notes Deed Poll is expected to be executed by Westpac
on or around the date of the Bookbuild. An electronic copy
of the final form of the Notes Deed Poll can be viewed and
downloaded from Westpac’s website at www.westpac.com.
au/westpaccapnotes6. The final form of the Notes Deed
Poll is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
See the final
form of the
Notes Deed
Poll, available
at Westpac’s
website at
www.westpac.
com.au/
westpaccap
notes6
N /A
35
Section 3
Reinvestment Offer for
Westpac Capital Notes
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
3.1 Overview of Westpac Capital Notes and the Reinvestment Offer
3.2 Key details of the Reinvestment Offer
3.3 Options for Westpac Capital Notes holders
3.4 Key differences between Westpac Capital Notes and Westpac Capital Notes 6
3.5 Risks associated with the Reinvestment Offer
3.6 Further information about Westpac Capital Notes and the Reinvestment Offer
36
3
Section 3 Reinvestment Offer for Westpac Capital Notes
3.1 Overview of Westpac Capital Notes and the Reinvestment Offer
TopicSummary
3.1.1 What are
Westpac Capital
Notes?
Westpac Capital Notes are fully paid, non-cumulative, convertible, transferable,
redeemable, subordinated, perpetual, unsecured notes issued by Westpac. Westpac
Capital Notes trade on ASX under the code “WBCPD”.
3.1.2 What is
happening to
Westpac Capital
Notes?
On 8 March 2019 (the optional redemption/transfer date for Westpac Capital Notes),
Westpac has the option under the Westpac Capital Notes Terms to:
• arrange for the transfer of all or some Westpac Capital Notes for their face value of
$100 to a nominated third party selected by Westpac; and/or
• redeem all or some Westpac Capital Notes for their face value of $100 (subject to APRA
approval, which may or may not be given).
Westpac intends to issue a transfer notice to transfer all outstanding Westpac Capital
Notes (for $100 per Westpac Capital Note) on 8 March 2019 to the Westpac Capital Notes
Nominated Party. The transfer notice will be lodged on the ASX at the time of issue.
3.1.3 What is the
Reinvestment
Offer?
The Reinvestment Offer is an opportunity for Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders to
apply to reinvest some or all of their Westpac Capital Notes in Westpac Capital Notes 6
(and apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6). Any reinvestment in Westpac Capital
Notes 6 will occur before the intended transfer of Westpac Capital Notes on 8 March 2019.
3.1.4 What is the
difference
between
Participating
Westpac Capital
Notes and Non-
Participating
Westpac Capital
Notes?
Westpac Capital Notes that are reinvested in Westpac Capital Notes 6 under the
Reinvestment Offer are referred to in this Prospectus as Participating Westpac Capital
Notes. Westpac Capital Notes that are not reinvested in Westpac Capital Notes 6 under
the Reinvestment Offer are referred to in this Prospectus as Non-Participating Westpac
Capital Notes.
3.1.5 What happens
to Participating
Westpac Capital
Notes upon
reinvestment?
To facilitate the Reinvestment Offer, Westpac lodged a transfer notice in respect of
Participating Westpac Capital Notes only on the ASX on 12 November 2018. In accordance
with that transfer notice, any Participating Westpac Capital Notes will be transferred to the
Westpac Capital Notes Nominated Party on 18 December 2018 and the transfer proceeds
($100 per Participating Westpac Capital Note) will be automatically applied towards the
subscription for Westpac Capital Notes 6. Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders will
be Allocated one Westpac Capital Note 6 for each Participating Westpac Capital Note.
3.1.6 What happens
to Non-
Participating
Westpac Capital
Notes?
Any Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes will remain on issue following completion
of the Reinvestment Offer and will be dealt with in accordance with the Westpac Capital
Notes Terms. All rights attaching to the Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes will
continue, including to any distributions determined to be paid.
If Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes are transferred to the Westpac Capital
Notes Nominated Party on 8 March 2019 as intended by Westpac (see Section 3.1.2), the
transfer proceeds ($100 per Non-Participating Westpac Capital Note) will be paid to Non-
Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders.
3.1.7 What happens
to the
8 December
2018 scheduled
quarterly
distribution on
Westpac Capital
Notes?
Regardless of whether you participate in the Reinvestment Offer, all holders of Westpac
Capital Notes will be paid a distribution for the period from (but excluding) 8 September
2018 to (and including) 8 December 2018 for each Westpac Capital Note held at 7:00pm
(Sydney time) on the record date of 30 November 2018, provided the distribution payment
conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms are satisfied.
1
Details of the other distributions holders of Westpac Capital Notes may receive are set out
in Section 3.3.
Note:
1. 8 December 2018 is not a business day for the purposes of the Westpac Capital Notes Terms and accordingly the payment of the 8 December 2018
Westpac Capital Notes distribution will be made on the next business day (being 10 December 2018).
37
3.2 Key details of the Reinvestment Offer
TopicSummary
3.2.1 Who is eligible
to participate
in the
Reinvestment
Offer?
To be eligible to participate in the Reinvestment Offer, Westpac Capital Notes holders
must be:
• registered holders of Westpac Capital Notes at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on the
Reinvestment Offer Record Date, being 5 November 2018; and
• shown on the Register as having an address in Australia.
3.2.2 What will
Participating
Westpac Capital
Notes Holders
receive?
Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders will be Allocated one Westpac Capital Note
6 for each Participating Westpac Capital Note reinvested on 18 December 2018 and will be
entitled to the distributions on Westpac Capital Notes set out in Option 1 in Section 3.3.
3.2.3 How do I apply
to participate
in the
Reinvestment
Offer?
Please refer to Section 8.2.1 for details of how to apply under the Reinvestment Offer.
3.2.4 Do Applications
received
under the
Reinvestment
Offer have
priority?
Westpac will give priority to Applications received under the Reinvestment Offer
(including Applications made through Syndicate Brokers) when Allocating the Westpac
Capital Notes 6. This priority will not extend to Applications for additional Westpac Capital
Notes 6 by Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders (as further described in Option 1 in
Section 3.3).
3.2.5 Can Westpac
Capital Notes
be sold after
an Application
Form under the
Reinvestment
Offer has been
submitted?
No. Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders who apply to participate in the Reinvestment
Offer are taken to agree to a holding lock being placed on their Westpac Capital Notes
elected for reinvestment, pending completion of the Reinvestment Offer. Once the holding
lock has been applied, you will not be able to dispose of or otherwise successfully deal
with those Participating Westpac Capital Notes.
3.2.6 Is any brokerage
or stamp duty
payable?
No brokerage or stamp duty is payable on the reinvestment of the transfer proceeds of
Participating Westpac Capital Notes under the Reinvestment Offer or an Application for
additional Westpac Capital Notes 6.
38
Westpac Capital Notes 6
3
Section 3 Reinvestment Offer for Westpac Capital Notes
3.3 Options for Westpac Capital Notes holders
Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders have two options to consider which are described in the table below.
Participation in the Reinvestment Offer is optional for Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders.
TopicSummary
Option 1 – Reinvest
some or all of your
Westpac Capital
Notes in Notes
If you choose not
to participate in the
Reinvestment Offer or
to participate in the
Reinvestment Offer
only in respect of
some of your Westpac
Capital Notes, please
also refer to Option 2
in respect of any Non-
Participating Westpac
Capital Notes
• Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders may apply to participate in the Reinvestment
Offer in respect of some or all of their Westpac Capital Notes held on the Reinvestment
Offer Record Date. See Section 8.2.1 for details on how to apply.
• You do not need to submit an Application Payment in respect of Westpac Capital Notes
being reinvested as the transfer proceeds ($100 per Westpac Capital Note) will be
automatically reinvested in the equivalent number of Westpac Capital Notes 6.
• If you choose to reinvest all of your Westpac Capital Notes, you may also apply for
additional Westpac Capital Notes 6. You will need to submit an Application Payment for
any additional Westpac Capital Notes 6. See Section 8.2.1 for details on how to apply.
• You will be paid the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on 18 December 2018
for each Participating Westpac Capital Note held on the record date, being 11 December
2018, provided the distribution payment conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms
are satisfied. This is the last distribution you will receive on any Participating Westpac
Capital Notes.
• If you have elected to participate in the Reinvestment Offer in respect of only some
of your Westpac Capital Notes, please see Option 2 below in relation to distributions
intended to be paid on any Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes.
Option 2 – Do not
participate in the
Reinvestment Offer
• If you are a Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holder, no further action is
required and you can continue to hold your Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes,
which will be dealt with in accordance with the Westpac Capital Notes Terms.
• Westpac intends to arrange for the transfer of all remaining Westpac Capital Notes to
the Westpac Capital Notes Nominated Party on 8 March 2019. If the intended transfer
were to occur, you will be paid the transfer proceeds of $100 per Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Note you still hold on that date.
• You will be paid the following distributions on Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes:
–the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on 18 December 2018 for each
Westpac Capital Note held on the record date, being 11 December 2018; and
–the intended Final Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on 8 March 2019 for each
Westpac Capital Note held on the record date for that distribution,
in each case provided the distribution payment conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes
Terms are satisfied.
• Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders may choose to sell their Non-
Participating Westpac Capital Notes on ASX at the prevailing market price, which may
be higher or lower than the transfer proceeds of $100 (if the intended transfer were to
occur). The last day of trading for Westpac Capital Notes is expected to be 28 February
2019. It is also expected that off-market transfers of Westpac Capital Notes will not be
accepted after 4 March 2019. You may be required to pay applicable brokerage if you
choose to sell Westpac Capital Notes on ASX.
39
3.4 Key differences between Westpac Capital Notes and Westpac Capital
Notes 6
The terms and conditions of Westpac Capital Notes and Westpac Capital Notes 6 are similar. However, there are some
key differences between Westpac Capital Notes and the Westpac Capital Notes 6 which you should be aware of before
deciding whether to reinvest your Westpac Capital Notes under the Reinvestment Offer.
The following table describes the key features of Westpac Capital Notes and the Westpac Capital Notes 6 and highlights
the differences between them. This table is not an exhaustive description of the differences between Westpac Capital
Notes and the Westpac Capital Notes 6. If you have any questions about the differences between Westpac Capital Notes
and the Westpac Capital Notes 6, you should seek advice from your financial or other professional adviser before deciding
to invest in the Westpac Capital Notes 6.
Westpac Capital Notes 6Westpac Capital Notes
IssuerWestpac
Issue price$100
ASX codeWBCPI
2
WBCPD
Legal formNote – unsecured subordinated debt obligation
DistributionsDiscretionary, non-cumulative, floating
rate Distributions, payable quarterly in
arrear, subject to the satisfaction of the
Distribution Payment Conditions
Discretionary, non-cumulative, floating rate
distributions, payable quarterly in arrear,
subject to the satisfaction of distribution
payment conditions
Expected to be fully
franked
Ye s
Distribution rate(margin + 3 month BBSW rate) x (1 – tax rate)
MarginMargin is expected to be in the range of
3.70% to 3.90% per annum and will be
determined at the end of the Bookbuild
margin of 3.20% per annum
Maturity dateNo fixed maturity date but scheduled to
Convert into Ordinary Shares on 31 July
2026 (subject to satisfaction of the
Scheduled Conversion Conditions)
No fixed maturity date but scheduled to
convert into Ordinary Shares on 8 March
2021 (subject to satisfaction of scheduled
conversion conditions)
Redemption at
the issuer’s option
(subject to APRA’s
prior written
approval)
Yes, on 31 July 2024, and in certain
specified circumstances (as described in
Section 2.3)
Yes, on 8 March 2019 and in certain
specified circumstances
Transfer to a
nominated party at
the issuer’s option
Yes, on 31 July 2024, and in certain
specified circumstances (see Section 2.3)
Yes, in respect of Participating Westpac
Capital Notes on 18 December 2018 or on
8 March 2019
Potential conversion
to Ordinary Shares
(other than on a
Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability
Trigger Event)
Yes, Scheduled Conversion on 31 July 2026
(as described in Section 2.2), Optional
Conversion (as described in Section 2.4)
or following an Acquisition Event (as
described in Section 2.6), each being
subject to certain conditions
Yes, scheduled conversion on 8 March 2021
or following an acquisition event, in each
case subject to certain conditions
Note:
2. Westpac will apply to for Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be quoted on ASX and they are expected to trade under the code WBCPI.
40
Westpac Capital Notes 6
3
Section 3 Reinvestment Offer for Westpac Capital Notes
Westpac Capital Notes 6Westpac Capital Notes
Conversion to
Ordinary Shares on
a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability
Trigger Event
Yes, following a capital trigger event or non-viability trigger event
If a capital trigger event or non-viability trigger event occurs and conversion of the notes does
not occur for any reason and Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm on
the fifth business day after the capital trigger event conversion date or non-viability trigger
event conversion date (as the case may be), then all rights in relation to those notes will be
terminated immediately on the capital trigger event conversion date or non-viability trigger
event conversion date (as the case may be) (and holders will lose all of the value of their
investment in those notes and they will not receive any compensation or unpaid distributions)
In the event of conversion following a capital trigger event or non-viability trigger event the
maximum conversion number may limit the number of Ordinary Shares to be issued. See
Section 2.5.5, which applies equally to Westpac Capital Notes 6 and Westpac Capital Notes
Ranking in a Winding
Up of Westpac
If notes are on issue at the time of a Winding Up, they will rank ahead of Ordinary Shares,
equally among themselves and with all Equal Ranking Capital Securities and behind Senior
Creditors (including depositors and holders of Westpac’s senior or less subordinated debt)
of Westpac
However, it is likely that a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event would occur
prior to a Winding Up
If notes have been Converted into Ordinary Shares, holders will become holders of
Ordinary Shares and will rank equally with other holders of Ordinary Shares
If conversion is not possible following a Capital Trigger Event or a Non-Viability Trigger
Event, all rights in relation to those notes will be terminated immediately on the Capital
Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as the case
may be) and holders will lose all of the value of their investment in those notes. In these
circumstances, those notes will have no ranking in a Winding Up
3.5 Risks associated with the Reinvestment Offer
TopicSummary
3.5.1 What are the
risks associated
with the
Reinvestment
Offer?
By participating in the Reinvestment Offer, you will be making an investment in Westpac
Capital Notes 6. For further information about the risks relating to an investment in
Westpac Capital Notes 6 and in Westpac, see Section 5. These risks should be considered
carefully before you apply to reinvest in Westpac Capital Notes 6 under the Reinvestment
Offer or apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6.
There are also the risks that you may not receive the full Allocation of Westpac Capital
Notes 6 that you apply for or that the Offer does not proceed (and the transfer of
Participating Westpac Capital Notes does not occur). See Option 2 in Section 3.3 and
Section 3.6.4 for further details.
If following the Reinvestment Offer, you hold both Westpac Capital Notes 6 and any Non-
Participating Westpac Capital Notes, you will hold two securities with different terms and
conditions until, as intended by Westpac, your Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes
are transferred to the Westpac Capital Notes Nominated Party.
41
3.6 Further information about Westpac Capital Notes and the
Reinvestment Offer
TopicSummary
3.6.1 Why have the
Westpac Capital
Notes Terms
been amended?
Westpac has amended the Westpac Capital Notes Terms primarily to facilitate the
Reinvestment Offer, in particular to enable:
• the transfer of Participating Westpac Capital Notes to the Westpac Capital Notes
Nominated Party on 18 December 2018 for $100 per Participating Westpac Capital Note;
• the potential redemption of Participating Westpac Capital Notes following their transfer
to the Westpac Capital Notes Nominated Party on 18 December 2018; and
• the payment of the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution.
The amended Westpac Capital Notes Terms were lodged by Westpac with the ASX on
12 November 2018.
3.6.2 How will
payments of
distributions
and transfer
proceeds be
made?
Distribution payments to all Westpac Capital Notes holders and payments of any transfer
proceeds in respect of Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes to Westpac Capital
Notes holders will be made in accordance with your payment instructions recorded on
the Register. You may amend these instructions with the Registrar up to 5.00pm (Sydney
time) on the record date for the relevant payment.
In respect of Participating Westpac Capital Notes, transfer proceeds will be automatically
applied towards the subscription for Westpac Capital Notes 6.
3.6.3 What are
the taxation
consequences
of the
Reinvestment
Offer?
Section 6 provides information about the general taxation consequences of participating
in the Reinvestment Offer.
The Australian taxation consequences of participating in the Reinvestment Offer will
depend on your individual circumstances. You should obtain your own taxation advice
before you hold or dispose of Westpac Capital Notes.
3.6.4 What happens
if the Offer does
not proceed?
If you have elected to apply to reinvest some or all of your Westpac Capital Notes under
the Reinvestment Offer and the Offer does not proceed, your Westpac Capital Notes will
remain on issue and be dealt with in accordance with the Westpac Capital Notes Terms.
You will be paid:
• the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on 18 December 2018 for each Westpac
Capital Note held on the record date, being 11 December 2018 (provided the distribution
payment conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms are satisfied);
• the transfer proceeds of $100 per Westpac Capital Note you still hold on 8 March 2019
(provided all remaining Westpac Capital Notes are transferred to the Westpac Capital
Notes Nominated Party on 8 March 2019 as intended by Westpac); and
• the intended Final Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on 8 March 2019 for each
Westpac Capital Note held on the record date for that distribution (provided the
distribution payment conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms are satisfied).
3.6.5 What will
happen if the
transfer of Non-
Participating
Westpac Capital
Notes does
not occur as
intended?
If the transfer in respect of Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes does not occur as
intended on 8 March 2019 for any reason, the Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes will
remain on issue and all rights attaching to them will continue, including to any distributions
determined to be paid, until otherwise dealt with in accordance with the Westpac Capital
Notes Terms.
42
Westpac Capital Notes 6
4
Section 4
About Westpac
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
4.1 Overview of Westpac’s business including summary financial information
4.2 Capital management strategy and capital ratios
4.3 Funding and liquidity
4.4 Royal Commission into the banking, superannuation and financial services industries
43
4.1 Overview of Westpac’s business
including summary financial
information
4.1.1 Overview of Westpac’s business
Westpac is one of the four major banking organisations
in Australia and one of the largest banking organisations
in New Zealand. The Westpac Group provides a broad
range of banking and financial services in these markets,
including consumer, business and institutional banking and
wealth management services.
Westpac has branches, affiliates and controlled entities
throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and in the Pacific
region, and maintains branches and offices in some of the
key financial centres around the world.
As at 30 September 2018, Westpac and its controlled
entities had total assets of approximately $880 billion.
Westpac’s Ordinary Shares and certain other securities
are quoted on ASX and, as at 31 October 2018, Westpac’s
Ordinary Share market capitalisation was approximately
$92 billion.
The performance of Ordinary Shares during the period
from 31 October 2008 to 31 October 2018 is set out in the
graph below.
Westpac Ordinary Shares daily closing price
1
$0
$5
$10
$15
$20
$25
$30
$35
$40
$45
Oct- 2008Oct- 2010Oct- 2012Oct- 2014Oct- 2016Oct- 2018
4.1.2 Organisational structure
Westpac’s operations comprise the following key customer-
facing business divisions operating under multiple brands.
Consumer Bank (“CB”) is responsible for sales and service
to consumer customers in Australia under the Westpac,
St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and RAMS brands.
Activities are conducted through a dedicated team of
specialist consumer relationship managers along with an
extensive network of branches, call centres and ATMs.
Customers are also supported by a range of internet and
mobile banking solutions. CB also works in an integrated way
with Business Bank (“BB”), BT Financial Group (Australia)
(“BTFG”) and Westpac Institutional Bank (“WIB”) in the sales
and service of select financial services and products, including
in wealth and foreign exchange. The revenue from these
products is mostly retained by the product originators.
Business Bank (“BB”) is responsible for sales and service
to micro, small to medium enterprises (SME) and
commercial business customers in Australia for facilities
up to approximately $150 million. The division operates
under the Westpac, St.George, BankSA and Bank of
Melbourne brands. Customers are provided with a wide
range of banking and financial products and services to
support their borrowing, payments and transaction needs.
In addition, specialist services are provided for cash flow
finance, trade finance, automotive and equipment finance
and property finance. The division is also responsible
for consumer customers with auto finance loans. BB
works in an integrated way with CB, BTFG and WIB in
the sales, referral and service of select financial services
and products including corporate superannuation,
foreign exchange and interest rate hedging. The revenue
from these products is mostly retained by the product
originator.
BT Financial Group (Australia) (“BTFG”) is the
Australian wealth management and insurance arm of the
Westpac Group, providing a broad range of associated
services. BTFG’s funds management operations include
the manufacturing and distribution of investment,
superannuation, retirement products, wealth administration
platforms, private wealth, margin lending and equities
broking. BTFG’s insurance business covers the manufacturing
and distribution of life, general and lenders mortgage
insurance. The division also uses a third party to manufacture
certain general insurance products. In managing risk across
all insurance classes, the division reinsures certain risks
using external providers. In addition to the BT brand, BTFG
operates a range of financial services brands along with the
banking brands of Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne
and BankSA for Private Wealth and Insurance.
Westpac Institutional Bank (“WIB”) delivers a broad
range of financial products and services to commercial,
corporate, institutional and government customers with
connections to Australia and New Zealand. WIB operates
through dedicated industry relationship and specialist
product teams, with expert knowledge in financing,
transactional banking, financial and debt capital markets.
Customers are supported throughout Australia as well
as via branches and subsidiaries located in New Zealand,
the US, UK and Asia. WIB is also responsible for Westpac
Pacific, currently providing a range of banking services
in Fiji and PNG. WIB works in an integrated way with all
the Westpac Group’s divisions in the provision of more
complex financial needs, including across foreign exchange
and fixed interest solutions.
Westpac New Zealand is responsible for sales and service
of banking, wealth and insurance products for consumers,
business and institutional customers in New Zealand.
Westpac conducts its New Zealand banking business
through two banks in New Zealand:
• Westpac New Zealand Limited (WNZL), which is
incorporated in New Zealand; and
• Westpac Banking Corporation (New Zealand Branch),
which is incorporated in Australia.
Westpac New Zealand operates via an extensive network
of branches and ATMs across both the North and South
Islands. Business and institutional customers are also
served through relationship and specialist product teams.
Banking products are provided under the Westpac brand,
while insurance and wealth products are provided under
Westpac Life and BT brands, respectively. Westpac New
Zealand also maintains its own infrastructure, including
technology, operations and treasury.
Note:
1. Past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Source: IRESS
44
Westpac Capital Notes 6
4
Section 4 About Westpac
Group Businesses include:
• Treasury, which is responsible for the management
of the Westpac Group’s balance sheet including
wholesale funding, capital and management of liquidity.
Treasury also manages the interest rate risk and foreign
exchange risks inherent in the balance sheet, including
managing the mismatch between Westpac Group
assets and liabilities. Treasury’s earnings are primarily
sourced from managing the Westpac Group’s balance
sheet and interest rate risk (excluding Westpac New
Zealand) within set risk limits;
• Group Technology, which comprises functions for the
Australian businesses, is responsible for technology
strategy and architecture, infrastructure and operations,
applications development and business integration; and
• Core Support, which comprises functions performed
centrally, including Australian banking operations,
property services, strategy, finance, risk, compliance,
legal, human resources and customer and corporate
relations.
Group Technology costs are fully allocated to other
divisions in the Westpac Group. Core Support costs are
partially allocated to other divisions in the Westpac Group,
with costs attributed to enterprise activity retained in
Group Businesses.
Group Businesses also includes earnings on capital not
allocated to divisions, certain intra-group transactions
that facilitate the presentation of the performance of
the Westpac Group’s operating segments, earnings from
non-core asset sales and certain other head office items
such as centrally raised provisions.
4.1.3 Consolidated Income Statement and selected financial information
2
Reported
30 September
2017
Reported
30 September
2018
$m$m
Interest income 31,23232,571
Interest expense (15,716)(16,066)
Net interest income 15,51616,505
Non-interest income6,2865,628
Net operating income before operating expenses and impairment charges21,80222,133
Operating expenses(9,434)(9,692)
Impairment charges(853)(710)
Profit before income tax 11,51511,731
Income tax expense(3,518)(3,632)
Net profit for the year7,9978,099
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests(7)(4)
Net profit attributable to owners of Westpac Banking Corporation7,9908,095
Selected financial information
Expense to income ratio43.3%43.8%
Statutory earnings per Ordinary Share – basic (cents)238.0237.5
Ordinary Dividends per Ordinary Share (cents)188188
Note:
2. The consolidated income statement has been derived from Westpac’s audited financial report as at and for the full year ended 30 September 2018.
45
4.1.4 Consolidated Balance Sheet and unaudited pro-forma Consolidated
Balance Sheet
3
Reported
30 September
2017
Reported
30 September
2018
Pro-forma
Adjustments
Pro-forma
30 September
2018
$m $m $m $m
Assets
Cash and balances with central banks18,39726,431(644)25,787
Receivables due from other financial
institutions7,1285,7905,790
Trading securities, other financial assets
designated at fair value and available-for-
sale securities
86,03483,25383,253
Derivative financial instruments24,03324,10124,101
Loans684,919709,690709,690
Life insurance assets10,6439,4509,450
Other assets20,72120,87720,877
Total assets851,875879,592878,948
Liabilities
Payables due to other financial institutions21,90718,13718,137
Deposits and other borrowings533,591559,285559,285
Other financial liabilities at fair value through
income statement
4,0564,2974,297
Derivative financial instruments25,37524,40724,407
Debt issues168,356172,596172,596
Life insurance liabilities9,0197, 5 977, 5 97
Other liabilities10,56311,43511,435
Total liabilities excluding loan capital772,867797,754797,754
Loan capital17,66617,265(644)16,621
Total liabilities790,533815,019814,375
Net assets61,34264,57364,573
Shareholders’ equity
Total equity attributable to owners of
Westpac Banking Corporation
61,28864,52164,521
Assets
Non-controlling interests545252
Total shareholders’ equity and
non-controlling interests61,34264,57364,573
Impact of the issue of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 and
redemption of Westpac Capital Notes on Westpac’s
consolidated balance sheet
The unaudited pro-forma balance sheet shows the
adjustments that would be made to Westpac’s audited
consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 2018,
assuming:
• an issue of $750 million
4
of Notes, less Offer costs of
$10 million; and
• the redemption of $1.38 billion of Westpac Capital
Notes.
5
There is no impact from the pro-forma adjustments
to Westpac’s net assets and shareholders’ equity. The
anticipated proceeds received under the Offer will be used
by Westpac for general business purposes.
Note:
3. The consolidated balance sheet has been derived from Westpac’s audited annual financial report as at 30 September 2018.
4 Westpac may raise more or less then $750 million under the Offer and these figures will be impacted accordingly.
5. This assumes that Participating Westpac Capital Notes and Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes are redeemed on 18 December 2018 and 8 March
2019, respectively. No decision to redeem Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes has been made.
46
Westpac Capital Notes 6
4
Section 4 About Westpac
4.1.5 Consolidated capital adequacy position and pro-forma consolidated capital
adequacy position (Level 2)
Capital and Leverage ratios
(Level 2)
Reported
30 September
2017
Reported
30 September
2018
Pro-forma
Adjustments
Pro-forma
30 September
2018
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio10.56%10.63%—10.63%
6
Additional Tier 1 Capital Ratio2.10%2.15%(0.15%)2.00%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio12.66%12.78%(0.15%)12.63%
Tier 2 Capital Ratio 2.16%1.96%—1.96%
Total Capital Ratio14.82%14.74%(0.15%)14.59%
Leverage Ratio5.66%5.84%(0.06%)5.78%
Impact of the issue of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 and
redemption of Westpac Capital Notes on Westpac’s
Level 2 capital adequacy position
The reported Level 2 capital adequacy position of Westpac
as at 30 September 2018 is set out in the above table. The
reported Level 2 capital adequacy position of Westpac is
discussed in Section 4.2.5.
The table also shows the unaudited pro-forma capital
adequacy position (Level 2) as at 30 September 2018
assuming the following pro-forma adjustments:
• the issue of $750 million of Notes
7
, which increases the
pro-forma Additional Tier 1 Capital Ratio by 0.18%; and
• the redemption of $1.38 billion of Westpac Capital
Notes
8
. This reduces the pro-forma Additional Tier 1
Capital Ratio by 0.33%.
The impact of the pro-forma adjustments represents a
decrease in Westpac’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio and Total Capital
Ratio of 0.15%.
APRA has confirmed that the Notes will be eligible
for inclusion as Additional Tier 1 Capital under APRA’s
Prudential Standard APS 111.
4.2 Capital management strategy
and capital ratios
4.2.1 Capital adequacy framework
APRA is the prudential regulator of the Australian financial
services industry. It oversees credit unions, building
societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies,
life insurers, friendly societies, most members of the
superannuation industry, and Authorised Deposit-taking
Institutions (“ADIs”) such as Westpac. APRA’s website at
www.apra.gov.au includes further details of its functions
and Prudential Standards.
APRA’s Prudential Standards aim to ensure that ADIs
remain adequately capitalised to support the risks
associated with their activities and to generally protect
Australian depositors.
APRA applies a tiered approach to measuring Westpac’s
capital adequacy by assessing financial strength at three
levels:
• Level 1, comprising Westpac and its subsidiary entities
that have been approved by APRA as being part of a
single 'Extended Licensed Entity' for the purposes of
measuring capital adequacy;
• Level 2, the consolidation of Westpac and all its
subsidiary entities (including offshore subsidiaries such
as Westpac New Zealand Limited) except those entities
specifically excluded by APRA regulations such as
insurance or wealth management subsidiaries; and
• Level 3, the consolidation of Westpac and all its
subsidiary entities.
APRA measures an ADI’s regulatory capital as a
percentage of RWA, by reference to:
• Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (“CET1”), the highest
quality components of capital that consists of paid-up
share capital, retained profits and certain reserves,
less certain intangible assets, capitalised expenses
and software, and investments and retained profits in
insurance and funds management subsidiaries that are
not consolidated for capital adequacy purposes. The
ratio of CET1 to RWA is called the “Common Equity Tier
1 Capital Ratio” (“CET1 Ratio”);
• Tier 1 Capital, being the sum of Common Equity Tier 1
Capital and Additional Tier 1 Capital. Additional Tier 1
Capital comprises high quality components of capital
that consists of certain securities not included in
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital, but which include loss
absorbing characteristics such as the Notes. The ratio
of Tier 1 Capital to RWA is called the “Tier 1 Capital
Ratio”; and
• Total Capital, being the sum of Tier 1 Capital and
Tier 2 Capital. Tier 2 Capital includes subordinated
instruments and other components of capital that,
to varying degrees, do not meet the criteria for Tier 1
Capital, but nonetheless contribute to the overall
strength of an ADI and its capacity to absorb losses.
The ratio of Total Capital to RWA is called the “Total
Capital Ratio”.
APRA has confirmed that the Notes will be eligible for
inclusion as Additional Tier 1 Capital under Prudential
Standard APS 111.
Note:
6. The impact of Offer costs of $10 million on the pro-forma Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio is less than 0.01%.
7. Westpac may raise more or less than $750 million under the Offer and these figures will be impacted accordingly.
8. This assumes that Participating Westpac Capital Notes and Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes are redeemed on 18 December 2018 and 8 March
2019, respectively. No decision to redeem Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes has been made.
47
4.2.2 Regulatory capital requirements
Under APRA’s Prudential Standards, Australian ADIs,
including Westpac, are required to maintain at least the
following minimum ratios of capital to RWA at Level 1 and
Level 2:
• 4.5% Common Equity Tier 1 Capital;
• 6% Tier 1 Capital; and
• 8% Total Capital.
APRA may also require ADIs, including Westpac, to
meet prudential capital requirements (“PCR”) above the
minimum capital ratios. APRA does not allow the PCR for
individual ADIs to be disclosed.
APRA also requires ADIs to hold an additional buffer of
capital above the ADI's minimum capital ratios (“capital
buffer”). This must be met with CET1. The capital buffer
comprises:
• a capital conservation buffer. The capital conservation
buffer for a domestic systemically important bank
(“D-SIB”) is 3.5% of RWA, unless otherwise determined
by APRA. APRA has determined that Westpac is a
D-SIB; and
• a countercyclical capital buffer. The countercyclical
capital buffer is set on a jurisdictional basis and APRA
is responsible for setting the requirement in Australia,
currently within a range of 0% to 2.5% of RWA
9
. The
countercyclical capital buffer requirement is currently
set to zero for Australia and New Zealand.
APRA’s Prudential Standards are generally consistent
with the international regulatory framework for banks,
also known as Basel III, issued by the Basel Committee on
Banking Supervision (“BCBS”), except where APRA has
exercised certain discretions. On balance, the application
of these discretions acts to reduce capital ratios reported
under APRA’s Prudential Standards relative to the BCBS
approach and to those reported in some other jurisdictions.
4.2.3 Regulatory capital developments
APRA's proposed changes to capital standards
The final report of the Financial System Inquiry
recommended that APRA set capital standards such that
the capital ratios of Australian ADIs are “unquestionably
strong.”
On 19 July 2017, APRA released an Information Paper titled
“Strengthening Banking System Resilience - Establishing
Unquestionably Strong Capital Ratios”. In its release, APRA
concluded that the four major Australian banks, including
Westpac, need to have a CET1 Ratio of at least 10.5%, as
measured under the existing capital framework, to be
considered “unquestionably strong.” Banks are expected
to meet this new benchmark by 1 January 2020. APRA has
announced that it expects to consult on draft prudential
standards giving effect to the new framework in 2018, leading
to the determination of final prudential standards in 2019. The
new framework is anticipated to take effect in early 2021.
During 2018, APRA commenced consultation and has issued
the following discussion papers:
• “Revision to the Capital Framework for Authorised
Deposit-Taking Institutions”. The discussion paper
included proposed revisions to the capital framework
which incorporates the Basel III reforms finalised in
December 2017, as well as other changes to better
align the framework to risks, including in relation to
home lending. In relation to proposed traded market
risk reforms published by the BCBS (also referred to
as “Fundamental Review of the Trading Book”), APRA
have advised that it will defer its decision on the scope
and timing of any domestic implementation of the
market risk framework until after it has been finalised
by the BCBS.
• “Leverage Ratio Requirements for Authorised Deposit-
Taking Institutions”. The discussion paper proposes to
impose a minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4% for
ADIs that use the internal ratings-based approach to
determine capital adequacy from 1 July 2019. Australian
banks are currently required to report leverage ratios
under the existing requirements as part of Pillar 3
disclosures.
• “Improving the transparency, comparability and
flexibility of the ADI capital framework”. The discussion
paper outlines options APRA is considering for
the presentation of capital ratios, minimum capital
requirements and capital instrument triggers. This
could result in changes to capital ratios and minimum
capital requirements and the Capital Trigger Event
level of 5.125% in Additional Tier 1 Capital instruments
such as the Notes could stay the same or increase. The
dollar amount of CET1 surplus above the Capital Trigger
Event level of 5.125% will depend on the final option
implemented by APRA. As the proposals are at an
early consultation stage it is too soon to determine final
impacts.
APRA has announced that its revisions to the capital
framework are not intended to necessitate further capital
increases for the industry above the 10.5% benchmark.
However, given the proposals include higher risk weights
for certain mortgage products, such as interest only
loans and loans for investment purposes, the impact on
individual banks may vary. Given that the proposals are
at the early consultation stage and final details remain
unclear, it is too soon to determine the final impact
on Westpac.
Accordingly, these changes may reduce the surplus of CET1
that Westpac currently holds above the Capital Trigger
Event level of 5.125% and the Distribution Restriction
Trigger of 8.0% as outlined in section 4.2.6.
Resolution planning including additional loss absorbing
capacity and APRA’s crisis management powers
In response to the Financial System Inquiry
recommendations, the Australian Government also agreed
to further reforms regarding crisis management and
establishing a framework for minimum loss-absorbing and
recapitalisation capacity.
On 5 March 2018, legislation was passed to strengthen
APRA's crisis management powers. The intention of these
reforms is to strengthen APRA's powers to facilitate the
orderly resolution of an institution so as to protect the
interests of depositors and to protect the stability of the
financial system.
On 8 November 2018, APRA released a discussion paper
on “Increasing the loss-absorbing capacity of ADI’s to
support orderly resolution”. As part of the discussion
paper APRA proposed that the four Australian major
banks (including Westpac) increase their Total Capital
requirements by four to five percentage points of RWA
under the current capital adequacy framework. APRA
Note:
9. ADIs will be notified of any decision to set, or increase, the level of the countercyclical buffer up to 12 months before the date from which it applies.
48
Westpac Capital Notes 6
4
Section 4 About Westpac
noted that it anticipates that the bulk of additional capital
raised will be in the form of Tier 2 Capital. APRA also noted
that it expects the proposed changes “...to marginally
increase each major bank’s cost of funding – incrementally
over four years – by up to five basis points based on
current pricing.”
Notwithstanding APRA’s indication that the overall cost
could add up to five basis points to the Westpac Group’s
funding, it is not possible at this point to determine the
actual total cost for Westpac given:
• the final details of the rules are yet to be determined;
• the pricing of any incremental Tier 2 Capital will depend
on the market price at the time of issue, noting that
the proposed changes will increase the supply of such
instruments on issue by the Australian banks; and
• the issuance of incremental Tier 2 Capital will likely
reduce the need for other forms of funding, which
could also change the cost of that funding.
APRA have proposed that the increased requirements will
take full effect from 2023, following relevant ADIs being
notified of adjustments to Total Capital requirements from
2019. In addition, APRA noted that it intends to consult on
a framework for recovery and resolution in 2019, which will
include further details on resolution planning.
Macro-prudential regulation
From December 2014, APRA began using macro-
prudential measures targeting mortgage lending that
continue to impact lending practices in Australia. This
included limiting investment property lending growth to
below 10%, imposing additional levels of conservatism
in serviceability assessments, and restricting mortgage
lending with interest only terms to 30% of new mortgage
lending. APRA also indicated that it expects ADIs to place
strict internal limits on the volume of interest only loans
with loan-to-valuation ratios above 80%.
Westpac has implemented a number of steps to achieve
these limits.
On 26 April 2018, APRA announced its intention to remove
the existing 10% limit on investment property lending
growth and replace it with more permanent measures to
strengthen lending standards. In order to no longer be
subject to this limit from 1 July 2018, ADIs will be required
to demonstrate to APRA that they have been operating
below the 10% limit for at least the last 6 months. In
addition an ADI’s Board will be required to provide an
assurance to APRA in relation to its lending policies and
practices. Westpac is currently subject to the 10% limit.
4.2.4 Capital management strategy
Westpac’s approach to capital management seeks to balance
the fact that capital is an expensive form of funding with
the need to be adequately capitalised as an ADI. Westpac
considers the need to balance efficiency, flexibility and
adequacy when determining sufficiency of capital and when
developing capital management plans. Westpac evaluates
these considerations through an Internal Capital Adequacy
Assessment Process, the key features of which include:
• the development of a capital management strategy,
including consideration of regulatory minimums, capital
buffers and contingency plans;
• consideration of both economic and regulatory capital
requirements;
• a stress testing framework that challenges the capital
measures, coverage and requirements including the
impact of adverse economic scenarios; and
• consideration of the perspectives of external stakeholders
including rating agencies and equity and debt investors.
In light of APRA’s announcement on “unquestionably
strong” capital benchmarks on 19 July 2017, Westpac will
seek to operate with a CET1 Ratio of at least 10.5% in March
and September as measured under the existing capital
framework. This also takes into consideration:
• current regulatory minimums and capital buffers;
• stress testing to calibrate an appropriate buffer against
a downturn; and
• quarterly volatility of capital ratios due to the half yearly
cycle of dividend payments.
Westpac will revise its target capital level once APRA
finalises its review of the capital adequacy framework.
Note:
10. The Distribution Restriction Trigger is currently 8.0% for D-SIBs, however, it may be higher for individual ADIs (including Westpac).
Applicable at Level 1 and Level 2
11. Prudential capital requirement.
12. Based on Westpac’s capital position as at 30 September 2018 and assuming that industry minimums apply as at 30 September 2018.
13. Represents an additional potential amount that may be available to absorb losses (based on Westpac’s financial year 2018 statutory profit before
impairment charges and income tax expense). This amount is not a forecast of future earnings and past performance is not necessarily an indicator of
future performance.
Distribution restrictions
WestpacAPRA Prudential Standard
Minimum
CET1
4.5%
Management
Buer
FY18
earnings
CET1
above
DRT
CET1
between DRT
and 5.125%
CET1
below
5.125%
Distribution
Restriction
Trigger (DRT)
8.0%
Distribution Restriction Trigger
10
Indicative Level 2 buers
12
CET1 10.6% as at
30 Sept 2018
Maximum
Distributable
Amount
60%
40%
20%
0%
Distribution
increasingly
restricted
Capital
buer
3.5%
≤
PCR
11
+ 3.5%
≤
PCR
+ 2.625%
≤
PCR
+ 1.75%
≤
PCR
+ 0.875%
$12.4bn
$11.2bn
$12.2bn
$21.8bn
1
st
Quartile
2
nd
Quartile
3
rd
Quartile
4
th
Quartile
49
CET1 surplus above the Capital Trigger Event and Distribution Restriction Trigger
Reported
30 September
2017
Reported
31 March 2018
Reported
30 September
2018
Level 1 Westpac Group
Surplus ($bn) above Capital Trigger Event level of 5.125%20.221.122.0
Surplus ($bn) above Distribution Restriction Trigger of 8.0%
14
9.29.610.2
Level 2 Westpac Group
Surplus ($bn) above Capital Trigger Event level of 5.125%22.022.323.4
Surplus ($bn) above Distribution Restriction Trigger of 8.0%
14
10.310.411.2
Distribution restrictions
Should an ADI’s Level 1 or Level 2 CET1 Ratio fall below
the PCR plus the capital buffer (“Distribution Restriction
Trigger” or “DRT”), restrictions on the distribution of
earnings will apply (“Maximum Distributable Amount”).
This includes restrictions on the amount of earnings that
can be distributed through dividends, Additional Tier 1
Capital distributions (which will include Distribution
payments on the Notes) and discretionary staff bonuses
(“Tier 1 Capital Distributions”). The Distribution Restriction
Trigger is currently 8.0% for D-SIBs, however it may be
higher for individual ADIs (including Westpac).
The Maximum Distributable Amount that can be paid as
Tier 1 Capital Distributions is limited in accordance with the
diagram in this Section 4.2.4 (see previous page) which
sets out the indicative Distribution Restriction Trigger.
Earnings are defined as distributable profits calculated
prior to deduction of Tier 1 Capital Distributions on an after
tax basis.
An ADI can apply to APRA to make payments in excess of
the Maximum Distributable Amount. APRA will only grant
approval where it is satisfied that an ADI has established
measures to raise capital equal to or greater than the
amount above the constraint that it wishes to distribute.
The Corporations Act does not limit the sources of
payment of Distributions on the Notes to the profits of a
particular year or period.
In addition, under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms,
if a Distribution has not been paid in full for a relevant
Distribution Payment Date, Westpac must not (unless in
certain limited circumstances):
• determine or pay any Dividends on its Ordinary
Shares; or
• undertake any discretionary Buy Back or Capital
Reduction.
However, it is expected that Westpac would give priority
to the payment of distributions on Additional Tier 1 Capital
securities (including Notes) over payments of Dividends
and discretionary staff bonuses so it is not restricted from
paying Dividends.
Other Additional Tier 1 Capital securities within the
Westpac Group include similar restrictions if distributions
on those securities are not paid in full.
4.2.5 CET1 Ratio
Westpac’s reported CET1 Ratio at 30 September 2018 was
10.5% on a Level 1 basis, and 10.6% on a Level 2 basis.
Westpac is well positioned to meet APRA’s unquestionably
strong CET1 benchmark of at least 10.5% by 2020 as
outlined in Section 4.2.3.
4.2.6 CET1 Ratio and the Notes
Under the Terms, the Notes include certain loss absorption
features required by APRA, such as Conversion of the
Notes into Ordinary Shares or the termination of Holders’
rights (if Conversion does not occur for any reason), when
Westpac’s CET1 Ratio falls to or below a certain threshold –
see Sections 2.5.2, 4.2.3, 5.1.7 and 5.1.8 for a discussion on
the Capital Trigger Event. A Capital Trigger Event may
occur if Westpac’s CET1 Ratio declines to (or falls below)
5.125%, on either a Level 1 or Level 2 basis, as defined by
APRA.
The table at the end of this section 4.2.6 shows Westpac’s
CET1 surplus above the Capital Trigger Event level of
5.125% and Distribution Restriction Trigger of 8.0%. The
Distribution Restriction Trigger of 8.0% applies to D-SIBs,
however it may be higher for individual ADIs (including
Westpac) – see Section 4.2.4.
A CET1 Ratio of 10.5% on a Level 1 basis and 10.6% on a
Level 2 basis at 30 September 2018 equates to:
• a surplus of $22.0 billion and $23.4 billion for the
Level 1 Westpac Group and Level 2 Westpac Group
respectively of CET1 above the Capital Trigger Event
level of 5.125%; and
• a surplus of $10.2 billion and $11.2 billion for the
Level 1 Westpac Group and Level 2 Westpac Group
respectively of CET1 above a Distribution Restriction
Trigger of 8.0%.
Differences between Westpac’s Level 1 and Level 2 CET1
Ratios relate principally to the level of capital held by, and
RWA of, offshore banking subsidiaries. Westpac expects
its Level 1 and Level 2 capital ratios to move in a broadly
similar way over time, based on Westpac’s current capital
management policy for Westpac subsidiaries which
assumes surplus capital is repatriated from subsidiaries
(subject to subsidiary board approval, relevant regulatory
approvals and regulatory requirements for Westpac
subsidiaries).
Westpac gives no assurance as to what its CET1 Ratio
on a Level 1 or Level 2 basis will be at any time as it
may be significantly impacted by regulatory changes to
the measurement of capital or RWA calculations, and
unexpected events affecting its business, operations and
financial condition.
Note:
14 The Distribution Restriction Trigger of 8.0% applies to D-SIBs, however it may be higher for individual ADIs (including Westpac) – see Section 4.2.4.
50
Westpac Capital Notes 6
4
Section 4 About Westpac
4.3 Funding and liquidity
4.3.1 Funding
The Westpac Group monitors the composition and stability
of its funding so that it remains within the Westpac
Group’s funding risk appetite. This includes compliance
with both the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”) and Net
Stable Funding Ratio (“NSFR”). Maintaining a diverse
funding base with the capacity and flexibility to access
a wide range of funding markets, investors, currencies,
maturities and products is an important part of managing
liquidity risk.
4.3.2 Liquidity
The Westpac Group has a liquidity risk management
framework which seeks to meet the objective of meeting
cash flow obligations under a wide range of market
conditions, including name specific and market-wide stress
scenarios, as well as meeting the regulatory requirements
of the LCR and NSFR.
Liquid Assets
The Westpac Group’s liquid asset portfolio includes both
high-quality liquid assets (“HQLA”) and other securities
that are eligible for repurchase with a central bank. In total,
Westpac held $153.7 billion in unencumbered liquid assets
as at 30 September 2018. At 30 September 2018, the
portfolio comprised:
• $76.3 billion of cash, deposits at central banks,
government and semi-government bonds;
• $21.9 billion of repo-eligible private securities; and
• $55.5 billion of self-originated AAA rated mortgage
backed securities, which are eligible collateral for
repurchase agreements with the RBA or the Reserve
Bank of New Zealand.
LCR
The LCR requires banks to hold sufficient HQLA, as
defined, to withstand 30 days under a regulator-defined
acute stress scenario.
Given the limited amount of Government debt in Australia,
the RBA, jointly with APRA, makes available to ADIs
a Committed Liquidity Facility (“CLF”). Subject to the
satisfaction of qualifying conditions, the CLF can be
accessed to help meet the LCR requirement. In order
to have access to a CLF, ADIs are required to pay a fee
of 15 basis points (0.15%) per annum to the RBA on the
approved undrawn facility. APRA approved Westpac’s
CLF allocation of $57 billion for the 2018 calendar year.
APRA has approved a CLF allocation for Westpac of
$54 billion for the 2019 calendar year.
The Westpac Group’s LCR as at 30 September was 133%.
Net Stable Funding Ratio
The Westpac Group is required to maintain a NSFR, designed
to encourage longer-term funding resilience, of at least 100%.
The NSFR came into effect on 1 January 2018. Westpac had a
NSFR of 114% at 30 September 2018.
4.4 Royal Commission into the
banking, superannuation and
financial services industries
On 14 December 2017, the Australian Government
established a Royal Commission into potential misconduct
in Australia’s banks and other financial services entities.
The terms of reference for the Royal Commission require
it to consider (amongst other things) the conduct of
banks, insurers, financial service providers, superannuation
funds (not including self-managed superannuation funds)
and intermediaries between borrowers and lenders, and
the effectiveness of Australian regulators in addressing
misconduct in financial institutions. The Royal Commission
is not required to inquire into matters such as the
financial stability of Australia’s banks. A final report is to
be provided by the Royal Commission to the Australian
Government by 1 February 2019, and an interim report was
released and tabled in Parliament on 28 September 2018.
The Royal Commission is inquiring into potential
misconduct and conduct, practices, behaviour or business
activities by financial services entities that may fall below
community standards and expectations. The Royal
Commission has sought and received public submissions
as to misconduct issues in financial services and conducted
a range of public hearings which have considered case
studies of alleged misconduct issues.
Westpac has provided the Royal Commission with
documents and witness statements and made submissions
in all rounds of the Royal Commission to date. The Interim
Report of the Royal Commission released on 28 September
2018 outlined a range of views the Commissioner has
formed to date based on the information and hearings
so far and has requested submissions on key areas of
policy that might affect or address misconduct in the
financial services industry. Many of those matters could
have significant impacts on particular entities (including
Westpac) and the financial services industry generally,
as well as affecting the financial performance of financial
institutions, including banks. Recommendations may
include matters which could cause structural change to the
financial services industry and/or business models used in
the industry, changes to the compensation and incentive
structures within the financial services industry, and
changes involving the way financial services are regulated.
Westpac made submissions in relation to the questions
posed in the Interim Report on 26 October 2018.
The Royal Commission will ultimately make findings and
recommendations having considered the submissions
Counsel Assisting, relevant financial institutions, other
relevant bodies including regulators and the general public
have made during the course of the proceedings of the
Royal Commission. The Royal Commission’s findings and
recommendations may include recommendations as to civil
or criminal prosecutions that should be conducted against
financial institutions and individuals, recommendations
as to legislative reform and in respect of matters which
regulatory or other policy bodies should consider.
In the event that the Federal Government supports
recommended regulatory changes, the Royal Commission
may result in changes to legislation and regulation. The
Royal Commission is also considering the regulation
and enforcement practices of Westpac’s regulators.
Any findings or recommendations made by the Royal
Commission, are likely to have and could continue to
prompt regulators to commence investigations into various
financial services entities including Westpac. Those steps
could subsequently result in administrative or enforcement
action being taken. The Royal Commission may also
prompt Westpac’s regulators to alter their existing policies
and practices (including increasing their expectations for
entities that they regulate, including Westpac) and increase
the number of potential contraventions they choose
to publicly litigate rather than otherwise resolve, which
could harm Westpac’s reputation and increase Westpac’s
liabilities related to legal proceedings. There is also a risk
that matters considered during the Royal Commission have
resulted in or could encourage civil claims against financial
institutions including class actions.
51
Section 5
Investment risks
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
5.1 Investment risks relating to the Westpac Capital Notes 6
5.2 Investment risks relating to Westpac
52
5
Section 5 Investment risks
Before applying for any Notes, you should consider
whether the Notes are a suitable investment for you.
There are risks associated with an investment in the
Notes, many of which are outside the control of Westpac.
These risks include those in this Section 5 and other
matters referred to in this Prospectus. You should carefully
consider the risks described and the other information
in this Prospectus before investing in Notes. The risks
and uncertainties described below are not the only ones
Westpac faces. Additional risks and uncertainties that
Westpac is unaware of, or that Westpac currently deems
to be immaterial, may also become important factors that
affect the Notes or Westpac.
5.1 Investment risks relating to
the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Set out in this Section 5.1 are risks associated specifically
with an investment in the Notes. In particular, these risks
arise from the nature of the Notes and the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms. You should also consider the other risks in
Section 5.2 as they relate to Westpac.
5.1.1 Investments in Notes are not
deposit liabilities or protected
accounts under the Banking Act or
Financial Claims Scheme
Investments in Notes are an investment in Westpac and will
be affected by the ongoing performance, financial position
and solvency of Westpac. They are not deposit liabilities
or protected accounts of Westpac for the purposes of
the Banking Act or Financial Claims Scheme and are not
subject to the depositor protection provisions of Australian
banking legislation (including the Australian Government
guarantee of certain bank deposits). Therefore, the
Notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Australian
Government, any government agency or compensation
scheme of Australia or any other jurisdiction.
5.1.2 Market price of the Notes may
fluctuate
Westpac will apply for quotation of the Notes on ASX,
but Westpac is unable to forecast the market price and
liquidity of the market for the Notes. The market price for
the Notes may fluctuate due to various factors, including:
• Australian and international general conditions
(including inflation rates, interest rates and currency
exchange rates), changes in government policy,
changes in regulatory policy, the expressed views of
regulators, investor sentiment and general market
movements, which may or may not have an impact on
Westpac’s actual operating performance;
• operating results of Westpac that vary from
expectations of securities analysts and investors;
• changes in expectations as to Westpac’s future financial
performance, including financial estimates by securities
analysts and investors;
• changes in market valuations of other financial services
institutions;
• announcement of acquisitions, strategic partnerships,
joint ventures or capital commitments by Westpac or
its competitors;
• changes in the market price of Ordinary Shares and/or
other debt securities or other capital securities issued
by Westpac or by other issuers, or changes in the
supply of equity securities or capital securities issued
by Westpac or by other issuers;
• the occurrence or increase in the likelihood of the
occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event or a Non-Viability
Trigger Event; and
• other major Australian and international events such as
hostilities and tensions, and acts of terrorism.
It is possible that the Notes will trade at a market price
above or below the Face Value as a result of these and
other factors.
5.1.3 The liquidity of the Notes may
be low
The market for the Notes will likely be less liquid than the
market for Ordinary Shares. Holders who wish to sell their
Notes may be unable to do so at an acceptable price, or at
all, if insufficient liquidity exists in the market for the Notes.
Westpac does not guarantee the market price or liquidity
of the Notes. There is a risk that if Holders sell Notes before
the Scheduled Conversion Date, Holders may lose some of
the money they have invested.
5.1.4 Excess franking credit refunds
may be removed under the Labor
Party
As described in Sections 2.1.5 and 6.3.1, in March 2018
the Labor Party announced a proposal to remove cash
refunds for excess franking credits to certain investors
that are currently able to claim them (including individuals
and complying superannuation entities), with effect from
1 July 2019. If the Labor Party forms Federal Government
and its proposal becomes law in Australia, Holders may
not be able to claim cash refunds for excess franking
credits received in respect of Distributions on the Notes.
Accordingly, there is a risk that the Notes may be less
valuable to those investors in the future. As a consequence,
the market price of the Notes and/or the liquidity of the
market for the Notes could be adversely impacted.
5.1.5 Distributions may not be paid
Distributions are discretionary and only payable subject to
satisfaction of the Distribution Payment Conditions, being:
• Westpac’s absolute discretion;
• the payment of Distributions not resulting in a breach
of Westpac’s capital requirements (on a Level 1 basis)
or of the Westpac Group’s capital requirements (on
a Level 2 basis) under the then current Prudential
Standards at the time of payment;
• the payment of Distributions not resulting in Westpac
becoming, or being likely to become, insolvent for the
purposes of the Corporations Act; and
• APRA not otherwise objecting to the payment.
There are restrictions on the amount of earnings that can
be distributed through Tier 1 Capital Distributions should
an ADI’s Level 1 or Level 2 CET1 Ratios fall below the
Distribution Restriction Trigger (as more fully described in
Section 4.2.4). This may result in a Distribution Payment
Condition not being satisfied. Payments of Distributions are
non-cumulative. If a Distribution is not paid in full because
53
the Distribution Payment Conditions are not satisfied or
because of any other reason, Holders will not be entitled to
receive the unpaid portion of that Distribution. No interest
accrues on any unpaid Distributions and Westpac has
no liability to the Holder and the Holder has no claim in
respect of such non-payment.
Non-payment of a Distribution will not be an event
of default
1
and Holders have no right to apply for a
Winding Up on the grounds of Westpac’s failure to pay a
Distribution.
However, if a Distribution has not been paid in full
for a relevant Distribution Payment Date, then until a
Distribution is paid in full on a subsequent Distribution
Payment Date (or all Notes are Converted at their full
Face Value, Redeemed or terminated following a failure to
Convert) Westpac must not:
• determine or pay any Dividends on its Ordinary Shares;
or
• undertake any discretionary Buy Back or Capital
Reduction,
unless the amount of the unpaid Distribution is paid in
full within 20 Business Days of the relevant Distribution
Payment Date (and in certain other limited circumstances).
However, it is expected that Westpac would give priority
to the payment of distributions on Additional Tier 1 Capital
securities (including Notes) over payments of Dividends
and discretionary bonuses so it is not restricted from
paying Dividends.
Further, the terms of Westpac’s future securities could
limit Westpac’s ability to make payments on the Notes.
If Westpac does not make payments on other securities,
payments may not be permitted to be made in respect of
the Notes.
5.1.6 Changes in the Distribution Rate
The Distribution Rate is calculated for each Distribution
Period by reference to the relevant 3 month BBSW Rate,
which is influenced by a number of factors and varies over
time. The Distribution Rate will fluctuate and may increase
and/or decrease over time with movements in the 3 month
BBSW Rate.
Refer to the graph in Section 2.1.6 to see the movements in
the 3 month BBSW Rate over the last 10 years.
As the Distribution Rate fluctuates, there is a risk that the
rate may become less attractive when compared to returns
available on comparable securities issued by Westpac or
other issuers or other investments.
Westpac does not guarantee any particular rate of return
on the Notes.
5.1.7 A Capital Trigger Event or a Non-
Viability Trigger Event may occur
A Capital Trigger Event occurs when Westpac determines,
or APRA notifies Westpac in writing that it believes, that
either or both the Westpac Level 1 Common Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio or Westpac Level 2 Common Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio is equal to or is less than 5.125%.
The Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio is the ratio of
Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to its RWA, where
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital comprises the highest
quality components of capital.
A Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs when APRA notifies
Westpac in writing that it believes:
• Conversion of all or some Notes (or conversion, write-
off or write down of other capital instruments of the
Westpac Group) is necessary because, without it,
Westpac would become non-viable; or
• a public sector injection of capital, or equivalent
support, is necessary because, without it, Westpac
would become non-viable.
It should be noted that whether a Non-Viability Trigger
Event will occur is at the discretion of APRA and
there are currently no Australian precedents for this.
The circumstances in which APRA may exercise its
discretion are not limited to when APRA may have a
concern about a bank’s capital levels but may also include
when APRA has a concern about a bank’s funding and
liquidity levels or any other matters affecting a bank’s
viability.
APRA has not provided guidance as to how it would
determine non-viability. Non-viability could be expected to
include serious impairment of Westpac’s financial position,
concerns about its capital, funding or liquidity levels and /
or insolvency. However, it is possible that APRA’s definition
of non-viability may not necessarily be confined to these
matters and APRA’s position on these matters may
change over time. As the occurrence of a Non-Viability
Trigger Event is at the discretion of APRA, there can be no
assurance given as to the factors and circumstances that
might give rise to such an event.
Refer to Section 4.2.6 for further details regarding the
surplus of Common Equity Tier 1 Capital above the Capital
Trigger Event level of 5.125%.
Differences between Westpac’s Level 1 and Level 2 CET1
Ratios relate principally to the level of capital held by, and
RWA of, offshore banking subsidiaries. Westpac expects
its Level 1 and Level 2 capital ratios to move in a broadly
similar way over time, based on Westpac’s current capital
management policy for Westpac subsidiaries which
assumes surplus capital is repatriated from subsidiaries
(subject to subsidiary board, relevant regulatory approvals
and regulatory requirements for Westpac subsidiaries).
Westpac gives no assurance as to what its CET1 Ratio
on a Level 1 or Level 2 basis will be at any time as it
may be significantly impacted by regulatory changes to
the measurement of capital or RWA calculations, and
unexpected events affecting its business, operations and
financial condition.
A Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event may
result in the loss of some or all of the value of the Notes.
See Sections 5.1.8 and 5.1.9.
5.1.8 Conversion following a Capital
Trigger Event or Non-Viability
Trigger Event
Upon the occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event or Non-
Viability Trigger Event, Westpac is required to Convert all
or some of the Notes (or a percentage of the Face Value of
each Note) into the Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares
based on the VWAP during the 5 Business Days prior to
but not including the Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date.
Note:
1. The Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms do not include any events of default.
54
Westpac Capital Notes 6
5
Section 5 Investment risks
If a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs because APRA has
determined that without a public sector injection of capital,
or other public sector support, Westpac would become
non-viable, then Westpac must Convert all of the Notes.
Conversion following a Capital Trigger Event or Non-
Viability Trigger Event is not subject to the Scheduled
Conversion Conditions being satisfied and Westpac is
required to issue to Holders the Conversion Number of
Ordinary Shares on the Conversion Date, which will not
exceed the Maximum Conversion Number.
Maximum Conversion Number
The Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares following
a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event
is subject to the Maximum Conversion Number. The
Maximum Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares following
a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event will
be calculated based on a VWAP set to reflect 20% of the
Issue Date VWAP.
Accordingly, depending upon the Ordinary Share price
during the 5 Business Days prior to a Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion
Date, the value of Ordinary Shares received for each
Note may (in the case of a Capital Trigger Event) and is
likely to (in the case of a Non-Viability Trigger Event) be
significantly less than approximately $101.01 for each Note
(based on the Initial Face Value of $100 per Note).
The Maximum Conversion Number may be adjusted
to reflect a consolidation, division or reclassification,
or pro-rata bonus issue, of Ordinary Shares. However,
no adjustment will be made to it on account of other
transactions which may affect the price of Ordinary Shares,
including for example, rights issues, returns of capital,
buy-backs or special dividends. The Westpac Capital Notes
6 Terms do not limit the transactions that Westpac may
undertake with respect to its share capital and any such
action may increase the risk that Holders receive only the
Maximum Conversion Number and so adversely affect the
position of Holders.
Order of Conversion of Relevant Securities
If Westpac is only required to convert a certain amount of
Relevant Securities, Westpac will determine the amount
of Notes which will be Converted and other Relevant
Securities which will be converted, written-off or be written
down as follows:
• first, Westpac is required to convert, write-off or write
down such number or amount of the face value of any
other Relevant Securities whose terms require them to be
converted, written-off or written down before Conversion
of the Notes as is necessary to return either or both
Westpac’s Level 1 Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio or
Westpac’s Level 2 Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio, as
the case may be, to above 5.125% or to satisfy APRA that
Westpac will no longer be non-viable; and
• second, if conversion, write-off or write down of those
Relevant Securities is not sufficient, Westpac is required
to Convert the Notes and/or convert, write-off or
write down other Relevant Securities, on a pro-rata
basis or in a manner that is otherwise, in the opinion
of Westpac, fair and reasonable, the Face Value of the
Notes and the face value of any Relevant Securities
whose terms require or permit them to be converted,
written-off or written down in that manner (subject
to such adjustments as Westpac may determine to
take into account the effect on marketable parcels and
whole numbers of Ordinary Shares and any Notes or
Relevant Securities remaining on issue and the need to
effect conversion, write-off or write-down immediately),
but such determination will not impede the immediate
Conversion of the relevant number of Notes or percentage
of the Face Value of each Note (as the case may be), or, if
applicable, termination of the relevant Holders’ rights and
claims.
However, Westpac has no obligation to have or maintain
on issue any Relevant Securities (and does not, and
may never, have on issue Relevant Securities) which are
required to be converted, written-off or written down
ahead of Notes and Westpac gives no assurance that there
will be any such instruments on issue at the time at which
the Notes may be required to be Converted.
Further, in Converting Notes or converting, writing-off or
writing down other Relevant Securities, although Westpac
will endeavour to treat Holders and holders of other
Relevant Securities on an approximately proportionate
basis, Westpac may discriminate to take account of the
effect on marketable parcels of Notes and other logistical
considerations. Accordingly, should a Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability Trigger Event occur and only some of the
Notes must be Converted, it is possible that not all Holders
will have their Notes Converted into Ordinary Shares.
Westpac expects that any ASX purchase or sale transactions
in Notes that have not settled on the date a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs will continue to
settle in accordance with the normal ASX T+2 settlement,
although Westpac expects that the seller will be treated as
having delivered, and the buyer will be treated as having
acquired, the number of Ordinary Shares into which the
Notes have been Converted as a result of the occurrence of
the Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event.
Ordinary Shares
The Ordinary Shares issued on Conversion may not be
listed. Westpac’s Ordinary Shares may not have been
listed for some period of time, for example, if Westpac
is acquired by another entity and delisted. The price of
Ordinary Shares and the ability to trade them may be
affected if not listed.
The Ordinary Shares may not be able to be sold at prices
representing their value based on the VWAP. In particular,
the VWAP prices will be based on trading days which
occur before the Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability
Trigger Event.
Ordinary Shares are a different type of investment to
the Notes. Like Distributions on the Notes, Dividends are
payable at the absolute discretion of Westpac, but, unlike
Distributions, Dividends are not scheduled to be paid
at any particular time and the amount of each Dividend
is also discretionary (and not subject to a formula). In a
Winding Up, claims of holders of Ordinary Shares rank
behind claims of holders of all other securities and debts
of Westpac. The market price of Ordinary Shares may
fluctuate and be more sensitive than that of Notes to
changes in Westpac’s performance, operational issues and
other business issues.
5.1.9 Termination of rights where
Conversion does not occur
following a Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability Trigger Event
If for any reason Conversion of Notes does not occur
and the Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by
55
5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date (as the case may be), then:
• those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as
the case may be) and will not be Converted, Redeemed
or Transferred on any subsequent date; and
• all rights in relation to those Notes will be terminated
immediately on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as
the case may be), and Holders will lose all of the value
of their investment in those Notes and they will not
receive any compensation or unpaid Distributions.
Conversion of Notes may not occur, for example, due
to laws relating to Australian foreign investment laws,
Australian financial sector ownership laws, Chapter 6 of the
Corporations Act or other applicable laws specified under
the Banking Act, an order of a court, an action of any
government authority or operational delays. Those delays,
laws and the grounds on which a court or government
authority may make orders or take action preventing the
Conversion of Notes may change and the change may be
adverse to the interests of Holders.
5.1.10 Ranking of the Notes
In the event of a Winding Up, if the Notes are still on issue
and have not been Redeemed or Converted, they will rank
for payment:
• ahead of Ordinary Shares;
• equally with all Equal Ranking Capital Securities which
at the Issue Date, would include Westpac Capital Notes,
Westpac Capital Notes 2, Westpac Capital Notes 3,
Westpac Capital Notes 4, Westpac Capital Notes 5 and
Westpac USD AT1 Securities; and
• behind Senior Creditors.
If, in a Winding Up, the Notes have not been Converted,
Redeemed, or Transferred, Holders will be entitled to be
paid the Liquidation Sum at the commencement of the
Winding Up (or if less actual cash is available to Westpac
for distribution to Holders, a proportionate share of that
cash). The Liquidation Sum is an amount of surplus assets
equal to $100 per Note (as adjusted for a Conversion under
clauses 5.2 or 5.4 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
or termination of rights under clause 5.8 of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms).
The claim for the Liquidation Sum effectively ranks equally
with Equal Ranking Capital Securities, but is subordinated
to Senior Creditors. As the Notes rank behind Senior
Creditors, there is a risk that in the Winding Up, there will
be insufficient funds to provide to Holders any return of
their initial investment.
However it is likely that any Capital Trigger Event or Non-
Viability Trigger Event would occur prior to a Winding Up,
requiring the Conversion of the Notes.
Where a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger
Event occurs, the ranking of Notes in a Winding Up will be
adversely affected.
If the Notes have been Converted (including upon the
occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability
Trigger Event), Holders will hold Ordinary Shares and
rank equally with other holders of Ordinary Shares in a
Winding Up.
If for any reason Conversion of Notes does not occur
following one of these events (for example due to
laws relating to Australian foreign investment laws,
Australian financial sector ownership laws, Chapter 6 of
the Corporations Act or other applicable laws specified
under the Banking Act, an order of a court, an action of
any government authority or operational delays) and the
Ordinary Shares are not issued for any reason by 5.00pm
on the fifth Business Day after the Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion
Date (as the case may be), then:
• those Notes will not be Converted in respect of such
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (as
the case may be) and will not be Converted, Redeemed
or Transferred on any subsequent date; and
• all rights in relation to those Notes will be terminated
immediately on the Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date (as
the case may be), and Holders will lose all of the value
of their investment in those Notes and they will not
receive any compensation or unpaid Distributions. In
these circumstances, those Notes will have no ranking
in a Winding Up.
5.1.11 Changes to credit rating
Any credit rating assigned to the Notes or other Westpac
securities could be reviewed, suspended, withdrawn or
downgraded. Credit rating agencies may withdraw, revise
or suspend credit ratings or change the methodology by
which securities are rated at any time. Any revisions and
any other changes could adversely affect the market price
and liquidity of the Notes or other Westpac securities.
5.1.12 The Ordinary Share price used
to calculate the Conversion
Number of Ordinary Shares may
be different to the market price
of Ordinary Shares at the time of
Conversion
The number of Ordinary Shares issued to Holders upon
Conversion will depend on the VWAP of Ordinary Shares
over the 20 Business Days on which trading in Ordinary
Shares took place immediately prior to the relevant
Conversion Date (or in the case of a Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability Trigger Event, the VWAP over 5 Business
Days prior to the Conversion Date). Accordingly, the
Ordinary Share price used to calculate the Conversion
Number of Ordinary Shares may be different to the market
price of Ordinary Shares at the time of Conversion so that
the value of Ordinary Shares Holders receive may be less
than the value of those Ordinary Shares based on the
Ordinary Share price on the Conversion Date.
Holders receiving Ordinary Shares on Conversion may not
be able to sell those Ordinary Shares at the price on which
the Conversion calculation is based, or at all.
5.1.13 Holders cannot request
Conversion, Redemption or
Transfer of the Notes
Holders have no right to request Conversion, Redemption
or Transfer of the Notes for any reason. Therefore, to
realise their investment Holders would have to sell their
Notes on ASX at the prevailing market price. Depending on
market conditions at the time, the Notes may be trading at
a market price below the Face Value and/or the market for
the Notes may not be liquid. Brokerage fees may also be
payable if Notes are sold through a broker. Westpac does
not guarantee that Holders will be able to sell Notes on
ASX at an acceptable price or at all.
56
Westpac Capital Notes 6
5
Section 5 Investment risks
5.1.14 Conversion may or may not occur
on 31 July 2026
The Notes may Convert into Ordinary Shares on 31 July
2026, being the first possible Scheduled Conversion
Date. However, there is a risk that Conversion will not
occur on 31 July 2026 because the Scheduled Conversion
Conditions are not satisfied – see Sections 2.2.3 and 2.2.5.
The Scheduled Conversion Conditions will not be satisfied
if the VWAP of Ordinary Shares on the 25
th
Business Day
on which trading in Ordinary Shares took place before (but
not including) the Scheduled Conversion Date is less than
or equal to 56.12% of the Issue Date VWAP, or the VWAP
of Ordinary Shares during the period of 20 Business Days
on which trading in Ordinary Shares took place before (but
not including) the Scheduled Conversion Date is less than
or equal to 50.51% of the Issue Date VWAP.
If Conversion does not occur on a potential Scheduled
Conversion Date, Distributions will continue to be paid on
the Notes, subject to the Distribution Payment Conditions.
The Notes are perpetual instruments. If the Ordinary Share
price deteriorates significantly and never recovers, it is
possible that the Scheduled Conversion Conditions will
never be satisfied and, if this occurs, the Notes may never
Convert.
5.1.15 Westpac may initiate Conversion,
Redemption or Transfer of Notes
Westpac may initiate Conversion, Redemption (subject to
APRA’s prior written approval) or Transfer of:
• some or all of the Notes on 31 July 2024; or
• all (but not some) of the Notes following the
occurrence of a Tax Event or Regulatory Event.
If Westpac elects to Redeem Notes, APRA’s prior written
approval is required. There can be no certainty that APRA
will provide its prior written approval. Westpac may only
Redeem Notes if it replaces them with capital of the same
or better quality (and the replacement is done under
conditions that are sustainable for the income capacity of
Westpac) or obtains confirmation that APRA is satisfied
that Westpac does not have to replace the Notes.
Holders have no right to request or require a Conversion,
Redemption or Transfer of their Notes.
Any Conversion, Redemption or Transfer may occur on
dates not previously contemplated by Holders, which
may be disadvantageous in light of market conditions or
Holders’ individual circumstances. This means that the
period for which Holders will be entitled to the benefit of
the rights attaching to the Notes is unknown.
Where Holders receive cash on Redemption or Transfer,
the rate of return at which Holders could reinvest their
funds may be lower than the Distribution Rate at the time.
Further, upon Redemption, Holders will receive the Face
Value of the Notes which may be less than their market
value immediately prior to Redemption.
5.1.16 Westpac may issue a Transfer
Notice requiring the Transfer of
Notes to a Nominated Party
Westpac may elect to issue a Transfer Notice, requiring all
or some Notes (in the case of a Transfer on 31 July 2024)
or all (but not some) Notes (in the case of a Tax Event or
Regulatory Event) to be Transferred to a Nominated Party
for a cash amount per Note equal to the Face Value.
Upon a Transfer of Notes (in the circumstances described
in Section 5.1.15), it will be the Nominated Party’s obligation
to pay the aggregate Face Value of the Notes being
Transferred, not Westpac’s. If the Nominated Party does
not pay this amount to Holders, the Transfer will not
proceed, in which case Holders will continue to hold Notes
in accordance with the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
Where Holders receive cash pursuant to a Transfer, the rate
of return at which Holders could reinvest their funds may
be lower than the Distribution Rate at the time.
5.1.17 No fixed maturity date
The Notes are perpetual instruments. The Notes may
Convert on a potential Scheduled Conversion Date, but
it is possible that market conditions at the time may be
such that the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are not
satisfied. If the Ordinary Share price falls far enough and
never recovers it is possible that the Notes will not Convert
at any point in time. Furthermore, any Optional Conversion,
Redemption or Transfer is subject to the discretion of
Westpac and certain other restrictions. Redemption is also
subject to obtaining APRA’s prior written approval. It is
possible that Optional Conversion, Redemption or Transfer
will not occur at any point in time.
5.1.18 Changes to regulatory capital
requirements in Australia
Any fall in Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
Ratio as a result of future changes to regulatory capital
requirements may adversely impact the market price of the
Notes or potentially increase the chance at a later date that
Conversion of Notes takes place due to the occurrence of
a Capital Trigger Event (a Capital Trigger Event will occur
where Westpac determines, or APRA notifies Westpac in
writing that it believes, that Westpac’s Common Equity
Tier 1 Capital Ratio is equal to or less than 5.125% on a
Level 1 or Level 2 basis) or a Non-Viability Trigger Event (a
Non-Viability Trigger Event will occur where APRA notifies
Westpac in writing that it believes Conversion of some
or all of the Notes or conversion, write-off or write down
of other capital instruments of the Westpac Group or a
public sector injection of capital, or equivalent support,
is necessary because, without it, Westpac would become
non-viable).
See Section 5.1.8 for the risk associated with Conversion of
the Notes due to the occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event
or Non-Viability Trigger Event.
See Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 for more
information about the Basel III capital framework and
proposed changes to regulatory capital requirements,
including the potential for capital ratios, minimum
requirements and the Notes’ Capital Trigger Event level of
5.125% to stay the same or increase. The Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms may be amended without the approval
of Holders to comply with applicable laws (including the
requirements of any statutory authority, such as APRA –
see Section 5.1.26).
5.1.19 Regulatory classification
APRA has confirmed that the Notes will be eligible
for inclusion as Additional Tier 1 Capital under APRA’s
Prudential Standard APS 111.
However, if APRA subsequently determines that the Notes
do not or will not qualify for Additional Tier 1 Capital
treatment (under the Basel III capital adequacy framework,
as amended from time to time), Westpac may decide that
a Regulatory Event has occurred and may elect to Convert,
57
Redeem (subject to APRA’s prior written approval) or
Transfer the Notes – see Sections 2.3 and 2.4.
A Regulatory Event may also occur as a result of other
regulatory changes. See Section 2.3.3 for information on
what constitutes a Regulatory Event, and Section 5.2.1 for
risks associated with regulation for Westpac generally.
5.1.20 Taxation treatment
A general description of the Australian taxation
consequences of investing in the Notes is set out in Section 6.
The information in Section 6 is provided in general terms and
is not intended to provide specific advice in relation to the
circumstances of any particular potential investor or Holder.
Accordingly, you should seek independent advice in relation
to your individual tax position before you choose to apply for
or invest in the Notes.
A Tax Event will occur if Westpac determines, after
receiving a supporting opinion of reputable legal counsel
or other tax adviser in Australia experienced in such
matters, that (as a result of a Change of Law), there is a
more than insubstantial risk that:
• Westpac would be exposed to a more than de minimis
adverse tax consequence or increased cost in relation
to the Notes; or
• any Distribution would not be a frankable distribution
within the meaning of Division 202 of the Tax Act.
In each of those situations, the risk may itself be a Tax
Event, even before the cost or adverse tax consequence is
incurred or the Distribution ceases to be frankable. If a Tax
Event occurs, Westpac may Convert, Redeem or Transfer
the Notes (subject to the conditions contained in the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms, including that Westpac
has obtained a supporting opinion of reputable legal
counsel or other tax adviser, experienced in such matters,
in relation to the Tax Event – see Section 2.3.2).
The Labor Party proposal to remove cash refunds for
excess franking credits to certain entities, as described in
Sections 2.1.5 and 6.3.1, if implemented, would not impact
the level of franking of Distributions. Accordingly, there
would be no requirement under the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms to adjust or gross up the cash amount of
a Distribution for any excess franking credits that are not
able to be utilised as a result of the Labor Party proposal.
Further, the Labor Party proposal, if implemented, would
not give rise to a Tax Event.
5.1.21 Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act (“FATCA”) withholding and
reporting
In order to comply with FATCA, Westpac (or, if Notes
are held through another financial institution, such other
financial institution) may be required (pursuant to an
agreement with the United States or under applicable
law including pursuant to the terms of an applicable
intergovernmental agreement entered into between
the United States and any other jurisdiction) (i) to
request certain information from Holders or beneficial
owners of Notes, which information may be provided
to the US Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and (ii)
to withhold tax on some portion of payments made
after 31 December 2018 with respect to Notes if such
information is not provided or if payments are made to
certain foreign financial institutions that have not entered
into a similar agreement with the United States (and are
not otherwise required to comply with the FATCA regime
under applicable law including pursuant to the terms of
an applicable intergovernmental agreement entered into
between the United States and any other jurisdiction).
If Westpac or any other person is required to withhold
amounts under or in connection with FATCA from any
payments made with respect to Notes or with respect to
the issuance of any Ordinary Shares upon any Conversion,
Holders and beneficial owners of Notes, and holders of
Ordinary Shares issued upon any Conversion will not be
entitled to receive any gross up or additional amounts
to compensate them for such withholdings. FATCA
is complex and its application to the Notes remains
uncertain. Prospective investors are advised to consult
their own tax advisers about the application of FATCA to
the Notes.
This information is based on guidance issued by the
IRS or other relevant tax authority as at the date of this
Prospectus. Future guidance may affect the application of
FATCA to Westpac, Holders or beneficial owners of Notes
or Ordinary Shares.
5.1.22 Provision of information and
certifications pursuant to Common
Reporting Standard compliance
requirements
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development’s Common Reporting Standard for
Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information
(“CRS”) requires certain financial institutions to report
information regarding certain accounts (which may include
the Notes) to their local tax authority and follow related
due diligence procedures. A jurisdiction that has signed
the CRS Competent Authority Agreement may provide
this information to other jurisdictions that have signed
the CRS Competent Authority Agreement. Australia has
enacted legislation to give effect to the CRS, with the
CRS applying to Australian financial institutions from 1
July 2017. Therefore, Holders may be requested to provide
certain information and certifications to ensure compliance
with the CRS and this information may be provided to
the ATO and, potentially, other taxing authorities in other
jurisdictions outside Australia.
5.1.23 Powers of a Banking Act statutory
manager
In certain circumstances APRA may appoint a statutory
manager to take control of the business of an ADI, such as
Westpac. Those circumstances are defined in the Banking
Act to include:
• where the ADI informs APRA that it considers it is likely
to become unable to meet its obligations, or is about to
suspend payment;
• where APRA considers that, in the absence of external
support:
–the ADI may become unable to meet its obligations;
–the ADI may suspend payment;
–it is likely that the ADI will be unable to carry on
banking business in Australia consistently with the
interests of its depositors; or
–it is likely that the ADI will be unable to carry on
banking business in Australia consistently with the
stability of the financial system in Australia;
• the ADI becomes unable to meet its obligations or
suspends payment; or
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Section 5 Investment risks
• where, in certain circumstances, the ADI, its holding
company (if any) or any of its subsidiaries, is in default
of compliance with a direction by APRA to comply with
the Banking Act or regulations made under it and the
Federal Court of Australia authorises APRA to assume
control of the ADI’s business.
The powers of a Banking Act statutory manager include
the power to alter the constitution of an ADI, its holding
company (if any) or any of its subsidiaries, to issue, cancel
or sell shares (or rights to acquire shares) in the ADI, its
holding company (if any) or any of its subsidiaries, and
to vary or cancel rights or restrictions attached to shares
in a class of shares in the ADI, its holding company (if
any) or any of its subsidiaries. The Banking Act statutory
manager is authorised to do so despite the Corporations
Act, the ADI’s constitution, any contract or arrangement
to which the ADI, its holding company (if any) or any of
its subsidiaries is party or the ASX Listing Rules. In the
event that a Banking Act statutory manager is appointed
to Westpac in the future, these broad powers of a Banking
Act statutory manager may be exercised in a way which
adversely affects the rights attaching to the Notes and the
position of Holders.
5.1.24 Future issues of debt or other
securities by Westpac
Westpac and members of the Westpac Group may, at their
absolute discretion, issue securities in the future that:
• rank for distribution or payment of capital (including in
the Winding Up of Westpac or another member of the
Westpac Group) equally with, behind or ahead of the
Notes; or
• have the same or different dividend, interest or
distribution rates as the Notes; or
• have the same or different terms and conditions as the
Notes.
Any issue of other securities may affect Holders’ ability to
recover the Liquidation Sum due to Holders on a Winding
Up, if the Notes are on issue at the time.
The Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms do not require
Westpac to refrain from certain business changes or
require Westpac to operate within certain ratio limits.
An investment in Notes carries no right to participate in
any future issue of securities (whether equity, hybrid, debt
or otherwise) by any member of the Westpac Group.
No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, such
future issues of debt or other securities by an entity in the
Westpac Group may have on the market price or liquidity
of the Notes.
5.1.25 Successor holding company
Where Westpac is replaced as the ultimate holding
company of the Westpac Group by an Approved
Successor and certain other conditions are satisfied,
Conversion of Notes will not be triggered but Westpac
may be allowed to instead make amendments (provided
APRA’s prior written approval is obtained) to substitute the
Approved Successor as the debtor in respect of the Notes
and as the issuer in respect of the ordinary shares issued
on Conversion and to make certain other amendments to
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms. Accordingly, potential
investors should be aware that, if:
• Westpac is replaced by an Approved Successor as the
ultimate holding company of the Westpac Group; and
• a substitution of the Approved Successor as the debtor
in respect of the Notes and the issuer of the ordinary
shares on Conversion is effected under the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms,
Holders will be obliged to accept Approved Successor
Shares and will not receive Ordinary Shares on Conversion.
Potential investors should also be aware that Holders
may not have a right to vote on any proposal to approve,
implement or give effect to the establishment of an
Approved Successor.
Westpac has not made any decision to substitute an
Approved Successor as the ultimate holding company of
the Westpac Group.
Where Westpac transfers only some of its assets to an
Approved Successor, the Approved Successor may as
a result have reduced assets which may affect its credit
rating and the likelihood Holders will receive their claims in
full in a Winding Up.
There is also a risk that the establishment of a successor
holding company that is not an Approved Successor is
treated as an Acquisition Event, leading to the Conversion
of the Notes. Further, if the establishment of a successor
holding company is treated as an Acquisition Event and
Conversion does not occur, a number of different risks may
arise for Holders, including that Westpac may be assigned
a different credit rating and its financial position may be
materially altered thereby adversely affecting its ability to
pay Distributions.
5.1.26 Amendment of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms
Westpac may, with APRA’s prior written approval where
required and subject to compliance with applicable laws,
amend the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms without the
approval of Holders. This includes an amendment which, in
Westpac’s opinion, is:
• of a formal, minor or technical nature;
• made to cure ambiguities and manifest errors;
• necessary to give effect to the listing of the Notes on
any stock exchange (and is not considered by Westpac
to be materially prejudicial to the interest of Holders as
a whole) or to comply with applicable laws (including
the requirements of any statutory authority, such as
APRA); or
• generally not materially prejudicial to the interest of
Holders as a whole.
Westpac may also amend the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Terms, with APRA’s prior written approval, if the
amendment has been approved by a Special Resolution
of Holders or is necessary to effect the substitution of an
Approved Successor as the debtor in respect of the Notes
and the issuer of ordinary shares on Conversion.
Amendments under these powers are binding on all
Holders despite the fact that a Holder may not agree with
the amendment.
APRA’s prior written approval to amend the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms is always required where the
amendment would impact, or potentially impact, the
classification of the Notes as Additional Tier 1 Capital on a
Level 1 or Level 2 basis.
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5.1.27 No rights if control of Westpac
is acquired
If a person other than an Approved Successor acquires
control of Westpac, the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
do not provide any right or remedy for the Holders on
account of such an acquisition occurring except where the
acquisition constitutes an Acquisition Event. Further, such
an acquisition of Westpac may result in Westpac’s Ordinary
Shares no longer being quoted on ASX.
If after such an acquisition has occurred a Non-Viability
Trigger Event occurs, the number of Ordinary Shares
issued on Conversion will reflect the VWAP for the period
of 5 Business Days on which the Ordinary Shares were last
traded on ASX. The period of 5 Business Days may be well
before the Non-Viability Trigger Event and, accordingly,
the value of the Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares
when issued may be very different from the value based
on the VWAP used to determine the Conversion Number.
This may adversely affect the value of the Ordinary Shares
which are issued to Holders upon Conversion and such
Ordinary Shares may not be freely tradable.
5.2 Investment risks relating
to Westpac
Set out in this Section 5.2 are specific risks associated with
an investment in Westpac. Westpac’s business is subject to
risks that can adversely impact its financial performance,
financial condition and future performance. These risks are
relevant to an investment in Notes and Ordinary Shares
as the value of such an investment in Notes will depend
on Westpac’s financial condition and future performance,
regardless of when or if the Notes are Converted,
Redeemed, Transferred or, in the event of a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event, terminated. If any of
the following risks occur, Westpac’s business, prospects,
reputation, financial performance or financial condition
could be materially adversely affected, and the likelihood
of a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event
may increase, with the result that the trading price of
Westpac’s securities could decline and as a Holder you
could lose all, or part, of your investment.
5.2.1 Westpac’s businesses are
highly regulated and it could be
adversely affected by changes
in laws, regulations or regulatory
policy
As a financial institution, Westpac is subject to detailed
laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which
Westpac operates or obtains funding, including Australia,
New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and
various jurisdictions in Asia and the Pacific. Westpac is
also supervised by a number of different regulatory and
supervisory authorities which have broad administrative
powers over Westpac’s businesses. In Australia, the
relevant regulatory authorities include APRA, the RBA,
ASIC, ASX, the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission (“ACCC”), the Australian Transaction Reports
and Analysis Centre (“AUSTRAC”) and the ATO. The
Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the Financial Markets
Authority have supervisory oversight of Westpac’s New
Zealand operations. In the United States, Westpac is
subject to supervision and regulation by the US Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission, the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Office of Foreign Assets Control and
the National Futures Association. In the United Kingdom,
Westpac is subject to supervision and regulation by the
Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation
Authority. In Asia, Westpac is subject to supervision and
regulation by local authorities, including the Monetary
Authority of Singapore, the China Banking Regulatory
Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. In
other jurisdictions in which Westpac operates, Westpac is
also required to comply with relevant requirements of the
local regulatory bodies.
The Westpac Group’s business, prospects, reputation,
financial performance and financial condition could all
be affected by changes to law and regulation, changes
to policies and changes in the supervisory activities and
expectations of Westpac’s regulators.
As with other financial services providers, Westpac
faces increasing supervision and regulation in most of
the jurisdictions in which Westpac operates or obtains
funding particularly in the areas of funding, liquidity, capital
adequacy, prudential regulation, tax, anti-money laundering
and counter-terrorism financing, conduct, consumer
protection (including in the design and distribution of
financial products), remuneration, competition (including
through the introduction of changes to the Competition
and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) following recommendations
by the Competition Policy Review chaired by Professor
Ian Harper), privacy (including mandatory data breach
notification obligations), data access and data protection
(including through the introduction of the EU General Data
Protection Regulation), information security, anti-bribery
and corruption, and economic and trade sanctions.
Regulatory changes could impact Westpac in a number of
ways. For example, new regulation could require Westpac
to have increased levels of liquidity and higher levels of,
and better quality, capital and funding. Regulatory change
could also result in restrictions on how Westpac operates
its business by imposing restrictions on the types of
businesses Westpac can conduct, requiring Westpac or
Westpac’s competitors to change its business models or
requiring Westpac to amend its corporate structure. For
example, Westpac’s business model may change with the
phasing in of open banking.
If regulatory change has any such effect, it could adversely
affect one or more of Westpac’s businesses, restrict its
flexibility, require it to incur substantial costs and could
impact the profitability of one or more of its business
lines. Any such costs or restrictions could adversely affect
its business, prospects, financial performance or financial
condition.
Regulation may also affect how Westpac provides
products and services to its customers. New laws and
regulations could restrict Westpac’s ability to provide
products and services to certain customers (including
by imposing regulatory limits on certain types of lending
and on lending to certain customer segments), require
Westpac to alter its product and service offerings, restrict
its ability to set prices for certain products and services
or require Westpac to alter the pricing that applies to
products and services provided to new and existing
customers. These types of changes could affect Westpac’s
profitability by adversely affecting its ability to maintain
or increase margins and fees. This could occur because a
regulation seeks to place a cap on the price of a product
or service Westpac provides, or because, in response to
new regulation, Westpac increases the price it charges
for a product or service. This price increase could lead to
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customers seeking out alternative products or services,
whether within the Westpac Group or with a competitor
(including customers switching residential mortgages from
interest-only to principal and interest).
There are numerous sources of regulatory change that
could affect Westpac’s business. In some cases, changes to
regulation are driven by international bodies. For example,
in December 2010, the BCBS announced a revised global
regulatory framework known as Basel III. Basel III, among
other things, increased the required quality and quantity
of capital held by banks and introduced new standards for
the management of liquidity risk. The BCBS announced
the finalisation of this framework in December 2017,
while, in July 2017, APRA took steps to implement the
next wave of capital requirements for banks by clarifying
its expectations for banks to hold “unquestionably
strong” levels of capital and during 2018 released further
discussion papers on the implementation of the revised
capital framework, which APRA has stated is likely to
come into effect on 1 January 2021 (see Section 4.2.3).
In other cases, authorities in the various jurisdictions in
which Westpac operates or obtains funding may propose
regulatory change for financial institutions. Examples of
proposed regulatory change that could impact Westpac
include changes to accounting and reporting standards,
derivatives reform and changes to tax legislation (including
dividend imputation).
Further changes may occur driven by policy, prudential
or political factors. Westpac is currently operating in an
environment where there is increased political scrutiny of
the Australian financial services sector. This environment
has served to increase the pace and scope of regulatory
change. For example, as part of the Federal Government’s
2017 Budget, a series of reforms impacting the banking
sector were announced, including the introduction of the
Bank Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) and the
Bank Levy on ADIs with liabilities of at least A$100 billion.
Legislation introduced in one jurisdiction may lead to
other governments seeking to introduce similar legislation
in their jurisdiction. This was demonstrated by the South
Australian Government’s proposal to introduce a levy on
the banks that are subject to the Federal Government’s
Bank Levy. While the South Australian Government has
announced that it will not proceed with the proposed
South Australian levy, it is possible that other governments
may attempt to introduce their own version of the Bank
Levy or similar legislation in the future.
As part of the heightened political scrutiny on the
financial services sector, the Australian Government,
other regulators and parliamentary bodies are
increasingly initiating reviews and inquiries (such as
the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking,
Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, the House
of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics’
ongoing ‘Review of Australia’s Four Major Banks’, the
Senate Economics References Committee’s inquiry
into consumer protection in the banking, insurance and
financial sector, the Productivity Commission Inquiry into
Competition in the Australian Financial System and the
ACCC’s Residential Mortgage Price Inquiry and Inquiry into
foreign currency conversion services). These reviews and
commissions of inquiry could lead to substantial regulatory
change or investigations, which could have a material
impact on Westpac’s business, prospects, reputation,
financial performance or financial condition.
It is also possible that governments or regulators in
jurisdictions in which Westpac operates or obtains funding
might revise their application of existing regulatory policies
that apply to, or impact, Westpac’s business (including by
instituting macro-prudential limits on lending). Regulators
or governments may take this action for a variety of
reasons, including for reasons relating to national interest
and/or systemic stability.
Regulatory changes and the timing of their introduction
continue to evolve and Westpac manages its businesses
in the context of regulatory uncertainty and complexity.
The nature and impact of future changes are not
predictable and are beyond Westpac’s control. Regulatory
compliance and the management of regulatory change
are an important part of Westpac’s planning processes.
Westpac expects that it will continue to invest significantly
in compliance and the management and implementation
of regulatory change and, at the same time, significant
management attention and resources will be required
to update existing, or implement new, processes to
comply with new regulations. Furthermore, the challenge
in managing regulatory change may be heightened by
multiple jurisdictions seeking to adopt a coordinated
approach to the introduction of new regulations. Where
these jurisdictions elect not to adopt regulation in a
uniform manner across each jurisdiction, this may result in
conflicts between the specific requirements of the different
jurisdictions in which Westpac operates.
5.2.2 Westpac’s businesses are highly
regulated and Westpac could be
adversely affected by failing to
comply with laws, regulations or
regulatory policy
Westpac is responsible for ensuring that it complies with
all applicable legal and regulatory requirements (including
accounting standards) and industry codes of practice in
the jurisdictions in which it operates or obtains funding, as
well as meeting its ethical standards.
The Westpac Group is subject to compliance risk, which
is the risk of legal or regulatory sanction or financial or
reputational loss, arising from Westpac’s failure to abide
by the compliance obligations required of Westpac. This
risk is exacerbated by the increasing complexity and
volume of domestic and global regulation. Compliance
risk can also arise where Westpac interprets its regulatory
obligations, compliance requirements and rights (including
in relation to tax incentives and GST recoveries) differently
to Westpac’s regulators or a court. The potential for this
to occur may be heightened in the period that follows
the introduction of significant changes to regulation,
particularly where that new regulation is untested and/or
not subject to extensive regulatory guidance.
The Westpac Group employs a compliance management
system which is designed to identify, assess and manage
compliance risk. This system includes (amongst other
things) frameworks, policies, procedures, controls and
assurance oversight. While this system is currently in place,
it may not always have been or continue to be effective.
Breakdowns may occur in this compliance management
system due, for example, to flaws in the design of controls
or underlying processes. This could result in potential
breaches of Westpac’s compliance obligations, as well as
poor customer outcomes.
The Westpac Group also depends on its employees,
contractors, agents, authorised representatives and
external service providers to ‘do the right thing’ in order
for it to meet its compliance obligations. If an employee,
61
contractor or external service provider fails to act in an
appropriate manner, such as by neglecting to follow a
policy or by engaging in misconduct, these actions could
result in poor customer outcomes and a failure by Westpac
Group to comply with its compliance obligations.
The Westpac Group’s failure, or suspected failure, to
comply with a compliance obligation could lead to a
regulator commencing surveillance or an investigation
into the Westpac Group, which may, depending on the
circumstances, result in the regulator taking administrative
or enforcement action against Westpac (including seeking
fines or other monetary penalties). In addition, the failure
or alleged failure of Westpac’s competitors to comply
with their compliance obligations could lead to increased
regulatory scrutiny across the financial services sector.
In many cases, Westpac’s regulators have broad
administrative and enforcement powers. For example,
under the Banking Act, APRA can, in certain
circumstances, investigate Westpac’s affairs and/or issue a
direction to Westpac (such as a direction to comply with
a prudential requirement, to conduct an audit, to remove a
Director, executive officer or employee or not to undertake
transactions), disqualify an ‘Accountable Person’ under the
Banking and Executive Accountability Regime or require
Westpac to hold additional capital. Other regulators also
have the power to investigate, including looking into past
conduct.
The powers exercisable and penalties that can be imposed
by Westpac’s regulators may also be expanded in the
future. For example, the Australian Government has
introduced into Parliament the Treasury Laws Amendment
(Design and Distribution Obligations and Product
Intervention Power) Bill 2018 (Cth), which proposes to
introduce design and distribution obligations in relation
to financial products and provide ASIC with a product
intervention power. The Australian Government has also
publicly endorsed a proposal by the ASIC Enforcement
Review Taskforce to expand ASIC’s powers to ban
individuals working in the financial services sector, with
an exposure draft of legislation released in September
2018. In addition, the Australian Treasury released the
Treasury Laws Amendment (ASIC Enforcement) Bill 2018,
which proposes to strengthen penalties for corporate and
financial sector misconduct.
Changes may also occur in the oversight approach of
regulators which could result in a regulator exercising
its enforcement powers rather than adopting a more
consultative approach. There have also been recent
announcements for regulators to embed staff within the
institutions they supervise, with the Australian Government
announcing an increase in ASIC’s funding in order to
implement this type of supervisory approach.
In recent years, there have been significant increases
in the nature and scale of regulatory investigations,
enforcement actions and the quantum of fines issued by
global regulators. The nature of regulatory activity can be
wide-ranging and may result in litigation, fines, penalties,
infringement notices, reputational damage, revocation,
suspension or variation of conditions of relevant regulatory
licences (including potentially requiring Westpac to change
or adjust its business model) or other enforcement or
administrative action or agreements (such as enforceable
undertakings).
For example:
• In April 2016, ASIC commenced civil proceedings
against Westpac in the Federal Court of Australia,
alleging certain misconduct in relation to the setting
of the BBSW in the period April 2010 to June 2012,
including market manipulation and unconscionable
conduct. Westpac defended these proceedings with
the trial concluding in late 2017. On 24 May 2018, Justice
Beach found that Westpac had not engaged in market
manipulation or misleading or deceptive conduct under
the Corporations Act. His Honour also found that there
was no ‘trading practice’ of manipulating the BBSW
rate. However, the Court found that Westpac engaged
in unconscionable conduct on 4 occasions and that
Westpac breached its supervisory duty;
• On 1 March 2017, ASIC commenced civil proceedings
against Westpac in the Federal Court of Australia
in relation to certain home loan responsible lending
practices (including interest only lending). On
4 September 2018, Westpac and ASIC agreed to settle
the proceedings on the basis of a proposed $35 million
penalty and declarations that Westpac contravened the
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth).
The proposed settlement is subject to Court approval;
and
• On 15 March 2017, Westpac entered into an enforceable
undertaking with ASIC following ASIC’s industry-wide
investigation into wholesale Spot Foreign Exchange
(FX) trading activity between January 2008 and June
2013. As part of the enforceable undertaking, Westpac
undertook, amongst other things, to continue to
progress its program of strengthening its policies and
processes in its Spot FX trading business, with input
from an independent expert.
Furthermore, regulatory action may result in Westpac
being exposed to the risk of litigation brought by third
parties (including through class action proceedings).
The outcome of such litigation (including class action
proceedings) may be payment of compensation to third
parties and/or further remediation activities. In addition,
action taken in one jurisdiction may prompt similar action
to be taken in another jurisdiction.
During the year ended 30 September 2018, Westpac
has responded to requirements, compulsory notices and
requests for information from its regulators and the Royal
Commission as part of both industry-wide and Westpac-
specific reviews, including in relation to matters involving
the quality of advice, ongoing advice services, employers
and superannuation, insurance and superannuation, life
insurance and total and permanent disability arrangements,
remuneration arrangements, responsible lending (including
collections and hardship), credit cards, loan application
fraud, mortgage-related conduct, commercial lending,
consumer credit insurance and anti-money laundering and
counter-terrorism financing.
Regulatory investigations, inquiries, litigation, fines,
penalties, revocation, suspension or variation of conditions
of relevant regulatory licences or other enforcement or
administrative action or agreements (such as enforceable
undertakings) could, either individually or in aggregate
with other regulatory action, adversely affect Westpac’s
business, prospects, reputation, financial performance or
financial condition.
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5.2.3 The failure to comply with financial
crime obligations could have
an adverse effect on Westpac’s
business and reputation
The Westpac Group is subject to anti-money laundering
and counter-terrorism financing laws, anti-bribery and
corruption laws and economic and trade sanctions
laws in the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws
can be complex and in some circumstances, impose a
diverse range of obligations. For example, anti-money
laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws require
Westpac and other regulated institutions to (amongst
other things) undertake customer identification and
verification, conduct ongoing due diligence on certain
classes of customer, maintain and comply with an Anti-
Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Financing program,
undertake ongoing risk assessments and report certain
matters and transactions to regulators (including in relation
to International Funds Transfer Instructions, Threshold
Transaction Reports and Suspicious Matter Reports).
Furthermore, financial crime laws are also undergoing
change in a number of jurisdictions.
In recent years there has been increased focus on
compliance with financial crime obligations, with regulators
around the globe commencing large-scale investigations
and taking enforcement action where they have identified
non-compliance (often seeking significant monetary
penalties).
While the Westpac Group has systems, policies, processes
and controls in place that are designed to manage
its financial crime obligations (including its reporting
obligations), these may not always have been or continue
to be effective. If Westpac fails to comply with these
obligations, it could face regulatory action such as
litigation, fines, penalties and the revocation, suspension or
variation of licence conditions. Non-compliance could also
lead to litigation commenced by third parties (including
class action proceedings) and cause reputational damage.
These actions could, either individually or in aggregate,
adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects, reputation,
financial performance or financial condition.
5.2.4 Reputational damage could harm
Westpac’s business and prospects
Westpac’s ability to attract and retain customers and
its prospects could be adversely affected if Westpac’s
reputation is damaged.
Reputation risk is the risk of loss of reputation, stakeholder
confidence or public trust and standing. It arises where
there are differences between stakeholders’ current and
emerging perceptions, beliefs and expectations and
Westpac’s current and planned activities, processes,
performance and behaviours.
Westpac is currently undertaking a number of reviews to
identify and resolve prior issues that have the potential to
impact customers and reputation. As part of these reviews,
Westpac is strengthening its processes and controls
in certain businesses and it has identified some prior
instances where it is now taking action to put things right
so that Westpac’s customers are not at a disadvantage
from certain past practices.
There are various potential sources of reputational
damage. Westpac’s reputation may be damaged where
any of its policies, processes, practices or behaviours
result in a negative outcome for a customer or a class
of customers. Other potential sources of reputational
damage include the failure to effectively manage risks in
accordance with Westpac’s risk management frameworks,
potential conflicts of interest, failure to comply with legal
and regulatory requirements, failure to meet Westpac’s
market disclosure obligations, regulatory investigations
into past conduct, adverse findings from regulatory reviews
(including Westpac-specific and industry-wide reviews),
making inaccurate public statements, environmental, social
and ethical issues, engagement and conduct of external
suppliers, failure to comply with anti-money laundering
and counter-terrorism financing laws, anti-bribery and
corruption laws, economic and trade sanctions legislation
or privacy laws, litigation, failure of information security
systems, improper sales and trading practices, failure to
comply with personnel and supplier policies, improper
conduct of companies in which Westpac holds strategic
investments, technology failures and security breaches and
inadequate record keeping which may prevent Westpac
from demonstrating that a past decision was appropriate
at the time it was made.
Westpac may incur reputational damage where its
conduct, practices, behaviours or business activities fall
below evolving community standards and expectations.
As these expectations may exceed the standard
required in order to comply with the law, Westpac may
incur reputational damage even where it has met its
legal obligations. A divergence between community
expectations and Westpac’s practices could arise in a
number of ways, including in relation to Westpac’s product
and services disclosure practices, the features and benefits
available under Westpac’s products, lending practices,
remuneration structures, pricing policies and the use and
protection of data. Westpac’s reputation could also be
adversely affected by the actions of the financial services
industry in general or from the actions of its competitors,
customers, suppliers, joint venture partners, strategic
partners and other counterparties.
Furthermore, the risk of reputational damage may be
heightened by factors such as the increasing use of social
media or the increasing prevalence of groups which seek
to publicly challenge the Westpac Group’s strategy or
approach to aspects of its business.
Failure, or perceived failure, to appropriately address
issues that could or do give rise to reputational risk could
also impact the regulatory change agenda, give rise
to additional legal risk, subject Westpac to regulatory
investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, fines
and penalties or litigation brought by third parties
(including class actions), require Westpac to remediate
and compensate customers and incur remediation
costs or harm Westpac’s reputation among customers,
investors and the marketplace. This could lead to loss of
business which could adversely affect Westpac’s business,
prospects, financial performance or financial condition.
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5.2.5 The Royal Commission may lead
to regulatory enforcement activity,
litigation and changes in laws,
regulations or regulatory policy, as
well as potentially result in further
and ongoing reputational damage
to the Westpac Group, all of
which is and may continue to have
an adverse effect on Westpac’s
business and prospects
The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking,
Superannuation and Financial Services Industry is currently
investigating (amongst other things) whether any conduct,
practices, behaviours or business activities engaged
in by financial services entities amounted to potential
misconduct, or fell below community standards and
expectations. The Royal Commission is currently scheduled
to provide its final report and recommendations to the
Australian Government by 1 February 2019. There is a
possibility that the deadline for the report will be extended
in the future.
The Royal Commission’s inquiries have made public, and
are likely to continue to make public, instances where the
Westpac Group or entities or persons associated with
the Westpac Group engaged in potential misconduct or
failed to meet community standards and expectations.
The Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference are broad
and enable the Royal Commission to investigate potential
misconduct in a wide range of areas. The public hearings
of the Royal Commission have to date examined consumer
lending practices, the provision of financial advice, business
lending to small and medium enterprises, experiences
with financial entities in regional and remote communities,
superannuation and insurance. These investigations,
including the public hearings, submissions, evidence and
eventual findings of the Royal Commission, have had, and
are likely to continue to have, an adverse impact on the
Westpac Group’s reputation and potentially the financial
performance of the business. The Royal Commission may
make findings that Westpac (including persons or entities
acting on its behalf) has engaged in misconduct. These
findings may lead to regulators commencing investigations
and/or enforcement action against the Westpac Group.
The Westpac Group may also be exposed to an increased
risk of litigation involving third parties (including class
action proceedings) in connection with matters raised
publicly at the Royal Commission, particularly if the Royal
Commission makes a finding of misconduct affecting the
Westpac Group or the industry in a way that affects the
Westpac Group.
The Interim Report of the Royal Commission released
on 28 September 2018 outlined a range of views
the Commissioner has formed to date based on the
information and hearings so far and has requested
submissions on key areas of policy that might affect or
address misconduct in the financial services industry.
Many of those matters could have significant impacts on
particular entities (including Westpac), the banking sector
and the financial performance of banks. Recommendations
may include matters which could cause structural change
to the market and/or business models employed within
the market. Westpac made submissions in relation to the
questions posed in the Interim Report on 26 October 2018.
Under the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference, it
is required to investigate the adequacy of existing laws
and policies of the Federal Government relating to
the provision of banking, superannuation and financial
services, and whether any further changes to the legal
framework are necessary to minimise the likelihood of
misconduct. Consequently, the Royal Commission is likely,
in its final report, to recommend changes to Australia’s
legal framework, which the Federal Government may
pass into legislation. The Royal Commission is also
considering the regulation and enforcement practices of
Westpac’s regulators. Any findings or recommendations
made by the Royal Commission, may result in Westpac’s
regulators altering their existing policies and practices
(including increasing their expectations for entities that
they regulate). Depending on the nature of any changes
to Australia’s legal framework and/or the policies and
practices of Westpac’s regulators which might be
prompted by the Royal Commission, there may be an
adverse effect on Westpac’s business, prospects, financial
performance or financial condition.
The Royal Commission may also lead to increased political
or regulatory scrutiny of the financial industry in New
Zealand.
5.2.6 Westpac could suffer information
security risks, including
cyberattacks
The proliferation of new technologies, the increasing
use of the internet and telecommunications to conduct
financial transactions and the growing sophistication and
activities of attackers (including organised crime and state-
sponsored actors) have resulted in increased information
security risks for major financial institutions such as
Westpac and Westpac’s external service providers.
While Westpac has systems in place to protect against,
detect and respond to cyberattacks, these systems may
not always be effective and there can be no assurance
that Westpac will not suffer losses from cyberattacks
or other information security breaches in the future. If
a cyberattack is successful, technology systems might
fail to operate properly or become disabled and it could
result in the unauthorised release, gathering, monitoring,
misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and
other information of the Westpac Group, its employees,
customers or third parties or otherwise adversely impact
network access, business operations or availability of
services.
In addition, as cyber threats continue to evolve, Westpac
may be required to expend significant additional resources
to modify or enhance its systems or to investigate and
remediate any vulnerabilities or incidents.
Westpac’s operations rely on the secure processing,
storage and transmission of information on its computer
systems and networks, and the systems and networks
of external suppliers. Although Westpac implements
measures to protect the security, integrity and
confidentiality of its information, there is a risk that the
computer systems, software and networks on which
Westpac relies may be subject to security breaches,
unauthorised access, malicious software, external attacks
or internal breaches that could have an adverse impact on
Westpac’s confidential information or that of Westpac’s
customers and counterparties.
Major banks in other jurisdictions have suffered security
breaches from sophisticated cyberattacks. Westpac’s
external service providers or other parties that facilitate its
business activities (such as vendors, exchanges, clearing
houses, central depositories and financial intermediaries)
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are also subject to the risk of cyberattacks. Any such
security breach could result in the loss of customers and
business opportunities, significant disruption to Westpac’s
operations, misappropriation of Westpac’s confidential
information and/or that of Westpac’s customers and
damage to Westpac’s computers or systems and/or those
of Westpac’s customers. Such a security breach could also
result in reputational damage, claims for compensation
and regulatory investigations and penalties, which could
adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects, financial
performance, or financial condition.
Westpac’s risk and exposure to such threats remains
heightened because of the evolving nature of technology,
Westpac’s prominence within the financial services
industry, the prominence of Westpac’s customers
(including government, mining and health) and Westpac’s
plans to continue to improve and expand its internet and
mobile banking infrastructure.
5.2.7 Westpac could suffer losses due to
technology failures
The reliability, integrity and security of Westpac’s
information and technology is crucial in supporting
Westpac’s customers’ banking requirements and meeting
compliance obligations and Westpac’s regulators’
expectations.
While the Westpac Group has a number of processes
in place to provide for and monitor the availability and
recovery of Westpac systems, there is a risk that Westpac’s
information and technology systems might fail to operate
properly or become disabled as a result of events that
are wholly or partially beyond Westpac’s control. If
Westpac incurs a technology failure Westpac may fail to
meet a compliance obligation (such as the obligation to
retain records and data for requisite periods of time), or
Westpac’s customers may be adversely affected (such as
where they are unable to access online banking services
for an extended period of time or where an underlying
technology issue results in a customer not receiving a
product or service on the terms and conditions they
agreed to). This could potentially result in reputational
damage, remediation costs and a regulator commencing
an investigation and/or taking administrative or
enforcement action against Westpac.
Further, in order to continue to deliver new products
and services to customers, comply with Westpac’s
regulatory obligations and meet the ongoing expectations
of Westpac’s regulators, Westpac needs to regularly
renew and enhance its technology. Westpac is constantly
managing technology projects including projects to
consolidate technology platforms, simplify and enhance
its technology and operations environment, improve
productivity and provide for a better customer experience.
Failure to implement these projects or manage associated
change effectively could result in cost overruns, unrealised
productivity, operational instability or reputational
damage. In turn, this could place Westpac at a competitive
disadvantage and adversely affect Westpac’s financial
performance.
5.2.8 Adverse credit and capital
market conditions or depositor
preferences may significantly
affect Westpac’s ability to meet
funding and liquidity needs and
may increase its cost of funding
Westpac relies on deposits, and credit and capital markets,
to fund its business and as a source of liquidity. Westpac’s
liquidity and costs of obtaining funding are related to
credit and capital market conditions.
Global credit and capital markets can experience periods
of extreme volatility, disruption and decreased liquidity as
was demonstrated during the Global Financial Crisis. While
there have now been extended periods of stability in these
markets, the environment remains unpredictable. The main
risks Westpac faces are damage to market confidence,
changes to the access and cost of funding and a slowing
in global activity or other impacts on entities with whom
Westpac does business. Capital markets may also be
affected by proposed changes to US repatriation tax rules.
As of 30 September 2018, approximately 29% of Westpac’s
total funding originated from domestic and international
wholesale markets. Of this, around 66% was sourced
outside Australia and New Zealand. Customer deposits
provide around 63% of total funding. Customer deposits
held by Westpac are comprised of both term deposits
which can be withdrawn after a certain period of time and
at call deposits which can be withdrawn at any time.
A shift in investment preferences could result in deposit
withdrawals by customers which could increase Westpac’s
need for funding from other, potentially less stable, or more
expensive, forms of funding.
If market conditions deteriorate due to economic, financial,
political or other reasons, there may also be a loss of
confidence in bank deposits and Westpac could experience
unexpected deposit withdrawals. In this situation
Westpac’s funding costs may be adversely affected and
its liquidity and its funding and lending activities may be
constrained.
If Westpac’s current sources of funding prove to be
insufficient, Westpac may be forced to seek alternative
financing. The availability of such alternative financing, and
the terms on which it may be available, will depend on a
variety of factors, including prevailing market conditions,
the availability of credit, Westpac’s credit ratings and
credit market capacity. Even if available, these alternatives
may be more expensive or on unfavourable terms, which
could adversely affect Westpac’s financial performance,
liquidity, capital resources or financial condition. There is
no assurance that Westpac will be able to obtain adequate
funding, do so at acceptable prices, or that Westpac will be
able to recover any additional costs.
If Westpac is unable to source appropriate funding, it
may also be forced to reduce Westpac’s lending or begin
selling liquid securities. Such actions may adversely impact
Westpac’s business, prospects, liquidity, capital resources,
financial performance or financial condition.
Westpac enters into collateralised derivative obligations,
which may require Westpac to post additional collateral
based on movements in market rates, which has the
potential to adversely affect Westpac’s liquidity or ability
to use derivative obligations to hedge its interest rate,
currency and other financial instrument risks.
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5.2.9 Sovereign risk may destabilise
financial markets adversely
Sovereign risk is the risk that governments will default on
their debt obligations, will be unable to refinance their
debts as they fall due or will nationalise parts of their
economy including assets of financial institutions such as
Westpac. Sovereign defaults could negatively impact the
value of Westpac’s holdings of high quality liquid assets.
There may also be a cascading effect to other markets and
countries, the consequences of which, while difficult to
predict, may be similar to or worse than those experienced
during the Global Financial Crisis. Such an event could
destabilise global financial markets adversely affecting
Westpac’s liquidity, financial performance or financial
condition.
5.2.10 Failure to maintain credit ratings
could adversely affect Westpac’s
cost of funds, liquidity, competitive
position and access to capital
markets
Credit ratings are independent opinions on Westpac’s
creditworthiness. Westpac’s credit ratings can affect the
cost and availability of its funding from capital markets
and other funding sources and they may be important to
customers or counterparties when evaluating its products
and services. Therefore, maintaining high credit ratings is
important.
The credit ratings assigned to Westpac by rating agencies
are based on an evaluation of a number of factors,
including Westpac’s financial strength, the quality of
Westpac’s governance, structural considerations regarding
the Australian financial system and the credit rating of the
Australian Government. A credit rating downgrade could
be driven by a downgrade of the Australian Government,
the occurrence of one or more of the other risks identified
in this section or by other events including changes to the
methodologies used by the rating agencies to determine
ratings.
A downgrade or series of downgrades to Westpac’s credit
ratings could have an adverse effect on Westpac’s cost
of funds and related margins, collateral requirements,
liquidity, competitive position and Westpac’s access to
capital markets. The extent and nature of these impacts
would depend on various factors, including the extent
of any ratings change, whether Westpac’s ratings differ
among agencies (split ratings) and whether any ratings
changes also impact Westpac’s competitors or the sector.
5.2.11 A systemic shock in relation to
the Australian, New Zealand or
other financial systems could
have adverse consequences for
Westpac or its customers or
counterparties that would be
difficult to predict and respond to
There is a risk that a major systemic shock could occur
that causes an adverse impact on the Australian,
New Zealand or other financial systems.
As outlined above, during the past decade the financial
services industry and capital markets have been, and may
continue to be, adversely affected by market volatility,
global economic conditions, geopolitical instability (such
as threats of or actual conflict occurring around the
world) and political developments. In particular, there have
been significant global political developments in recent
times, including Brexit and the introduction of tariffs and
other protectionist measures by various countries, such
as the US and China. A shock to one of the major global
economies could again result in currency and interest rate
fluctuations and operational disruptions that negatively
impact the Westpac Group.
Any such market and economic disruptions could
adversely affect financial institutions such as Westpac
because consumer and business spending may decrease,
unemployment may rise and demand for the products and
services Westpac provides may decline, thereby reducing
Westpac’s earnings. These conditions may also affect
the ability of Westpac’s borrowers to repay their loans or
Westpac’s counterparties to meet their obligations, causing
Westpac to incur higher credit losses and affect investors’
willingness to invest in the Westpac Group. These events
could also result in the undermining of confidence in the
financial system, reducing liquidity, impairing Westpac’s
access to funding and impairing Westpac’s customers and
counterparties and their businesses. If this were to occur,
Westpac’s business, prospects, financial performance or
financial condition could be adversely affected.
The nature and consequences of any such event are
difficult to predict and there can be no certainty that
Westpac could respond effectively to any such event.
5.2.12 Declines in asset markets could
adversely affect Westpac’s
operations or profitability
Declines in Australian, New Zealand or other asset markets,
including equity, residential and commercial property and
other asset markets, could adversely affect Westpac’s
operations and profitability.
Declining asset prices also impact Westpac’s wealth
management business. Earnings in Westpac’s wealth
management business are, in part, dependent on asset
values because Westpac typically receives fees based on
the value of securities and/or assets held or managed. A
decline in asset prices could negatively impact the earnings
of this business.
Declining asset prices could also impact customers
and counterparties and the value of security (including
residential and commercial property) Westpac holds
against loans and derivatives. This may impact Westpac’s
ability to recover amounts owing to it if customers or
counterparties were to default. It may also affect Westpac’s
level of provisioning which in turn impacts Westpac’s
profitability and financial condition.
5.2.13 Westpac’s business is substantially
dependent on the Australian and
New Zealand economies
Westpac’s revenues and earnings are dependent on
economic activity and the level of financial services
Westpac’s customers require. In particular, lending is
dependent on various factors including economic growth,
business investment, business and consumer sentiment,
levels of employment, interest rates, asset prices and trade
flows in the countries in which Westpac operates.
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Westpac conducts the majority of its business in Australia
and New Zealand and, consequently, its performance is
influenced by the level and cyclical nature of lending in
these countries. These factors are in turn impacted by both
domestic and international economic conditions, natural
disasters and political events. A significant decrease in
Australian and New Zealand housing valuations could
adversely impact Westpac’s home lending activities
because borrowers with loans in excess of their property
value show a higher propensity to default. In the event
of defaults Westpac’s security may be eroded, causing
Westpac to incur higher credit losses. The demand for
Westpac’s home lending products may also decline due to
adverse changes in tax legislation (such as changes to tax
rates, concessions or deductions), regulatory requirements
or other buyer concerns about decreases in values.
Adverse changes to economic and business conditions
in Australia and New Zealand and other countries such
as China, India and Japan, could also adversely affect
the Australian economy and Westpac’s customers. In
particular, due to the current economic relationship
between Australia and China, particularly in the mining and
resources sectors, a slowdown in China’s economic growth,
including as the result of the implementation of tariffs
or other protectionist trade measures, could negatively
impact the Australian economy. Changes in commodity
prices, Chinese government policies and broader economic
conditions could, in turn, result in reduced demand for
Westpac’s products and services and affect the ability
of Westpac’s borrowers to repay their loans. If this were
to occur, it could negatively impact Westpac’s business,
prospects, financial performance or financial condition.
5.2.14 An increase in defaults in credit
exposures could adversely affect
Westpac’s liquidity, capital
resources, financial performance
or financial condition
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss where a customer
or counterparty fails to meet their financial obligations to
Westpac. It is a significant risk and arises primarily from
Westpac’s lending activities.
Westpac establishes provisions for credit impairment
based on current information. If economic conditions
deteriorate, some customers and/or counterparties could
experience higher levels of financial stress and Westpac
may experience a significant increase in defaults and write-
offs, and be required to increase Westpac’s provisioning.
Such events would diminish available capital and could
adversely affect Westpac’s liquidity, capital resources,
financial performance or financial condition.
Credit risk also arises from certain derivative, clearing
and settlement contracts Westpac enters into, and from
Westpac’s dealings with, and holdings of, debt securities
issued by other banks, financial institutions, companies,
clearing houses, governments and government bodies,
the financial conditions of which may be affected to
varying degrees by economic conditions in global financial
markets.
5.2.15 Westpac faces intense competition
in all aspects of its business
The financial services industry is highly competitive.
Westpac competes, both domestically and internationally,
with retail and commercial banks, asset managers,
investment banking firms, brokerage firms, other financial
service firms and businesses in other industries with
emerging financial services aspirations. This includes
specialist competitors that may not be subject to the same
capital and regulatory requirements and therefore may
be able to operate more efficiently. Digital technologies
are changing consumer behaviour and the competitive
environment. The use of digital channels by customers
to conduct their banking continues to rise and emerging
competitors are increasingly utilising new technologies and
seeking to disrupt existing business models, including in
relation to digital payment services. The Westpac Group
faces competition from established providers of financial
services as well as from banking businesses developed by
non-financial services companies.
The competitive environment may also change as a result
of legislative reforms. For example, the introduction of
the Open Banking regime, which will require banks to
provide customers data to accredited third parties (at the
direction of the customer), is likely to alter the competitive
landscape.
If Westpac is unable to compete effectively in its various
businesses and markets, Westpac’s market share may
decline. Increased competition may also adversely affect
Westpac by diverting business to Westpac’s competitors
or creating pressure to lower margins and fees.
Increased competition for deposits could also increase
Westpac’s cost of funding and lead Westpac to seek
access to other types of funding or reduce lending.
Westpac relies on bank deposits to fund a significant
portion of its balance sheet and deposits have been a
relatively stable source of funding. Westpac competes with
banks and other financial services firms for such deposits.
To the extent that Westpac is not able to successfully
compete for deposits, Westpac would be forced to rely
more heavily on other, potentially less stable or more
expensive forms of funding, or reduce lending.
Westpac is also dependent on its ability to offer products
and services that match evolving customer preferences.
If Westpac is not successful in developing or introducing
new products and services or responding or adapting to
changes in customer preferences and habits, Westpac
may lose customers to its competitors. This could
adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects, financial
performance or financial condition.
5.2.16 Westpac could suffer losses
due to market volatility
Westpac is exposed to market risk as a consequence of
Westpac’s trading activities in financial markets, Westpac’s
defined benefit plan and through the asset and liability
management of Westpac’s financial position. This is the risk
of an adverse impact on earnings resulting from changes in
market factors, such as foreign exchange rates, commodity
prices, equity prices and interest rates including the
potential for negative interest rates. This includes interest
rate risk in the banking book, such as the risk to interest
income from a mismatch between the duration of assets
and liabilities that arises in the normal course of business
activities.
Changes in market factors could be driven by a number
of developments. As an example, in July 2017, the
Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London
Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), announced that it
would not require panel banks to continue to submit rates
for the calculation of the LIBOR benchmark after 2021.
Accordingly, the continuation of LIBOR in its current form
will not be guaranteed after 2021, and it appears likely that
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LIBOR will be discontinued or modified by 2021. Any such
developments or future changes in the administration of
LIBOR or any other benchmarks could result in adverse
consequences to the return on, value of and market for,
securities and other instruments whose returns are linked
to any such benchmark, including those securities or other
instruments issued by the Westpac Group.
If Westpac was to suffer substantial losses due to any
market volatility (including changes in the return on, value
of or market for, securities or other instruments) it may
adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects, liquidity,
capital resources, financial performance or financial
condition.
5.2.17 Westpac could suffer losses
due to operational risks
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from
inadequate or failed internal processes, people and
systems or from external events. It also includes, among
other things, reputational risk, technology risk, model
risk and outsourcing risk, as well as the risk of business
disruption due to external events such as natural disasters,
environmental hazard, damage to critical utilities, and
targeted activism and protest activity. While Westpac has
policies, processes and controls in place to manage these
risks, these may not always be effective.
If a process or control is ineffective, it could result in an
adverse outcome for Westpac’s customers. For example,
a process breakdown could result in a customer not
receiving a product on the terms and conditions, or at
the pricing, they agreed to. In addition, inadequate record
keeping may prevent Westpac from demonstrating that
a past decision was appropriate at the time it was made
or that a particular action or activity was undertaken. If
this was to occur, Westpac may incur significant costs in
paying refunds and compensation to customers, as well
as remediating any underlying process breakdown. These
types of failure may also result in increased regulatory
scrutiny, with a regulator potentially commencing
an investigation and/or taking other enforcement,
administrative or supervisory action.
Westpac could incur losses from fraudulent applications
for loans or from incorrect or fraudulent payments and
settlements, particularly real-time payments. Fraudulent
conduct can also emerge from external parties seeking
to access the bank’s systems and customers’ accounts. If
systems, procedures and protocols for managing fraud fail,
or are ineffective, they could lead to losses which could
adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects, reputation,
financial performance or financial condition.
Accurate and complete data is critical to ensuring that
Westpac’s systems (both customer facing and back-
office), risk management frameworks, and financial
reporting processes operate effectively. Poor data quality
could arise in a number of ways, including through
inadequacies in systems, processes and policies, which
could lead to deficiencies or failings in customer service,
risk management, financial reporting (including in the
calculation of risk-weighted assets) and result in poor
decision-making. In addition, Westpac is exposed to
model risk, being the risk of loss arising from errors or
inadequacies in data or a model, or in the control and use
of a model.
Westpac is required to retain and access data and
documentation for specific retention periods in order to
satisfy its compliance obligations. In some cases, Westpac
also retains data to enable it to demonstrate that a past
decision was appropriate at the time it was made. Failings
in systems, processes and policies could all adversely affect
Westpac’s ability to retain and access data.
In recent times, financial services entities have been
increasingly sharing data with third parties, such as
suppliers and regulators (both domestic and offshore),
in order to conduct their business activities and meet
regulatory obligations. A breakdown in a process or control
related to the transfer, storage or protection of data
transferred to a third party, or the failure of a third party
to use and handle this data correctly, could result in the
Westpac Group failing to meet a compliance obligation
and/or have an adverse impact on Westpac’s customers
and the Westpac Group.
Westpac also relies on a number of suppliers, both in
Australia and overseas, to provide services to it and its
customers. Failure by these suppliers to deliver services
as required could disrupt services and adversely impact
Westpac’s operations, profitability or reputation.
Operational risks can directly impact Westpac’s reputation
and result in financial losses (including through decreased
demand for Westpac’s products and services) which
would adversely affect Westpac’s financial performance or
financial condition.
5.2.18 Operational risk, technology risk,
conduct risk or compliance risk
events could require Westpac to
undertake customer remediation
activity
As Westpac relies on a large number of policies, processes,
procedures, systems and people to conduct its business,
a breakdown or deficiency in one of these areas (which
could arise from one or more operational risk, technology
risk, conduct risk or compliance risk events) could result
in an adverse outcome for customers which Westpac
would need to remediate. For example, a breakdown in a
process may result in a customer not receiving all of the
benefits they were entitled to receive in connection with a
‘packaged account’ product, or the poor conduct of a staff
member in failing to properly follow internal policy could
result in a customer not receiving the products or services
that Westpac had agreed to provide or receiving products
or services that are not suitable for their needs.
These events could require the Westpac Group to
incur significant remediation costs (which may include
compensation payments to customers and costs
associated with correcting the underlying issue) and could
result in reputational damage.
There are also significant challenges and risks involved in
executing a customer remediation activity. For example,
depending on the nature of the issue, particularly legacy
issues spanning beyond Westpac’s record retention period,
it may be difficult to quantify and scope the remediation
activity. Determining how to properly and fairly
compensate customers can also be a complicated exercise
involving numerous stakeholders, such as regulators and
industry bodies. In some instances, these stakeholders may
have the power to require that a particular approach to
remediation is taken, for example the Australian Financial
Complaints Authority can monitor remedial action until a
resolution has been achieved which is acceptable to them.
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These factors may impact the timeframe for completing
the remediation activity with the potential for remediation
costs actually incurred being higher than those initially
estimated by the Westpac Group.
If the Westpac Group cannot effectively scope, quantify
or implement a remediation activity in a timely way,
there could be a negative impact on Westpac’s business,
prospects, reputation, financial performance or financial
condition.
5.2.19 Westpac could suffer losses
due to litigation (including class
action proceedings)
The Westpac Group (and individual entities within the
Westpac Group) may, from time to time, be involved in
legal proceedings, regulatory actions or arbitration arising
from the conduct of their business and the performance of
their legal and regulatory obligations.
Proceedings could be commenced against the Westpac
Group by a range of potential plaintiffs, such as Westpac
customers, shareholders, suppliers and counterparties.
These plaintiffs may commence proceedings individually or
they may commence class action proceedings.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number
of class action proceedings brought against financial
services companies (and other organisations more
broadly), many of which have resulted in significant
monetary settlements. The risk of class action proceedings
being commenced is heightened by findings from
regulatory investigations or inquiries (such as the Royal
Commission into Misconduct in the Financial Services
Industry), adverse media, an adverse judgment or the
settlement of proceedings brought by a regulator.
Furthermore, there is a risk that class action proceedings
commenced against a competitor could lead to similar
class action proceedings being commenced against the
Westpac Group. In recent months, class actions have been
commenced against financial services providers in relation
to matters such as the sale of Consumer Credit Insurance
and the investment decisions of Superannuation Fund
trustees.
The growth in third party litigation funding in Australia has
also contributed to a recent increase in the number of class
actions being commenced in Australia.
From time to time, class action proceedings are
commenced against the Westpac Group. For example:
• In August 2016, a class action was filed in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York against Westpac and a large number of other
Australian and international banks alleging misconduct
in relation to the bank bill swap reference rate. These
proceedings are at an early stage and the level of
damages sought has not been specified. Westpac is
defending these proceedings.
• On 12 October 2017, a class action against Westpac
and Westpac Life Insurance Services Limited (“WLIS”)
was filed in the Federal Court of Australia. The class
action was filed on behalf of customers who, since
October 2011, obtained insurance issued by WLIS
on the recommendation of certain financial advisers
employed within the Westpac Group. The plaintiffs have
alleged that aspects of the financial advice provided
by those advisers breached fiduciary and statutory
duties owed to the advisers’ clients, including the duty
to act in the best interests of the client, and that WLIS
was knowingly involved in those alleged breaches.
Westpac and WLIS are defending the proceedings.
These proceedings are currently stayed by order of the
court, pending the outcome of an appeal concerning
a procedural issue unrelated to the substantive claims
made in the class action.
Litigation (including class action proceedings) may, either
individually or in aggregate, adversely affect the Westpac
Group’s business, operations, prospects, reputation or
financial condition. Such matters are subject to many
uncertainties (for example, the outcome may not be able
to be predicted accurately). Furthermore, the Westpac
Group’s ability to respond to and defend litigation may
be adversely affected by inadequate record keeping.
Depending on the outcome of any litigation, the Westpac
Group may be required to comply with broad court
orders, including enforcement orders or otherwise pay
money such as damages, fines, penalties or legal costs.
The Westpac Group’s material contingent liabilities are
described in Note 31 to the financial statements for the
year ended 30 September 2018 (these financial statements
can be accessed as described in Section 7.2.2). There is
a risk that these contingent liabilities may be larger than
anticipated or that additional litigation or other contingent
liabilities may arise.
5.2.20 Westpac could suffer losses due
to conduct risk
Conduct risk is the risk that Westpac’s provision of services
and products results in unsuitable or unfair outcomes for
Westpac’s stakeholders or undermines market integrity.
Conduct risk could occur through the provision of
products and services to Westpac’s customers that do
not meet their needs or do not support market integrity
as well as the poor conduct of Westpac’s employees,
contractors, agents, authorised representatives and
external service providers. This could occur through a
failure to meet professional obligations to specific clients
(including fiduciary and suitability requirements), poor
product design and implementation, failure to adequately
consider customer needs or selling products and services
outside of customer target markets. Conduct risk may also
arise where there has been a failure to adequately provide
a product or services that Westpac had agreed to provide
a customer. As an example, Westpac has undertaken a
review of financial advice provided by salaried planners
and identified numerous instances where customers were
paying ongoing advice fees but the advice services were
not provided or Westpac was unable to sufficiently verify
that the advice services were provided. Westpac has also
commenced a review of ongoing advice services provided
by planners operating in aligned dealer groups which may
result in the discovery of additional misconduct.
While Westpac has frameworks, policies, processes and
controls that are designed to manage poor conduct
outcomes, these policies and processes may not always be
effective. The failure of these policies and processes could
result in financial losses and reputational damage and
this could adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects,
financial performance or financial condition.
69
5.2.21 Westpac could suffer losses due
to failures in governance or risk
management strategies
Westpac has implemented risk management strategies,
frameworks and internal controls involving processes and
procedures intended to identify, monitor and manage
risks including liquidity risk, credit risk, equity risk, market
risk (such as interest rate and foreign exchange risk),
compliance risk, conduct risk, insurance risk, sustainability
risk, related entity (contagion) risk and operational risk, all
of which may impact the Westpac Group’s reputation.
However, there are inherent limitations with any risk
management framework as there may exist, or emerge
in the future, risks that Westpac has not anticipated or
identified and controls may not be effective.
The Westpac Group is also required to periodically review
its risk management framework to determine whether
it remains appropriate having regard to the nature, size
and complexity of Westpac’s business. If it is determined
that a risk framework, process or system is no longer
appropriate, the Westpac Group may be required to
undertake considerable work to remedy this. The failure
to do so could result in increased scrutiny from regulators,
the failure to meet a compliance obligation and/or financial
losses.
The effectiveness of risk management frameworks is
also connected to the establishment and maintenance of
a sound risk management culture. The development of
appropriate remuneration structures can play an important
role in supporting the establishment of, and contributing to
the maintenance, of a sound risk culture. However, if there
is a deficiency in the design or operation of Westpac’s
remuneration structures, this could have a negative
effect on Westpac’s risk culture. This could occur in
circumstances where variable reward structures encourage
excessive risk taking or other conduct inconsistent with
a sound risk culture. This, in turn, may have an adverse
impact on the effectiveness of Westpac’s risk management
frameworks.
Following APRA’s request to major financial institutions to
undertake a written self-assessment having regard to the
findings in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Prudential
Inquiry Final Report, Westpac is currently undertaking a
Culture, Governance and Accountability Self-Assessment.
The Self-Assessment will consider key themes such as
remuneration, accountability and culture (as it pertains to
risk and compliance). APRA requires a Board endorsed
written assessment to be submitted by 30 November 2018.
If any of Westpac’s governance or risk management
processes and procedures prove ineffective or inadequate
or are otherwise not appropriately implemented, Westpac
could suffer unexpected losses and reputational damage
which could adversely affect Westpac’s business,
prospects, financial performance or financial condition.
5.2.22 The Westpac Group’s failure to
recruit and retain key executives,
employees and Directors may
have adverse effects on Westpac’s
business
Key executives, employees and Directors play an integral
role in the operation of Westpac’s business and its pursuit
of its strategic objectives. The unexpected departure of
an individual in a key role, or the Westpac Group’s failure
to recruit and retain appropriately skilled and qualified
persons into these roles, could each have an adverse effect
on Westpac’s business, prospects, reputation, financial
performance or financial condition.
5.2.23 Climate change may have adverse
effects on Westpac’s business
Westpac, its customers and its external suppliers may
be adversely affected by the physical risks of climate
change, including increases in temperatures, sea levels,
and the frequency and severity of adverse climatic events
including fires, storms, floods, and droughts. These
effects, whether acute or chronic in nature, may directly
impact Westpac and its customers through reputational
damage, environmental factors, insurance risk and business
disruption and may have an adverse impact on financial
performance (including through an increase in defaults in
credit exposures).
Initiatives to mitigate or respond to adverse impacts of
climate change may in turn impact market and asset
prices, economic activity, and customer behaviour,
particularly in geographic locations and industry sectors
adversely affected by these changes. Failure to effectively
manage these transition risks could adversely affect
Westpac’s business, prospects, reputation, financial
performance or financial condition.
5.2.24 Westpac could suffer losses
due to environmental factors
Westpac and its customers operate businesses and
hold assets in a diverse range of geographic locations.
Any significant environmental change or external event
(including fire, storm, flood, earthquake, pandemic,
civil unrest or terrorism) in any of these locations has
the potential to disrupt business activities, impact on
Westpac’s operations, damage property and otherwise
affect the value of assets held in the affected locations and
Westpac’s ability to recover amounts owing to Westpac.
In addition, such an event could have an adverse impact
on economic activity, consumer and investor confidence,
or the levels of volatility in financial markets, all of which
could adversely affect Westpac’s business, prospects,
financial performance or financial condition.
5.2.25 Westpac could suffer losses
due to insurance risk
Westpac has exposure to insurance risk in its life insurance,
general insurance and lenders mortgage insurance
businesses, which may adversely affect Westpac’s
business, operations or financial condition.
Insurance risk is the risk in Westpac’s licensed regulated
insurance entities of the costs of claims being greater than
expected due to a failure in product design, underwriting,
reinsurance arrangements or an increase in the severity
and/or frequency of insured events.
In the life insurance business, risk arises primarily through
mortality (death) and morbidity (illness and injury) risks,
the costs of claims relating to those risks being greater
than was anticipated when pricing those risks and policy
lapses.
In the general insurance business, insurance risk arises
mainly through environmental factors (including storms,
floods and bushfires) and other calamities, such as
earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity, as well as
general variability in home and contents insurance claim
70
Westpac Capital Notes 6
5
Section 5 Investment risks
amounts. The frequency and severity of external events
such as natural disasters is difficult to predict and it is
possible that the amounts Westpac reserves for potential
losses from existing events, such as those arising from
natural disaster events, may not be adequate to cover
actual claims that may arise.
In the lenders mortgage insurance business, insurance risk
arises primarily from unexpected downturns in economic
conditions leading to higher levels of mortgage defaults
from unemployment or other economic factors.
If Westpac’s reinsurance arrangements are ineffective,
this could lead to greater risk, and more losses than
anticipated. There is also a risk that Westpac will not be
able to renew an expiring reinsurance arrangement on
similar terms, including in relation to the cost, duration
and amount of reinsurance cover provided under that
arrangement.
5.2.26 Changes in critical accounting
estimates and judgements could
expose the Westpac Group to losses
The Westpac Group is required to make estimates,
assumptions and judgements when applying accounting
policies and preparing its financial statements, particularly
in connection with the calculation of provisions (including
those related to credit losses) and the determination
of the fair value of financial instruments. A change in a
critical accounting estimate, assumption and/or judgement
resulting from new information or from changes in
circumstances or experience could result in the Westpac
Group incurring losses greater than those anticipated
or provided for. This may have an adverse effect on
the Westpac Group’s financial performance, financial
condition and reputation. The Westpac Group’s financial
performance and financial condition may also be impacted
by changes to accounting standards or to generally
accepted accounting principles.
5.2.27 Westpac could suffer losses due to
impairment of capitalised software,
goodwill and other intangible
assets that may adversely affect its
business, operations and financial
condition
In certain circumstances Westpac may be exposed
to a reduction in the value of intangible assets. As at
30 September 2018, Westpac carried goodwill principally
related to its investments in Australia, other intangible
assets principally relating to assets recognised on
acquisition of subsidiaries and capitalised software
balances.
Westpac is required to assess the recoverability of the
goodwill and other intangible asset balances on at least an
annual basis or wherever an indicator of impairment exists.
For this purpose Westpac uses a discounted cash flow
calculation. Changes in the methodology or assumptions
upon which the calculation is based, together with
expected changes in future cash flows, could materially
impact this assessment, resulting in the potential write-off
of part or all of the intangible assets.
In the event that an asset is no longer in use, or its value
has been reduced or that its estimated useful life has
declined, an impairment will be recorded, adversely
impacting the Westpac Group’s financial condition.
The estimates and assumptions used in assessing the
useful life of an asset can be affected by a range of factors
including changes in strategy and the rate of external
changes in technology and regulatory requirements.
5.2.28 Westpac could suffer losses if it
fails to syndicate or sells down
underwritten securities
As a financial intermediary, Westpac underwrites listed and
unlisted debt and equity securities. Underwriting activities
include the development of solutions for corporate and
institutional customers who need capital and investor
customers who have an appetite for certain investment
products. Westpac may guarantee the pricing and
placement of these facilities. Westpac could suffer losses if
Westpac fails to syndicate or sells down Westpac’s risk to
other market participants. This risk is more pronounced in
times of heightened market volatility.
5.2.29 Certain strategic decisions may
have adverse effects on Westpac’s
business
Westpac, at times, evaluates and may implement strategic
decisions and objectives including diversification,
innovation, divestment or business expansion initiatives.
The expansion or integration of a new business, or entry
into a new business, can be complex and costly and may
require Westpac to comply with additional local or foreign
regulatory requirements which may carry additional risks.
Westpac also acquires and invests in businesses owned
and operated by external parties. These transactions
involve a number of risks for the Westpac Group. For
example, Westpac may incur financial losses if a business it
invests in does not perform as anticipated or subsequently
proves to be overvalued at the time that the transaction
was entered into.
In addition, Westpac may be unable to successfully divest
businesses or assets. These activities may, for a variety
of reasons, not deliver the anticipated positive business
results and could have a negative impact on Westpac’s
business, prospects, reputation, engagement with
regulators, financial performance or financial condition.
The summary of risks in this Section 5 is not exhaustive
and you should read this Prospectus in its entirety and
consult your financial adviser or other professional
adviser before deciding whether to invest in Westpac
Capital Notes 6.
71
Section 6
Australian tax summary
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
6.1 Summary of the Australian tax consequences for Holders
6.2 Class Ruling
6.3 Distributions
6.4 Disposals of Westpac Capital Notes 6
6.5 Conversion of Westpac Capital Notes 6
6.6 Westpac Capital Notes Reinvestment Offer
6.7 Provision of TFN and/or ABN
6.8 GST
6.9 Stamp Duty
72
6
Section 6 Australian tax summary
6.1 Summary of the Australian tax
consequences for Holders
The following is a summary of the Australian tax
consequences for certain Australian resident and non-
Australian resident Holders who subscribe for Westpac
Capital Notes 6 under the Offer. This summary has been
prepared by Allens, the Australian legal and tax adviser
to the Offer on the assumption that all the transactions
described in this Prospectus will be carried out in the
manner described in this Prospectus.
Allens has consented to the inclusion of this summary in
this Prospectus but this consent should not be taken as a
statement about any other matter in this Prospectus or in
relation to Westpac or the performance of any investment
in Westpac.
The information contained in this summary does not
constitute financial product advice for the purposes of
the Corporations Act. Allens is not licenced, under the
Corporations Act, to provide financial product advice and to
the extent that this summary contains any information about
a financial product within the meaning of the Corporations
Act, taxation is only one of the matters that must be
considered when making a decision about the relevant
financial product. An investor or prospective investor should,
before making any decision to invest in the Westpac Capital
Notes 6, consider taking financial advice from a person who
holds an AFSL under the Corporations Act.
This summary does not address all tax consequences of
ownership of Westpac Capital Notes 6 and, in particular,
does not address the positions of Holders who:
• acquire their Westpac Capital Notes 6 in the course of
a business of trading or investing in securities, such as
share traders, investment companies, banks or insurance
companies, or who otherwise hold Westpac Capital
Notes 6 on revenue account or as trading stock; and/or
• are subject to the “taxation of financial arrangements”
rules in Division 230 of the Tax Act.
The actual tax consequences of your investment in
Westpac Capital Notes 6 may differ depending upon your
individual circumstances.
You should consult your own professional tax adviser
regarding the consequences of acquiring, holding or
disposing of Westpac Capital Notes 6 in light of your
particular circumstances.
This summary is based on Australian tax laws and regulations
and the current administrative practice of the Australian
Taxation Office (“ATO”) as at the date of this Prospectus.
6.2 Class Ruling
Westpac has applied for a public Class Ruling requesting
confirmation of the ATO’s views on the principal tax issues
considered below. The Class Ruling may not be issued until
after the issue of the Westpac Capital Notes 6. When it has
been issued, it will be available on the ATO and Westpac
websites.
6.3 Distributions
The Westpac Capital Notes 6 should be characterised
as “non-share equity interests” for Australian income tax
purposes and Distributions should be treated as “non-share
dividends” which are frankable.
6.3.1 Australian resident Holders
Distributions
Australian resident Holders will be required to include the
amounts of any Distributions in their assessable income.
Any franking credits attached to those Distributions should
also be included in Holders’ assessable income and tax
offsets should generally be available, equal to the amounts
of the franking credits, subject to the requirements that the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 be held “at risk” for the requisite
periods (see below regarding the “holding period rule”)
and that the Commissioner of Taxation does not make an
adverse determination under certain anti-avoidance rules
(see below).
Where Holders who are individuals or complying
superannuation entities are entitled to tax offsets, those
offsets will either reduce any tax payable by the Holders,
or give rise to tax refunds to the extent that the tax offsets
exceed the tax that is otherwise payable by the Holders.
Investors should also be aware that in March 2018, the
Labor Party announced plans to remove cash refunds
for excess franking credits to entities that are currently
able to claim them (including individuals and complying
superannuation entities), subject to some exceptions, with
effect from 1 July 2019. The full details of how the Labor
Party proposal would be implemented have not yet been
announced and the implementation of the proposal is
contingent on the Labor Party forming federal government
in Australia and passing the proposal as law. Investors
should seek professional advice in relation to their tax
position and monitor these potential changes on an
ongoing basis.
1
To the extent that any Distributions are unfranked, those
unfranked amounts will also be included in Holders’
assessable income, without any tax offsets.
Holders that are companies are not entitled to refunds of
excess tax offsets, but will be entitled to a credit in their
franking account equal to the amount of the franking credits
attached to a Distribution, subject to the qualifications
mentioned above and discussed further below.
“Holding period rule”
A Holder will not be entitled to tax offsets in respect of
franking credits on a franked Distribution unless the Holder
is a “qualified person” in relation to the Distribution.
To be a “qualified person” in relation to a Distribution, a
Holder must have held the Westpac Capital Notes 6 “at
risk” for a continuous period of at least 90 days (excluding
the days of acquisition and disposal) during:
• the “primary qualification period”, which is the period
beginning on the day after the day on which the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 are acquired by a Holder and
ending on the 90
th
day after the day that the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 became ex-Distribution; or
• if a Holder, or an associate, is under an obligation to make
“related payments” (which have the effect of passing on
the benefit of the Distribution to other entities) in respect
of the Distribution, the “secondary qualification period”,
which is the period beginning on the 90
th
day before, and
ending on the 90
th
day after, the day that the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 became ex-Distribution.
Note:
1. See also Section 5.1.20 in relation to the consequences of the Labor Party proposal under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
73
To be held “at risk”, the Holder must effectively retain 30%
or more of the risks and benefits associated with holding
the Westpac Capital Notes 6. Whether or not the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 are held “at risk” by a Holder during the
relevant periods will depend upon whether the Holder
has financial positions or undertakes risk management
strategies (e.g. using limited recourse loans, options or
forward sale contracts) in relation to the Westpac Capital
Notes 6. If Holders will continue to hold the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 for at least 90 days during the “primary
qualification period”, will not have any financial positions
or enter into any relevant risk management strategies in
relation to the Westpac Capital Notes 6, and will not be
under an obligation to make “related payments” to other
entities, those Holders should be “qualified persons” in
relation to Distributions on the Westpac Capital Notes 6.
Holders who are individuals and who will not claim
tax offsets in any one year in excess of $5,000, will
automatically be taken to be “qualified persons” in relation
to all Distributions that they receive (provided that they
are not under an obligation to make a “related payment” as
described above).
The application of the franking rules to Holders will
depend upon the particular circumstances of each Holder.
Accordingly, each Holder should seek independent advice
as to whether they will be treated as a “qualified person” in
relation to Distributions received on the Westpac Capital
Notes 6.
Anti-avoidance rule
Section 177EA of the Tax Act is an anti-avoidance provision
which is designed to counter schemes where one of
the purposes (other than an incidental purpose) of the
scheme is to inappropriately divert franking credits and
obtain an imputation benefit. There are a number of
different objective factors that the Commissioner may take
into account in forming a view as to whether a scheme
has such a purpose. Where section 177EA applies, the
Commissioner may make a written determination with the
effect of either:
• imposing a franking debit on the distributing entity’s
franking account; or
• denying the imputation benefit on the Distribution that
flowed directly or indirectly to the relevant taxpayer.
The Commissioner of Taxation has indicated that, in the
usual case, he would not ordinarily assert that section
177EA applied to a convertible instrument which satisfied
the requirements to be classified as Additional Tier
1 Capital for APRA regulatory reporting purposes. Based
on that and current case-law, Westpac expects the
Commissioner to make a favourable Class Ruling on this
issue, which would be binding on the Commissioner in
favour of Holders who subscribe for Westpac Capital Notes
6 under this Prospectus.
6.3.2 Non-Australian resident Holders
To the extent that Distributions paid to non-Australian
resident Holders, who do not hold their Westpac Capital
Notes 6 through a permanent establishment in Australia,
are franked, those Distributions will not be subject to
Australian withholding tax. Where such Distributions
are not fully franked, the unfranked portion of any such
Distribution will be subject to withholding tax at the rate
of 30%. This rate may be reduced if the non-Australian
resident is resident in a country that has a double taxation
agreement with Australia.
6.4 Disposals of Westpac Capital
Notes 6
6.4.1 Australian resident Holders
We expect the Commissioner of Taxation to take the view
that the Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not “traditional
securities” for the purposes of the Tax Act. On that basis,
any gains or losses made by Holders on the disposal of
their Westpac Capital Notes 6 will be taxed under the
capital gains tax (“CGT”) provisions.
A disposal of a Westpac Capital Note 6, whether through
an on-market disposal, Redemption, or pursuant to a
Transfer Notice, will be a CGT event. Holders may make
a capital gain or a capital loss, depending upon whether
their capital proceeds from the disposal are more than the
cost base of their Westpac Capital Notes 6, or whether the
capital proceeds are less than the reduced cost base of
their Westpac Capital Notes 6, respectively.
For Holders who acquire Westpac Capital Notes 6
pursuant to this Prospectus, the first element of the cost
base of a Westpac Capital Note 6 will be the amount paid
for the relevant Westpac Capital Note 6, which will be
its Initial Face Value. Other amounts associated with the
acquisition or disposal of the Westpac Capital Notes 6,
such as broker fees, may be added to the cost base.
The capital proceeds from a Redemption of a Westpac
Capital Note 6 on a Redemption Date will be equal to
the Face Value of the Westpac Capital Note 6, unless
the market value of a Westpac Capital Note 6 on the
Redemption Date (determined as if its Redemption had
not occurred or been proposed) is greater or less than the
Face Value. In that case, that greater or lesser market value
amount will be deemed to be the capital proceeds of the
Redemption, instead of the Face Value actually received.
The capital proceeds from a Transfer of a Westpac Capital
Note 6 to a Nominated Party on a Transfer Date will be
equal to the Face Value of the Westpac Capital Note 6,
assuming that the Holder is dealing at arm’s length with
the Nominated Party.
If the Face Value of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 has been
reduced because there has been a Capital Trigger Event or
a Non-Viability Trigger Event, Holders who acquired those
Westpac Capital Notes 6 before that reduction occurred
may make a capital loss on the Redemption or Transfer
of their Westpac Capital Notes 6. Holders should seek
their own tax advice as to whether any such capital loss
may be applied to offset capital gains in their particular
circumstances.
The capital proceeds from an on-market disposal of
a Westpac Capital Note 6 will be the sale price of the
Westpac Capital Note 6. Holders who sell their Westpac
Capital Notes 6 on-market may make capital gains or
capital losses, depending upon the amount of capital
proceeds that they receive.
Any capital gain or capital loss made by a Holder will be
aggregated with other capital gains and capital losses
of the Holder in the relevant income year to determine
whether the Holder has a net capital gain or net capital
loss. A net capital gain, if any, will be included in the
Holder’s assessable income and subject to income tax,
although the “CGT Discount” may be available to reduce
the taxable gain for the Holder, as described below. A net
capital loss may not be deducted against other assessable
income, but may be carried forward to be offset against
net capital gains realised in later income years.
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Westpac Capital Notes 6
6
Section 6 Australian tax summary
If a Holder is an individual, complying superannuation
entity or a trust, and held their Westpac Capital Notes 6 for
12 months or more before the disposal, the Holder may be
entitled to a “CGT Discount” for any capital gain made on
the disposal of their Westpac Capital Notes 6.
The “CGT Discount” provisions may entitle Holders to
reduce their capital gain on the disposal of a Westpac
Capital Note 6 (after deducting available capital losses)
by half, in the case of individuals and trusts, or by one-
third, in the case of complying superannuation entities.
Trustees should seek specific advice regarding the tax
consequences of making distributions attributable to
discounted capital gains.
The Australian Government announced in the Federal
Budget delivered on 8 May 2018 that, from 1 July 2019,
Managed Investment Trusts (“MITs”) and Attribution MITs
(“AMITs”) will not be entitled to the “CGT Discount” at
the trust level. Under the proposed measure, MITs and
AMITs that derive capital gains will continue to be able
to distribute those amounts as capital gains that may
be subject to the “CGT Discount” in the hands of those
beneficiaries who are entitled to the “CGT Discount”.
The “CGT Discount” is not available to companies, nor
can it apply to Westpac Capital Notes 6 disposed of by
Holders under an agreement entered into within 12 months
of the acquisition of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 by
those Holders. Holders should seek independent advice to
determine if their Westpac Capital Notes 6 have been held
for the requisite period.
6.4.2 Non-Australian resident Holders
Any capital gain or capital loss made by a non-Australian
resident Holder from the disposal of their Westpac
Capital Notes 6 is likely to be disregarded on the basis
that Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not likely to be “taxable
Australian property” at the time of sale, unless the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 were used by the non-resident in carrying
on business through a permanent establishment in
Australia.
Any non-Australian resident Holders who held their
Westpac Capital Notes 6 in the course of carrying on a
business should obtain specific advice in respect of the
potential consequences of a disposal of their Westpac
Capital Notes 6 in their particular circumstances.
6.5 Conversion of Westpac Capital
Notes 6
When a Westpac Capital Note 6 is Converted, a Holder’s
rights in relation to the Westpac Capital Note 6 will be
terminated for an amount equal to the Face Value of
the Westpac Capital Note 6 and Westpac will apply that
amount for the Holder in subscribing for Ordinary Shares
which are to be issued by Westpac at a discount. The
Conversion of a Westpac Capital Note 6 into Ordinary
Shares in this way should not give rise to a capital gain or a
capital loss, nor an assessable revenue gain or a deductible
revenue loss, for a Holder. The recognition of any gain or
loss that might otherwise have arisen on the termination of
a Westpac Capital Note 6 is effectively deferred until any
subsequent sale of the Ordinary Shares acquired by the
Holder from the Conversion. This applies to both Australian
resident Holders and non-Australian resident Holders.
The first element of the cost base or reduced cost base of
the Ordinary Shares acquired as a result of a Conversion
will be the amount of the Holder’s cost base for each
Converted Westpac Capital Note 6.
The Ordinary Shares that will be acquired as a result of
a Conversion will be deemed to have been acquired by
Holders at the time of Conversion for capital gains tax
purposes, including for the purpose of calculating the
12 month ownership period required for the “CGT Discount”
(see above).
6.6 Westpac Capital Notes
Reinvestment Offer
Under the Reinvestment Offer, Eligible Westpac Capital
Notes Holders may apply to reinvest some or all of their
Westpac Capital Notes in Westpac Capital Notes 6. This will
be effected by the transfer of Westpac Capital Notes to the
Westpac Capital Notes Nominated Party on 18 December
2018 for $100 per Participating Westpac Capital Note and
the automatic reinvestment of the transfer proceeds in
Westpac Capital Notes 6 ($100 per Note).
For Westpac Capital Notes holders who do not participate
in the Reinvestment Offer (or only participate in respect
of some of their Westpac Capital Notes), it is currently
intended that their Non-Participating Westpac Capital
Notes will be transferred to the Westpac Capital Notes
Nominated Party on 8 March 2019 for $100 per Westpac
Capital Note.
The following income tax consequences will generally
apply to Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders
who participate in the Reinvestment Offer, and Non-
Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders whose
Westpac Capital Notes are transferred to the Westpac
Capital Notes Nominated Party on 8 March 2019, who
are Australian tax residents, hold their Westpac Capital
Notes as capital assets, are not in the business of dealing
or trading in securities and do not otherwise hold their
Westpac Capital Notes on revenue account for tax
purposes.
Westpac Capital Notes holders may also wish to refer to
the Taxation Letter in the prospectus for Westpac Capital
Notes dated 7 February 2013 which contains a summary
of the tax treatment of certain entities that invested in
Westpac Capital Notes under the prospectus and Class
Ruling CR 2013/17 which contains the ATO’s binding views
in respect of the tax treatment of certain entities that
invested in Westpac Capital Notes under the prospectus
for Westpac Capital Notes. A copy of the Class Ruling is
available on Westpac’s website at
www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes.
6.6.1 Distributions
An Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder who elects to
participate in the Reinvestment Offer will also be paid
the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on
18 December 2018, calculated in respect of the period
from (but excluding) 8 December 2018 to (and including)
18 December 2018, on each Westpac Capital Note that they
hold at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on 11 December 2018, being
the record date for the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes
Distribution, subject to the distribution payment conditions
in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms being met.
A Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holder will be
paid the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on
18 December 2018, on each Non-Participating Westpac
Capital Note that they hold at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on
11 December 2018, being the record date for the Pro-
Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution, subject to the
distribution payment conditions in the Westpac Capital
Notes Terms being met. If a Non-Participating Westpac
75
Capital Notes Holder continues to hold Westpac Capital
Notes on the record date for the Final Westpac Capital
Notes Distribution, it is intended that they will also be
paid the Final Westpac Capital Notes Distribution on
8 March 2019 for each Westpac Capital Note they hold on
the record date for the intended Final Westpac Capital
Notes Distribution, in respect of the period from (but
excluding) the Issue Date to (and including) 8 March 2019,
subject to the distribution payment conditions in the
Westpac Capital Notes Terms being satisfied.
Westpac expects these distributions to be fully franked.
These distributions will be subject to the same taxation
treatment as other distributions paid on Westpac
Capital Notes. In particular, Australian resident Westpac
Capital Notes holders should include the amount of each
distribution in their assessable income. In addition, if they
are not companies and they satisfy the qualified person
(related payments and holding period) rules, they should
also include an amount equal to the franking credits
attached to the dividend in their assessable income, in
which case they should qualify for a tax offset equal to the
amount of those franking credits.
6.6.2 Transfer proceeds
Under the Reinvestment Offer, a Participating Westpac
Capital Notes Holder will elect to reinvest their transfer
proceeds ($100 for each Westpac Capital Note) in
Westpac Capital Notes 6.
A Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holder will also
receive an amount of $100 for each Westpac Capital Note
assuming the intended transfer of their Westpac Capital
Notes to the Westpac Capital Notes Nominated Party on 8
March 2019 occurs.
For both Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders and
Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders, no part
of the transfer proceeds should be taken to be ordinary
assessable income of the Westpac Capital Notes holders.
6.6.3 CGT consequences of transfer
of Westpac Capital Notes
Australian residents
The transfer of Westpac Capital Notes, either by
Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holders pursuant to
the Reinvestment Offer, or by Non-Participating Westpac
Capital Notes Holders on 8 March 2019, will be a CGT event
for the Westpac Capital Notes holders.
Westpac Capital Notes holders may make a capital gain if
their capital proceeds from the transfer are more than their
“cost base” for their Westpac Capital Notes, or may make
a capital loss if their capital proceeds are less than their
“reduced cost base” for their Westpac Capital Notes:
• Cost base or reduced cost base: the first element of a
Westpac Capital Notes holder’s cost base, or reduced
cost base, for their Westpac Capital Notes is the
amount paid by the Westpac Capital Notes holder for
their Westpac Capital Notes. Other amounts associated
with the acquisition or disposal of Westpac Capital
Notes, such as broker fees, may be added to the cost
base.
• Capital proceeds: the capital proceeds that will be
received by a Westpac Capital Notes holder from the
transfer of their Westpac Capital Notes, either by a
Participating Westpac Capital Notes Holder pursuant
to the Reinvestment Offer, or by a Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Notes Holder on 8 March 2019
assuming the intended transfer of their Westpac Capital
Notes occurs, will be $100 per Westpac Capital Note,
assuming, in each case, that they are dealing at arm’s
length with the Westpac Capital Notes Nominated
Party.
Any capital gain (or capital loss) made by a Westpac
Capital Notes holder will be aggregated with other capital
gains and capital losses of the Westpac Capital Notes
holder in the relevant year of income to determine whether
the Westpac Capital Notes holder has a net capital gain or
net capital loss. A net capital gain, if any, will be included in
the Westpac Capital Notes holder’s assessable income and
will be subject to income tax, however the “CGT Discount”
may be available to reduce the taxable gain for a Westpac
Capital Notes holder who is an individual, complying
superannuation entity or trust (as described below). A net
capital loss may not be deducted against other assessable
income, but may be carried forward to be offset against
net capital gains realised in later income years.
If a Westpac Capital Notes holder is an individual,
complying superannuation entity or a trust, and held their
Westpac Capital Notes for 12 months or more before
the disposal, the Westpac Capital Notes holder may be
entitled to a “CGT Discount” for any capital gain made
on the disposal of their Westpac Capital Notes. Westpac
Capital Notes holders should seek independent advice to
determine if their Westpac Capital Notes have been held
for the requisite period.
The “CGT Discount” provisions may entitle Westpac Capital
Notes holders to reduce their capital gain on the disposal
of a Westpac Capital Note (after deducting available
capital losses) by half, in the case of individuals and trusts,
or by one-third in the case of complying superannuation
entities. However, trustees should seek specific advice
regarding the tax consequences of making distributions
attributable to discounted capital gains. The Australian
Government announced in the Federal Budget delivered on
8 May 2018 that, from 1 July 2019, MITs and AMITs will not
be entitled to the “CGT Discount” at the trust level. Under
the proposed measure, MITs and AMITs that derive capital
gains will continue to be able to distribute those amounts
as capital gains that may be subject to the “CGT Discount”
in the hands of those beneficiaries who are entitled to the
“CGT Discount”. The “CGT Discount” is not available to
companies.
Non-Australian residents
Any capital gain or capital loss made by non-Australian
resident Westpac Capital Notes holders is likely to be
disregarded on the basis that Westpac Capital Notes
are not likely to be “taxable Australian property” at the
time of sale, unless they were used by the non-resident in
carrying on business through a permanent establishment in
Australia. Any non-resident Westpac Capital Notes holders
who held their Westpac Capital Notes in the course of
a business should obtain specific advice in respect of
the potential consequences of that disposal of Westpac
Capital Notes in their particular circumstances.
6.6.4 Cost base of Westpac Capital
Notes 6 acquired pursuant to the
Reinvestment Offer
Where Westpac Capital Notes 6 are acquired by
Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders pursuant to the
Reinvestment Offer, the transfer proceeds that were
applied to acquire those Notes will be included in the cost
bases of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 for the purposes
of determining any future gain or loss on the disposal,
76
Westpac Capital Notes 6
6
Section 6 Australian tax summary
Conversion, Redemption or Transfer of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 (refer to Sections 6.4 and 6.5 above).
6.7 Provision of TFN and/or ABN
Westpac is required to deduct withholding tax from
payments of Distributions in respect of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 that are not 100% franked, at the rate
specified in the Taxation Administration Regulations 2017
(currently 47% of the unfranked amount), and remit such
amounts to the ATO, unless a Tax File Number or an
Australian Business Number has been quoted by a Holder,
or a relevant exemption applies (and has been notified to
Westpac).
6.8 GST
No GST should be payable by a Holder in respect
of acquiring Westpac Capital Notes 6 or on a sale,
Conversion, Redemption or Transfer of Westpac Capital
Notes 6, other than in respect of brokerage or similar fees.
6.9 Stamp Duty
No stamp duty should be payable by a Holder on the
issue, sale, Conversion, Redemption or Transfer of Westpac
Capital Notes 6.
77
Section 7
Other information
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
7.1 Restrictions on ownership for Westpac
7.2 Information, disclosure and availability
7.3 Rights attaching to Westpac Capital Notes 6
7.4 Rights attaching to Ordinary Shares
7.5 Rights attaching to Approved Successor Shares
7.6 Summary of the Offer Management Agreement
7.7 Consents
7.8 Interests of advisers
7.9 Interests of Westpac Directors
7.10 Contingent liabilities
7.11 ASX waivers and approvals
7.12 ASIC relief
7.13 Potential future design and distribution obligations
7.14 Foreign selling restrictions
7.15 Acknowledgment and privacy statement
7.16 Governing law
78
7
Section 7 Other information
7.1 Restrictions on ownership
for Westpac
The Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1988 (Cth)
restricts the aggregate voting power of a person and their
associates in an Australian bank to 15%. A shareholder may
apply to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia
to extend its stake beyond 15%, however approval cannot
be granted unless the Treasurer is satisfied that it is in the
national interest to approve a holding of greater than 15%.
Acquisitions of interests in shares in Australian companies
by foreign persons are subject to review and approval by
the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia under
the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) in
certain circumstances. Potential investors should consult
their professional advisers to determine whether the
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) may
affect their holding or ownership of Notes or Ordinary
Shares.
7.2 Information, disclosure
and availability
7.2.1 Reporting and disclosure
obligations
Westpac is a disclosing entity for the purposes of the
Corporations Act and is subject to regular reporting and
disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act and the
ASX Listing Rules. These obligations require that Westpac
prepare both yearly and half-yearly financial statements
and a report on the operations of Westpac during the
relevant accounting period together with an audit or
review report by its auditor. Copies of these documents
and other documents lodged with ASIC by Westpac may
be obtained from, or inspected at, an ASIC office.
Westpac also has an obligation under the ASX Listing
Rules to notify ASX immediately of any information
concerning Westpac of which it becomes aware and which
a reasonable person would expect to have a material
effect on the price or value of Westpac’s securities unless
exceptions from disclosure apply under ASX Listing Rules.
ASX maintains records of company announcements for all
companies listed on ASX. Westpac’s announcements may
be viewed on ASX’s website (www.asx.com.au).
7.2.2 Accessing information
about Westpac
Westpac will provide a copy of any of the following
documents free of charge to any person who requests a
copy during the Offer Period in relation to this Prospectus:
• the financial statements of Westpac for the year ended
30 September 2018 (being the most recent annual
financial statements lodged with ASIC before the
lodgement of this Prospectus);
• the interim financial report of Westpac for the half year
ended 31 March 2018 (being the most recent interim
financial statements lodged with ASIC before the
lodgement of this Prospectus);
• any document or financial statement lodged by
Westpac with ASIC or ASX under the continuous
disclosure reporting requirements in the period after
the lodgement of the annual financial statements and
before the lodgement of this Prospectus; and
• Westpac’s Constitution.
Written requests for copies of these documents should be
addressed to:
Westpac Group Secretariat
Level 18
275 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Copies of Westpac’s financial statements and
annual reports (including its 2018 Annual Report
containing its financial statements for the year ended
30 September 2018) are available at:
www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/investor-centre/
financial-information/annual-reports.
Copies of Westpac’s Constitution are available at:
www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/westpac-group/
corporate-governance/constitution-board.
7.3 Rights attaching to Westpac
Capital Notes 6
The rights attaching to the Notes are contained in the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms, which are contained in
Appendix B.
7.4 Rights attaching to Ordinary
Shares
Ordinary Shares may be issued to Holders by Westpac on
Conversion of Notes. These Ordinary Shares will be issued
as fully paid and will rank equally with all other Ordinary
Shares already on issue in all respects.
The rights attaching to Ordinary Shares are set out in
Westpac’s Constitution, the ASX Listing Rules and the
Corporations Act. A summary of these rights is set out
below.
7.4.1 Transfers
Transfers of Ordinary Shares are not effective until
registered. Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, Westpac may
refuse to register a transfer of Ordinary Shares without
giving any reasons. However, the ASX Listing Rules
substantially restrict when Westpac may refuse to register
a transfer.
Unless otherwise required by law, Westpac is not required
to recognise any interest in Ordinary Shares apart from
that of registered holders of Ordinary Shares.
Where two or more persons are registered as joint holders
of Ordinary Shares, they are taken to hold the Ordinary
Shares as joint tenants with rights of survivorship.
Westpac is not required to register more than three
persons as joint holders of an Ordinary Share or issue
more than one share certificate or holding statement for
Ordinary Shares jointly held.
Restrictions apply in respect of persons who become
entitled to Ordinary Shares by reason of the death,
bankruptcy or mental incapacity of a holder of Ordinary
Shares.
79
7.4.2 Profits and Dividends
Holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive such
Dividends as may be determined by Westpac. Dividends
determined by Westpac are payable to holders of Ordinary
Shares in proportion to the amounts paid on the Ordinary
Shares that they hold.
Dividends must only be paid in accordance with applicable
laws and Westpac’s Constitution. Westpac is restricted
from paying Dividends unless:
• Westpac’s assets exceed its liabilities immediately
before the Dividend is determined and the excess is
sufficient for the payment of the Dividend;
• the payment of the Dividend is fair and reasonable to
Westpac’s shareholders as a whole; and
• the payment of the Dividend does not materially
prejudice Westpac’s ability to pay its creditors.
Additionally, Dividends would not be payable if making
such a payment would breach or cause a breach by
Westpac of applicable capital adequacy or other
supervisory requirements of APRA, or if Westpac was
directed by APRA not to pay a Dividend under the Banking
Act. APRA’s requirements include that Westpac must
obtain APRA’s written approval prior to making a Dividend
payment on Ordinary Shares if the aggregate amount of
Dividend payments on Ordinary Shares in the 12 months
covered by one or more sets of publicly available operating
results preceding the date of the proposed Dividend
payment exceeds Westpac’s after-tax earnings after
taking into account any payments on more senior capital
instruments in the same 12 months.
There are restrictions on the amount of earnings that can
be distributed through Tier 1 Capital Distributions should
an ADI’s Level 1 or Level 2 CET1 Ratios fall below the
Distribution Restriction Trigger. Refer to Section 4.2.4 for
further information.
Dividends that are paid, but not claimed, may be invested
by the Westpac Directors for the benefit of Westpac
until required to be dealt with under any law relating to
unclaimed monies.
7.4.3 Winding Up of Westpac
Subject to the preferential entitlement (if any) of
preference shareholders, holders of Ordinary Shares are
entitled to share equally in any surplus assets if Westpac is
wound up.
7.4.4 Meetings and voting rights
Holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive notice
of, attend and vote at general meetings of Westpac. Each
holder of Ordinary Shares present at a general meeting
(whether in person or by proxy or representative) is
entitled to one vote on a show of hands or, on a poll, one
vote for each Ordinary Share held.
7.4.5 Issue of further Ordinary Shares
The Westpac Directors control the issue of Ordinary
Shares. Subject to the Corporations Act, the Westpac
Directors may issue further Ordinary Shares, and grant
options and pre-emptive rights over Ordinary Shares, on
terms they think fit.
7.5 Rights attaching to Approved
Successor Shares
If Westpac is replaced as the ultimate holding company
of the Westpac Group by an Approved Successor, and the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms are amended to enable
substitution of the Approved Successor as debtor of the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 and the issuer of ordinary shares
on Conversion, Holders will be issued with Approved
Successor Shares on Conversion (rather than Ordinary
Shares). In order to be classified as an Approved Successor,
the shares of the proposed successor holding company
must be listed on an internationally recognised stock
exchange – see clause 16.2 of the Westpac Capital Notes
6 Terms (definition of “Acquisition Event”). The Approved
Successor will be obliged to use all reasonable endeavours
to obtain quotation of the Approved Successor Shares
issued under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms on the
stock exchanges on which the other Approved Successor
Shares are quoted at the time of a Conversion – see clause
13.4 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms.
7.6 Summary of the Offer
Management Agreement
Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers entered into the
Offer Management Agreement (“OMA”) on 12 November
2018. Under the OMA, Westpac has appointed Westpac
Institutional Bank, ANZ Securities Limited, Commonwealth
Bank of Australia, J.P. Morgan Securities Australia Limited,
Morgans Financial Limited, National Australia Bank Limited
and UBS AG, Australia Branch as the Joint Lead Managers
and joint bookrunners for the Offer.
Under the OMA, the Joint Lead Managers agree to conduct
the Bookbuild before the Opening Date. In this process,
Syndicate Brokers and Institutional Investors are invited to
lodge bids for a number of Notes at various margins within
an indicative margin range. Using those bids, Westpac
and the Joint Lead Managers will set the Margin and
determine the total number of Notes to be Allocated and
Westpac will determine the firm Allocations to Syndicate
Brokers and Institutional Investors. The Bookbuild will be
conducted on the terms and conditions in the OMA.
The OMA contains various representations and warranties,
and imposes various obligations on Westpac, including
representations, warranties and obligations to ensure that
this Prospectus complies with the Corporations Act and
ASX Listing Rules, and to conduct the Offer under the
agreed timetable, ASX Listing Rules, this Prospectus and all
other applicable laws.
The OMA provides that Westpac will not, without the Joint
Lead Managers’ consent (not to be unreasonably withheld
or delayed), allot, agree to allot or indicate in any way
that it may or will allot or agree to allot any hybrid debt
or preference security with Tier 1 Capital or Tier 2 Capital
status in the Australian retail market before the Issue
Date, other than pursuant to the Offer and in certain other
specified circumstances.
Westpac has agreed to indemnify the Joint Lead Managers
(other than Westpac Institutional Bank) and parties
affiliated with each Joint Lead Manager against damages,
losses, costs, expenses and liabilities in connection with
the Offer, other than where these result from any fraud,
recklessness, wilful misconduct or negligence of the
indemnified parties or certain other events.
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Westpac Capital Notes 6
7
Section 7 Other information
7.6.1 Settlement support
Each Joint Lead Manager has agreed to provide settlement
support for the number of Notes Allocated to Syndicate
Brokers under the Bookbuild. Under the OMA, as part of
that settlement support, each Joint Lead Manager will pay
to Westpac, or procure payment to Westpac of, its JLM
Broker Firm Amount under the Bookbuild by the settlement
date (17 December 2018). Each Joint Lead Manager is only
responsible for ensuring that payment is made for Notes
Allocated to them or at their direction. Westpac Institutional
Bank need only pay, or procure payment, to Westpac
of the proportion of its JLM Broker Firm Amount, Other
Broker Firm Amount, Institutional Amount and Co-Manager
Amount that it actually receives from third party investors.
7.6.2 Fees
Under the OMA, Westpac will pay:
• each Joint Lead Manager, a selling fee of 0.75% of that
Joint Lead Manager’s JLM Broker Firm Amount;
• each Joint Lead Manager whose bid into the Bookbuild
equals or exceeds a minimum threshold, a bookrunning
fee of 0.50% of that Joint Lead Manager’s JLM Broker
Firm Amount;
• to Westpac Institutional Bank, a bookrunning fee of
0.50% of the Co-Manager Amount; and
• to Westpac Institutional Bank, a selling fee of 0.25% of
the Institutional Amount.
Westpac Institutional Bank agrees to pay, on behalf
of Westpac, a selling fee of 0.75% of the Co-Manager
Amount to any Co-Managers, subject to receipt of this
fee from Westpac. Westpac Institutional Bank also agrees
to pay, on behalf of Westpac, a selling fee of 0.75% of the
Other Broker Firm Amount to Third Party Brokers and
certain other participating brokers, subject to Westpac
Institutional Bank receiving the selling fee of 0.75% of its
JLM Broker Firm Amount described above.
Westpac may pay to Westpac Institutional Bank, and
Westpac Institutional Bank agrees to pay on Westpac’s
behalf to certain investors, a commitment fee of up
to 0.75% of the Application Payment made by those
investors. This is subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions, including a minimum bid under the Bookbuild
and a minimum holding period in respect of the Notes
Allocated to those investors.
The Joint Lead Managers may pay fees on behalf of
Westpac to Australian financial services licensees and their
authorised representatives (“External Third Parties”) in
respect of Notes Allocated to them for allocation to their
clients. Under the OMA, the amount of the fee payable to
an External Third Party must not exceed 0.75% (or 1.25%
if the External Third Party is an affiliate of the Joint Lead
Manager or an External Third Party approved by Westpac)
of the amount which is equal to the number of Notes
which are Allocated to that External Third Party multiplied
by the Initial Face Value. External Third Parties may in turn
rebate fees (which may not exceed 0.75% of the amount
which is equal to the number of Notes which are Allocated
to that External Third Party multiplied by the Initial Face
Value) to other External Third Parties for procuring
Applications for any Notes by their clients, among other
things.
7.6.3 Termination
Any/each Joint Lead Manager may terminate its
obligations under the OMA on the occurrence of a
number of customary termination events, including
(among others):
• a downgrade of certain credit ratings assigned to
Westpac;
• ASIC issues a stop order in relation to the Offer;
• a supplementary prospectus is required under
section 719 of the Corporations Act;
• ASX refuses to quote the Notes on ASX;
• any person (other than a Joint Lead Manager or
Co-Manager) withdraws their consent to be named in
this Prospectus;
• certain breaches of the OMA;
• Westpac withdraws this Prospectus or the Offer;
• trading of certain ASX listed Capital Securities is
suspended for a certain period of time, or certain ASX
listed Capital Securities cease to be quoted on ASX;
• unauthorised alterations to the Notes Deed Poll or
Westpac’s Constitution; and
• an adverse change in the financial position or prospects
of the Westpac Group.
Certain termination events will only give rise to a right
to terminate if the Joint Lead Manager has reasonable
and bona fide grounds to believe and does believe that
the event has or is likely to have a material adverse
effect on the Offer. If termination occurs, the Joint Lead
Manager who terminates (or each Joint Lead Manager
that terminates) will no longer be a lead manager or
bookrunner and will not be obliged to conduct the
Bookbuild or provide settlement support for the Bookbuild.
Under the OMA, if one Joint Lead Manager terminates, each
other Joint Lead Manager must give notice in writing to
Westpac and each of the terminating Joint Lead Managers
stating whether it will also terminate or whether it will assume
the obligations of the terminating Joint Lead Manager(s).
7.7 Consents
Each Westpac Director has given, and not withdrawn, their
consent to the lodgement of this Prospectus with ASIC.
Each of the parties (referred to as “Consenting Parties”),
who are named below:
• has not made any statement in this Prospectus
or any statement on which a statement made in
this Prospectus is based other than as specified in
the fourth bullet point below;
• to the maximum extent permitted by law, expressly
disclaims and takes no responsibility for any statements
or omissions from this Prospectus, other than the
reference to its name and/or statement or report
included in this Prospectus with the consent of that
Consenting Party;
• has given and has not, before the lodgement of this
Prospectus with ASIC, withdrawn its written consent to
be named in this Prospectus in the form and context in
which it is named; and
• in the case of Allens, has given and has not, before the
lodgement of this Prospectus with ASIC withdrawn its
written consent to the inclusion of Section 6 in the form
and context in which it appears in this Prospectus.
81
RoleConsenting Parties
ArrangerWestpac Institutional Bank
Joint Lead
Managers
Westpac Institutional Bank
ANZ Securities Limited
Commonwealth Bank of
Australia
J.P. Morgan Securities
Australia Limited
Morgans Financial Limited
National Australia Bank
Limited
UBS AG, Australia Branch
Co-ManagersBell Potter Securities Limited
Credit Suisse (Australia)
Limited
Crestone Wealth Management
Limited
Evans Dixon
JBWere Limited
Ord Minnett Limited
Shaw and Partners Limited
Australian legal and
tax adviser to the
Offer, including the
Reinvestment Offer
Allens
AuditorPricewaterhouseCoopers
Accounting adviserPricewaterhouseCoopers
Securities Limited
RegistrarLink Market Services Limited
7.8 Interests of advisers
Westpac Institutional Bank has acted as arranger and a
Joint Lead Manager, in respect of which it will receive the
fees set out in Section 7.6.2. The remaining Joint Lead
Managers and Co-Managers will receive fees, as also set
out in Section 7.6.2.
The Joint Lead Managers are full service securities firms
and they, along with their respective affiliates, are engaged
in various activities, including securities trading, investment
management, financing and brokerage activities and
financial planning and benefits counselling for both
companies and individuals. In the ordinary course of these
activities, the Joint Lead Managers and their respective
affiliates may trade or provide advice in relation to the
securities of Westpac and its related bodies corporate, and
may receive customary fees or commissions for so doing.
Allens has acted as Australian legal and tax adviser
to Westpac in relation to the Offer, including the
Reinvestment Offer, and has performed work in relation to
preparing the due diligence and verification program and
performed due diligence required on legal and taxation
matters. In respect of this work, Westpac estimates that
it will pay to Allens approximately $400,000 (excluding
disbursements and GST). Further amounts in relation to
the Offer, including the Reinvestment Offer, may be paid to
Allens under its normal time-based charges.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Securities Limited has acted as
accounting adviser to Westpac. Westpac estimates that
it will pay to PricewaterhouseCoopers Securities Limited
approximately $80,000 (excluding disbursements and
GST). Further amounts in relation to the Offer may be paid
to PricewaterhouseCoopers Securities Limited under its
normal time-based charges.
Other than as set out in this Prospectus:
• no person named in this Prospectus as performing a
function in a professional, advisory or other capacity in
connection with the preparation or distribution of this
Prospectus; and
• no promoter or underwriter of the offer of the Notes or
financial services licensee named in this Prospectus as a
financial services licensee involved in the Offer,
holds at the date of this Prospectus, or has held in the two
years before that date, an interest in:
• the formation or promotion of Westpac;
• the Offer; or
• any property acquired or proposed to be acquired by
Westpac in connection with its formation or promotion
or with the Offer.
Other than as set out in this Prospectus, no such person
has been paid or agreed to be paid any amount, nor has
any benefit been given or agreed to be given to any such
persons for services provided by them, in connection with
the formation or promotion of Westpac or with the Offer.
7.9 Interests of Westpac Directors
The Westpac Directors and their associates may acquire
Notes offered under this Prospectus subject to the
ASX Listing Rules, including any waivers described in
Section 7.11. Details of the Westpac Directors’ holdings
of Ordinary Shares and other securities of Westpac
are disclosed to, and available from, the ASX at
www.asx.com.au. Details of the remuneration paid to
Westpac Directors by Westpac for financial year 2018 are
set out in the Remuneration Report in Westpac’s 2018
Annual Report. Westpac’s 2018 Annual Report can be
accessed as described in Section 7.2.2.
Peter Hawkins is a director of Crestone Holdings Limited,
the ultimate parent company of Crestone Wealth
Management Limited, a Co-Manager to the Offer.
Other than as set out above, no Westpac Director or
proposed Westpac Director holds, at the date of this
Prospectus, or has held in the two years before that date,
an interest in:
• the formation or promotion of Westpac;
• the Offer; or
• any property acquired or proposed to be acquired by
Westpac in connection with its formation or promotion
or with the Offer.
Other than as set out above and in the Remuneration
Report in the 2018 Annual Report, no Westpac Director
or proposed Westpac Director has been paid or agreed
to be paid any amount (whether in cash or in shares or
otherwise), nor has any benefit been given or agreed to
be given to any Westpac Director or proposed Westpac
82
Westpac Capital Notes 6
7
Section 7 Other information
Director to induce them to become or qualify them as
a Westpac Director, or for services provided by them in
connection with the formation or promotion of Westpac or
with the Offer.
7.10 Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities exist in respect of actual and
potential claims and proceedings. An assessment of
Westpac’s likely loss has been made on a case-by-case
basis for the purposes of Westpac’s financial statements
for the year ended 30 September 2018 and specific
provisions have been made where appropriate. Refer to
Note 31 of Westpac’s financial statements for the year
ended 30 September 2018, which is incorporated into
this Prospectus for further details. That note describes
(among other things, including current litigation) the
following contingent liabilities:
• The Westpac Group has recently self-reported to
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
(“AUSTRAC”) a failure to report a large number of
International Funds Transfer Instructions (“IFTIs”)
(as required under Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering
and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act
2017 (Cth)) in relation to one Westpac Institutional
Bank product. These IFTIs relate to batch instructions
received from 2009 until recently from a small
number of correspondent banks for payments
made predominantly to beneficiaries in Australia in
Australian dollars. Through the product, Westpac
facilitates payments on behalf of clients of certain of
its correspondent banks. The majority of the payments
are low value and made by Government pension funds
and corporates. The Westpac Group is investigating
and working with AUSTRAC to remediate the failure
to report IFTIs. No provision has been raised for this
matter including in relation to any potential regulatory
action.
• Westpac is currently undertaking a review in relation
to ongoing advice services provided from 2008 by
approximately 1,660 planners operating in aligned
dealer groups who were at the time authorised
representatives of the Westpac Group’s wholly owned
subsidiaries Securitor Financial Group (“Securitor”) and
Magnitude Group Pty Ltd (“Magnitude”). Securitor and
Magnitude, as the AFSL licensees, retained a portion
of the ongoing advice fees paid to those dealer groups
by clients since 2008. Westpac is in the early stages of
engaging each authorised representative to determine
the agreements in place between those representatives
and their clients, and the services provided. Given
the early stage of the review, the time period under
consideration and availability of records in relation
to the relevant period, it is not practicable to provide
an estimate of any potential remediation costs for
circumstances where a client has paid ongoing service
fees but those services have not been provided. No
provision has been recognised in relation to this matter.
Westpac’s financial statements for the year ended
30 September 2018 can be obtained free of charge as
described in Section 7.2.2.
7.11 ASX waivers and approvals
Westpac has received the following ASX waivers or
confirmations in relation to the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Terms and the Offer:
• ASX Listing Rule 10.11 has been waived to the extent
necessary to permit the Westpac Directors and their
associates to participate in the Offer and be issued
Notes without shareholder approval on the following
conditions:
–the number of Notes which may be issued to
Westpac Directors and their associates collectively
is no more than 0.2% of the total number of Notes
issued under the Offer, and the participation of the
Westpac Directors and their associates in the Offer
is on the same terms and conditions as applicable to
other subscribers for Notes;
–Westpac releases the terms of the waiver to the
market when the Offer is announced; and
–when the Notes are issued, Westpac announces
to the market the total number of Notes issued
to the Westpac Directors and their associates in
aggregate;
• the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms are appropriate and
equitable for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 6.1;
• ASX Listing Rule 6.12 does not apply to the terms of
issue of the Notes which provide for their Conversion,
write-off, Redemption or Transfer;
• for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1, it is acceptable
that the maximum number of Ordinary Shares into
which the Notes can be Converted in accordance with
ASX Listing Rule 7.1B.1 will be calculated based on the
Issue Date VWAP; and
• a confirmation that the timetable for the Offer is
acceptable.
ASX has also agreed to allow Notes to trade on a deferred
settlement basis for a short time following the issue of the
Notes (subject to certain conditions).
Westpac has also received the following ASX confirmations
in relation to Westpac Capital Notes and the Reinvestment
Offer:
• that the amendments to the Westpac Capital Notes
Terms as described in Section 3.6.1 are appropriate and
equitable for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 6.1;
• that the Pro-Rata Westpac Capital Notes Distribution
and the intended Final Westpac Capital Notes
Distribution are permitted under ASX Listing Rule 6.10;
and
• that the timetable for the Reinvestment Offer is
acceptable.
7.12 ASIC relief
ASIC relief has been obtained to enable Westpac to issue
a “transaction-specific” prospectus which complies with
section 713 of the Corporations Act (as modified by ASIC
Corporations (Regulatory Capital Securities) Instrument
2016/71) in relation to the Offer.
83
7.13 Potential future design and
distribution obligations
In September 2018, the Australian Government introduced
the Treasury Laws Amendment (Design and Distribution
Obligations and Product Intervention Powers) Bill 2018 into
Parliament. The Bill will, if enacted, introduce new design
and distribution obligations on issuers and distributors
of certain financial products offered to retail investors,
including hybrid securities.
The Bill provides for the relevant design and distribution
obligations to come into force two years after the date
of Royal Assent. As Royal Assent has not yet occurred,
those obligations do not apply to the Offer. The design
and distribution obligations in the Bill are also limited to an
initial offering of securities, which means that even if the
obligations become effective while the Notes are on issue,
they will not apply to secondary market trading of the
Notes.
7.14 Foreign selling restrictions
7.14.1 Other foreign jurisdictions
The distribution of this Prospectus (including an electronic
copy) in jurisdictions outside Australia may be restricted
by law. If you come into possession of this Prospectus
in jurisdictions outside Australia, then you should seek
advice on, and observe, any such restrictions. If you fail to
comply with such restrictions, that failure may constitute
a violation of applicable securities laws. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer in any jurisdiction in which,
or to any person to whom, it would not be lawful to make
such an offer. No action has been taken to register or
qualify Notes or the Offer or to otherwise permit a public
offering of Notes in any jurisdiction outside Australia.
7.14.2 United States
The Notes have not been and will not be registered under
the US Securities Act or the securities laws of any state
or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be
offered, sold, delivered or transferred in the United States
or to, or for the account or benefit of, any US Person.
Neither this Prospectus nor any Application Form or other
materials relating to the Offer may be distributed in the
United States.
Each of the Joint Lead Managers has agreed that it will not
offer, sell, deliver or transfer the Notes within the United
States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US Persons
(i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise
until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the
Offer and the Issue Date (the “Distribution Compliance
Period”), and it will have sent to each dealer, distributor or
other relevant parties to which Notes are Allocated during
the Distribution Compliance Period a confirmation or
other notice setting forth the restrictions on offers, sales,
deliveries and transfers of the Notes within the United
States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US Persons.
In addition, until 40 days after the commencement of the
Offer, an offer or sale of Notes within the United States by
any dealer that is not participating in the Offer may violate
the registration requirements of the US Securities Act.
Each of the Joint Lead Managers has agreed that
(i) neither it, its affiliates nor any persons acting on its or
their behalf have engaged or will engage in any directed
selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the
US Securities Act with respect to the Notes, and it and
they have complied with and will comply with the offering
restrictions requirement of Regulation S under the US
Securities Act and (ii) it has not entered and will not enter
into any contractual arrangement with any person with
respect to the distribution of the Notes, unless such person
has agreed in writing that all offers and sales of the Notes
prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance
Period shall be made only in accordance with the OMA and
Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
7.14.3 New Zealand
This Prospectus has not been and will not be registered in
New Zealand, and no advertisement or offering material
relating to the Notes may be distributed in New Zealand.
Notes may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in
New Zealand, other than to a “wholesale investor” as that
term is defined in clause 3(2) of Schedule 1 to the Financial
Markets Conduct Act 2013 of New Zealand (“FCMA”),
being:
• a person who is:
–an “investment business”;
–“large”; or
–a “government agency”,
in each case as defined in Schedule 1 to the FMCA; or
• a person who meets the “investment activity criteria”
specified in clause 38 of Schedule 1 to the FMCA.
7.15 Acknowledgment and privacy
statement
By completing and submitting an Application Form or
making an online Application you acknowledge that you
have read this Prospectus.
Westpac is required to collect certain information about
Holders under company and tax law. Applicants will
be asked to provide personal information to Westpac
(directly or via its agents, including the Registrar). You
acknowledge that the personal information submitted as
part of the Application Form or other forms and otherwise
provided to Westpac (directly or via its agents, including
the Registrar) will be collected, used and disclosed by
Westpac (and its agents, including the Registrar) in order
to process your Application, service your needs as a Holder
(and following Conversion, if applicable, your holding of
Ordinary Shares), provide facilities and services that you
request, carry out appropriate administration, send you
information about the products and services of members
of the Westpac Group, including future offers of securities
and as otherwise required or authorised by law (including,
without limitation, any law relating to taxation, money
laundering or counter-terrorism).
Such disclosure may include disclosure to third parties
including other members of the Westpac Group and to
Westpac’s agents, service providers, auditors and advisers.
Such disclosure may also include disclosure to domestic
and overseas regulators or other government agencies
(including ASIC and the ATO), stock exchanges, and the
public by way of public registers maintained by regulators
or other bodies. Some of these recipients may be located
outside Australia where your personal information may
not receive the same level of protection as afforded under
Australian law. You acknowledge that if you do not provide
the personal information required by the Application
Form or other forms, it might not be possible to process
your Application, administer your securityholding and/or
send you information about the products and services of
members of the Westpac Group, including future offers of
securities.
84
Westpac Capital Notes 6
7
Section 7 Other information
If you do not wish to receive information about the
products and services of members of the Westpac Group,
including future offers of securities, please contact the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to
Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497
(within Australia) and +61 1300 653 497 (from outside
Australia) and request that Westpac does not send you
marketing material.
Westpac’s privacy policy is available on Westpac’s website
at www.westpac.com.au/privacy and contains information
about how you may access and seek correction of the
personal information that Westpac holds about you, how
you may complain about a breach of the Privacy Act 1988
(Cth) by Westpac and how Westpac will deal with such a
complaint.
7.16 Governing law
This Prospectus and the contracts that arise from the
acceptance of Applications are governed by the laws
applicable in New South Wales, Australia and each
Applicant submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
of New South Wales, Australia.
85
Section 8
Applying for Westpac
Capital Notes 6
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
This Section sets out:
8.1 The Offer
8.2 Applying for Westpac Capital Notes 6
8.3 Allocation and Allotment
8.4 ASX quotation, trading and Holding Statements
8.5 Holding information
8.6 Enquiries
86
8
Section 8 Applying for Westpac Capital Notes 6
8.2 Applying for Westpac Capital Notes 6
8.2.1 Reinvestment Offer
Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders may access the electronic version of the Prospectus and Reinvestment
Application Form online through www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6 after the Offer opens on 20 November
2018.
Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders can now also register to receive a printed Prospectus and personalised
Reinvestment Application Form by mail during the Offer Period. Register online at www.westpac.com.au/
westpaccapnotes6 or by calling the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to
5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497 (within Australia) and +61 1300 653 497 (from outside Australia).
Who may apply• Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders, being registered holders of Westpac Capital
Notes at 7.00pm Sydney time on 5 November 2018 and shown on the Register to have an
address in Australia.
When to apply• Applications and Application Payments (if applying for additional Westpac Capital
Notes 6), must be received by the Registrar by the Closing Date, expected to be 5.00pm
(Sydney time) on 11 December 2018.
• Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders who are clients of a Syndicate Broker should
seek instructions from their Syndicate Broker or controlling participant as to how to
participate in the Reinvestment Offer.
How to apply online• Complete the online Reinvestment Application Form through www.westpac.com.au/
westpaccapnotes6 after the Offer opens. You will need your SRN or HIN.
• The transfer proceeds of your Participating Westpac Capital Notes will be automatically
reinvested in Westpac Capital Notes 6. Application Payments are only required if you
apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6.
• If you are applying for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6, you must make your Application
Payment for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 by BPAY® and your BPAY® payment must
be received by the Registrar by the Closing Date, expected to be 5.00pm (Sydney time)
on 11 December 2018. You should check your daily transaction limit with your bank, credit
union or building society to ensure your Application Payment can be made using BPAY®.
How to obtain a
printed Prospectus
and personalised
Reinvestment
Application Form
• You may now request that a printed Prospectus and personalised Reinvestment
Application Form be mailed to you during the Offer Period by:
–calling the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to
5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497 (local call cost within Australia); or
–registering your request online through www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6.
• You may also download and print a Prospectus and personalised Reinvestment Application
Form through www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6, shortly after the Offer opens.
8.1 The Offer
The Offer is for the issue of Notes at the Issue Price of $100
each to raise approximately $750 million, with the ability to
raise more or less.
The Offer consists of:
• a Reinvestment Offer – to Eligible Westpac Capital
Notes Holders;
• a Securityholder Offer – to Eligible Securityholders;
• a Broker Firm Offer – to Australian resident clients of
the Syndicate Brokers; and
• an Institutional Offer – to Institutional Investors invited
by Westpac Institutional Bank to bid for any Notes in
the Bookbuild.
Westpac will give priority to Applications received
under the Reinvestment Offer (including Applications
made through Syndicate Brokers) when Allocating the
Westpac Capital Notes 6. This priority will not extend to
Applications for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 by
Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders.
There is no general public offer of the Notes. However,
Westpac reserves the right to accept Applications from
other persons at its discretion.
Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers may, in their
absolute discretion, close the Offer early or extend the
Offer Period without notice. Westpac may also withdraw
the Offer at any time before Notes are issued. Accordingly,
if you wish to apply for any Notes, you are encouraged to
do so as soon as possible after the Opening Date.
No action has been taken to register or qualify Notes
or otherwise permit a public offer of the Notes in any
jurisdiction outside Australia. See Section 7.14 which details
selling restrictions applicable to the Offer.
Applications must be for a minimum of 50 Notes ($5,000).
If your Application is for more than 50 Notes, then you
must apply in multiples of 10 Notes ($1,000) thereafter. For
further details about how this applies to the Reinvestment
Offer, please see Section 8.2.1. Please also see Section 3 for
further details about the Reinvestment Offer.
Note:
® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518.
87
How to apply using a
printed, personalised
Reinvestment
Application Form
• Complete and return your personalised Reinvestment Application Form to the Registrar
by the Closing Date, expected to be 5.00pm (Sydney time) on 11 December 2018 (see
Section 8.2.5 for further details). You may use the priority post reply-paid envelope that
accompanied your personalised Reinvestment Application Form and Prospectus.
• The transfer proceeds of your Participating Westpac Capital Notes will be automatically
reinvested in Westpac Capital Notes 6. Application Payments are only required if you
apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6.
• If you are applying for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6, you must make your
Application Payment by cheque, in Australian dollars, drawn on an Australian branch of
a financial institution and made payable to “Westpac Capital Notes 6 Offer”. Cheque(s)
should be crossed “not negotiable”. Cash payments will not be accepted. If you wish to
make your Application Payment for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 by BPAY®, you
need to apply online.
• If your Reinvestment Application Form is not accompanied by an Application Payment
for the additional Westpac Capital Notes 6, you will not be taken to have applied for
additional Westpac Capital Notes 6.
• You should allow sufficient time for your personalised Reinvestment Application Form
and Application Payment (if applying for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6) to arrive
prior to the Closing Date. If you have any doubts that your Application will arrive in time,
please consider applying online.
Minimum Application
amount
• There is no minimum number of Westpac Capital Notes that you must hold to be able to
participate in the Reinvestment Offer.
• You may apply to reinvest some or all of your Westpac Capital Notes in Westpac Capital
Notes 6, except that, if you wish to participate in the Reinvestment Offer and:
–you own 50 Westpac Capital Notes or fewer, you must apply to reinvest all of your
Westpac Capital Notes; or
–you own more than 50 Westpac Capital Notes, you must apply to reinvest a minimum
of 50 Westpac Capital Notes ($5,000).
• If you apply to reinvest all of your Westpac Capital Notes, you may also apply for
additional Westpac Capital Notes 6. Your application for additional Westpac Capital
Notes 6 must be for a minimum of 50 additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 ($5,000),
and thereafter in multiples of 10 Westpac Capital Notes 6 ($1,000) (over and above
your Application for reinvestment).
If you apply to participate in the Reinvestment Offer, you are taken to agree to a holding lock being placed on those
Westpac Capital Notes elected for reinvestment, pending completion of the Reinvestment Offer. If on the Closing Date
you hold less Westpac Capital Notes than you elected to reinvest, your reinvestment Application will be for the number
of Westpac Capital Notes registered in your name on the Closing Date.
8.2.2 Securityholder Offer
Eligible Securityholders may access the electronic version of the Prospectus and Securityholder Application Form
online through www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6 after the Offer opens on 20 November 2018.
Eligible Securityholders can now register to receive a printed Prospectus and personalised Securityholder
Application Form by mail during the Offer Period. Register online at www.westpac.com.au/westpaccapnotes6 or by
calling the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300
653 497 (within Australia) and +61 1300 653 497 (from outside Australia).
Who may apply• Eligible Securityholders, being registered holders of Ordinary Shares, Westpac Capital Notes
2, Westpac Capital Notes 3, Westpac Capital Notes 4 and/or Westpac Capital Notes 5 at
7.00pm Sydney time on 5 November 2018 and shown on the Register to have an address in
Australia.
When to apply• Applications and Application Payments must be received by the Registrar by the Closing
Date, expected to be 5.00pm (Sydney time) on 11 December 2018.
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Westpac Capital Notes 6
8
Section 8 Applying for Westpac Capital Notes 6
How to apply online• Complete the Securityholder Application Form online at www.westpac.com.au/
westpaccapnotes6 after the Offer opens. You will need your SRN or HIN.
• You must make your Application Payment by BPAY® and your BPAY® payment must be
received by the Registrar by the Closing Date, expected to be 5.00pm (Sydney time) on
11 December 2018. You should check your daily transaction limit with your bank, credit
union or building society to ensure your Application Payment can be made using BPAY®.
How to apply using
a personalised
Securityholder
Application Form
• Complete and return your personalised Securityholder Application Form and Application
Payment to the Registrar by the Closing Date, expected to be 5.00pm (Sydney time) on
11 December 2018 (see Section 8.2.4 for further details). You may use the priority post
reply-paid envelope that accompanied your personalised Securityholder Application
Form and Prospectus.
• Application Payments accompanying your personalised Securityholder Application Form
can only be made by cheque(s), in Australian dollars, drawn on an Australian branch of
a financial institution and made payable to “Westpac Capital Notes 6 Offer”. Cheque(s)
should be crossed “not negotiable”. Cash payments will not be accepted. If you wish to
make your Application Payment by BPAY®, you need to apply online.
• You should allow sufficient time for your personalised Securityholder Application Form
and Application Payment to arrive prior to the Closing Date. If you have any doubts that
your Application will arrive in time, please consider applying online.
Minimum Application
amount
• Applications must be for a minimum of 50 Notes ($5,000).
• If your Application is for more than 50 Notes, you must apply in multiples of 10 Notes
($1,000) thereafter.
8.2.3 Broker Firm Offer
Who may apply• Australian resident clients of the Syndicate Brokers, including clients who are also Eligible
Westpac Capital Notes Holders and are applying under the Reinvestment Offer.
When to apply• Completed Broker Firm Application Forms and, where applicable, Application Payments
must be received by your Syndicate Broker in sufficient time for them to process your
Application on your behalf by the Closing Date, expected to be 5.00pm (Sydney time) on
11 December 2018.
• You must contact your Syndicate Broker directly for instructions on how to participate in
the Broker Firm Offer.
How to apply• Contact your Syndicate Broker for instructions on how to apply generally.
Minimum Application
amount
• Applications must be for a minimum of 50 Notes ($5,000).
• If your Application is for more than 50 Notes, you must apply in multiples of 10 Notes
($1,000) thereafter.
• If you are an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder who is also a client of a Syndicate
Broker, the minimum Application amount requirements applicable to the Reinvestment
Offer apply (see Section 8.2.1).
89
8.2.4 Where to send your completed
Application Form and Application
Payment (if you don’t apply online
or through your Syndicate Broker)
Unless you are a Broker Firm Applicant or you are applying
online, your completed Reinvestment Application Form
or Securityholder Application Form together with your
Application Payment (if applicable) should be returned to
either of the addresses below so that they are received by
the Registrar before the Closing Date (which is expected to
be 5.00pm (Sydney time) on 11 December 2018):
Mail
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Offer
Link Market Services Limited
Reply Paid 3560
Sydney NSW 2001
OR
Hand delivery
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Offer
Link Market Services Limited
1A Homebush Bay Drive
Rhodes NSW 2138
Reinvestment Application Forms or Securityholder
Application Forms and Application Payments
(if applicable) will not be accepted at any other address
(including Westpac’s registered office or any other
Westpac office or branch).
8.2.5 Brokerage, stamp duty and other
ongoing fees and costs
No brokerage or stamp duty is payable to Westpac on your
Application. You may have to pay brokerage on any later
sale of your Notes on ASX after Notes have been quoted
on ASX.
You will not be required to pay any ongoing fees or
other costs following the issue of the Notes. The costs of
carrying out the Offer and maintaining an ASX listing for
the Notes will be paid by Westpac.
8.2.6 Refunds and interest
All Application Payments received by the Registrar
or through BPAY® before the Notes are issued will
be held by Westpac in a non-interest bearing bank
account established solely for the purpose of depositing
Application Payments received.
If you are not Allocated any Notes or you are Allocated
fewer Notes than the number that you applied for as
a result of a scaleback, all or some of your Application
Payment (as applicable) will be returned to you (without
interest) as soon as possible after the Issue Date.
If you are an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder and
you have applied for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6
under the Reinvestment Offer and your Application for
additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 is scaled back, you
will have the applicable part of your Application Payment
refunded to you (without interest) as soon as possible after
the Issue Date.
If the Offer does not proceed for any reason, Applicants
(including Applicants for additional Westpac Capital Notes
6 under the Reinvestment Offer) will have their Application
Payments refunded to them (without interest).
Please refer to Section 3.6.4 for further information about
what happens if you have elected to apply to reinvest
some or all of your Westpac Capital Notes under the
Reinvestment Offer and the Offer does not proceed.
8.3 Allocation and Allotment
8.3.1 Allocation, scaleback and priority
The Allocation policy for any Westpac Capital Notes 6
applied for under the Reinvestment Offer, including any
additional Westpac Capital Notes 6, and any Application
under the Securityholder Offer will be determined
by Westpac at the close of the Offer. Westpac may
consult with the Joint Lead Managers in determining
such Allocation policy. This Allocation policy and any
scaleback will be announced on ASX on or before the
day the Westpac Capital Notes 6 commence trading
on a deferred settlement basis, which is expected to
be 19 December 2018.
There is no guaranteed Allocation under the Offer, but
Westpac will give priority to Applications received under
the Reinvestment Offer, including Applications from Eligible
Westpac Capital Notes Holders received through Syndicate
Brokers under the Broker Firm Offer. This priority will not
extend to Applications for additional Westpac Capital
Notes 6 by Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders.
Westpac reserves the right not to accept Applications from
any Applicant and Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers
reserve the right to Allocate any Eligible Westpac Capital
Notes Holder or Eligible Securityholder a lesser number
of Westpac Capital Notes 6 than applied for, including
less than the minimum Application of 50 Westpac Capital
Notes 6 ($5,000). Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers
also reserve the right to scale back Applications and to
treat Applications in excess of $250,000 as part of the
Institutional Offer.
If you are an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder and
you apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6, your
Application for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6 may be
scaled back if there is excess demand for the Offer.
The Allocation policy for Joint Lead Managers,
Co-Managers and Institutional Investors will be determined
under the Bookbuild – see Section 7.6. Westpac has the
right to nominate the persons to whom Notes were or
will be Allocated, including in respect of firm Allocations
to Syndicate Brokers and Institutional Investors under the
Bookbuild.
Allocations to Broker Firm Applicants by a Syndicate
Broker are at the discretion of that Syndicate Broker.
Westpac also reserves the right not to issue any Notes.
In this instance no Applicants will receive an Allocation.
8.3.2 Allotment
Westpac intends to issue and Allot approximately
7,500,000 Notes at an Issue Price of $100 each, to raise
approximately $750 million with the ability to raise more
or less.
Westpac will not Allot any Notes until it has been
granted approval for the Notes to be quoted on ASX
and all proceeds from accepted Applications have been
received by Westpac. Subject to approval for quotation
being granted, Westpac intends to Allot the Notes on
18 December 2018. Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers
may, in their absolute discretion, close the Offer early or
90
Westpac Capital Notes 6
8
Section 8 Applying for Westpac Capital Notes 6
extend the Offer Period without notice. Westpac may also
withdraw the Offer at any time before Notes are issued.
8.4 ASX quotation, trading and
Holding Statements
8.4.1 ASX quotation
Westpac will apply for the Notes to be quoted on ASX.
Quotation is not guaranteed. If ASX does not grant
permission for the Notes to be quoted, then the Notes will
not be issued and Application Payments will be refunded
(without interest) to Applicants as soon as possible.
It is expected that the Notes will be quoted under ASX
code WBCPI.
8.4.2 Trading
It is expected that the Notes will begin trading on ASX on
a deferred settlement basis on 19 December 2018. Trading
of the Notes on a deferred settlement basis is expected
to continue until the dispatch of Holding Statements
is completed, which is expected to occur on or by
21 December 2018. It is expected that trading of the Notes
will begin on a normal settlement basis on 24 December
2018.
You are responsible for confirming your Allocation before
trading Notes to avoid the risk of selling Notes you do not
own. If you sell your Notes before you receive confirmation
of your Allocation, you do so at your own risk. To assist
you in determining your Allocation prior to receipt of your
Holding Statement, Westpac will announce the basis of
Allocation by placing advertisements in two major national
newspapers in Australia on or before 19 December 2018.
If you are a Broker Firm Applicant (including an Eligible
Westpac Capital Notes Holder reinvesting in Westpac
Capital Notes 6 through a Syndicate Broker) you
should contact your Syndicate Broker to find out your
Allocation prior to receiving your Holding Statement. If
you have applied under the Reinvestment Offer or the
Securityholder Offer, you should call the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Information Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to
5.30pm, Sydney time) on 1300 653 497 (within Australia)
and +61 1300 653 497 (from outside Australia).
8.4.3 Holding Statements
Westpac expects Holding Statements will be dispatched to
successful Applicants on or by 21 December 2018. Westpac
will apply for the Notes to participate in CHESS. Westpac
does not intend to quote the Notes on any securities
exchange apart from ASX. No certificates will be issued for
the Notes.
8.5 Holding information
Applicants issued with Notes under the Offer will be sent a
new investor pack shortly after the Issue Date. In addition
to a Holding Statement, this pack will contain important
information relating to your holding of Westpac Capital
Notes 6.
8.5.1 Provision of bank account details
for Distributions and other
payments
Westpac will direct credit payment of Distributions,
repayment of Face Value and other amounts relating to
the Notes into an Australian dollar account of a financial
institution nominated by you. Westpac will not pay
Distributions on the Notes or other payments by cheque.
As part of the new investor pack for the Notes, you will
have the opportunity to provide or update your bank
account details. Please provide these account details to the
Registrar as soon as possible.
If your Notes are issued under an existing holding number
with Westpac, your current elections, including bank
account details, will apply to the Notes unless you advise
the Registrar otherwise.
If the payment of any money to your account does not
complete for any reason, Westpac will send a notice to the
postal address or email address most recently notified by
you advising of the uncompleted payment. In that case,
the amount of the uncompleted payment will be held as a
deposit in a non-interest bearing account until one of the
following occurs:
• you nominate a suitable Australian dollar account
maintained in Australia with a financial institution to
which the payment may be credited; or
• Westpac is entitled or obliged to deal with the amount
in accordance with the law relating to unclaimed
moneys.
No interest is payable in respect of any delay in payment.
8.5.2 Provision of Tax File Number or
Australian Business Number
The Registrar will invite Holders to quote or update their
TFN, ABN or both. A Holder may, but is not required to,
quote their TFN or ABN. If a Holder does not quote a
TFN (or in certain circumstances an ABN) or proof of
exemption, Westpac will be required to withhold Australian
taxation at the maximum marginal tax rate including the
Medicare Levy (currently 47% of the unfranked amount)
from any Distribution payable on Notes which is not fully
franked and remit the amount withheld to the ATO. You
should also read the information about Australian tax
consequences for Holders in Section 6.
If your Notes are issued under an existing holding number
with Westpac, your current elections, including TFN or
ABN details, will apply to the Notes unless you advise the
Registrar otherwise.
8.6 Enquiries
If you have any questions on how to apply for Notes, you
should contact the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Information
Line (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sydney time)
on 1300 653 497 (within Australia) and +61 1300 653 497
(from outside Australia).
If you are unclear in relation to any matter or are
uncertain if the Notes are a suitable investment for
you, you should consult your financial adviser or other
professional adviser.
If you are a Broker Firm Applicant and you are in any
doubt about what action you should take, you should
contact your Syndicate Broker.
91
Appendix A
Glossary
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
92
Appendix A
Appendix A Glossary
Defined terms in this glossary and in clause 16.2 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms are used throughout this
Prospectus and the attached, or accompanying, Application Forms.
ABNAustralian Business Number
Acquisition Eventoccurs when:
• a takeover bid is made and certain conditions are satisfied; or
• a court orders one or more meetings to be convened to approve a scheme of
arrangement and certain conditions are satisfied
An Acquisition Event does not occur upon the proposed replacement of Westpac as the
ultimate holding company of the Westpac Group if certain conditions are met
Acquisition Event
Conversion Date
has the meaning set out in clause 5.9(a)(iii) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Additional Tier 1 Capitalhas the meaning prescribed by APRA in the Prudential Standards
ADIan Authorised Deposit-taking Institution under the Banking Act
AFSLAustralian Financial Services Licence
Allocationthe number of Notes allocated under the Offer to:
• Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders and Eligible Securityholders at the end of the
Offer Period; and
• Syndicate Brokers and Institutional Investors under the Bookbuild
Allocate, Allocated and Allocating have the corresponding meanings
Allotmentthe issue of Notes to Applicants on the Issue Date under their Allocation
Allotted and Allot have the corresponding meanings
Applicanta person who submits an Application in accordance with this Prospectus
Application• a valid application made under this Prospectus to apply for a specified number of
Notes by using the Securityholder Application Form or Broker Firm Application Form;
and/or
• a valid application made under this Prospectus to reinvest the transfer proceeds
of a specified number of Westpac Capital Notes in Westpac Capital Notes 6 (and
application for any additional Westpac Capital Notes 6) by using the Reinvestment
Application Form
Application Form or
Application Forms
the application form (being the Reinvestment Application Form, the Securityholder
Application Form or the Broker Firm Application Form) attached to or accompanying
this Prospectus, or an online version of the application form, upon which an Application
may be made
Application Paymentthe monies payable on Application, calculated as the number of Notes applied for
multiplied by the Initial Face Value
Approved Successora holding company that replaces, or is proposed to replace, Westpac as the ultimate
holding company of the Westpac Group and that satisfies the requirements under
paragraphs (c) to (h) of the definition of “Acquisition Event” in clause 16.2 of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms
Approved Successor
Share
a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Approved Successor
APRAAustralian Prudential Regulation Authority
ASICAustralian Securities and Investments Commission
93
ASXASX Limited (ABN 98 008 624 691) or the financial market operated by ASX Limited, as
the context requires
ASX Listing Rules the listing rules of ASX with any modification or waivers which ASX may grant to
Westpac
ASX Operating Rulesthe market operating rules of ASX as amended, varied or waived by ASX from time to
time
ATOAustralian Taxation Office
Banking ActBanking Act 1959 (Cth)
BBSW Ratehas the meaning given in clause 3.1 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
BCBSBasel Committee on Banking Supervision
Bookbuildthe process conducted by the Joint Lead Managers as agents for Westpac to determine
the Margin and firm Allocations of the Notes to certain Syndicate Brokers and
Institutional Investors
Broker Firm Applicantan Australian resident client of a Syndicate Broker who applies for a broker firm
Allocation from a Syndicate Broker under the Broker Firm Offer
Broker Firm
Application Form
the Application Form attached to or accompanying this Prospectus upon which a Broker
Firm Applicant can make an Application
Broker Firm Offerthe invitation made to Australian resident clients of the Syndicate Brokers to apply for a
broker firm Allocation from the relevant Syndicate Broker under this Prospectus
Business Daya day which is:
(a) a business day as defined in the ASX Listing Rules; and
(b) for all purposes other than any calculation in respect of a Conversion, a date on which
banks are open for general business in Sydney
Buy Backa transaction involving the acquisition by Westpac of its Ordinary Shares pursuant to the
provisions of Part 2J of the Corporations Act
Capital Reductiona reduction in capital by Westpac of its Ordinary Shares in any way permitted by the
provisions of Part 2J of the Corporations Act
Capital SecuritiesOrdinary Shares or any equity, hybrid or subordinated debt capital security (whether
comprised of one or more instruments) issued by Westpac excluding the Notes
Capital Trigger Eventoccurs when:
• Westpac determines; or
• APRA notifies Westpac in writing that it believes,
that either or both the Westpac Level 1 Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio or Westpac
Level 2 Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio (each as defined in the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms) is equal to or less than 5.125%
Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date
has the meaning set out in clause 5.2(d)(iii) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
94
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix A
Appendix A Glossary
Change of Law• an amendment to, change in or announced prospective change (that has been or
will be introduced) in any laws or regulations under those laws affecting taxation in
Australia;
• a judicial decision interpreting, applying or clarifying laws or regulations affecting
taxation in Australia;
• an administrative pronouncement, ruling, confirmation, advice or action (including a
failure or refusal to provide a ruling) affecting taxation in Australia that represents an
official position, including a clarification of an official position of the governmental
authority or regulatory body making the administrative pronouncement or taking any
action; or
• a challenge in relation to (or in connection with) the tax treatment of the Notes
asserted or threatened in writing from a governmental authority or regulatory body in
Australia,
which amendment or change is announced or which action or clarification or challenge
occurs on or after the Issue Date and which Westpac did not expect as at the Issue Date
CHESSClearing House Electronic Subregister System operated by ASX Settlement Pty Limited
(ABN 49 008 504 532)
Chi-XChi-X Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 129 584 667)
Closing Datethe last day on which Applications for the Reinvestment Offer, Securityholder Offer and
Broker Firm Offer will be accepted, expected to be 5.00pm Sydney time on 11 December
2018
1
Co-ManagersBell Potter Securities Limited, Credit Suisse (Australia) Limited, Crestone Wealth
Management Limited, Evans Dixon, JBWere Limited, Ord Minnett Limited and Shaw and
Partners Limited and any other co-managers appointed to the Offer by Westpac
Co-Manager Amountthe Allocation to any Co-Managers multiplied by the Initial Face Value
Common Equity Tier 1
Capital or CET1
has the meaning prescribed by APRA in the Prudential Standards
Common Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio or CET1
Ratio
has the meaning prescribed by APRA in the Prudential Standards
Consenting Partyeach of the consenting parties named in Section 7.7
Conversionthe conversion of all, some or in the case of a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability
Trigger Event only, a proportion of the Face Value of each of the, Notes into Ordinary
Shares under the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Convert and Converted have the corresponding meaning
Conversion Datethe applicable:
• Scheduled Conversion Date;
• Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date;
• Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date;
• Acquisition Event Conversion Date; or
• Optional Conversion Date
Conversion Numberhas the meaning given in clause 9.1 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Corporations ActCorporations Act 2001 (Cth)
Distributioninterest on the Face Value of each Note as set out in clause 3.1 of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms
Note:
1. Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers may, in their absolute discretion, close the Offer early or extend the Offer Period without notice. Westpac may
also withdraw the Offer at any time before the Notes are issued.
95
Distribution Payment
Conditions
the conditions set out in clause 3.3 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms, being:
• Westpac’s absolute discretion;
• the payment of the Distribution not resulting in a breach of Westpac’s capital
requirements (on a Level 1 basis) or of the Westpac Group’s capital requirements (on
a Level 2 basis) under the Prudential Standards as they are applied to the Westpac
Group at the time of the payment;
• the payment of the Distribution not resulting in Westpac becoming, or being likely to
become, insolvent for the purposes of the Corporations Act; and
• APRA not otherwise objecting to the payment of the Distribution
Distribution Payment
Date
has the meaning given in clause 3.5 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Distribution Periodthe period from (but excluding) the Issue Date until (and including) the first Distribution
Payment Date or thereafter from (but excluding) each Distribution Payment Date until
(and including) the next Distribution Payment Date
Distribution Ratehas the meaning given in clause 3.1 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Dividendany interim, final or special dividends payable in accordance with the Corporations Act
and Westpac’s Constitution in relation to Ordinary Shares
D-SIBDomestic Systemically Important Bank
Eligible Securityholdera registered holder of Ordinary Shares, Westpac Capital Notes 2, Westpac Capital Notes
3, Westpac Capital Notes 4 and/or Westpac Capital Notes 5 at 7.00pm Sydney time on
5 November 2018 and shown on the Register to have an address in Australia
Eligible Westpac
Capital Notes Holder
a registered holder of Westpac Capital Notes at 7.00pm Sydney time on 5 November
2018 and shown on the Register to have an address in Australia
Equal Ranking Capital
Securities
has the meaning given in clause 16.2 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Evans DixonEvans Dixon Corporate, a division of Evans and Partners Pty Ltd
Face Value as applicable, either:
• the Initial Face Value; or
• the Initial Face Value reduced by the amount of Face Value per Note which has
previously been Converted in accordance with clauses 5.2 or 5.4 of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms or the rights in respect of which have been terminated in
accordance with clause 5.8 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
FATC Asections 1471 through 1474 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (or any consolidation amendment, re-enactment or replacement of those
provisions and including any regulations or official interpretations issued, agreements
entered into or non-US laws enacted with respect to those provisions)
Final Westpac Capital
Notes Distribution
the intended final distribution to be paid to a Westpac Capital Notes holder in respect
of their Westpac Capital Notes for the period from (but excluding) the Issue Date of 18
December 2018 to (and including) 8 March 2019, provided such Westpac Capital Notes
holder is a registered holder of Westpac Capital Notes at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on the
record date for this distribution (and provided the distribution payment conditions in the
Westpac Capital Notes Terms are satisfied)
Financial Claims
Scheme
the financial claims scheme established under the Banking Act
First Scheduled
Conversion Condition
the VWAP on the 25
th
Business Day on which trading in Ordinary Shares took place
immediately preceding (but not including) the Scheduled Conversion Date is greater
than 56.12% of the Issue Date VWAP, as set out in clause 4.2(a)(i) of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms
96
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix A
Appendix A Glossary
GSTGoods and Services Tax, as contained in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax)
Act 1999 (Cth) and any relevant GST regulations
HINholder identification number
Holdera registered holder of Notes
Holding Statementa statement issued to Holders by the Registrar which sets out details of Notes Allotted to
them under the Offer
Ineligible Holdereither:
• a Holder who is prohibited or restricted by any applicable law or regulation in force in
Australia (including but not limited to Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act, the Foreign
Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth), the Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act
1998 (Cth) and Part IV of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) from being
offered, holding or acquiring Ordinary Shares (provided that if the relevant prohibition
or restriction only applies to the Holder in respect of some of its Notes, it shall only
be treated as an Ineligible Holder in respect of those Notes and not in respect of the
balance of its Notes); or
• a Holder whose address in the Register is a place outside Australia or who Westpac
otherwise believes may not be a resident of Australia and Westpac is not satisfied that
the laws of the Holder’s country of residence permit the offer, holding or acquisition of
Ordinary Shares to the Holder (but Westpac will not be bound to enquire into those
laws), either unconditionally or after compliance with conditions which Westpac, in its
absolute discretion, regards as acceptable and not unduly onerous
Initial Face Value or
Issue Price
$100 per Note
Institutional Amountthe Allocation to Institutional Investors multiplied by the Initial Face Value
Institutional Investoran investor to whom offers of securities can be made without the need for a prospectus
(or other formality, other than a formality which Westpac is willing to comply with),
including in Australia persons to whom offers of securities can be made without the need
for a lodged prospectus under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act
Institutional Offerthe invitation by Westpac Institutional Bank to Institutional Investors to bid for Notes in
the Bookbuild
Issue Datethe date on which the Notes are issued, expected to be 18 December 2018
Issue Date VWAPthe VWAP during the period of 20 Business Days on which trading in Ordinary Shares
took place immediately preceding but not including the Issue Date, as adjusted in
accordance with clauses 9.4 to 9.7 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
JLM Broker Firm
Amount
for each Joint Lead Manager, the Initial Face Value multiplied by the Allocation to that
Joint Lead Manager
Joint Lead ManagersWestpac Institutional Bank, ANZ Securities Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia,
J.P. Morgan Securities Australia Limited, Morgans Financial Limited, National Australia
Bank Limited and UBS AG, Australia Branch
Labor Partythe Australian Labor Party
Level 1, Level 2 and
Level 3
has the meaning prescribed by APRA in the Prudential Standards
Liquidation Suman amount of surplus assets equal to $100 per Note (as adjusted for any Conversion
under clauses 5.2 or 5.4 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms or any termination of
rights under clause 5.8 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms)
97
Marginthe margin for the Notes, which is expected to be in the range of 3.70% to 3.90% per
annum and will be determined at the end of the Bookbuild
Maximum Conversion
Number
has the meaning given in clause 9.1 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms, calculated
according to the following formula:
Face Value / (Relevant Percentage x Issue Date VWAP)
Where:
Relevant Percentage means if Conversion is occurring on a Scheduled Conversion Date
or the Optional Conversion Date on 31 July 2024, 50%; and if Conversion is occurring at
any other time, 20%
Nominated Partyone or more third parties selected by Westpac in its absolute discretion (which cannot
include a member of the Westpac Group or a related entity (as described in the
Prudential Standards) of Westpac)
Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Notes
Westpac Capital Notes which are not reinvested in Notes under the Reinvestment Offer,
whether because:
• an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder chose not to participate in the Reinvestment
Offer;
• an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder elected to participate in the Reinvestment
Offer but in respect of only some Westpac Capital Notes;
• a holder of Westpac Capital Notes on the Reinvestment Offer Record Date does not
meet the eligibility criteria to qualify as an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder and
therefore cannot elect to participate in the Reinvestment Offer; or
• an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder who has elected to participate in the
Reinvestment Offer but either (a) did not receive an Allocation or (b) had their
Allocation scaled back
Non-Participating
Westpac Capital Notes
Holder
a holder of Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes
Non-Viability Trigger
Event
occurs when APRA notifies Westpac in writing that it believes:
• Conversion of all or some of the Notes, or conversion, write-off or write down of other
capital instruments of the Westpac Group, is necessary because, without it, Westpac
would become non-viable; or
• a public sector injection of capital, or equivalent support, is necessary because,
without it, Westpac would become non-viable
Non-Viability Trigger
Event Conversion Date
has the meaning set out in clause 5.4(c)(iii) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Notes Deed Pollthe Notes Deed Poll in relation to the Notes to be dated on or around the date of the
Bookbuild
Offerthe offer of the Notes under this Prospectus at an Initial Face Value and Issue Price
of $100 each to raise approximately $750 million with the ability to raise more or less. The
offer is comprised of the Reinvestment Offer, the Securityholder Offer, the Broker Firm
Offer and the Institutional Offer
Offer Period the period from the Opening Date to the Closing Date
2
OMA or Offer
Management
Agreement
the Offer Management Agreement entered into between Westpac and the Joint Lead
Managers as summarised in Section 7.6
Opening Date the day the Offer opens, which is expected to be 20 November 2018
Note:
2. Westpac and the Joint Lead Managers may, in their absolute discretion, close the Offer early or extend the Offer Period without notice. Westpac may also
withdraw the Offer at any time before the Notes are issued.
98
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix A
Appendix A Glossary
Optional Conversiona Conversion at Westpac’s option in accordance with clause 6 of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms
Optional Conversion
Date
in respect of each Note:
• 31 July 2024; or
• the date specified by Westpac as the Optional Conversion Date in accordance with
clause 6.3(b)(i)(B) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Optional Conversion
Notice
a notice issued in accordance with clause 6 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Optional Conversion
Restriction
has the meaning given in clause 6.2 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Ordinary Sharea fully paid ordinary share in the capital of Westpac
Other Broker Firm
Amount
the Allocation to any Third Party Brokers and other participating brokers multiplied by
the Initial Face Value
Participating Westpac
Capital Notes
Westpac Capital Notes which are reinvested in Westpac Capital Notes 6 under the
Reinvestment Offer
Participating Westpac
Capital Notes Holder
an Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holder who elects to participate in the Reinvestment
Offer and receives an Allocation of Westpac Capital Notes 6
Prospectusthis document (including the electronic form), and any supplementary or replacement
Prospectus in relation to the Offer (including the electronic form)
Pro-Rata Westpac
Capital Note
Distribution
the expected distribution to be paid to a Westpac Capital Notes holder in respect of their
Westpac Capital Notes for the period from (but excluding) 8 December 2018 to (and
including) 18 December 2018, provided such Westpac Capital Notes holder is a registered
holder of Westpac Capital Notes at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on 11 December 2018 (and
provided the distribution payment conditions in the Westpac Capital Notes Terms are
satisfied)
Prudential Standardsthe Prudential Standards and guidelines published by APRA and applicable to Westpac
or the Westpac Group from time to time
RBAthe Reserve Bank of Australia
Record Datein the case of:
• the payment of Distributions, the date which is eight calendar days before the
relevant Distribution Payment Date or, if that date does not fall on a Business Day, the
immediately preceding Business Day (or such other date as may be prescribed under
the ASX Listing Rules or, if not prescribed by the ASX Listing Rules, a date determined
by Westpac and notified to ASX); and
• the payment of the Face Value of the Note upon a Redemption or Transfer, a date
determined by Westpac and notified to ASX (or such other date as may be prescribed
by ASX)
Redemptionthe redemption of all or some of the Notes for their Face Value under the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms
Redeem and Redeemed have corresponding meanings
Redemption Datein respect of each Note:
• 31 July 2024; or
• the date specified by Westpac as the Redemption Date in accordance with clause
7.2(b)(i)(B) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
99
Registerthe official register of Ordinary Shares, Westpac Capital Notes 6 (if issued), Westpac NZD
Subordinated Notes, Westpac Capital Notes 5, Westpac Capital Notes 4, Westpac Capital
Notes 3, Westpac Capital Notes 2 or Westpac Capital Notes maintained by Westpac, and
includes any sub-register established and maintained under CHESS
RegistrarLink Market Services Limited (ABN 54 083 214 537) or any other registrar that Westpac
appoints to maintain a register of its securities
Regulatory Eventbroadly, will occur if Westpac receives legal advice that, as a result of a change of law or
regulation after the Issue Date:
• additional requirements would be imposed on the Westpac Group or there would be
a negative impact on the Westpac Group in relation to (or in connection with) Notes
which Westpac determines to be unacceptable; or
• Westpac determines or APRA confirms that Westpac will not be entitled to treat some
or all of the Notes as Additional Tier 1 Capital of the Westpac Group.
A Regulatory Event will not arise where, at the Issue Date, Westpac expected the event
would occur
Reinvestment
Application Form
the Application Form accompanying this Prospectus (or an online version of such a form)
upon which an Application to participate in the Reinvestment Offer (and if applicable, to
apply for any additional Westpac Capital Notes 6) may be made
Reinvestment Offerthe priority offer to Eligible Westpac Capital Notes Holders to apply to reinvest some
or all of their Westpac Capital Notes in Westpac Capital Notes 6 which will be via the
transfer of Participating Westpac Capital Notes to the Westpac Capital Notes Nominated
Party for $100 per Participating Westpac Capital Note and the automatic reinvestment of
the transfer proceeds in Westpac Capital Notes 6 ($100 per Westpac Capital Note 6) as
described in Section 3 of this Prospectus, and the invitation to Eligible Westpac Capital
Notes Holders to apply for additional Westpac Capital Notes 6
Reinvestment Offer
Record Date
5 November 2018 (7.00pm Sydney time)
Relevant Securitiesa security forming part of the Tier 1 Capital of Westpac on a Level 1 basis or Level 2 basis
RWArisk weighted assets
Sale Agentthe nominee (who cannot be a member of the Westpac Group or a related entity (as
described in the Prudential Standards) of Westpac) appointed by Westpac under the
facility established for the sale of Ordinary Shares issued by Westpac on Conversion on
behalf of Holders who do not wish to receive Ordinary Shares on Conversion or who are
Ineligible Holders
Scheduled Conversion Conversion on the Scheduled Conversion Date
Scheduled Conversion
Conditions
the First Scheduled Conversion Condition and the Second Scheduled Conversion
Condition
Scheduled Conversion
Date
the date that is the earlier of:
• 31 July 2026; and
• the first Distribution Payment Date after 31 July 2026,
on which the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are satisfied
Second Scheduled
Conversion Condition
the VWAP during the period of 20 Business Days on which trading in Ordinary Shares
took place immediately preceding (but not including) the Scheduled Conversion Date is
greater than 50.51% of the Issue Date VWAP, as set out in clause 4.2(a)(ii) of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms
Securityholder
Application Form
the Application Form accompanying this Prospectus (or an online version of such a form)
upon which an Eligible Securityholder can make an Application
100
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix A
Appendix A Glossary
Securityholder Offerthe invitation to Eligible Securityholders to apply for Notes under this Prospectus
Senior Creditorsall creditors of Westpac (present and future), including depositors of Westpac and all
holders of Westpac’s senior or subordinated debt:
• whose claims are admitted in a Winding Up; and
• whose claims are not made as holders of indebtedness arising under:
–an Equal Ranking Capital Security; or
–an Ordinary Share
Solvent Reconstructiona scheme of amalgamation or reconstruction, not involving a bankruptcy or insolvency,
where the obligations of Westpac in relation to the outstanding Notes are assumed
by the successor entity to which all, or substantially all of the property, assets and
undertakings of Westpac are transferred or where an arrangement with similar effect not
involving a bankruptcy or insolvency is implemented
Special Resolution• a resolution passed at a meeting of Holders by a majority of at least 75% of the votes
validly cast by Holders in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the resolution; or
• the written approval of Holders holding at least 75% of the Notes
SRNsecurityholder reference number
Sydney timetime in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Syndicate Brokerany of the Joint Lead Managers (or their affiliated retail brokers), Co-Managers or Third
Party Brokers and any other participating broker in the Offer
Tax Actthe Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) or the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)
(both as amended from time to time, as the case may be, and a reference to a section
of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) includes a reference to that section as
rewritten in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)) and any other law setting the
rate of income tax payable or regulation made under such laws
Tax Event
3
occurs when Westpac determines, after receiving a supporting opinion of reputable legal
counsel or other tax adviser in Australia, experienced in such matters, that (as a result of
a Change of Law) there is a more than insubstantial risk that:
• Westpac would be exposed to a more than de minimis adverse tax consequence or
increased cost in relation to the Notes; or
• any Distribution would not be a frankable distribution within the meaning of
Division 202 of the Tax Act.
A Tax Event will not arise where, at the Issue Date, Westpac expected the event would occur
Tax Ratethe Australian corporate tax rate applicable to the franking account of Westpac at the
relevant Distribution Payment Date. At the date of this Prospectus, the relevant Tax Rate
is 30% or, expressed as a decimal, 0.30 (but that rate may change)
TFNTax File Number
Third Party Brokerany third party brokers appointed to the Offer by Westpac Institutional Bank to
participate in the Bookbuild
Tier 1 Capital, Tier 1
Capital Ratio, Tier 2
Capital, Tier 2 Capital
Ratio, Total Capital and
Total Capital Ratio
have the meaning prescribed by APRA in the Prudential Standards
Note:
3. For the avoidance of doubt, the Labor Party proposal to remove cash refunds for excess franking credits to certain entities would not give rise to a Tax
Event. See Section 2.1.5 for more information.
101
Tier 1 Capital
Distributions
Dividends, Additional Tier 1 Capital distributions (which will include Distribution payments
on the Notes) and discretionary staff bonuses
Transferthe transfer of Notes by Holders to a Nominated Party in accordance with clause 8 of the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Transferred has a corresponding meaning
Transfer Datein respect of each Note:
• 31 July 2024; or
• the date specified by Westpac as the Transfer Date in accordance with clause
8.2(b)(i)(B) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Transfer Noticea notice issued in accordance with clause 8 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms under
which Westpac elects that a Transfer occur in relation to some or all of the Notes
US Personhas the meaning given in Regulation S of the US Securities Act
US Securities ActUnited States Securities Act of 1933, as amended
VWA Psubject to any adjustments under clauses 9.2 and 9.3 of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Terms, the average of the daily volume weighted average sales prices (such average
and each such daily average sales price being expressed in Australian dollars and cents
and rounded to the nearest full cent, with A$0.005 being rounded upwards) of Ordinary
Shares sold on ASX and Chi-X during the relevant period or on the relevant days but does
not include any “crossing” transacted outside the “Open Session State” or any “special
crossing” transacted at any time, each as defined in the ASX Operating Rules or any
overseas trades or trades pursuant to the exercise of options over Ordinary Shares
VWAP Periodthe period over which the VWAP is calculated, as set out in clause 16.2 of the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Terms
Westpac Westpac Banking Corporation (ABN 33 007 457 141, AFSL No. 233714)
Westpac’s Constitutionthe constitution of Westpac
Westpac Capital Notesthe 13,835,690 Westpac Capital Notes issued by Westpac under a prospectus dated
7 February 2013
Westpac Capital
Notes 2
the 13,105,705 Westpac Capital Notes 2 issued by Westpac under a prospectus dated
15 May 2014
Westpac Capital
Notes 3
the 13,244,280 Westpac Capital Notes 3 issued by Westpac, acting through its London
branch, under a prospectus dated 6 August 2015
Westpac Capital
Notes 4
the 17,020,534 Westpac Capital Notes 4 issued by Westpac under a prospectus dated
26 May 2016
Westpac Capital
Notes 5
the 16,903,383 Westpac Capital Notes 5 issued by Westpac under a prospectus dated
13 February 2018
Westpac Capital
Notes 6 or Notes
are fully paid, non-cumulative, convertible, transferable, redeemable, subordinated,
perpetual, unsecured notes of Westpac, to be issued under the Offer in accordance with
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Terms
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 terms of issue set out in Appendix B
102
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix A
Appendix A Glossary
Westpac Capital
Notes Nominated Party
the nominated party identified in:
• a transfer notice intended to be given by Westpac under clause 7(a)(i) of the Westpac
Capital Notes Terms in respect of Non-Participating Westpac Capital Notes; or
• the transfer notice given under clause 7(a)(ii) of the Westpac Capital Notes Terms
lodged by Westpac with ASX on 12 November 2018 in respect of Participating Westpac
Capital Notes,
as the context requires
Westpac Capital Notes
Terms
the full terms of issue of Westpac Capital Notes set out in Appendix B of the Westpac
Capital Notes prospectus dated 7 February 2013, as amended on 12 November 2018
Westpac Directorssome or all of the directors of Westpac acting as a board
Westpac GroupWestpac and its controlled entities taken as a whole
Westpac Institutional
Bank
Westpac Institutional Bank, a division of Westpac
Westpac NZD
Subordinated Notes
the 400,000,000 Westpac NZD Subordinated Notes issued by Westpac, acting through
its New Zealand branch, under a New Zealand product disclosure statement dated
26 July 2016
Westpac USD AT1
Securities
the fixed rate, resetting, perpetual, subordinated, contingent, convertible securities
issued by Westpac, acting through its New Zealand branch, under the indenture
dated 7 September 2017, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated
21 September 2017
Winding Up• a court order is made in Australia for the winding up of Westpac (and such order is
not successfully appealed or set aside within 30 days); or
• an effective resolution is passed by shareholders or members for the winding up of
Westpac in Australia,
other than in connection with a Solvent Reconstruction
103
Appendix B
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Terms
CAUTION – Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of Westpac, are riskier than bank deposits and may not be suitable for some
investors. Their complexity may make them difficult to understand and the risks associated with the Notes could result in the loss of all of your
investment. If you do not fully understand how they work or the risks associated with them, you should obtain professional advice.
104
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
1 Form and Initial Face Value of
Westpac Capital Notes 6
1.1 Form
Westpac Capital Notes 6:
(a) are non-cumulative, convertible, transferable,
redeemable, subordinated, perpetual, unsecured notes
of Westpac;
(b) are designated as being of a particular series as set out
in the Prospectus;
(c) are constituted under and issued on the terms set out in
the Deed Poll and these Terms; and
(d) take the form of entries in the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Register.
1.2 Initial Face Value
Each Westpac Capital Note 6 is issued fully paid at an issue
price of $100.
2 Ranking on Winding Up
(a) Holders do not have any right to prove in a Winding
Up in respect of Westpac Capital Notes 6, except as
permitted under clause 2.1(b).
(b) Westpac Capital Notes 6 will rank for payment of the
Liquidation Sum in a Winding Up:
(i) senior to Ordinary Shares;
(ii) equally among themselves and with all other Equal
Ranking Capital Securities; and
(iii) junior to, and are conditional on the prior payment in
full of, the claims of all Senior Creditors (including in
respect of any entitlement to interest under section
563B of the Corporations Act).
(c) Holders may not exercise voting rights as a creditor in
respect of Westpac Capital Notes 6 in a Winding Up to
defeat the subordination in this clause.
(d) Westpac Capital Notes 6 are perpetual and these Terms
do not include events of default or any other provisions
entitling the Holders to require that Westpac Capital
Notes 6 be Redeemed. Holders do not have any right
to apply for a Winding Up on the ground of Westpac’s
failure to pay Distributions or for any other reason.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt, but subject to clause
5.8, if a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger
Event has occurred, Holders will rank for payment in
a Winding Up as holders of the number of Ordinary
Shares to which they became entitled under clauses 5.2
or 5.4.
3 Distributions
3.1 Distributions
Subject to these Terms, each Westpac Capital Note 6
entitles the Holder to receive on the relevant Distribution
Payment Date interest on the Face Value of the Westpac
Capital Note 6 (“Distribution”), calculated using the
following formula:
Distribution =
Distribution Rate x Face Value x N
365
where:
Distribution Rate (expressed as a percentage per annum)
is calculated using the following formula:
Distribution Rate = (BBSW Rate + Margin) x
(1 – Tax Rate)
where:
BBSW Rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for
each Distribution Period, means:
(a) the rate for prime bank eligible securities having a
tenor of 3 months as displayed as the “AVG MID” on
the Thomson Reuters Screen BBSW Page (or any
designation which replaces that designation on that
page, or any page that replaces that page) by 12pm
(Sydney time) on in the case of the first Distribution
Period, the Issue Date, and in the case of any other
Distribution Period, the first Business Day of that
Distribution Period; or
(b) if such rate does not appear on the Thomson Reuters
Screen BBSW Page (or any designation which replaces
that designation on that page, or any page that
replaces that page) by 12pm (Sydney time) on that day,
or if it does appear but Westpac determines that there
is an obvious error in that rate, “BBSW Rate” means
the rate determined by Westpac in good faith, having
regard to comparable indices then available;
Margin means the rate (expressed as a percentage per
annum) determined under the Bookbuild;
Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal) means the Australian
corporate tax rate applicable to the franking account of
Westpac at the relevant Distribution Payment Date; and
N means, in respect of a Distribution Period, the number of
days in that Distribution Period.
3.2 Adjustment to calculation of
Distributions if not fully franked
If payment of any Distribution will not be franked to 100%
under Part 3-6 of the Tax Act (or any provisions that revise
or replace that Part), otherwise than because of any act
by, or circumstances affecting, any particular Holder, the
Distribution will be calculated using the following formula:
Distribution =
D
1 – Tax Rate × (1 – Franking Rate)
where:
D means the Distribution entitlement on that Distribution
Payment Date as calculated under clause 3.1;
Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal) means the Australian
corporate tax rate applicable to the franking account of
Westpac at the relevant Distribution Payment Date; and
Franking Rate (expressed as a decimal) means the
percentage of Distribution that would carry franking credits
(within the meaning of Part 3-6 of the Tax Act or any
provisions that revise or replace that Part), applicable to
the relevant Distribution entitlement on that Distribution
Payment Date.
105
3.3 Conditions to payment of
Distributions
(a) The payment of any Distribution on a Distribution
Payment Date is subject to:
(i) Westpac’s absolute discretion;
(ii) the payment of the Distribution not resulting in
a breach of Westpac’s capital requirements (on
a Level 1 basis) or of the Westpac Group’s capital
requirements (on a Level 2 basis) under the then
current Prudential Standards at the time of the
payment;
(iii) the payment of the Distribution not resulting in
Westpac becoming, or being likely to become,
insolvent for the purposes of the Corporations
Act; and
(iv) APRA not otherwise objecting to the payment of the
Distribution.
(b) Westpac must notify ASX as soon as reasonably
practicable if payment of any Distribution will not be
made because of this clause.
3.4 Distributions are discretionary,
non-cumulative and only payable
in cash
(a) Payments of Distributions are within the absolute
discretion of Westpac and are non-cumulative. If a
Distribution is not paid because of the provisions of
clause 3.3 or because of any other reason, Westpac has
no liability to pay such Distribution to the Holder and
the Holder has no:
(i) claim (including, without limitation, on a Winding
Up); or
(ii) right to apply for a Winding Up,
in respect of such non-payment.
(b) Any payments of Distributions to Holders must be
made in the form of cash.
(c) Non-payment of a Distribution because of the
provisions of clause 3.3, or because of any other reason,
does not constitute an event of default.
3.5 Distribution Payment Date
Distributions in respect of Westpac Capital Notes 6 are
payable:
(a) quarterly in arrear on 18 March, 18 June, 18 September
and 18 December of each year, commencing on
18 March 2019 until that Westpac Capital Note 6 has
been Converted at its full Face Value (or terminated
following a failure to Convert) or Redeemed, in each
case in accordance with these Terms; and
(b) on the Conversion Date (other than a Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date), Redemption Date or Transfer Date
(as the case may be) on which such Westpac Capital
Note 6 is Converted, Redeemed or Transferred, in each
case in accordance with these Terms
(each a “Distribution Payment Date”).
3.6 Record Dates
Distributions are only payable on a Distribution Payment
Date to those persons registered as Holders on the Record
Date for that Distribution Payment Date.
3.7 Restrictions in the case of
non-payment of a Distribution
Subject to clause 3.8, if for any reason a Distribution has
not been paid in full on the relevant Distribution Payment
Date, Westpac must not:
(a) determine or pay any Dividends; or
(b) undertake any discretionary Buy Back or Capital
Reduction,
unless the amount of the unpaid Distribution is paid in full
within 20 Business Days of that Distribution Payment Date
or:
(c) all Westpac Capital Notes 6 have been Converted at
their full Face Value (or terminated following a failure to
Convert) or Redeemed;
(d) on a subsequent Distribution Payment Date, a
Distribution for the subsequent Distribution Period is
paid in full; or
(e) a Special Resolution of the Holders has been passed
approving such action,
and, in respect of the actions contemplated by paragraphs
(c), (d) and (e), APRA does not otherwise object.
3.8 Restrictions not to apply in certain
circumstances
The restrictions in clause 3.7 do not apply in connection
with:
(a) any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar
arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more
employees, officers, directors or consultants of Westpac
or any member of the Westpac Group; or
(b) Westpac or any of its controlled entities purchasing
shares in Westpac in connection with transactions for
the account of customers of Westpac or any of its
controlled entities or in connection with the distribution
or trading of shares in Westpac in the ordinary course
of business (such distribution or trading of shares in
the ordinary course of business is subject to the prior
written approval of APRA); or
(c) to the extent that at the time a Distribution has not
been paid on the relevant Distribution Payment Date,
Westpac is legally obliged to pay on or after that date a
Dividend or complete on or after that date a Buy Back
or Capital Reduction.
3.9 Notification
(a) In relation to each Distribution Period, Westpac must
notify the ASX of the Distribution Rate and the amount
of Distribution payable on each Westpac Capital Note 6.
(b) Westpac must give notice under this clause 3.9 as
soon as practicable after it makes its calculations or
determinations and, in any event, by no later than the
fifth Business Day of the relevant Distribution Period.
106
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
(c) Westpac may amend the calculation or determination
of any amount, date, or rate (or make appropriate
alternative arrangements by way of adjustment)
including as a result of the extension or reduction of a
Distribution Period without prior notice, but must notify
ASX promptly after doing so.
3.10 Calculations and determinations
final
The calculation or determination by Westpac of all rates
and amounts payable by it in relation to Westpac Capital
Notes 6 is, in the absence of manifest or proven error, final
and binding on Westpac, the Registrar and each Holder.
4 Scheduled Conversion
4.1 Scheduled Conversion
Subject to clauses 5, 6, 7 and 8, Westpac must Convert all
(but not some) Westpac Capital Notes 6 on issue on the
date that is the earlier of:
(a) 31 July 2026; and
(b) the first Distribution Payment Date after 31 July 2026,
on which the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are
satisfied (each a “Scheduled Conversion Date”).
4.2 Scheduled Conversion Conditions
(a) The Scheduled Conversion Conditions for each
Scheduled Conversion Date are:
(i) the VWAP on the 25th Business Day on which
trading in Ordinary Shares took place immediately
preceding (but not including) the Scheduled
Conversion Date is greater than 56.12% of the
Issue Date VWAP (“First Scheduled Conversion
Condition”); and
(ii) the VWAP during the period of 20 Business Days
on which trading in Ordinary Shares took place
immediately preceding (but not including) the
Scheduled Conversion Date is greater than 50.51%
of the Issue Date VWAP (the “Second Scheduled
Conversion Condition”).
(b) If the First Scheduled Conversion Condition is not
satisfied, Westpac will announce to ASX not less than
21 Business Days before the Scheduled Conversion Date
that Conversion will not proceed on the Scheduled
Conversion Date.
(c) If the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition is not
satisfied, Westpac will notify Holders on or as soon as
practicable after the Scheduled Conversion Date that
Conversion did not occur.
5 Automatic Conversion
5.1 Capital Trigger Event
A Capital Trigger Event occurs when:
(a) Westpac determines; or
(b) APRA notifies Westpac in writing that it believes,
that either or both the Westpac Level 1 Common Equity
Tier 1 Capital Ratio or Westpac Level 2 Common Equity
Tier 1 Capital Ratio is equal to or less than 5.125%.
5.2 Consequences of a Capital Trigger
Event
(a) Westpac must notify APRA immediately in writing if it
determines that a Capital Trigger Event has occurred.
(b) If a Capital Trigger Event occurs, Westpac must Convert
such number of Westpac Capital Notes 6 (or, if it so
determines, such percentage of the Face Value of each
Westpac Capital Note 6) as is sufficient (following any
conversion, write-off or write down of other Relevant
Securities as referred to in paragraph 5.2(c)(i) below)
to return either or both the Westpac Level 1 Common
Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio or Westpac Level 2 Common
Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio, as the case may be, to above
5.125%.
(c) In determining the number of Westpac Capital Notes
6, or percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac
Capital Note 6, which must be Converted in accordance
with this clause, Westpac will:
(i) first, convert, write-off or write down such number
or percentage of the face value of any other
Relevant Securities whose terms require them to
be converted, written-off or written down, before
Conversion of Westpac Capital Notes 6; and
(ii) second, if conversion, write-off or write down of
those Relevant Securities is not sufficient, Convert
(in the case of Westpac Capital Notes 6) and
convert, write-off or write down (in the case of
any other Relevant Securities) on a pro-rata basis
or in a manner that is otherwise, in the opinion of
Westpac, fair and reasonable, the Face Value of
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 and the face value
of any Relevant Securities whose terms require or
permit them to be converted, written-off or written
down in that manner (subject to such adjustments
as Westpac may determine to take into account
the effect on marketable parcels and the need to
round to whole numbers of Ordinary Shares and the
face value of any Westpac Capital Notes 6 or other
Relevant Securities remaining on issue and the need
to effect the conversion, write-off or write-down
immediately),
but such determination will not impede the immediate
Conversion of the relevant number of Westpac Capital
Notes 6 or percentage of the Face Value of each
Westpac Capital Note 6 (as the case may be) or, if
applicable, the termination of the relevant Holder’s
rights and claims in accordance with clause 5.8.
(d) If a Capital Trigger Event occurs:
(i) the relevant number of Westpac Capital Notes 6,
or percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac
Capital Note 6, must be Converted immediately
upon occurrence of the Capital Trigger Event
in accordance with clauses 5.7 and 9 and the
Conversion will be irrevocable;
(ii) Westpac must give notice as soon as practicable
that Conversion has occurred to ASX and the
Holders; and
(iii) the notice must specify:
(A) the date on which the Capital Trigger Event
occurred (“Capital Trigger Event Conversion
Date”);
(B) the relevant number of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 which were, or the percentage of the
Face Value of each Westpac Capital Note 6
which was, Converted and details of any other
107
Relevant Securities converted, written-off or
written down in accordance with clause 5.2(c);
and
(C) details of the Conversion process, including any
details which were taken into account in relation
to the effect on marketable parcels and whole
numbers of Ordinary Shares, and the impact on
any Westpac Capital Notes 6 remaining on issue.
(e) Failure or delay in undertaking any of the steps in
clauses 5.2(d)(ii) and 5.2(d)(iii), or in quotation of the
Ordinary Shares to be issued on Conversion, does
not prevent, invalidate, delay or otherwise impede
Conversion.
5.3 Non-Viability Trigger Event
A Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs when APRA notifies
Westpac in writing that it believes:
(a) Conversion of all or some Westpac Capital Notes
6, or conversion, write-off or write down of capital
instruments of the Westpac Group, is necessary
because, without it, Westpac would become non-viable;
or
(b) a public sector injection of capital, or equivalent
support, is necessary because, without it, Westpac
would become non-viable.
5.4 Consequences of a Non-Viability
Trigger Event
(a) If a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs, Westpac must
Convert such number of Westpac Capital Notes 6 (or,
if it so determines, such percentage of the Face Value
of each Westpac Capital Note 6) as is equal (following
any conversion, write-off or write down of other
Relevant Securities as referred to in paragraph 5.4(b)
(ii)(A) below) to the aggregate face value of capital
instruments which APRA has notified Westpac must
be converted, written-off or written down (or, if APRA
has not so notified Westpac, such number of Westpac
Capital Notes 6 or, if Westpac so determines, such
percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac Capital
Note 6, as is necessary to satisfy APRA that Westpac
will no longer be non-viable).
(b) In determining the number of Westpac Capital Notes
6, or percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac
Capital Note 6, which must be Converted in accordance
with this clause, Westpac will:
(i) where a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs under
clause 5.3(b), Convert at their full Face Value all of
the Westpac Capital Notes 6; or
(ii) in all other circumstances:
(A) first, convert, write-off or write down such
number or percentage of the face value of any
other Relevant Securities whose terms require
them to be converted, written-off or written
down before Conversion of Westpac Capital
Notes 6; and
(B) second, if conversion, write-off or write down of
those securities is not sufficient, Convert (in the
case of Westpac Capital Notes 6) and convert,
write-off or write down (in the case of any other
Relevant Securities), on a pro-rata basis or in
a manner that is otherwise, in the opinion of
Westpac, fair and reasonable, the Face Value
of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 and the face
value of any Relevant Securities whose terms
require or permit them to be converted, written-
off or written down in that manner (subject to
such adjustments as Westpac may determine
to take into account the effect on marketable
parcels and the need to round to whole numbers
of Ordinary Shares and the face value of any
Westpac Capital Notes 6 or other Relevant
Securities remaining on issue and the need to
effect the conversion, write-off or write-down
immediately),
but such determination will not impede the immediate
Conversion of the relevant number of Westpac Capital
Notes 6 or percentage of the Face Value of each
Westpac Capital Note 6 (as the case may be) or, if
applicable, the termination of the relevant Holder’s
rights and claims in accordance with clause 5.8.
(c) If a Non-Viability Trigger Event occurs:
(i) the relevant number of Westpac Capital Notes 6,
or percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac
Capital Note 6, must be Converted immediately
upon occurrence of the Non-Viability Trigger Event
in accordance with clauses 5.7 and 9 and the
Conversion will be irrevocable;
(ii) Westpac must give notice as soon as practicable
that Conversion has occurred to ASX and the
Holders; and
(iii) the notice must specify:
(A) the date on which the Non-Viability Trigger
Event occurred (“Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date”);
(B) the relevant number of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 which were, or the percentage of the
Face Value of each Westpac Capital Note 6
which was, Converted, and details of any other
Relevant Securities converted, written-off or
written down in accordance with clause 5.4(b);
and
(C) the details of the Conversion process, including
any details which were taken into account in
relation to the effect on marketable parcels
and whole numbers of Ordinary Shares, and
the impact on any Westpac Capital Notes 6
remaining on issue.
(d) Failure to undertake any of the steps in clauses 5.4(c)
(ii) and 5.4(c)(iii) does not prevent, invalidate, delay or
otherwise impede Conversion.
5.5 Scheduled Conversion Conditions
not applicable
For the avoidance of doubt, the Scheduled Conversion
Conditions do not apply to Conversion as a result of a
Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event.
5.6 Priority of early Conversion
obligations
A Conversion required because of a Capital Trigger Event
or a Non-Viability Trigger Event takes place on the date,
and in the manner, required by clauses 5.2, 5.4, 5.7 and
5.8, notwithstanding any other provision for Conversion,
Redemption or Transfer in these Terms.
108
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
5.7 Automatic Conversion upon the
occurrence of a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability Trigger
Event
If a Capital Trigger Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event
has occurred and all or some Westpac Capital Notes 6
(or percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac Capital
Note 6) are required to be Converted in accordance with
clauses 5.2 or 5.4, then:
(a) Conversion of the relevant Westpac Capital Notes 6 or
percentage of the Face Value of each Westpac Capital
Note 6 will be taken to have occurred in accordance
with clause 9 immediately upon the Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date;
(b) subject to clause 9.10, the entry of the corresponding
Westpac Capital Notes 6 in each relevant Holder’s
holding in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register will
constitute an entitlement of that Holder to the relevant
number of Ordinary Shares (and, if applicable, also to
any remaining balance of Westpac Capital Notes 6 or
Westpac Capital Notes 6 with a Face Value equal to
the aggregate of the remaining percentage of the Face
Value of each Westpac Capital Note 6), and Westpac
will recognise the Holder as having been issued the
relevant Ordinary Shares for all purposes, in each
case without the need for any further act or step by
Westpac, the Holder or any other person (and Westpac
will, as soon as possible thereafter and without delay on
the part of Westpac, take any appropriate procedural
steps to record such Conversion, including updating
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register and the Ordinary
Share register); and
(c) subject to clause 9.10, upon Conversion a Holder has
no further right or claim under these Terms in respect
of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Converted, except in
relation to the relevant number of Ordinary Shares
and the Holder’s entitlement, if any, to Westpac
Capital Notes 6 which have not been required to be
Converted or Westpac Capital Notes 6 representing the
unconverted outstanding Face Value.
5.8 No further rights if Conversion
does not occur for any reason
If, for any reason, Conversion of any Westpac Capital Notes
6 (or a percentage of the Face Value of any Westpac
Capital Notes 6) required to be Converted under clauses
5.2 or 5.4 fails to take effect under clauses 5.7(a) and (b)
or does not occur for any other reason and the Ordinary
Shares are not issued for any reason in respect of such
Conversion by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day after the
Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability
Trigger Event Conversion Date, then:
(a) such Westpac Capital Notes 6 or percentage of the
Face Value of Westpac Capital Notes 6 will not be
Converted in respect of such Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date (as the case may be) and will not be
Converted, Redeemed or Transferred under these Terms
on any subsequent date; and
(b) the relevant Holders’ rights (including to payment of
Distributions and Face Value and any other payments)
in relation to such Westpac Capital Notes 6 or
percentage of the Face Value of Westpac Capital Notes
6 are immediately and irrevocably terminated and such
termination will be taken to have occurred immediately
upon the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or Non-
Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date, as the case
may be.
5.9 Automatic Conversion upon the
occurrence of an Acquisition Event
(a) If an Acquisition Event occurs, then:
(i) Westpac must Convert all (but not some) Westpac
Capital Notes 6;
(ii) Westpac must give notice as soon as practicable
and in any event within 10 Business Days after
becoming aware of that event occurring to ASX and
the Holders;
(iii) the notice must specify a date on which it is
proposed Conversion will occur (proposed
“Acquisition Event Conversion Date”) being:
(A) in the case of an Acquisition Event that is a
takeover bid, no later than the Business Day
prior to the then announced closing date of the
relevant takeover bid; or
(B) in the case of an Acquisition Event that is a court
approved scheme, a date no later than the record
date for participation in the relevant scheme of
arrangement;
(iv) the notice must specify the details of the Conversion
process including any details to take into account the
effect on marketable parcels and whole numbers of
Ordinary Shares; and
(v) on the proposed Acquisition Event Conversion
Date, all Westpac Capital Notes 6 will Convert in
accordance with clause 9.
(b) The Second Scheduled Conversion Condition applies to
a Conversion following an Acquisition Event as though
the proposed Acquisition Event Conversion Date were a
Scheduled Conversion Date for the purposes of clause
4 (except that in the case of an Acquisition Event, the
Second Scheduled Conversion Condition will apply as
if it referred to 20.20% of the Issue Date VWAP). If the
Second Scheduled Conversion Condition is not satisfied,
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 will not Convert.
(c) If the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition is not
satisfied on the proposed Acquisition Event Conversion
Date, Westpac will notify Holders as soon as practicable
after the proposed Acquisition Event Conversion Date
that Conversion did not occur.
5.10 Issue of ordinary shares of
Approved Successor
Where there is a replacement of Westpac as the ultimate
holding company of the Westpac Group and the successor
holding company is an Approved Successor, Conversion
of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 may not occur as a
consequence of the Replacement (as defined in clause
13.4(a)). Instead, these Terms may be amended in
accordance with clause 13.4.
6 Optional Conversion
6.1 Conversion at the option of
Westpac
(a) Subject to the other provisions of this clause 6, Westpac
may at its option Convert in accordance with clause 9:
109
(i) all or some Westpac Capital Notes 6 on 31 July
2024; or
(ii) all (but not some) of the Westpac Capital Notes
6 on an Optional Conversion Date following the
occurrence of a Tax Event or Regulatory Event.
(b) If only some (but not all) Westpac Capital Notes 6 are
to be Converted under clause 6.1(a)(i), those Westpac
Capital Notes 6 to be Converted will be specified in the
Optional Conversion Notice and selected:
(i) in a manner that is, in the opinion of Westpac, fair
and reasonable; and
(ii) in compliance with any applicable law, directive or
requirement of ASX.
6.2 Restriction on election to Convert
Westpac may only elect to Convert the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 under clause 6.1(a) if on the second Business Day
before the date on which an Optional Conversion Notice is
to be sent by Westpac (or, if trading in Ordinary Shares did
not occur on that date, the last Business Day prior to that
date on which trading in Ordinary Shares occurred) the
VWAP on that date is:
(a) in respect of a Conversion under clause 6.1(a)(i),
greater than 56.12% of the Issue Date VWAP; and
(b) in respect of a Conversion under clause 6.1(a)(ii),
greater than 22.20% of the Issue Date VWAP,
(the “Optional Conversion Restriction”).
6.3 Optional Conversion Notice
(a) Subject to clause 6.2, Westpac may only Convert
under clause 6.1(a)(i) if Westpac has given an Optional
Conversion Notice of its election to do so at least
25 Business Days before the proposed Optional
Conversion Date to ASX and the Holders.
(b) The Optional Conversion Notice must specify:
(i) the date on which it is proposed the Optional
Conversion will occur, which:
(A) in the case of clause 6.1(a)(i), will be 31 July 2024;
and
(B) in the case of a Tax Event or Regulatory Event,
is the Next Distribution Payment Date, unless
Westpac determines an earlier date having
regard to the best interests of Holders as a whole
and the relevant event;
(ii) whether any Distribution will be paid in respect of
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be Converted on the
Optional Conversion Date; and
(iii) the details of the Conversion process including any
details to take into account the effect on marketable
parcels and the need to round to whole numbers of
Ordinary Shares.
6.4 Restriction on Conversion on the
Optional Conversion Date
(a) The Second Scheduled Conversion Condition applies
to an Optional Conversion as though the proposed
Optional Conversion Date were a Scheduled Conversion
Date for the purposes of clause 4 (except that in the
case of an Optional Conversion following a Tax Event
or Regulatory Event, the Second Scheduled Conversion
Condition will apply as if it referred to 20.20% of the
Issue Date VWAP).
(b) If the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition is not
satisfied on the proposed Optional Conversion Date:
(i) the Westpac Capital Notes 6 will not Convert; and
(ii) Westpac will notify Holders as soon as practicable
after the proposed Optional Conversion Date that
Conversion did not occur.
6.5 Deferred Conversion
If Westpac has given an Optional Conversion Notice under
clause 6.3 and the Second Scheduled Conversion Condition
(as if it applied on the Optional Conversion Date) is not
satisfied, then, notwithstanding any other provision of
these Terms:
(a) the Optional Conversion Date will be deferred until the
first Distribution Payment Date (under clause 3.5(a))
on which the Scheduled Conversion Conditions are
satisfied (except that in the case of a Tax Event or
Regulatory Event, the Second Scheduled Conversion
Condition will apply as if it referred to 20.20% of the
Issue Date VWAP) as if that Distribution Payment Date
were a Scheduled Conversion Date for the purposes of
clause 4 (the “Deferred Conversion Date”);
(b) Westpac must convert the Westpac Capital Notes 6
on the Deferred Conversion Date unless the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 are Converted earlier in accordance
with these Terms; and
(c) until the Deferred Conversion Date, all rights attaching
to the Westpac Capital Notes 6 will continue as if the
Optional Conversion Notice had not been given.
6.6 Final Distribution
For the avoidance of doubt, Optional Conversion may
occur even if Westpac, in its absolute discretion, does not
pay a Distribution for the final Distribution Period.
6.7 No Conversion at the option of the
Holders
Holders do not have a right to request Conversion of their
Westpac Capital Notes 6 at any time.
7 Optional Redemption
7.1 Redemption at the option of
Westpac
(a) Subject to the other provisions of this clause 7, Westpac
may at its option Redeem:
(i) all or some Westpac Capital Notes 6 on 31 July
2024; or
(ii) all (but not some) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
on a Redemption Date following the occurrence of a
Tax Event or Regulatory Event,
in each case for their Face Value.
(b) If only some (but not all) Westpac Capital Notes 6 are
to be Redeemed under clause 7.1(a)(i), those Westpac
Capital Notes 6 to be Redeemed will be specified in the
Redemption Notice and selected:
(i) in a manner that is, in the opinion of Westpac, fair
and reasonable; and
(ii) in compliance with any applicable law, directive or
requirement of ASX.
110
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
7.2 Optional Redemption Notice
(a) Westpac may only Redeem under clause 7.1(a) if
Westpac has given a Redemption Notice of its election
to do so at least 21 Business Days before the proposed
Redemption Date to ASX and the Holders.
(b) The Redemption Notice must specify:
(i) the date on which it is proposed the Redemption
will occur, which must be:
(A) in the case of clause 7.1(a)(i), 31 July 2024;
(B) in the case of a Tax Event or Regulatory Event,
the Next Distribution Payment Date, unless
Westpac determines an earlier date having
regard to the best interests of Holders as a whole
and the relevant event; and
(ii) whether any Distribution will be paid in respect of
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be Redeemed on
the Redemption Date.
7.3 APRA approval to Redeem
Westpac may only Redeem under this clause 7 if:
(a) either:
(i) before or concurrently with Redemption, Westpac
replaces Westpac Capital Notes 6 with a capital
instrument which is of the same or better quality
(for the purposes of the Prudential Standards) than
Westpac Capital Notes 6 and the replacement of
Westpac Capital Notes 6 is done under conditions
that are sustainable for the income capacity of
Westpac (for the purposes of the Prudential
Standards); or
(ii) Westpac obtains confirmation from APRA that
APRA is satisfied, having regard to the capital
position of Westpac and the Westpac Group, that
Westpac does not have to replace Westpac Capital
Notes 6; and
(b) APRA has given its prior written approval to the
Redemption. Approval is at the discretion of APRA and
may or may not be given.
7.4 Final Distribution
For the avoidance of doubt, Redemption may occur even
if Westpac, in its absolute discretion, does not pay a
Distribution for the final Distribution Period.
7.5 No Redemption at the option of
the Holders
Holders do not have a right to request Redemption of their
Westpac Capital Notes 6 at any time.
7.6 Effect of Redemption Notice
Subject to any early Conversion required because of a
Capital Trigger Event or a Non-Viability Trigger Event and
any termination of rights under clause 5.8, any Redemption
Notice given under this clause 7 is irrevocable and Westpac
must (subject to clause 11.1) Redeem Westpac Capital Notes
6 on the Redemption Date specified in that Redemption
Notice.
8 Optional Transfer
8.1 Transfer at the option of Westpac
(a) Westpac may elect that Transfer occur in relation to:
(i) all or some Westpac Capital Notes 6 on 31 July
2024; or
(ii) all (but not some) of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
on a Transfer Date following the occurrence of a Tax
Event or Regulatory Event.
(b) If only some (but not all) Westpac Capital Notes 6 are
to be Transferred under clause 8.1(a)(i), the number
of Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be Transferred will be
specified in the Transfer Notice and selected:
(i) in a manner that is, in the opinion of Westpac, fair
and reasonable; and
(ii) in compliance with any applicable law, directive or
requirement of ASX.
8.2 Optional Transfer Notice
(a) Westpac may only elect to Transfer Westpac Capital
Notes 6 under clause 8.1(a) if Westpac has given a
Transfer Notice at least 21 Business Days before the
proposed Transfer Date to ASX and the Holders.
(b) The Transfer Notice must specify:
(i) the date on which it is proposed the Transfer will
occur, which must be:
(A) in the case of clause 8.1(a)(i), 31 July 2024;
(B) in the case of a Tax Event or Regulatory Event,
the Next Distribution Payment Date, unless
Westpac determines an earlier date having
regard to the best interests of Holders as a whole
and the relevant event; and
(ii) whether any Distribution will be paid in respect of
the Westpac Capital Notes 6 to be Transferred on
the Transfer Date.
8.3 Final Distribution
For the avoidance of doubt, Transfer may occur even
if Westpac, in its absolute discretion, does not pay a
Distribution for the final Distribution Period.
8.4 No Transfer at the option of the
Holders
Holders do not have a right to request Transfer of their
Westpac Capital Notes 6 at any time.
8.5 Effect of Transfer Notice
(a) Any Transfer Notice given under this clause 8 is
irrevocable and Westpac must (subject to clause 11.1)
Transfer Westpac Capital Notes 6 on the Transfer Date
specified in that Transfer Notice.
(b) If Westpac issues a Transfer Notice under this clause 8:
(i) each Holder is taken irrevocably to offer to sell the
relevant number of their Westpac Capital Notes 6 to
the Nominated Party on the Transfer Date for a cash
amount per Westpac Capital Note 6 equal to the
Face Value (and to have appointed Westpac as its
agent and attorney to execute documents and do all
things necessary which Westpac considers may be
necessary or desirable in connection with that offer
and any resulting sale);
(ii) subject to payment by the Nominated Party of the
Face Value to Holders, all right, title and interest in
the relevant number of Westpac Capital Notes 6 will
be Transferred from the Holders to the Nominated
Party on the Transfer Date; and
(iii) if the Nominated Party does not pay the Face Value
to the relevant Holders on the Transfer Date, the
relevant number of Westpac Capital Notes 6 will not
be Transferred to the Nominated Party.
111
(c) Clause 11 will apply to payments by the Nominated
Party as if the Nominated Party were Westpac. If any
payment to a particular Holder is not made or treated
as made on the Transfer Date because of any error
by or on behalf of the Nominated Party, the relevant
Westpac Capital Notes 6 of that Holder will not be
Transferred until payment is made but the Transfer of
all other relevant Westpac Capital Notes 6 will not be
affected by the failure.
9 General provisions applicable
to Conversion
9.1 Conversion
On the Conversion Date, subject to clauses 5.6 and 9.10, the
following will apply:
(a) Westpac will allot and issue the Conversion Number of
Ordinary Shares for each Westpac Capital Note 6 held
by the Holder. The Conversion Number is calculated
according to the following formula, and subject always
to the Conversion Number being no greater than the
Maximum Conversion Number:
Conversion Number for each = Face Value
Westpac Capital Note 6 0.99 x VWAP
where:
VWA P (expressed in dollars and cents) means the
VWAP during the VWAP Period.
Maximum Conversion Number means a number
calculated according to the following formula:
Maximum
Conversion
Number for
each Westpac
Capital Note 6
=
Face Value
Relevant Percentage x Issue
Date VWAP
Relevant Percentage means:
(i) if Conversion is occurring on a Scheduled
Conversion Date or the Optional Conversion Date on
31 July 2024, 50%; and
(ii) if Conversion is occurring at any other time, 20%.
(b) Each Holder’s rights (including to Distributions other
than the Distribution, if any, payable on a date when
Conversion is required that is not a Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or a Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date) in relation to each Westpac Capital
Note 6 that is being Converted will be immediately and
irrevocably terminated for an amount equal to the Face
Value and Westpac will apply the Face Value of each
Westpac Capital Note 6 by way of payment for the
subscription for the Ordinary Shares to be allotted and
issued under clause 9.1(a). Each Holder is taken to have
irrevocably directed that any amount payable under this
clause 9.1 is to be applied as provided for in this clause
and Holders do not have any right to payment in any
other way.
(c) If the total number of Ordinary Shares to be allotted
and issued in respect of a Holder’s aggregate holding
of Westpac Capital Notes 6 includes a fraction of an
Ordinary Share, that fraction of an Ordinary Share will
be disregarded.
9.2 Adjustments to VWAP generally
For the purposes of calculating VWAP under clause 9.1:
(a) where, on some or all of the Business Days in the
relevant VWAP Period, Ordinary Shares have been
quoted on ASX as cum dividend or cum any other
distribution or entitlement and Westpac Capital Notes
6 will be Converted into Ordinary Shares after that
date and those Ordinary Shares will no longer carry
that dividend or that other distribution or entitlement,
then the VWAP on the Business Days on which those
Ordinary Shares have been quoted cum dividend
or cum any other distribution or entitlement will be
reduced by an amount (“Cum Value”) equal to:
(i) in the case of a dividend or other distribution,
the amount of that dividend or other distribution
including, if the dividend or distribution is franked,
the amount that would be included in the assessable
income of a recipient of the dividend or distribution
who is a natural person resident in Australia under
the Tax Act;
(ii) in the case of any other entitlement that is not a
dividend or other distribution under clause 9.2(a)
(i) which is traded on ASX on any of those Business
Days, the volume weighted average price of all such
entitlements sold on ASX during the VWAP Period
on the Business Days on which those entitlements
were traded (excluding trades of the kind that
would be excluded in determining VWAP under the
definition of that term); or
(iii) in the case of any other entitlement which is not
traded on ASX during the VWAP Period, the value
of the entitlement as reasonably determined by
Westpac;
(b) where, on some or all of the Business Days in the
VWAP Period, Ordinary Shares have been quoted as
ex dividend or ex any other distribution or entitlement,
and Westpac Capital Notes 6 will be Converted into
Ordinary Shares which would be entitled to receive
the relevant dividend, distribution or entitlement, the
VWAP on the Business Days on which those Ordinary
Shares have been quoted ex dividend or ex any other
distribution or entitlement will be increased by the Cum
Value; and
(c) any adjustment made by Westpac in accordance with
clause 9.2 will be effective and binding on Holders
under these Terms and these Terms will be construed
accordingly.
9.3 Adjustments to VWAP for capital
reconstruction
(a) Where during the relevant VWAP Period there is a
change to the number of Ordinary Shares on issue
because the Ordinary Shares are reconstructed,
consolidated, divided or reclassified (in a manner not
involving any cash payment (or the giving of any other
form of consideration) to or by holders of Ordinary
Shares) (“Reclassification”) into a lesser or greater
number, the daily VWAP for each day in the VWAP
Period which falls before the date on which trading in
Ordinary Shares is conducted on a post Reclassification
basis will be adjusted by multiplying such daily VWAP
by the following formula:
A
B
112
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
where:
A means the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares
immediately before the Reclassification; and
B means the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares
immediately after the Reclassification.
(b) Any adjustment made by Westpac in accordance with
clause 9.3(a) will be effective and binding on Holders
under these Terms and these Terms will be construed
accordingly.
(c) Each Holder acknowledges that Westpac may
consolidate, divide or reclassify Ordinary Shares so that
there is a lesser or greater number of Ordinary Shares
at any time in its absolute discretion without any such
action requiring any consent or concurrence of any
Holders.
9.4 Adjustments to Issue Date VWAP
generally
For the purposes of determining the Issue Date VWAP
under clause 9.1, adjustments will be made in accordance
with clause 9.2 and clause 9.3 during the period in which
the Issue Date VWAP is determined. On and from the Issue
Date, adjustments to the Issue Date VWAP:
(a) may be made by Westpac in accordance with clauses
9.5 to 9.7 (inclusive);
(b) if so made, will correspondingly affect the application of
the Scheduled Conversion Conditions and the Optional
Conversion Restriction and cause an adjustment to the
Maximum Conversion Number; and
(c) if so made, will be effective and binding on Holders
under these Terms and these Terms will be construed
accordingly.
9.5 Adjustments to Issue Date VWAP
for bonus issues
(a) Subject to clauses 9.5(b) and 9.5(c), if at any time on or
from the Issue Date Westpac makes a pro-rata bonus
issue of Ordinary Shares to holders of Ordinary Shares
generally (in a manner not involving any cash payment
(or the giving of any other form of consideration) to or
by holders of Ordinary Shares), the Issue Date VWAP
will be adjusted immediately in accordance with the
following formula:
V =
Vo x RD
(RD + RN)
where:
V means the Issue Date VWAP applying immediately
after the application of this formula;
Vo means the Issue Date VWAP applying immediately
prior to the application of this formula;
RD means the number of Ordinary Shares on issue
immediately prior to the allotment of new Ordinary
Shares pursuant to the bonus issue; and
RN means the number of Ordinary Shares issued
pursuant to the bonus issue.
(b) Clause 9.5(a) does not apply to Ordinary Shares issued
as part of a bonus share plan, employee or executive
share plan, executive option plan, share top up plan,
share purchase plan or a dividend reinvestment plan.
(c) For the purposes of this clause, an issue will be
regarded as a bonus issue notwithstanding that
Westpac does not make offers to some or all holders
of Ordinary Shares with registered addresses outside
Australia, provided that in so doing Westpac is not in
contravention of the ASX Listing Rules.
(d) No adjustments to the Issue Date VWAP will be made
under this clause 9.5 for any offer of Ordinary Shares
not covered by clause 9.5(a), including a rights issue or
other essentially pro rata issue.
(e) The fact that no adjustment is made for an issue of
Ordinary Shares except as covered by clause 9.5(a) shall
not in any way restrict Westpac from issuing Ordinary
Shares at any time on such terms as it sees fit nor
require any consent or concurrence of any Holders.
9.6 Adjustments to Issue Date VWAP
for capital reconstruction
(a) If at any time on or from the Issue Date there is a
change to the number of Ordinary Shares on issue
because of a Reclassification (in a manner not involving
any cash payment (or the giving of any other form of
consideration) to or by holders of Ordinary Shares) into
a lesser or greater number, the Issue Date VWAP will be
adjusted by multiplying the Issue Date VWAP applicable
on the Business Day immediately before the date of any
such Reclassification by the following formula:
A
B
where:
A means the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares on
issue immediately before the Reclassification; and
B means the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares on
issue immediately after the Reclassification.
(b) Each Holder acknowledges that Westpac may
consolidate, divide or reclassify securities so that there
is a lesser or greater number of Ordinary Shares at any
time in its absolute discretion without any such action
requiring any consent or concurrence of any Holders.
9.7 No adjustment to Issue Date VWAP
in certain circumstances
Despite the provisions of clauses 9.5 and 9.6, no
adjustment will be made to the Issue Date VWAP where
any such adjustment (rounded if applicable) would be less
than one percent of the Issue Date VWAP then in effect.
9.8 Announcement of adjustments to
Issue Date VWAP
Westpac will notify any adjustment to the Issue Date
VWAP under this clause to ASX and the Holders within 10
Business Days of Westpac determining the adjustment and
the adjustment will be final and binding.
9.9 Status and listing of Ordinary
Shares
(a) Ordinary Shares issued or arising from Conversion will
rank equally with, and will have the same rights as, all
other fully paid Ordinary Shares provided that the rights
attaching to the Ordinary Shares issued or arising from
Conversion do not take effect until 5.00pm (Sydney
time) on the Conversion Date (or such other time
required by APRA).
113
(b) Westpac will use all reasonable endeavours to list the
Ordinary Shares issued on Conversion of Westpac
Capital Notes 6 on ASX.
9.10 Conversion where the Holder
does not wish to receive Ordinary
Shares or is an Ineligible Holder
(a) If Westpac Capital Notes 6 of a Holder are required to
be Converted and:
(i) the Holder has notified Westpac that it does not
wish to receive Ordinary Shares as a result of
Conversion, which notice may be given at any
time on or after the Issue Date and no less than 15
Business Days prior to the Conversion Date; or
(ii) the Holder is an Ineligible Holder,
then, on the Conversion Date, all of the Holder’s rights
in relation to each such Westpac Capital Note 6 being
Converted are immediately and irrevocably terminated
(including to Distributions other than the Distribution, if
any, payable on a date when Conversion is required that
is not a Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or a Non-
Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date) and Westpac
will issue the Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares to
the Sale Agent for no additional consideration to hold
on trust for sale for the benefit of the relevant Holder. At
the first opportunity to sell the Ordinary Shares, the Sale
Agent will arrange for their sale at market value and pay
the proceeds, less selling costs, brokerage, stamp duty
and other taxes and charges, to the relevant Holder.
Westpac will be entitled to treat a Holder as not being
an Ineligible Holder unless the Holder has otherwise
notified it after the Issue Date and prior to the
Conversion Date.
(b) If Conversion under this clause 9.10 is occurring
because of the occurrence of a Capital Trigger Event or
Non-Viability Trigger Event and the Conversion fails to
take effect under clauses 5.2 or 5.4 or does not occur
for any other reason and the Ordinary Shares are not
issued to the Sale Agent for any reason in respect of
such Conversion by 5.00pm on the fifth Business Day
after the Capital Trigger Event Conversion Date or
Non-Viability Trigger Event Conversion Date, then:
(i) such Westpac Capital Notes 6 or percentage of the
Face Value of Westpac Capital Notes 6 will not be
Converted in respect of such Capital Trigger Event
Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger Event
Conversion Date (as the case may be) and will not
be Converted, Redeemed or Transferred under these
Terms on any subsequent date; and
(ii) the relevant Holders’ rights (including to payment
of Distributions and Face Value and any other
payments) in relation to such Westpac Capital
Notes 6 or percentage of the Face Value of Westpac
Capital Notes 6 are immediately and irrevocably
terminated and such termination will be taken to
have occurred immediately upon the Capital Trigger
Event Conversion Date or Non-Viability Trigger
Event Conversion Date, as the case may be.
9.11 Final Distribution
For the avoidance of doubt, Conversion may occur even
if Westpac, in its absolute discretion, does not pay a
Distribution for the final Distribution Period.
9.12 No Conversion after Winding Up
commences
If before the Conversion Date a Winding Up commences,
then Conversion will not occur and clause 2 will apply,
except where Conversion is required for a Capital Trigger
Event or Non-Viability Trigger Event (in which case
such Conversion shall occur (subject to clause 5.8) in
accordance with clauses 5.2 or 5.4 (as applicable) and
clause 5.7).
9.13 Conversion of a percentage of
Face Value
If under these Terms it is necessary to Convert a
percentage of the Face Value, this clause 9 will apply to
the Conversion as if references to the Face Value were
references to the relevant percentage of the Face Value to
be Converted multiplied by the Face Value and references
to the Westpac Capital Note(s) 6 were references to the
percentage of the Face Value of the Westpac Capital
Note(s) 6 to be Converted.
9.14 Consent to receive Ordinary Shares
and other acknowledgements
Subject to clause 5.8, each Holder irrevocably:
(a) upon receipt of the Conversion Number of Ordinary
Shares following Conversion of Westpac Capital Notes
6 in accordance with clauses 4, 5 or 6 consents to
becoming a member of Westpac and agrees to be
bound by the constitution of Westpac, in each case in
respect of Ordinary Shares issued on Conversion;
(b) acknowledges and agrees that, unless it has given
notice in accordance with clause 9.10 that it does
not wish to receive Ordinary Shares as a result of
Conversion, it is obliged to accept Ordinary Shares of
Westpac on Conversion notwithstanding anything that
might otherwise affect a Conversion of Westpac Capital
Notes 6 including:
(i) any change in the financial position of Westpac
since the issue of the Westpac Capital Notes 6;
(ii) any disruption to the market or potential market for
Ordinary Shares or capital markets generally; or
(iii) any breach by Westpac of any obligation in
connection with the Westpac Capital Notes 6;
(c) acknowledges and agrees that:
(i) Conversion is not subject to any conditions other
than those expressly provided for in these Terms;
(ii) subject to any conditions, Conversion must occur
immediately on the Conversion Date and that may
result in disruption or failures in trading or dealings
in the Westpac Capital Notes 6;
(iii) it will not have any rights to vote in respect of any
Conversion; and
(iv) notwithstanding clause 9.9, Ordinary Shares issued
on Conversion may not be quoted at the time of
Conversion or at all;
(d) acknowledges and agrees that where clause 5.8 applies,
no other conditions or events will affect the operation
of that clause and it will not have any rights to vote in
respect of any termination under that clause;
(e) acknowledges and agrees that it has no right to request
that Westpac Convert Westpac Capital Notes 6; and
114
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
(f) acknowledges and agrees that it has no remedies on
account of the failure of Westpac to issue Ordinary
Shares in accordance with clauses 5.2 or 5.4 other than,
subject to clause 5.8, to seek specific performance of
Westpac’s obligation to issue Ordinary Shares.
10 Title and transfer of Westpac
Capital Notes 6
10.1 CHESS
While a Westpac Capital Note 6 remains in CHESS:
(a) the rights of a person holding an interest in the
Westpac Capital Note 6; and
(b) all dealings (including transfers and payments) in
relation to the Westpac Capital Note 6,
will be governed by and subject to the rules and
regulations of CHESS (but without affecting any of these
Terms which affect the eligibility of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 as Additional Tier 1 Capital). To the extent of any
inconsistency:
(c) between these Terms (other than any of these Terms
which affect the eligibility of the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 as Additional Tier 1 Capital) and the rules and
regulations of CHESS, the rules and regulations of
CHESS prevail; and
(d) between any of these Terms which affect the eligibility
of the Westpac Capital Notes 6 as Additional Tier 1
Capital and the rules and regulations of CHESS, these
Terms prevail.
10.2 Effect of entries in Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Register
Each entry in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register of a
person as a Holder constitutes:
(a) conclusive evidence of that person’s:
(i) absolute ownership of those Westpac Capital Notes
6; and
(ii) entitlement to the other benefits given to Holders
under these Terms in respect of Westpac Capital
Notes 6; and
(b) an undertaking by Westpac to pay a Distribution and
any other amount in accordance with these Terms,
subject to correction of the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Register for fraud or error.
10.3 Non-recognition of interests
Except as required by law, Westpac and the Registrar must
treat the person whose name is entered in the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Register as a Holder as the absolute
owner of that Westpac Capital Notes 6. This clause applies
despite any notice of ownership, trust or interest in that
Westpac Capital Notes 6.
10.4 Joint Holders
Where two or more persons are entered in the Westpac
Capital Notes 6 Register as joint Holders, they are taken to
hold those Westpac Capital Notes 6 as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship but the Registrar is not bound to
register more than three persons as joint Holders of any
Westpac Capital Notes 6.
10.5 Transfers
(a) A Holder may transfer Westpac Capital Notes 6:
(i) while Westpac Capital Notes 6 are registered with
CHESS, in accordance with the rules and regulations
of CHESS; or
(ii) at any other time:
(A) by a proper transfer under any other applicable
computerised or electronic system recognised by
the Corporations Act; or
(B) by any proper or sufficient instrument of transfer
of marketable securities under applicable
law, provided such instrument is delivered to
the Registrar with any evidence the Registrar
reasonably requires to prove title to or the right
to transfer Westpac Capital Notes 6.
(b) Title to Westpac Capital Notes 6 passes when details of
the transfer are entered in the Westpac Capital Notes 6
Register.
(c) Westpac Capital Notes 6 may be transferred in whole
but not in part.
(d) Westpac must comply with all Applicable Regulations
and any other relevant obligations imposed on it in
relation to the transfer of Westpac Capital Notes 6.
(e) Westpac must not charge any fee on the transfer of
Westpac Capital Notes 6.
(f) The Holder is responsible for any stamp duty or other
similar taxes which are payable in any jurisdiction in
connection with a transfer, assignment or other dealing
with Westpac Capital Notes 6.
(g) Upon registration and entry of the transferee in the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register, the transferor ceases
to be entitled to future benefits under these Terms in
respect of the transferred Westpac Capital Notes 6.
(h) Subject to Applicable Regulations, Westpac may
determine that transfers of some or all Westpac Capital
Notes 6 will not be registered during any period
reasonably specified by it prior to the Conversion Date,
Redemption Date or Transfer Date of such Westpac
Capital Notes 6.
10.6 Refusal to register
(a) Westpac may only refuse to register a transfer of
Westpac Capital Notes 6 if permitted by, or if such
registration would contravene or is forbidden by,
Applicable Regulations or these Terms.
(b) If Westpac refuses to register a transfer, Westpac must
give the lodging party notice of the refusal and the
reasons for it within five Business Days after the date on
which the transfer was delivered to the Registrar.
10.7 Transmission
A person becoming entitled to Westpac Capital Notes 6
as a consequence of the death, bankruptcy, liquidation or
a winding-up of a Holder or of a vesting order by a court
or other body with power to make the order, or a person
administering the estate of a Holder, may, upon providing
evidence as to that entitlement or status, and if Westpac
so requires an indemnity in relation to the correctness of
such evidence, as Westpac considers sufficient, become
registered as the Holder of those Westpac Capital Notes 6.
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11 Payments
11.1 General
(a) All payments in respect of Westpac Capital Notes 6:
(i) must be made:
(A) in Australian dollars; and
(B) free of any set off, deduction or counter claim
except as required by law or any agreement with
a governmental authority;
(ii) are subject to applicable fiscal and other laws and
the administrative practices and procedures of fiscal
and other authorities;
(iii) will be made in accordance with:
(A) the rules and regulations of CHESS while
Westpac Capital Notes 6 remain in CHESS;
(B) the particulars recorded in the Westpac Capital
Notes 6 Register on the relevant Record Date;
and
(C) these Terms.
(b) If the date scheduled for any payment under these
Terms (other than a payment made under clause
9.1(b) in connection with the Conversion of Westpac
Capital Notes 6 following a Capital Trigger Event or a
Non-Viability Trigger Event) is not a Business Day, then
the payment will be made on the next Business Day
(and without any additional interest or other payment in
respect of such delay).
(c) All calculations of payments will be rounded to four
decimal places. For the purposes of making any
payment in respect of a Holder’s aggregate holding
of Westpac Capital Notes 6, any fraction of a cent will
be rounded to the nearest one Australian cent (with
one half of an Australian cent being rounded up to one
Australian cent).
11.2 Payments to Holders
(a) Each payment in respect of a Westpac Capital Note
6 will be made to the person that is recorded in the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register as the Holder of that
Westpac Capital Note 6 on the Record Date for that
payment.
(b) A payment to any one joint Holder of a Westpac Capital
Note 6 will discharge Westpac’s liability in respect of
the payment.
11.3 Method of payments
(a) Westpac may, in its absolute discretion, pay to a Holder
or any other person entitled to any amount payable in
respect of a Westpac Capital Note 6:
(i) by crediting an account nominated in writing by that
Holder or person;
(ii) by cheque made payable to the Holder or person,
sent to the address of that Holder or person as
notified to Westpac by that Holder or person; or
(iii) in any other manner as Westpac determines
(provided that Distributions must always be paid
in cash).
(b) Westpac may send a cheque referred to in clause 11.3(a)
(ii), if relevant, to:
(i) the address in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register
of the Holder;
(ii) if that Westpac Capital Note 6 is jointly held, the
address in the Westpac Capital Notes 6 Register of
the Holder named first in the register in respect of
the Westpac Capital Note 6; or
(iii) any other address which that person directs in
writing.
(c) If Westpac decides to make a payment by electronic or
other means determined under clause 11.3(a)(iii) and an
account is not nominated by the Holder or joint Holder,
Westpac may hold the amount payable in a separate
account of Westpac until the Holder or joint Holder
(as the case may be) nominates an account, without
any obligation to pay interest, and the amount so held
is to be treated as having been paid to the Holder or
joint Holder at the time it is credited to that separate
account of Westpac.
(d) All amounts payable but unclaimed may be invested by
Westpac as it thinks fit for the benefit of Westpac until
claimed or until required to be dealt with in accordance
with any law relating to unclaimed moneys.
(e) Westpac (or any person through whom payments are
made), in its absolute discretion, may withhold payment
to a Holder where it is required to do so under any
applicable fiscal or other law or any administrative
practice or procedure of any fiscal or other authority
(including any law prohibiting dealings with terrorist
organisations or money laundering, or any other type
of sanction and any withholding or deduction arising
under or in connection with FATCA), or where it has
reasonable grounds to suspect that the Holder may
be subject to any such law, administrative practice or
procedure or sanction or involved in acts of terrorism
or money laundering, and may deal with such
payment and the Holder’s Westpac Capital Notes 6 in
accordance with such applicable law, administrative
practice or procedure or the requirements of any
relevant government or regulatory authority.
(f) Westpac shall not be liable for any costs or loss
suffered by a Holder in exercising its discretion under
clause 11.3(e), even where a Holder later demonstrates
that they were not subject to such law, administrative
practice or procedure or sanction.
12 Taxation
12.1 Deductions
(a) Westpac or the Nominated Party, as applicable, may
deduct or withhold any tax, duty, assessment, levy,
governmental charge or other amount from any
Distribution or amount payable upon Redemption or
Transfer to the Nominated Party of any Westpac Capital
Note 6 (or upon or with respect to the issuance of any
Ordinary Shares upon any Conversion), as required by
law or any agreement with a governmental authority.
If any such deduction or withholding has been made
and paid over to the relevant governmental authority
and the balance of the Distribution or other amount
payable has been paid (or, in the case of a Conversion,
Ordinary Shares issued) to the relevant Holder, then the
full amount payable (or, in the case of a Conversion, the
Conversion Number of Ordinary Shares) to such Holder
shall be deemed to have been duly paid and satisfied
(or, in the case of a Conversion, issued) by Westpac or
the Nominated Party, as applicable.
116
Westpac Capital Notes 6
Appendix B
Appendix B Westpac Capital Notes 6 Terms
(b) Westpac or the Nominated Party, as applicable,
shall pay the full amount required to be deducted or
withheld to the relevant governmental authority within
the time allowed for such payment without incurring
any penalty under applicable law and shall, if requested
by any Holder, deliver to such Holder confirmation
of such payment without delay after it is received by
Westpac or the Nominated Party, as applicable.
12.2 FATCA
Without limiting clause 12.1, if any withholding or deduction
arises under or in connection with FATCA, Westpac will
not be required to pay any further amounts on account of
such withholding or deduction or otherwise reimburse or
compensate, or make any payment to, a Holder for or in
respect of any such withholding or deduction.
12.3 Tax File Number withholdings
(a) Westpac will, if required, withhold an amount from
payment of Distributions on Westpac Capital Notes 6 at
the highest marginal tax rate plus the highest Medicare
levy if a Holder has not supplied an appropriate tax
file number, Australian business number or exemption
details.
(b) If a Holder supplies exemption details and Westpac
subsequently determines that the relevant exemption
was not available, Westpac may recover the amount
that should have been deducted from the relevant
Holder and may deduct that amount from any
subsequent payment due to that Holder in respect of
Westpac Capital Notes 6.
13 Amendment of these Terms
13.1 Amendment generally
No amendment to these Terms is permitted without
APRA’s prior written approval if such amendment would
impact, or potentially impact, the classification of the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 as Additional Tier 1 Capital on a
Level 1 or Level 2 basis.
13.2 Amendment without consent
Subject to clause 13.1, and complying with all applicable laws
and with APRA’s prior written approval (except in the case
of paragraph 13.2(a)(iii) below), Westpac may, without the
authority, assent or approval of Holders, amend these Terms:
(a) if Westpac is of the opinion that the amendment is:
(i) of a formal, minor or technical nature;
(ii) made to cure any ambiguity;
(iii) made to correct any manifest error; expedient for
the purpose of enabling the Westpac Capital Notes
6 to be listed for quotation or to retain listing on any
stock exchange or to be offered for, or subscription
for, sale under the laws for the time being in force
in any place and it is otherwise not considered by
Westpac to be materially prejudicial to the interests
of Holders as a whole; or
(iv) necessary to comply with the provisions of any
statute, the requirements of any statutory authority,
the ASX Listing Rules or the listing or quotation
requirements of any stock exchange on which the
Westpac Capital Notes 6 are quoted; or
(b) generally, in any case where such amendment is
considered by Westpac not to be materially prejudicial
to the interests of Holders as a whole.
13.3 Amendment with consent
Without limiting clause 13.2 and subject to clause 13.1,
Westpac may, with APRA’s prior written approval, amend
these Terms if the amendment has been approved by a
Special Resolution.
13.4 Amendment for Approved
Successor
(a) Subject to clause 13.4(c), if:
(i) it is proposed that Westpac be replaced as the
ultimate holding company of the Westpac Group by
an Approved Successor (“Replacement”); and
(ii) the Approved Successor agrees to expressly
assume Westpac’s obligations under these Terms by
entering into a deed poll for the benefit of Holders
under which it agrees (among other things):
(A) to deliver Approved Successor Shares under
all circumstances when Westpac would have
otherwise been obliged to deliver Ordinary
Shares on a Conversion, subject to the same
terms and conditions of these Terms as amended
by this clause 13.4;
(B) to comply with the restriction in clause 3.7 (with
all appropriate modifications) of these Terms;
and
(C) to use all reasonable endeavours and furnish all
such documents, information and undertakings
as may be reasonably necessary in order to
procure quotation of the Approved Successor
Shares issued under these Terms on the stock
exchanges on which the other Approved
Successor Shares are quoted at the time of a
Conversion,
Westpac may, with APRA’s prior written approval, but
without the authority, assent or approval of Holders,
give a notice (an “Approved Replacement Notice”)
to Holders (which, if given, must be given as soon as
practicable before the Replacement and in any event
no later than 10 Business Days before the Replacement
occurs) specifying the amendments to these Terms
which will be made in accordance with this clause 13.4
to effect the substitution of the Approved Successor as
the debtor in respect of Westpac Capital Notes 6 and
the issuer of ordinary shares on Conversion.
An Approved Replacement Notice, once given, is
irrevocable.
(b) If Westpac gives an Approved Replacement Notice to
Holders in accordance with clause 13.4(a), then with
effect on and from the date specified in the Approved
Replacement Notice:
(i) the Approved Successor will assume all of the
obligations of, and succeed to, and be substituted
for, and may exercise every right and power of,
Westpac under these Terms (as may be amended
from time to time) with the same effect as if the
Approved Successor had been named as Westpac in
these Terms;
(ii) Westpac (or any corporation which has previously
assumed the obligations of Westpac) will be
released from its liability under these Terms;
(iii) references to Westpac in these Terms will be taken
to be references to the Approved Successor and
references to Ordinary Shares in these Terms will
be taken to be references to Approved Successor
Shares; and
117
(iv) such other amendments may be made to these
Terms as in Westpac’s reasonable opinion are
necessary and appropriate to effect the substitution
of an Approved Successor as debtor in respect
of Westpac Capital Notes 6 and the issuer of the
Approved Successor Shares on Conversion in the
manner contemplated by these Terms (including
such amendment as is necessary or expedient for
the purposes of complying with the provisions
of Chapter 2L of the Corporations Act where the
Approved Successor is not an ADI).
(c) Where an amendment under clause 13.4(b) results in
Approved Successor Shares being issued to Holders,
each Holder agrees to become a member of the
Approved Successor immediately prior to the issue of
the Approved Successor Shares and appoints Westpac
as its attorney as contemplated under clause 14.10 to
do all things necessary or desirable to give effect to this
clause 13.4.
(d) Westpac must not issue an Approved Replacement
Notice unless:
(i) the Approved Successor or another entity which is
not a member of the Westpac Group and approved
by APRA subscribes for Ordinary Shares or other
capital instruments acceptable to APRA in such
amount as may be necessary, or take other steps
acceptable to APRA to ensure that the capital
position of Westpac on a Level 1 and Level 2 basis
as described in the Prudential Standards will not be
adversely affected, including, if required by APRA
or the Prudential Standards, undertaking any capital
injection in relation to Westpac to replace the
Westpac Capital Notes 6; and
(ii) any capital injection carried out pursuant to
paragraph 13.4(d)(i) is:
(A) unconditional;
(B) occurs simultaneously with the substitution of
the Approved Successor; and
(C) of equal or better quality capital and at least the
same amount as the Westpac Capital Notes 6,
unless otherwise approved by APRA in writing.
(e) Nothing in this clause 13.4 prevents Westpac from
proposing, or limits, any scheme of arrangement or
other similar proposal that may be put to Holders or
other members of Westpac.
13.5 Meanings
In this clause “amend” includes modify, cancel, alter or add
to, and “amendment” has a corresponding meaning.
14 General
14.1 Not deposit liabilities or protected
accounts
(a) Westpac Capital Notes 6 are not deposit liabilities of
Westpac nor protected accounts for the purposes of
the Banking Act or Financial Claims Scheme and are not
subject to the depositor protection provisions
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Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.