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Commonwealth Bank of Australia

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FY2008 Annual Report · Commonwealth Bank of Australia
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Determined to offer strength in uncertain times.

Annual Report 2008

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
ACN 123 123 124

 
 
Chairman’s Statement  

Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 

Highlights 

Group Performance Analysis 

Retail Banking Services 

Premium Business Services 

Wealth Management 

International Financial Services 

Other 

Shareholder Investment Returns 

Presentation of Financial Information  

Integrated Risk Management 

Capital Management 

Description of Business Environment 

Sustainability 

Corporate Governance 

Directors’ Report 

Five Year Financial Summary 

Financial Statements 

Income Statements 

Balance Sheets 

Statements of Recognised Income and Expense 

Statements of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Audit Report 

Shareholding Information 

International Representation 

Contact Us 

Corporate Directory 

Contents 

2 

4 

6 

10 

14 

16 

18 

22 

25 

26 

27 

28 

30 

37 

40 

43 

50 

79 

81 

82 

83 

84 

85 

87 

223 

224 

226 

230 

231 

232 

 
Chairman’s Statement 

Introduction 

The  2008  financial  year  has  been  a  challenging  one  for  the 
global  financial  services  sector.  The  continued  fall-out  from  the 
ongoing volatility in global credit markets and slowing economic 
growth  have  combined  to  place  significant  pressure  on  the 
financial performance and capital positions of a large number of 
international banks and financial services organisations.  

In this environment, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (“the 
Group”)  has  performed  well,  delivering  solid  profit  growth  and 
another record dividend. 

The  Group  remains  in  a  strong  financial  position  with  a 
continued  focus  on  delivering  on  its  vision  of  becoming 
Australia’s 
through 
finest 
excelling in customer service.  

financial  services  organisation 

Results 

The Group’s statutory net profit after tax for the year ended 30 
June 2008 was $4,791 million - an increase of 7% on the prior 
year. Cash net profit after tax grew to $4,733 million, an increase 
of  5%  on  the  prior  year  while  underlying  net  profit  after  tax, 
which excludes shareholder investment returns, increased 7% to 
$4,746 million.  

This solid result was achieved in a difficult environment with the 
Group incurring additional funding costs during the year caused 
by  ongoing  volatility  in  global  credit  markets.  In  addition,  loan 
impairment  expense  increased  $496  million  on  the  prior  year 
driven by increased corporate sector provisioning.  

Key financial performance highlights for the year included: 

•  A record final dividend of 153 cents per share taking the total 
dividend for the year to 266 cents per share – an increase of 
4%; 

•  Solid growth in Banking income of 8%, with average interest 
earning assets up 16% to $386 billion and net interest margin 
contraction of six basis points; 

•  Funds  management  income  increased  by  23%,  reflecting 
growth  in  average  Funds  Under  Administration  of  18%  to 
$194 billion and net gains from asset sales; 

•  Growth  in  average  Inforce  Premiums  of  18%  to  $1,511 
million  supported  by  strong  sales  in  both  life  and  general 
insurance businesses;  

•  Operating  expense  growth  of  9%  reflecting  continued 
investment in the business to support productivity and growth 
initiatives  as  well  as  the  effect  of  inflation  on  salary  and 
general expenses; and 

•  Substantially increased corporate loan provisioning levels to 
ensure sufficient provision coverage is maintained, reflecting 
market conditions. 

Cash  earnings  per  share  increased  3%  on  the  prior  year  to 
356.9 cents per share. Return on Equity (“cash basis”) remained 
strong at 20.4%. 

The  Group’s  statutory  net  profit  after  tax  includes  the  following 
additional non-cash items:  

•  Gain  on  the  Visa  Initial  Public  Offering  of  $295  million  after 

tax; and 

•  Amounts  have  been 

investment  and 
recognised 
restructuring  of  $264  million  after  tax,  relating  to  the  cost  of 
implementation  of  Core  Banking  Modernisation  and  other 
strategic initiatives. 

for 

2     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

Retail  Banking  Services  maintained  its  solid  performance  over 
the year with cash net profit after tax increasing by 8% to $1,904 
million.  This  result  was  driven  by  strong  volume  growth  in  key 
product  lines,  sound  credit  quality,  tight  expense  management 
and strategic  business investment  to  promote  profitable  growth 
and  increased  efficiency.  These  factors  helped  to  offset  the 
negative  impact  of  higher  funding  costs  due  to  the  continued 
volatility in global credit markets. 

Premium  Business  Services  delivered  double  digit  income 
growth of 16% over the prior year, or 17% after adjusting for the 
impact of the acquisition of IWL in the current year and the gain 
on  sale  of  the  Group’s  share  in  Greater  Energy  Alliance 
Corporation  Pty  Ltd  (“Loy  Yang”)  in  the  prior  year.  This  result 
was  underpinned  by  a  solid  improvement  in  customer  service 
scores  and  strong  gains  in  deposit  market  share.  Again,  this 
strong  underlying  performance  enabled  the  business  to  offset 
the negative impacts of higher funding costs and a slowdown in 
business credit growth in the second half of the year. Increased 
strategic investment spend, together with higher loan impairment 
provisioning, resulted in cash net profit after tax growth of 2%. 

Underlying profit after tax for the Wealth Management business 
increased by  38% on the prior  year to $756 million. This result 
was  largely  driven  by  strong  revenue  growth  in  the  funds 
management businesses and gains on asset sales, with second 
half  earnings  impacted  by  a  deterioration  in  trading  conditions 
and weakened investment markets.  

Wealth  Management  Funds  under  Administration 
(FUA) 
increased  10%  over  the  year  to  $185  billion,  with  positive  net 
flows offsetting falls in the value of Australian and global equity 
portfolios.  

Net funds flows for the year were strong at $28.6 billion, driven 
by: 

•  Solid net flows into the First Choice and Avanteos platforms 

and Global Equity Funds; and 

•  Short term cash mandates from institutional investors. 

CommInsure  Inforce  Premiums  increased  by  22%  on  the  prior 
year  to  $1,250  million  reflecting  strong  sales  volumes  and 
continued  progress  of  the  Wealth  Management  cross-sell 
initiative. 

International  Financial  Services  cash  net  profit  after  tax  for  the 
year  was  $589  million  -  an  increase  of  23%  on  the  prior  year. 
After  excluding  the  impact  of  realised  gains  and  losses 
associated  with  the  hedge  of  the  New  Zealand  operations  and 
other  foreign  currency  movements,  the  underlying  growth  was 
17%. 

ASB Bank cash net profit after tax for the year was $428 million. 
Excluding  the  impact  of  realised  gains  on  the  hedge  of  New 
Zealand operations, profit increased 11% on the prior year. In a 
slowing  economy,  this  was  a  good  result  where  aggressive 
competition continued to place downward pressure on margins.  

Risk Management 

Over  the  last  several  years,  risk  management  activities  have 
deepened  at  CBA.  This  could  not  have  come  at  a  better  time. 
The  actions  of  the  Board  and  its  Risk  Committee  helped 
management  guide  the  Group  away  from  the  global  excesses 
affecting  many  of  the  world’s  major  banks.  The  Group  has 
risk 
appointed  a  new  Group  Executive 
management,  a  person  with  deep  international  experience.  He 
has  been  asked  to  work  with  the  Board,  business  leaders  and 
the  team  of  risk  professionals  to  increase  the  value  from 
measuring  the  Group  and  its  activities  on  a  risk-adjusted  basis 
and then optimising the returns on the risks taken.  

in  charge  of 

The  Group  is  also  proud  to  have  these  efforts  recognised  in  a 
different  way;  the  Group  has  become  one  of  the  first  banks  in 
the  world  to  be  accredited  as  Basel  II  compliant  in  credit  and 
operational  risk  measurement  and  capitalisation.  It  is  believed 
that  the  Group  is  one  of  the  first  institutions  to  report  full  year 
financial  results  under  Basel  II  regulatory  capital  requirements. 
The  way  the  Group  measures  and  manages  market  risks 
inherent in its banking book has also been deemed by APRA as 
having a high standard, indeed Australia is now the only country 
to require formal standards of regulatory capital attribution to this 
important risk. 

Dividends and Capital 

The  Board  declared  a  record  final  dividend  of  153  cents  per 
share, a 3% increase on the prior year’s final dividend. The final 
dividend, which is fully franked, will be paid on 1 October 2008. 
This will take total dividends for the year to 266 cents per share, 
up  4%  on  last  year.  Over  the  last  three  years  dividends  have 
grown at an annual compound rate of 11%.  

The  Group  continues  to  issue  new  shares  to  satisfy  the 
requirements of its Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP). 

During the year dividend and interest payments were also made 
to the holders of the  Group’s various capital securities: PERLS 
II, PERLS III, PERLS IV, Trust Preferred Securities 2003, Trust 
Preferred Securities 2006, ASB Capital Preference Shares and 
ASB Capital No 2 Preference Shares. 

The Group maintains a strong capital position with the advanced 
Basel II accreditation resulting in an increase in both the Group’s 
Tier  One  and  Total  Capital  ratios,  primarily  driven  by  the 
reduction in risk weighted assets.  

As a result of Basel II advanced accreditation, the Total Capital 
ratio  increased  from  9.82%  to  12.08%  at  31  December  2007 
with the Tier One capital ratio increasing from 7.41% to 8.17%. 

As  at  30  June  2008  the  Tier  One  and  Total  Capital  ratio  were 
8.17% and 11.58% respectively.  

The  Group’s  capital  ratios  throughout  the  period  complied  with 
both APRA’s minimum capital adequacy requirements (Tier One 
Capital 4% and Total Capital 8%) and the Board approved target 
ranges of Tier One Capital from 6.5% to 7% and Total Capital in 
the 10% to 12% range.  

During the  year  the  Group  undertook  the following initiatives to 
actively manage its capital: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Issue of $1,465 million ($1,443 million net of issue costs) of 
Perpetual  Exchangeable  Resaleable  Listed  Securities 
(PERLS  IV)  in  July  2007  which  qualify  as  Non-Innovative 
Residual Tier One Capital; 

Issue of $709 million of shares in October 2007 to satisfy the 
DRP in respect of the final dividend for the full year ended 30 
June 2007; 

Issue of $400 million of shares in April 2008 in order to satisfy 
the  DRP  in  respect  of  the  interim  dividend  for  the  full  year 
ended  30  June  2008.  A  further  $98  million  in  shares  were 
purchased on-market as part of the DRP; 

In accordance with APRA guidelines, the estimated issue of 
$609  million  of  shares  to  satisfy  the  DRP  in  respect  of  the 
final  dividend  for  the  full  year  ended  30  June  2008.  This 
estimate  is  based  on  a  30%  participation  in  the  DRP  in 
respect of the final dividend; and 

• 

Issue  of  the  equivalent  of  $664  million  of  Lower  Tier  Two 
Capital during the first half of the financial year. 

The  strength  of  the  Group’s  capital  position  continues  to  be 
reflected in its long-term credit ratings as illustrated on page 9.  

Chairman’s Statement 

Outlook 

the  Australian  banking 

The  headwinds  which 
industry 
experienced in the 2008 financial year are expected to dominate 
the outlook for global banking. Uncertainty and volatility in global 
credit markets will continue to place upward pressure on funding 
costs.  

While  the  domestic  economy  remains  resilient,  credit  growth  is 
expected to moderate to slightly below the average of the past 
decade as the slowing in the economy impacts both consumers 
and business. 

The outlook is cautious going into the new financial year and the 
Group  will  continue  with  its  conservative  stance  until  signs  of 
improvement  in  economic  conditions  are  evident.  The  Group’s 
capital  position  is  strong  with  capital  levels  well  above  target 
ranges. A prudent approach has been taken to the management 
of credit and market risk and we are well provisioned given the 
economic outlook. 

While  it  is  clearly  a  time  to  be  cautious,  the  Group’s  robust 
financial position enables it to maintain the momentum behind its 
five  strategic  priorities  and  remains  committed  to  further 
strengthening  core  businesses  should  attractive,  “on  strategy”, 
investment opportunities arise. 

Corporate Governance and Board Performance 

It has been another busy and successful year for the Board and 
I would like to thank my fellow directors for their contribution and 
dedication.  

I would also like to welcome Andrew Mohl who joined the Board 
as  a  Non-Executive  Director  on  1  July  2008.  Andrew  was 
Managing  Director  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of AMP  Limited 
from October 2002 until his retirement at the end of December 
2007.  He  has  over  30  years  of  financial  services  experience.  I 
am  sure  his  broad  business  experience  and  knowledge  will 
complement and enhance the performance of the Board. 

Conclusion 

While the 2009 financial year is expected to be a difficult one for 
the  financial  services  sector  the  Board  is  optimistic  about  the 
Group’s prospects. The performance in 2008 demonstrated the 
resilience  of  our  business  model  and  the  Group  is  well 
positioned  going  into  the  new  financial  year  with  a  strong 
management team. 

This strength enabled the Board and management to continue to 
press  ahead  with  the  Group’s  strategic  agenda  and  we  made 
good  progress  in  executing  the  Group’s  strategic  priorities. 
Opportunities  to  further  strengthen  our  business  are  becoming 
increasingly  evident  as 
the  environment  becomes  more 
challenging,  which  presents  us  with  a  range  of  organic  growth 
and  acquisition  opportunities.  However,  the  Board  recognises 
that the future is uncertain and that in the current environment its 
first priority is to ensure that the Group continues to maintain its 
strong financial position. 

Finally,  I  would  like  to  recognise  the  hard  work  of  all  of  our 
people  and  thank  our  customers  and  shareholders  for  their 
continuing support for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.  

John Schubert 

Chairman 

13 August 2008  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     3 

 
 
 
 
  
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 

Introduction 

•  Technology and Operational Excellence; 

The  2008  financial  year  has  been  one  of  the  most  challenging 
that  the  global  financial  services  industry  has  seen  for  some 
time.  While  the  Australian  economy  continued  to  perform  well, 
Australian  banks  and  other  financial  institutions  have  not  been 
immune  from  the  effects  of  ongoing  volatility  in  global  credit 
markets  and  slowing  economic  conditions.  In  this  environment, 
banks which are well managed with strong levels of capital and 
a  sophisticated  approach 
the 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, have proven resilient. 

to  risk  management, 

like 

At  a  time  when  many  international  banks  have  reported 
substantial losses and have had to raise significant amounts of 
new  capital  and  cut  dividends,  the  Group  has  performed  well. 
The Group reported a 7% rise in statutory net profit after tax to 
$4,791  million.  A  record  final  dividend  of  153  cents  per  share 
was  declared  taking  dividends  for  the  year  to  266  cents  per 
share - an increase of 4% on last year.  

The  Group  remains  in  a  strong  financial  position  with  all  its 
businesses  performing  well,  a  favourable  funding  position  and 
capital ratios above internal target levels. Continued investment 
in  the  business  has  seen  further  progress  made  on  achieving 
the  Group’s  vision  to  be  Australia’s  finest  financial  services 
organisation through excelling in customer service. 

Operating Environment  

The volatility in global credit markets, combined with the slowing 
of  the  U.S.  economy,  has  led  to  an  environment  of  increased 
uncertainty.  As  a  result,  we  have  seen  many  previously 
successful  business models come under  pressure as domestic 
interest  rates  have  risen  and  liquidity  has  become  increasingly 
constrained.  Like  many  of  its  peers,  the  Group  sources  some 
funding from the wholesale money markets and while there has 
been  little  difficulty  meeting  long  term  funding  needs,  funding 
costs have increased as market credit spreads have widened.  

The  Group  has  endeavoured  to  balance  the  needs  of  both 
shareholders  and  customers,  and  therefore  additional  funding 
costs during the financial year have partly been absorbed by the 
businesses and partly passed on to customers. The tightening of 
liquidity  and  widening  of  credit  spreads  has  also  affected  the 
Group’s  corporate  clients,  which  has  led  to  an  increase  in  the 
Group’s  loan  impairment  expenses  from  the  historically  low 
levels experienced in recent years. 

The  Group  has  weathered  the  recent  events  well  and  is 
appropriately  positioned  going  into  the  new  financial  year.  The 
Group  believes  that  the  current  volatility  in  global  financial 
markets  is  likely  to  continue  for  some  time  yet.  While  the 
Australian  economy  is  expected  to  perform  reasonably  well, 
credit  growth  is  likely  to  moderate  and  credit  quality  may 
become  more  of  an  issue.  In  this  environment,  the  Group 
recognises  the  need  to  be  prudent,  and  the  importance  of 
maintaining a strong capital base and high levels of liquidity.  

Strategic Priorities 

The  Group  is  committed  to  achieving  its  vision  of  becoming 
through 
Australia’s 
excelling  in  customer  service,  with  our  objective  to  be  ranked 
number one in customer service by June 2010.  

financial  services  organisation 

finest 

This  commitment  is  reflected  in  the  Group’s  new  advertising 
theme  “Determined  to  be  Different”  which  was  unveiled  during 
2008.  Simply  put,  this  theme  conveys  our  determination  to  be 
better than we have ever been, by making real progress across 
each of our five strategic priorities: 

•  Customer Service; 

•  Business Banking; 

4     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

•  Trust and Team Spirit; and 

•  Profitable Growth. 

Customer service remains the Group’s top strategic priority, for 
which further good progress was made during 2008, including: 

•  Embedding  of  sales  and  service  culture  with  a  particular 

emphasis on training our front line people;  

• 

Investing in our  front line  and becoming  more accessible  to 
our customers, in particular  refurbishing  retail  branches  and 
opening  new  branches;  increasing  customer  facing  staff  in 
both  the  retail  and  business  banking  areas;  opening  new 
business banking centres; and continuing training for wealth 
management  and  insurance  advisers  to  drive  our  cross-sell 
initiatives; 

•  Continuously reviewing and refining our product portfolio and 

introducing new and improved products; and  

•  Simplifying  procedures  to  improve  responsiveness  and 

speed up approval and processing times. 

These  initiatives  are  being  noticed  by  our  customers,  who  are 
telling us that our service is getting better. Specific measures of 
our successes in improving customer service include: 

•  Main  Financial  Institution  (MFI)  customer  service  scores 

reaching 10 year highs during the year; (1) 

•  Winning the Money Magazine “Bank of the Year” award; 

•  24 of the Group’s retail banking products receiving CANNEX 

5-star ratings in 2008; 

•  Business  Customer  Satisfaction,  as  measured  by  TNS 
Business  Finance  Monitor,  recorded  the  strongest  gains  in 
our peer group in the following three categories: businesses 
with turnover of less than $5 million; businesses with turnover 
between $5 to $100 million; and Agribusinesses. 

•  FirstChoice  was  rated  the  number  one  platform  by  financial 

advisers as measured by Investment Trends; and 

•  ASB Bank again won The Banker’s “Bank of the Year Award 
for New Zealand” and maintained its position as leader of the 
major domestic banks in recent customer service surveys. 

Improving our competitive position in Business Banking remains 
a strategic priority, with key progress and outcomes during 2008 
including: 

• 

Increases  to  the  Business  Banking  “footprint”  by  employing 
more  business  bankers,  adding  new  business  and  private 
banking  centres  and  putting  business  bankers  back  into 
selected retail branches;  

•  Continued migration of our business customers to CommBiz, 
our internet based business banking offering which has now 
been  rolled  out  to  over  90%  of  customers  on  outdated 
platforms;  

•  Acquisition  and  successful  integration  of  IWL  providing 
strategic entry into the online wholesale broking market;  

•  Launch  of  the  new  CommSec  Banking  Solutions  “Better 

Together” and iPhone share trading option; 

•  CommSec  won  the  AFR  Smart  Investor’s  “Highest  Polling 
Online Broker 2008” award and Trade Choice Awards “Best 
Margin Lender 2008”; 

•  Strong  business  deposit  market  share  gains  with  total 

deposits up 143 basis points; and 

•  High ratings over a wide range of criteria in East & Partners’ 

Institutional Banking Markets Programme – April 2008. 

(1) Roy Morgan Research, MFI, 14+, very or fairly satisfied, six month average 

 
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 

Technology and Operational Excellence initiatives are designed 
to  deliver  greater  efficiency  across  the  Group  as  well  as 
providing  competitive  leverage  through  innovative  processes 
and systems. Progress during the year included: 

•  The announcement of a $580 million, four year Core Banking 
Modernisation  project  which  will  replace  the  Group’s  legacy 
systems  and  drive  improvements  in  customer  service  and 
productivity 
the 
introduction of real time straight through processing;  

through  process  simplification  and 

•  Continued  efficiency  gains  in  relation  to  IT  costs,  with  the 
Group’s IT efficiency ratio now standing at 13.7%, which is in 
line with international best practice; 

•  Significant 

improvements 

in  systems  stability,  security, 

•  Continued  focus  on  improving  Group-wide  cross-sell  and 
referral  rates,  designed  to  better  leverage  the  significant 
opportunities in our existing customer base.  

Sustainability 

The  Group  is  committed  to  a  range  of  sustainability  initiatives 
which  complement  our  strategic  priorities  and  objectives. 
Significant  progress  has  been  made  during  the  year  on  an 
integrated  plan  to  both  manage  and  track  progress  on  these 
initiatives, which embrace our people and our customers, as well 
as the communities and the environment in which we operate. A 
summary of the Group’s progress to date, future plans and key 
sustainability  metrics  are  contained  in  pages  40  to  42  of  this 
Annual Report.  

controls and disaster recovery capabilities; 

Conclusion 

• 

Introduction  of  a  number  of  initiatives  designed  to  improve 
customer service, increase operational efficiency and provide 
increased  security  to  the  Group  and  its  customers.  These 
include  NetBank  online  statements,  simplification  of  home 
loan processes, introduction of the Mediclear system, Global 
Markets  and  CommSec  growth  initiatives,  IWL  systems 
integration,  motor 
underwriting,  Wealth 
Management cross-sell, FirstChoice platform enhancements, 
implementation  and  Anti  Money  Laundering 
II 
Basel 
compliance; and 

insurance 

•  Restructuring  of  relationships  with  IT  providers  through  the 
execution of new application sourcing agreements designed 
to  deliver  greater  contestability,  flexibility  and  enhanced 
delivery capability across the Group’s applications portfolio.  

The commitment, engagement and enthusiasm of our people go 
to the heart of our success as an organisation and our ability to 
deliver  on  our  strategies.  Progress  on  Trust  and  Team  Spirit 
initiatives includes: 

•  Greater collaboration across the Group and better alignment 
to  the  needs  of  our  customers,  which  is  reflected  in 
improvements  in  customer  satisfaction  scores,  declining 
customer complaints and increased customer compliments; 

I am pleased with the financial performance of the Group during 
the  financial  year  in  what  has  been  a  challenging  period.  We 
have also continued to make good progress in delivering on our 
five  strategic  priorities  which  are  key  components  in  achieving 
our  goal  of  becoming  Australia’s  finest  financial  services 
organisation through excelling in customer service. 

The headwinds  which impacted  our  performance  in  2008  have 
continued into the new financial year. They will present us with 
both  challenges  and  opportunities.  With  the  outlook  for  global 
financial  markets  uncertain,  and  economic  growth  slowing,  we 
need  to  remain  cautious  and  ensure  that  we  remain  well 
capitalised and funded.  

At the same time it is essential that we do not lose sight of our 
strategic  imperatives  and  balance  these  short  term  challenges 
with the need to continue to invest in creating long term value for 
our shareholders. 

The ability to deliver the strong performance we have seen over 
the  past  financial  year  across  the  Group  would  not  have  been 
possible  without  the  goodwill  and  commitment  of  our  people.  I 
am  very  grateful  for  the  high  level  of  support  I  have  received 
across 
to  be  enormously 
the  organisation  and  continue 
impressed with the quality and skills of our people.  

•  A  continued  improvement  in  employee  satisfaction  scores, 
with the Group now placed in the top quartile of companies 
within Gallup’s worldwide database; 

It is a great privilege to lead this organisation and I am confident 
that  we  can  continue  to  deliver  for  our  people,  our  customers 
and our shareholders. 

•  ASB  Bank  received  the  Gallup  “Great  Workplace  Award 

Thank you. 

2008”; 

Ralph Norris 

Chief Executive Officer 

13 August 2008 

• 

Improvements  in  workplace  safety  with  the  Group’s  Lost 
Time Injury Frequency Rate falling by a further 31%; and 

•  Continued  support  to  the  community  including  significant 
commitments  to  a  range  of  initiatives  such  as  financial 
literacy,  environmental  partnerships  and  one-off  assistance 
for communities in need of help. 

The Profitable Growth priority was introduced to ensure that the 
Group  remains  focused  on  identifying  opportunities  which  will 
ensure continued growth and value creation.  

Examples of progress during the year include: 

•  Our  Indonesian  and  Chinese  businesses,  whilst  still  a 
relatively small part of the Group, are all performing well; 

•  CFS GAM continues to review a wide range of opportunities 

to grow its global footprint; 

•  Premium  Business  Services  is  seeking  to  build  on  its  high 
level  of  expertise  in  the  Institutional  Banking  and  Global 
Markets  Group  by  further  developing  its  debt  and  equity 
market  capabilities  and  leveraging  core  competencies  into 
offshore markets; and  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     5 

 
 
Highlights  

Group Performance Highlights 

Net Profit after 
Income Tax 

Statutory basis 
Cash basis 
Underlying basis 

Full Year 

Half Year

30/06/08 

30/06/07 

30/06/08 

31/12/07

$M 

4,791 
4,733 
4,746 

$M 

4,470 
4,527 
4,431 

$M 

2,420 
2,348 
2,389 

$M 

2,371 
2,385 
2,357 

The Group’s net profit after tax (“statutory basis”) for the full year 
ended 30 June 2008 was $4,791 million, an increase of 7% on 
the  prior  year.  The  final  dividend of  $1.53  per share is  another 
record and the total dividend for the year is $2.66 per share. 

Cash  earnings  per  share  increased  3%  on  the  prior  year  to 
356.9 cents per share.  

The  Group’s  Return  on  Equity  (“cash  basis”)  has  remained 
strong at 20.4%. 

The  Group’s  net  profit  after  tax  (“cash  basis”)  for  the  full  year 
ended 30 June 2008 was $4,733 million, an increase of 5% on 
the  prior  year.  The  Group’s  net  profit  after  tax  (“underlying 
basis”),  which  excludes  Shareholder 
returns, 
increased 7% to $4,746 million.  

investment 

This solid result was achieved in a difficult environment with the 
Group incurring additional funding costs during the year due to 
ongoing  volatility  in  global  credit  markets.  In  addition,  loan 
impairment  expense  increased  $496  million  on  the  prior  year 
due to increased provisioning in the corporate portfolio reflecting 
a tougher economic climate. 

Key financial performance highlights over the year were: 

•  Growth  in  Banking  income  of  8%,  following  an  increase  in 
average  interest  earning  assets  of  16%  to  $386  billion  and 
net  interest  margin  contraction  of  ten  basis  points  on  an 
underlying basis (six basis points on a headline basis); 

•  Funds  management  income  growth  of  23%,  reflecting 
average  funds  under  administration  growth  of  18%  to  $194 
billion and net gains from asset sales; 

•  Growth in average inforce premiums of 18% to $1,511 million 
supported by sales growth in both life and general insurance 
businesses;  

•  Operating  expense  growth  of  9%,  reflecting  continued 
investment in the business to support productivity and growth 
initiatives  as  well  as  the  effect  of  inflation  on  salary  and 
general expenses; and 

•  Substantially increased corporate loan provisioning levels to 
ensure sufficient provision coverage is maintained, reflecting 
market conditions. 

The  Group’s  net  profit  after  tax  (“statutory  basis”)  includes  the 
following additional non-cash items: 

•  Gain  on  the  Visa  Initial  Public  Offering  of  $295  million  after 

tax; and 

The  Group’s  net  profit  after  tax  (“underlying  basis”)  for  the  half 
year ended 30 June 2008 was $2,389 million, an increase of 1% 
on  the  prior  half.  The  second  half  was  impacted  by  two  fewer 
days, a significantly higher loan impairment expense and lower 
returns from investment markets. 

Other performance highlights specifically relating to the Group’s 
strategic priorities over the year included: 

•  Recognised as 2008 “Bank of the Year” by Money Magazine; 

•  The full suite of rated retail deposit and transaction products 

receiving a five star rating from CANNEX; 

•  The launch of the Group’s new “Determined to be different” 

brand marketing campaign; 

• 

Institutional  Banking  recognised  as  the  industry  leader, 
receiving the highest customer satisfaction rating in the East 
& Partners survey for the third year running; 

•  Launched  Core  Banking  Modernisation,  a  project  that  will 
deliver  a  world  class  technology  platform  and  enhanced 
customer service;  

•  Recognised as Australia’s best Mastertrust/Wrap provider in 
the  Wealth  Insights  2008  Service  Level  Survey  Reports 
(Source: ASSIRT/Wealth Insights); and 

•  People  Engagement  Workplace  survey  results  which  place 
the Group in the top quartile worldwide (source: Gallup). 

Basel II Transition 

II 
In  December  2007,  APRA  granted  “advanced”  Basel 
accreditation  status  to  the  Group  for  the  measurement  of 
regulatory capital, which was effective from 1 January 2008. The 
Tier  One  and  Total  Capital  ratios  as  at  30  June  2008  as 
disclosed  on  page  5  have  been  calculated  in  accordance  with 
the  Basel  II  methodology.  Further  details  on  the  impact  of  the 
Basel II transition are in Capital Management, page 30. 

Dividends 

The  total  dividend  for  the  year  is  another  record  at  $2.66  per 
share. 

The  final  dividend  declared  is  $1.53  per  share  which  takes  the 
full year dividend to $2.66, an increase of 10 cents or 4% on the 
prior  year.  The  dividend  has  been  determined  based  on  net 
profit after tax (“cash basis”). On this basis the dividend payout 
ratio for the year is 75.0%. 

The  dividend  payment  is  fully  franked  and  will  be  paid  on  1 
October  2008  to  owners  of  ordinary  shares  at  the  close  of 
business  on  22  August  2008  (“record  date”).  Shares  will  be 
quoted ex-dividend on 18 August 2008. 

The Group issued $400 million of shares to satisfy shareholder 
participation  in  the  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  (“DRP”)  in 
respect of the interim dividend for the 2008 financial year. 

•  Amounts  have  been 

investment  and 
recognised 
restructuring  of  $264  million  after  tax,  relating  to  the  cost  of 
implementation  of  Core  Banking  Modernisation  and  other 
strategic initiatives. 

for 

6     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
Highlights continued  

Group Performance Summary  

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Funds management income 
Insurance income 
Total operating income 
Shareholder investment returns 
Total income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before income tax 
Corporate tax expense (1) 
Minority interests (2) 
Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) 
Gain on Visa Initial Public Offering 
Investment and restructuring  
Defined benefit superannuation plan income/(expense) 
Treasury shares valuation adjustment 
Hedging and AIFRS volatility 
Net profit after income tax (“statutory basis”) 

Represented by: (3) 
Retail Banking Services 
Premium Business Services 
Wealth Management (4) 
International Financial Services 
Other (4) 
Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Net profit after income tax (“underlying basis”) 

Full Year Ended

Half Year Ended

30/06/08
$M 
7,907 
3,312 
11,219 
2,307 
832 
14,358 
(17)
14,341 
7,021 
930 
6,390 
1,626 
31 
4,733 
295 
(264)
9 
60 
(42)
4,791 

1,904 
1,480 
740 
589 
20 
4,733 
13 
4,746 

30/06/07
$M 
7,036 
3,321 
10,357 
1,874 
817 
13,048 
149 
13,197 
6,427 
434 
6,336 
1,782 
27 
4,527 
- 
- 
5 
(75)
13 
4,470 

1,766 
1,445 
627 
478 
211 
4,527 
(96)
4,431 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
12 
- 
8 
23 
2 
10 
large 
9 
9 
large 
1 
(9)
15 
5 
- 
- 
80 
large 
large 
7 

8 
2 
18 
23 
(91)
5 
large 
7 

30/06/08 
$M 
4,008 
1,771 
5,779 
1,166 
439 
7,384 
(59) 
7,325 
3,643 
597 
3,085 
721 
16 
2,348 
295 
(264) 
13 
73 
(45) 
2,420 

955 
756 
351 
293 
(7) 
2,348 
41 
2,389 

31/12/07 
$M 
3,899 
1,541 
5,440 
1,141 
393 
6,974 
42 
7,016 
3,378 
333 
3,305 
905 
15 
2,385 
- 
- 
(4) 
(13) 
3 
2,371 

949 
724 
389 
296 
27 
2,385 
(28) 
2,357 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
3 
15 
6 
2 
12 
6 
large 
4 
8 
79 
(7)
(20)
7 
(2)
- 
- 
large 
large 
large 
2 

1 
4 
(10)
(1)
large 
(2)
large 
1 

(1) For purposes of presentation, Policyholder tax benefit and Policyholder tax expense components of Corporate tax expense are shown on a net basis (full years ended 

30 June 2008: $(115) million, 30 June 2007: $266 million and half years ended 30 June 2008 $(151) million, 31 December 2007: $36 million).  

(2) Minority interests include preference dividends paid to holders of preference shares in ASB Capital. 

(3) During the first half of the current financial year the presentation of the segments of the Group was changed. Prior periods have been restated on a consistent basis.  

(4) During the year a change was made to the recognition of intra-segment income between the Wealth Management and Other segments. This resulted in the 

recognition of an additional $9 million in after tax profit in the Wealth Management segment in the prior half.  

Shareholder Summary 

Dividend per share – fully franked (cents) 
Dividend cover – cash (times) 
Earnings per share (cents) 

Statutory – basic 
Cash basis – basic 
Dividend payout ratio (%) 

Statutory basis 
Cash basis 

Weighted avg no. of shares – statutory basic (M)  
Weighted avg no. of shares – cash basic (M) (1)  
Return on equity – cash (%) 

Full Year Ended

30/06/08

30/06/07 

266 
1. 3 

363. 0 
356. 9 

74. 1 
75. 0 
1,307 
1,313 
20. 4 

256 
1. 3 

344. 7 
347. 1 

75. 2 
74. 2 
1,281 
1,289 
21. 7 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
4 
n/a 

5 
3 

(110)bpts 
80bpts 
2 
2 
(130)bpts 

Half Year Ended

30/06/08 

31/12/07 

153 
1. 1 

182. 6 
176. 2 

84. 6 
87. 3 
1,314 
1,319 
19. 9 

113 
1. 6 

180. 4 
180. 7 

63. 4 
63. 0 
1,300 
1,306 
20. 8 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07% 
35 
n/a 

1 
(3)

large 
large 
1 
1 
(90)bpts 

(1) Fully diluted EPS and weighted average number of shares (fully diluted) are disclosed in Note 7, Earnings per share. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Highlights continued  

Balance Sheet Summary 
Lending assets (1) 
Total assets (2) 
Total liabilities (2) 
Shareholders’ Equity 

Assets held and Funds Under Administration (FUA) 
On Balance Sheet: 
Banking assets (2) 
Insurance Funds Under Administration 
Other insurance and internal funds management assets 

Off Balance Sheet: 
Funds Under Administration 
Total assets held and FUA 

30/06/08
$M 
369,597 
487,572 
461,435 
26,137 

461,944 
17,345 
8,283 
487,572 

173,960 
661,532 

31/12/07
$M 
351,208 
472,664 
447,026 
25,638 

445,695 
18,940 
8,029 
472,664 

188,762 
661,426 

As at
30/06/07 
$M 
319,786 
440,157 
415,713 
24,444 

412,111 
19,814 
8,232 
440,157 

157,257 
597,414 

Jun 08 vs 
Dec 07 % 
5 
3 
3 
2 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
16 
11 
11 
7 

4 
(8) 
3 
3 

(8) 
- 

12 
(12)
1 
11 

11 
11 

(1) Lending assets comprise Loans, advances, and other receivables (gross of provisions for impairment and excluding securitisation and unearned income) and Bank 

acceptances of customers. 

(2) During the year, a review of the accounting treatment of Group Limit Facilities and Mortgage Interest Saver Accounts led to an increase in lending and deposit balances 

(30 June 2008: $20 billion, 31 December 2007: $19 billion, 30 June 2007: $16 billion). 

8     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Highlights continued  

Key Performance Indicators 

Group 
Underlying profit after tax ($M) (1) 
Net interest margin (%) (2) (3) 
Average interest earning assets ($M) (2) (3) 
Average interest bearing liabilities ($M) (2) (3) 
Funds management income to average funds 
under administration (%) 
Average funds under administration ($M) 
Insurance income to average inforce premiums (%) 
Average inforce premiums ($M) 
Operating expense to total operating income (%) 
Effective corporate tax rate (%) 

Retail Banking Services 
Cash net profit after tax ($M) 
Operating expense to total banking income (%) 

Premium Business Services 
Cash net profit after tax ($M) 
Operating expense to total banking income (%) 

Wealth Management 
Underlying profit after tax ($M) (1) 
Average funds under administration ($M) 
Average inforce premiums ($M)  
Funds management income to average funds 
under administration (%) 
Insurance income to average inforce premiums (%) 
Operating expense to net operating income (%) (4) 

International Financial Services 
Underlying profit after tax ($M) (1) 
Average funds under administration ($M) 
Average inforce premiums ($M)  
Funds management income to average funds 
under administration (%) 
Insurance income to average inforce premiums (%) 
Operating expense to net operating income (%) (4) 

Capital Adequacy Ratios – (Basel I) (5) 
Tier One (%) 
Total (%) 
Adjusted Common Equity (%) 

Capital Adequacy Ratios – (Basel II) (5) 
Tier One (%) 
Total (%) 
Adjusted Common Equity (%) 

Full Year Ended

30/06/08

30/06/07

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 

Half Year Ended 

30/06/08 

31/12/07 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 

4,746 
2. 02 
385,667 
362,249 

1. 19 
194,156 
55. 1 
1,511 
48. 9 
25. 4 

1,904 
45. 5 

1,480 
45. 3 

4,431 
2. 08 
332,492 
311,236 

1. 14 
164,404 
63. 9 
1,278 
49. 3 
28. 1 

1,766 
46. 6 

1,445 
45. 7 

756 
186,696 
1,136 

548 
157,338 
938 

1. 21 
51. 1 
55. 0 

563 
7,460 
375 

0. 64 
67. 2 
51. 6 

- 
- 
- 

8. 17 
11. 58 
6. 47 

1. 16 
61. 1 
59. 8 

461 
7,066 
340 

0. 65 
71. 8 
55. 0 

7. 14 
9. 76 
4. 79 

- 
- 
- 

7 
(6)bpts 
16 
16 

5bpts 
18 
(14)
18 
(1)
(10)

8 
(2)

2 
(1)

38 
19 
21 

4 
(16)
(8)

22 
6 
10 

(2)
(6)
(6)

2,389 
1. 98 
400,678 
375,930 

1. 18 
198,801 
56. 8 
1,554 
49. 3 
23. 4 

955 
45. 3 

756 
47. 0 

2,357 
2. 06 
370,819 
348,716 

1. 19 
191,447 
54. 1 
1,444 
48. 4 
27. 4 

949 
45. 8 

724 
43. 4 

384 
191,721 
1,172 

372 
183,548 
1,058 

1. 20 
52. 7 
55. 7 

287 
7,080 
382 

0. 74 
69. 5 
49. 8 

- 
- 
- 

1. 21 
51. 3 
54. 3 

276 
7,899 
386 

0. 55 
61. 8 
53. 6 

7. 41 
9. 82 
4. 77 

1 
(8)bpts 
8 
8 

(1)bpts 
4 
5 
8 
2 
(15)

1 
(1)

4 
8 

3 
4 
11 

(1) 
3 
3 

4 
(10)
(1)

35 
12 
(7)

8. 17 
11. 58 
6. 47 

8. 17 
12. 08 
6. 58 

- 
(50)bpts 
(11)bpts 

(1) Cash net profit after tax less Shareholder investment returns after tax. 

(2) During the year, a review of the accounting treatment of Group Limit Facilities and Mortgage Interest Saver Accounts led to an increase in lending and deposit 

balances (30 June 2008: $20 billion, 31 December 2007: $19 billion, 30 June 2007: $16 billion). Prior periods have been restated on a consistent basis. 

(3) Average interest earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities have been adjusted to remove the impact of securitisation. Refer to Note 4, Average Balances 

and Related Interest. 

(4) Net operating income represents Total operating income less volume expenses. 

(5) June 2008 regulatory capital is calculated in accordance with Basel II rules and methodology which was effective from 1 January 2008. The Basel II ratios make no 
allowances for interest rate risk in the banking book, as this measure is not effective until 1 July 2008. The December 2007 and June 2007 regulatory capital is 
reported in accordance with Basel I rules and methodology. 

Credit Ratings 

Fitch Ratings 
Moody’s Investor Services 
Standard & Poor's 

Long–term 
AA 
Aa1 
AA 

Short–term 
F1+ 
P-1 
A-1+ 

Outlook 
Stable 
Stable 
Stable 

The Group continues to maintain a strong capital position which is reflected in its credit ratings. Additional information regarding the
Group’s capital is disclosed in Capital Management, page 30.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Performance Analysis  

Financial Performance and Business Review 

The  full  year  underlying  net profit  after  tax  of  $4,746 million for 
the Group increased 7% on the prior year. 

The performance during the year was underpinned by: 

•  Strong growth in lending balances, with business lending up 
22%  to  $127  billion  and  housing  lending  up  12%  to  $216 
billion; 

•  Domestic deposit volume growth of 23% since June 2007 to 

$234 billion; 

•  Underlying net interest margin contraction of 10 basis points 
since 30 June 2007, a solid result in a difficult environment; 

•  Average  funds  under  administration  growth  of  18%  to  $194 
billion, reflecting positive net funds flows partly offset by falls 
in Australian and global equity markets; 

•  Operating expense growth of 9% on the prior year, reflecting 
continued  investment  in  the  Group’s  businesses  as  well  as 
the effect of inflation on salary and general expenses; 

•  Higher  funding  costs  caused  by  volatility  in  global  credit 

markets; and  

• 

Increased  corporate  sector  collective  and 
provisioning consistent with market conditions. 

individual 

The underlying net profit after tax for the second half of the year 
increased by 1% on the prior half to $2,389 million. The second 
half  performance  was  impacted  by  two  fewer  days  and  a 
significantly higher corporate loan impairment expense. 

Net Interest Income 

Net  interest  income  increased  by  12%  on  the  prior  year  to 
$7,907 million. Excluding the impact of the reclassification of net 
swap costs under AIFRS, net interest income growth was 10%. 
This  result  was  achieved  through  strong  volume  growth  in 
average  interest  earning  assets  of  16%,  partly  offset  by 
underlying margin contraction of ten basis points. 

During the current half net interest income increased by 3% over 
the  prior  half.  This  represents  6%  on  an  underlying  basis  after 
adjusting  for  the  dampening  impact  of  two  fewer  days  and 
AIFRS  net  swap  cost  reclassification.  The  increase  in  net 
interest income was driven by an 8% growth in average interest 
earning assets partly offset by a seven basis point contraction in 
underlying margin. 
Average Interest Earning Assets (1) 

+ 16 %

385,667

57,842

327,825

332,492

49,521

282,971

)

M
$
(

s
t
e
s
s
A
g
n
n
r
a
E

i

t
s
e
r
e
t
n
I
e
g
a
r
e
v
A

400,000

350,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

Jun 07

Jun 08

Non-Lending Interest Earning Assets (Excl Bank Accept)
Lending Interest Earning Assets

Average interest earning assets increased by $53 billion on the 
prior  year  to  $386  billion,  reflecting  a  $45  billion  increase  in 
average  lending  interest  earnings  assets  and  a  $8  billion 
increase in average non-lending interest earning assets. 

Above market home lending growth was the largest contributor 
to  the  increase  in  average  interest  earning  assets.  Average 

10     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

home  loan  balances  excluding  the  impact  of  securitisation 
increased  by  15%  since  30  June  2007  and  9%  since  31 
December 2007. 

Average balances for business and corporate lending benefited 
from  strong  volume  growth,  particularly  in  Institutional  Banking. 
This  resulted  in  growth  of  18%  since  30  June  2007  and  9% 
since 31 December 2007.  

Personal lending average balances grew by 12% since 30 June 
2007 and 3% since 31 December 2007. This result continues to 
be  driven  by  growth  in  margin  lending,  which  slowed  in  the 
second half due to the downturn in investment markets. 

Net Interest Margin  

Underlying  net  interest  margin  decreased  10  basis  points 
compared  to  the  prior  year.  This  was  partly  offset  by  AIFRS 
hedging  volatility  which  resulted  in  a  four  basis  point  increase, 
bringing headline margin contraction to six basis points. The key 
drivers of the underlying margin contraction were:  

Asset  pricing  and  mix:  Overall  margin  contraction  of  10  basis 
points, with home lending margins contributing to a seven basis 
point decline during the year due to the impact of higher funding 
costs  together  with  the  increased  proportion  of  lower  margin 
fixed  rate  and  packaged  home  lending  products  more  than 
offsetting the changes in pricing of standard variable rate home 
loans. Business and personal lending margins contracted three 
basis points due to higher funding costs and the strong growth in 
lower  margin  Institutional  loans  and  lower  interest  rate  credit 
cards.  

Deposit  pricing  and  mix:  Retail  deposit  margins  improved  four 
basis points due to benefits of increases in the official cash rate 
offsetting  the  ongoing  mix  impact  of  strong  growth  in  higher 
interest rate deposit products. 

Liquids and other: The Group increased holdings of liquid assets 
by  $8  billion  during  the  year,  resulting  in  four  basis  points  of 
margin compression.  
NIM movement since June 2007 (1) 

Underlying (10) bpts

2.10%

2.08%

(0.10%)

0.04%

(0.04%)

1.98%

0.04%

2.02%

1.90%

1.70%

1.50%

Jun 07

Asset
Pricing &
Mix 

Deposit
Pricing &
Mix 

Liquids &
other

AIFRS
volatility

 Jun 08

The  net  interest  margin  has  been  protected  from  further 
deterioration  due 
interest  rate 
exposures which led to incremental costs of approximately $50 
million in Other banking income, largely in the first half. 

to  hedging  of  short-dated 

During the second half,  net interest margin  decreased  by  eight 
basis points (seven basis points on an underlying basis) due to 
similar influences as described above. 

Additional information, including the average balances, is set out 
in Note 4, Average Balances and Related Interest. 

(1) Headline net interest margin has been impacted by a change in the 

accounting treatment of Group Limit Facilities and Mortgage Interest Saver 
Accounts which led to an increase in lending and deposit balances. Prior 
periods have been restated on a consistent basis.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Performance Analysis continued 

Other Banking Income 

Funds Management Income 

Commissions 
Lending fees 
Trading income  
Other income 

Full Year Ended  Half Year Ended
31/12/07
$M 
908 
469 
200 
128 
1,705 

30/06/07 
$M 
1,729 
896 
555 
248 
3,428 

30/06/08
$M 
919 
507 
346 
100 
1,872 

30/06/08 
$M 
1,827 
976 
546 
228 
3,577 

AIFRS reclassification of 
net swap costs (1) 
Other banking income 

(265) 
3,312 

(107) 
3,321 

(101)
1,771 

(164)
1,541 

(1) Refer to Note 2, Profit for further details. 

Excluding  the  impact  of  AIFRS  non-trading  derivative  volatility, 
Other banking income increased 4% over the year. 

$M

3,600

2,700

1,800

900

0

3,428
248
555

896

1,729

3,577
228
546

976

1,827

CFS GAM 
Colonial First State 
CommInsure & Other 
Sovereign & Other 
Funds management 
income 

Full Year Ended  Half Year Ended

30/06/08 
$M 
1,068 
909 
282 
48 

30/06/07 
$M 
759 
844 
225 
46 

30/06/08
$M 
567 
421 
152 
26 

31/12/07
$M 
501 
488 
130 
22 

2,307 

1,874 

1,166 

1,141 

Funds management income increased by 23% on the prior year 
to  $2,307  million.  This  growth  was  driven  by  an  increase  in 
average  funds  under  administration  (FUA)  of  18%  on  the  prior 
year  to  $194  billion  and  a  $108  million  pre-tax  gain  on  sale  of 
assets. 

Funds management income in the current half increased 2% on 
the  prior  half  to  $1,166  million,  reflecting  the  impact  of  a  $40 
million higher pre-tax gain on the sale of assets and a $16 billion 
decline  in  funds  under  administration  due  to  the  investment 
market downturn in the second half. 

Insurance Income  

Full Year Ended  Half Year Ended
31/12/07
$M 
273 
120 
393 

30/06/07 
$M 
573 
244 
817 

30/06/08
$M 
307 
132 
439 

30/06/08 
$M 
580 
252 
832 

 Jun 07

Jun 08

Commissions

Lending Fees

Trading Income Other

CommInsure & Other 
Sovereign & Other 
Insurance income 

Factors impacting Other banking income were: 

•  Commissions:  increased  by  6%  on  the  prior  year  to  $1,827 
million,  principally  driven  by  strong  brokerage  commissions 
within  CommSec  and 
in 
international transactions; 

volume-driven 

increases 

•  Lending  fees:  increased  by  9%  on  the  prior  year  to  $976 
million.  The  growth  is  principally  due  to  retail  and  corporate 
customer  fees,  increasing  in  line  with  lending  volumes 
together  with  higher  syndication  structured  transaction  fee 
income;  

•  Trading  income:  decreased  2%  on  the  prior  year  to  $546 
million due to additional costs in the prior half on derivatives 
used to hedge short-dated interest rate exposures; and 

•  Other  income:  decreased  8%  on  the  prior  year  to  $228 
million. The prior year included $79 million due to the sale of 
the Group’s share in Greater Energy Alliance Corporation Pty 
Limited (“Loy Yang”) and $58 million in relation to the sale of 
MasterCard  shares.  The  impact  of  these  items  was  partly 
offset in the current year due to realised gains on hedges of 
the  New  Zealand  operations  of  $31  million  compared  to  a 
loss of  $23 million in  the prior  year,  accrued income  of $24 
million  relating  to  a  prior  period  tax  refund,  the  receipt  of 
dividend  income  on  Group  investments  of  $36  million, 
together with several other offsetting non-recurring gains and 
losses.  

The  current  half  increased  10%  on  the  prior  half  excluding  the 
impact of AIFRS reclassification. This was the result of a strong 
increase in trading income in the  Global  Markets business due 
to  market  volatility  in  the  current  half  providing  a  good  trading 
environment. 

Insurance  income  increased  by  2%  on  the  prior  year  to  $832 
million. This result is a combination of strong growth in average 
inforce  premiums  of  18%  offset  by  adverse  claims  experience 
associated with weather events concentrated on the east coast 
of Australia. 

Insurance income in the current half increased 12% on the prior 
half due to an 8% increase in inforce premiums and the impact 
of weather events in the first half. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Performance Analysis continued 

Operating Expenses 

Loan Impairment 

Group operating expenses increased by 9% on the prior year to 
$7,021 million. Operating expenses were impacted by: 

•  Average salary increases reflecting the tight domestic labour 
market  together  with  the  effect  of  inflation  on  general 
expenses; 

•  Continued 

investment 

in  staff 

in  support  of  strategic 

initiatives, with staff numbers rising 5% on the prior year; 

•  Further  investment  in  strategic  growth  initiatives,  including 

the Business Banking Growth Strategy; 

•  Higher  occupancy  expenses  resulting  from  market  rent 
increases,  relocation  of  the  Business  Continuity  Centre  to 
Sydney Olympic Park and increases in other property costs; 

•  Continued  productivity 

improvements  achieved 

through 

process re-engineering and simplification initiatives; and 

•  Higher volume related expenses resulting from strong growth 
in  funds  under  administration,  the  IWL  acquisition  and  an 
increase in underlying retail equities trading volumes. 

During the second half of the year operating expenses increased 
8%  to  $3,643  million.  As  previously  disclosed,  the  first  half 
included a one-off GST refund ($64 million) and the Group has 
continued  to  invest  in  staff  and  projects  to  support  its  strategic 
priorities. 

Group Expense to Income Ratio 

in 

to  48.9% 

The expense  to income  ratio improved  from  49.3% in  the  prior 
the  current  year,  representing  a  1% 
year 
improvement in productivity. The improvement in productivity is 
a  reflection  of  solid  income  growth,  disciplined  underlying 
expense  management  and  continued 
the 
business.  

investment 

in 

Productivity 

50.5%

The  total  charge  for  loan  impairment  for  the  year  was  $930 
million, which represents 26 basis points of average gross loans 
and acceptances. This expense is $496 million higher than the 
prior year, reflecting increased levels of collective and individual 
provisioning  in  the  corporate  portfolio.  The  current  half  loan 
impairment  expense  increased  by  79%  to  $597  million  for  the 
same reason. 

Gross  impaired  assets  were  $683  million  as  at  30  June  2008, 
compared with $421 million at 30 June 2007. 

The  Group  remains  well  provisioned,  with  total  provisions  for 
impairment  losses  as  at  30  June  2008  of  $1,745  million.  The 
current level of provisioning reflects: 

•  The  large  proportion  of  high  quality,  low  risk  home  loans 

within the consumer portfolio; 

•  No  direct  exposure  to  US  sub-prime  or  non-recourse 

mortgages; 

•  No participation in the zero rate credit card balance transfer 

market;  

• 

Increased  collective  and 
in 
corporate portfolio consistent with market conditions; and 

individual  provisioning 

the 

•  No  material  exposure  to  Collateralised  Debt  Obligations 

(“CDOs”).  

Loan Impairment Expense to Average Gross Loans and 
Acceptances (1) 

0.30%

0.25%

0.20%

0.26%

49.3%

48.9%

0.15%

0.14%

0.14%

0.10%

Jun 06

Jun 07

Jun 08

(1) During the current year a review of the netting of certain assets and liabilities 
led to an increase in both lending and deposit balances (30 June 2008: $20 
billion, 31 December 2007: $19 billion, 30 June 2007: $16 billion). Prior 
periods have been restated on a consistent basis. 

Jun 06

Jun 07

Jun 08

Taxation Expense 

The  corporate  tax  charge  for  the  year  was  $1,626  million, 
representing an effective tax rate of 25.4%.  

The effective tax rate is lower in the current half primarily due to 
satisfactory  resolution  of  long  outstanding  issues  with  tax 
authorities.  

Reductions  in  the  corporate  tax  rate  in  offshore  jurisdictions 
including New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom will 
lead to a lower underlying tax rate than in prior years. The long 
term underlying effective tax rate is therefore expected to range 
between 27% and 28%. 

12     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Group Assets & Liabilities 

Interest earning assets 
Home loans including securitisation 
Less: securitisation 
Home loans excluding securitisation 
Personal 
Business and corporate 
Loans, advances and other receivables (1) 
Provisions for loan impairment 
Net loans, advances and other receivables 
Non-lending interest earning assets 
Total interest earning assets 
Other assets (2)  
Total assets (3) 
Interest bearing liabilities 
Transaction deposits 
Savings deposits 
Investment deposits 
Other demand deposits 
Total interest bearing deposits 
Deposits not bearing interest 
Deposits and other public borrowings 
Debt issues 
Other interest bearing liabilities 
Total interest bearing liabilities 
Securitisation debt issues 
Non-interest bearing liabilities (4)  
Total liabilities (3) 
Provisions for loan impairment 
Collective provision 
Individually assessed provisions 
Total provisions for loan impairment 
Other credit provisions (5) 
Total provisions for impairment losses 

Group Performance Analysis continued 

30/06/08
$M 

31/12/07
$M 

As at 
30/06/07 
$M 

Jun 08 vs 
Dec 07 % 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 

215,743 
(11,676)
204,067 
20,265 
126,987 
351,319 
(1,713)
349,606 
49,385 
400,704 
86,868 
487,572 

59,917 
53,420 
98,745 
44,014 
256,096 
7,610 
263,706 
73,785 
44,756 
374,637 
12,032 
74,766 
461,435 

1,346 
367 
1,713 
32 
1,745 

203,885 
(13,177)
190,708 
20,838 
119,857 
331,403 
(1,352)
330,051 
51,065 
382,468 
90,196 
472,664 

60,210 
54,659 
84,328 
45,889 
245,086 
8,021 
253,107 
65,699 
49,597 
360,382 
13,673 
72,971 
447,026 

1,084 
268 
1,352 
28 
1,380 

192,770 
(15,633) 
177,137 
20,074 
103,854 
301,065 
(1,233) 
299,832 
49,553 
350,618 
89,539 
440,157 

55,168 
52,408 
76,856 
26,156 
210,588 
8,480 
219,068 
69,753 
43,719 
324,060 
15,737 
75,916 
415,713 

1,034 
199 
1,233 
23 
1,256 

6 
(11) 
7 
(3) 
6 
6 
27 
6 
(3) 
5 
(4) 
3 

- 
(2) 
17 
(4) 
4 
(5) 
4 
12 
(10) 
4 
(12) 
2 
3 

24 
37 
27 
14 
26 

12 
(25)
15 
1 
22 
17 
39 
17 
- 
14 
(3)
11 

9 
2 
28 
68 
22 
(10)
20 
6 
2 
16 
(24)
(2)
11 

30 
84 
39 
39 
39 

Asset Quality  

Gross loans and acceptances ($M) 
Risk weighted assets (“RWA”) – Basel I ($M) 
Risk weighted assets – Basel II ($M) (6) 
Gross impaired assets ($M) 
Net impaired assets ($M) 
Collective provision as a % of RWA – Basel I 
Collective provision as a % of RWA – Basel II 
Collective provision as a % of credit risk weighted 
assets – Basel II 
Collective provision as a % of gross loans and 
acceptances  
Individually assessed provisions for impairment as 
a % of gross impaired assets (7) 
Loan impairment expense as a % of average risk 
weighted assets annualised – Basel I (8)  
Loan impairment expense as a % of average risk 
weighted assets annualised – Basel II (9)  
Loan impairment expense as a % of average gross 
loans and acceptances annualised (8) 

Full Year Ended

Half Year Ended

30/06/08
$M 
383,502 
- 
205,501 
683 
316 
- 
0. 65 

0. 72 

0. 35 

40. 8 

- 

0. 46 

0. 26 

30/06/07
$M 
337,339 
245,347 
- 
421 
222 
0. 42 
- 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
14 
n/a 
n/a 
62 
42 
n/a 
n/a 

- 

0. 31 

23. 8 

0. 19 

- 

0. 14 

n/a 

13 

71 

n/a 

- 

86 

30/06/08 
$M 
383,502 
- 
205,501 
683 
316 
- 
0. 65 

0. 72 

0. 35 

40. 8 

- 

0. 59 

0. 32 

31/12/07 
$M 
366,313 
272,609 
198,228 
562 
294 
0. 40 
0. 55 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
5 
n/a 
4 
22 
7 
n/a 
18 

0. 60 

0. 30 

33. 6 

0. 26 

- 

0. 19 

20 

17 

21 

n/a 

- 

68 

(1) Gross of provisions for impairment which are included in other assets. 

(2) Other assets include Bank acceptances of customers, derivative assets, provisions for loan impairment, securitisation assets, insurance assets and intangibles. 

(3) During the current year a review of the netting of certain assets and liabilities led to an increase in both lending and deposit balances (30 June 2008: $20 billion, 31 

December 2007: $19 billion, 30 June 2007: $16 billion). Prior periods have been restated on a consistent basis. 

(4) Non-interest bearing liabilities include derivative liabilities and insurance policy liabilities. 

(5) Included in Other provisions. 

(6) Basel II RWA and associated ratios for 31 December 2007 are on a pro-forma basis. RWA for Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book is excluded from the above 

tables as it is effective from 1 July 2008 only. 

(7) Bulk portfolio provisions of $88 million at 30 June 2008 ($79 million at 31 December 2007 and $99 million at 30 June 2007) to cover unsecured personal loans and 
credit  card  lending  have  been  deducted  from  individually  assessed  provisions  to  calculate  this  ratio.  These  provisions  are  deducted  due  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
related assets from gross impaired assets. The related asset amounts are instead included in the 90 days or more past due disclosure. 

(8) Average of opening and closing balances. 

(9) This ratio uses a simple average pro-forma Basel II RWA at 31 December 2007 and Basel II RWA at 30 June 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Banking Services  

Financial Performance and Business Review 

Retail  Banking  Services  has  maintained  its  solid  performance 
over the year ended 30 June 2008 with cash net profit after tax 
increasing by 8%, despite the impact of increased funding costs 
from continuing volatility in global credit markets. This has been 
achieved  by  strong  volume  growth  in  key  product  lines,  sound 
credit quality, tight expense management and strategic business 
investment to drive profitable growth and efficiency. 

Over  the  year,  the  business  has  made  good  progress  towards 
the  Group’s  vision  to  be  Australia’s  finest  financial  services 
organisation  through  excelling  in  customer  service.  Highlights 
included: 

•  Winning the ‘Best Branch Strategy’ award at the International 
Retail Banking Awards in April 2008. The award recognises 
the  success  of  the  new  branch  network  operating  model  in 
enabling  increased  lending  capabilities  in  every  branch  and 
providing convenient options for customers through extended 
trading  hours  and  weekend  branch  openings  in  selected 
locations;  

•  Further  roll-out  of  the  modernised  branch  design  with  70 
branches completed or under refurbishment by June 2008; 

•  Market  leading  product  development  with  the  full  suite  of 
rated  personal  deposit  and  transaction  products  receiving  a 
five star rating from CANNEX;  

•  Enabling more environmentally sustainable banking with the 
launch  of  online  statements  in  January  2008,  which  has 
already  resulted  in  almost  400,000  customer  accounts 
electing to opt out of receiving paper statements;  

•  Successful  implementation  of  the  Simple  Home  Loans 
program  which  has  driven  significant 
in 
customer service by providing customers with faster access 
to funds and creating a better home buying experience; 

improvement 

•  A  new  telephony  platform  implemented  for  the  NetBank 
Helpdesk,  Third  Party  and  General  Enquiry  contact  centres 
to improve efficiency and service; and 

•  Needs analysis sales and service training programs continue 
to  be  rolled  out  to  staff,  with  over  7,650  “Masters”  being 
accredited so far. 

The success of these initiatives is reflected in: 

•  Encouraging  customer  satisfaction 

levels,  only  down 
marginally  on  June  2007,  despite  the  higher  interest  rate 
environment(1) (Source: Roy Morgan Research); and 

• 

Improvement  in  staff  engagement  scores  as  independently 
measured  by  the  Gallup  organisation,  with  Retail  Banking 
Services  now  ranking  well  inside  the  international  top 
quartile. 

Home Loans 

Home  loan  revenue  decreased  5%  on  the  prior  year  and  17% 
on  the  prior  half.  This  result  was  impacted  by  higher  funding 
costs  following  continued  volatility  in  global  credit  markets. 
Balance  growth  of  15%  on  the  prior  year  and  8%  on  the  prior 
half was underpinned by strong performances in both the branch 
and  broker  channels  resulting  in  15  consecutive  months  of 
market share gains. Fee revenue growth was strong, up 20% on 
the  prior  year  underpinned  by  package  fee  income  and  strong 
volume growth.  

Consumer Finance 

Consumer  Finance  revenue  growth  was  2%  on  the  prior  year 
(excluding  the  profit  on  the  sale  of  shares  in  MasterCard)  and 
8%  on  the  prior  half.  This  was  achieved  despite  increased 
funding  costs  and  highlights  the  success  of  the  focus  on 

14     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

profitably  growing  this  portfolio  in  a  sustainable  manner.  Credit 
card balances have grown steadily, up 5% on June 2007. This 
growth has been driven by targeted customer campaigns and a 
focus  on  cross-sell  initiatives  and  resulted  in  a  significant 
increase in new accounts opened. Personal loans continued to 
perform  well  with  steady  volume  growth  and  risk  based  pricing 
initiatives.  

Retail Deposits 

Deposit  revenue  increased  12%  on  the  prior  year,  driven  by  a 
combination  of  strong  volume  growth  of  18%  and  focused 
margin management in a competitive environment. 

Despite  the  highly  competitive  environment  for  retail  deposits, 
Retail  Banking  Services  maintained  a  dominant  position  and 
further grew market share by capturing 30% of market balance 
growth over the year (Source: APRA). The success of products 
such  as  NetBank  Saver  and  Business  Online  Saver  and 
targeted  Term  Deposits  campaigns  resulted  in  a  stable  market 
share of 29.1% in June 2008.  

Distribution 

Commissions  received  from  the  distribution  of  both  business 
banking  and  wealth  management  products  through  the  retail 
distribution network remained in line with prior year. This was a 
robust performance in a difficult environment and benefited from 
improved insurance sales capabilities in the branch network and 
an increased focus on cross-sell activities. 

Operating Expenses 

Expense growth on the prior year was contained to 2% despite 
wage  inflation  pressures  in  a  tight  labour  market,  higher 
occupancy  costs  and  continued  strategic  business  investment. 
Sound  management  of  these  cost  pressures  together  with  the 
continued  realisation  of  IT  savings  and  productivity  gains  have 
contributed  to  further  improvements  in  the  expense  to  income 
ratio from 46.6% in the prior year to 45.5%. 

Loan Impairment Expense 

Loan impairment  expense fell  by  5%  on the prior  year  to $331 
million,  despite  average  interest  earning  asset  growth  of  13% 
over  the  same  period.  This  result  reflects  careful  portfolio 
management and responsible lending practices over a period of 
intense competition. Loan impairment expense increased in the 
second  half  due  to  portfolio  growth  and  seasonal  factors. 
Despite  the  uncertain  environment,  arrears  rates  across  the 
portfolios  have  not  significantly  deteriorated  in  the  current  year 
and in most cases are still running at a lower rate than in prior 
years. 

Market Share Percentage (1)

Home loans  
Credit cards (1) 
Personal lending (APRA and 
other households) (2) 
Household deposits (3) 
Retail deposits(3) 

(1) As at 30 May 2008. 

30/06/08  31/12/07  30/06/07 
18. 5 
18. 8 

19. 3 
18. 2 

18. 8 
18. 5 

15. 8 
29. 1 
22. 3 

16. 7 
28. 9 
22. 0 

16. 4 
29. 0 
21. 6 

(2) Personal lending market share includes personal loans and margin loans. 

(3) In accordance with APRA guidelines, these measures include some products 

relating to both the Retail and Corporate Segment. 

 
 
 
Retail Banking Services continued 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 

(1)

Consumer 
Finance 
$M 
780 
347 
1,127 

Retail  
Deposits  
$M 
2,386 
673 
3,059 

Distribution
$M 
- 
103 
103 

Home Loans 
$M 
1,174 
134 
1,308 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

(1)

Consumer 
Finance 
$M 
742 
419 
1,161 

Retail  
Deposits  
$M 
2,071 
656 
2,727 

Distribution
$M 
- 
104 
104 

Home Loans 
$M 
1,268 
112 
1,380 

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

(1)

Consumer 
Finance 
$M 
406 
180 
586 

Retail  
Deposits  
$M 
1,262 
345 
1,607 

Distribution
$M 
- 
50 
50 

Home Loans 
$M 
529 
65 
594 

Total
$M 
4,340 
1,257 
5,597 
2,549 
331 
2,717 
813 
1,904 

Total
$M 
4,081 
1,291 
5,372 
2,501 
349 
2,522 
756 
1,766 

Total
$M 
2,197 
640 
2,837 
1,286 
190 
1,361 
406 
955 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Cash net profit after tax 

(1) During the current period there has been a re-alignment of internal charges between consumer finance and retail deposits segments. Prior periods have been restated 

on a consistent basis.  

Major Balance Sheet Items (gross of impairment) 
Home loans (including securitisation) (1) 
Consumer finance (2) 
Total assets – Retail Banking Services products 
Home loans (net of securitisation) 

Transaction deposits 
Savings deposits  
Investment and other deposits 
Deposits not bearing interest 
Total liabilities - Retail Banking Services products

30/06/08
$M 
186,942 
11,428 
198,370 
175,266 

18,267 
44,261 
55,388 
2,305 
120,221 

31/12/07
$M 
173,784 
11,027 
184,811 
160,607 

19,470 
44,906 
44,230 
2,543 
111,149 

As at 

30/06/07 
$M 
162,751 
10,810 
173,561 
147,118 

18,980 
41,782 
38,779 
2,599 
102,140 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
8 
4 
7 
9 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
15 
6 
14 
19 

(6)
(1)
25 
(9)
8 

(4)
6 
43 
(11)
18 

(1) During the year, a review of the accounting treatment of Mortgage Interest Saver Accounts led to an increase in lending and deposit balances (30 June 2008: $3,234 

million, 31 December 2007: $2,431 million, 30 June 2007: $2,433 million). 

(2) Consumer Finance includes personal loans and credit cards. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
customers  with  tailored  commodity  and  interest  rate  risk 
management  solutions.  'AgriLine',  the  purpose  built  service 
centre  based  in  Wagga  Wagga,  has  continued  to  exceed 
expectations with over 30,000 client calls having been recorded 
since April 2007.  

Local Business Banking 

Investment  in  Local  Business  Banking,  as  part  of  the  Group’s 
strategic priority in Business Banking, has enabled the business 
to maintain the strong turnaround in performance highlighted at 
the  half  year.  The  progressive  roll  out  of  Business  Bankers 
across more than 700 branches, the implementation of the new 
24 hour, 7 day customer service centre and the implementation 
of a new business model have resulted in a 65% uplift in lending 
activity and 12% growth in income over the prior year. 

Operating Expenses 

Operating  expenses  of  $1,915  million  represent  an  increase  of 
15% over the prior year. This reflects expansion of the front line 
sales  force,  the  opening  of  new  Business  Banking  Centres, 
additional  Business  Bankers  in  Branches  as  well  as  costs 
associated  with  the  IWL  acquisition.  In  addition,  client  demand 
for  operating  leases  through  the  Structured  Asset  Finance 
business  has  resulted  in  increased  depreciation  costs  for  the 
Group. 

Loan Impairment Expense  

Loan  impairment  expense  has  increased  significantly  to  $426 
million from the historically low levels of recent years. This was 
the  combined  result  of  additional  provisioning  related  to  the 
changed  global  economic  conditions,  increases  in  individual 
assessments and balance growth across the portfolio.  

Market Share 

Business deposit market share of non-financial corporations, as 
measured by APRA, has increased by 143 basis points since 30 
June 2007 to 14.4%. 

Business lending market share to non-financial corporations, as 
measured  by  APRA,  decreased  26  basis  points  since  30  June 
2007  to  12.2%  while  business  lending  market  share  as 
measured by the RBA has decreased 10 basis points since 30 
June 2007 to 12.5%. The reduction in lending market share was 
driven  by  a  direct  strategy  to  actively  manage  exposure  to 
certain  sectors  of  the  market  within  the  institutional  banking 
business. 

Market Share Percentage  

Business lending – APRA  
Business lending – RBA (1) 
Business deposits – APRA  
Equities trading (CommSec) (1) 

30/06/08  31/12/07  30/06/07 
12. 4 
12. 6 
13. 0 
4. 3 

12. 2 
12. 5 
14. 4 
5. 9 

12. 5 
12. 8 
13. 7 
5. 0 

(1) Prior comparative period has been restated. 

Premium Business Services  

Financial Performance and Business Review 

Premium Business Services delivered income growth of 16% on 
the  prior  year,  or  17%  after  adjusting  for  the  impact  of  the 
acquisition of IWL in the current year and the gain on sale of the 
Group’s  share  in  the  Greater  Energy  Alliance  Corporation  Pty 
Ltd (”Loy  Yang”)  in the prior  year.  This result  was underpinned 
by  a  solid  improvement  in  customer  service  scores  and  strong 
gains in deposit market share.  

The strong performance was impacted by higher funding costs, 
increased investment spend (including the cost of integrating the 
IWL business), a tax refund on the satisfactory resolution of an 
outstanding  issue  and  additional  loan  impairment  provisioning, 
resulting  in  cash  net  profit  after  tax  growth  of  2%  on  the  prior 
year.  

to 

The  core  businesses  of  Premium  Business  Services  continued 
to  perform  well  due 
the  customer  centred  strategy 
implemented  in  February  2007.  The  ongoing  focus  on  this 
strategy  enabled  the  business  to  build  upon  the  momentum  of 
the  first  half  and  post  strong  income  growth  across  all 
businesses, despite the challenging environment.  

Institutional Banking  

Institutional Banking income increased  by  14% (19% excluding 
Loy  Yang)  on  the  prior  year  driven  by  a  significant  increase  in 
Financial  Markets  income,  strong  balance  growth  and  stable 
margins. The syndication business recorded strong growth and 
was  joint  lead  arranger  of  a  $3.4  billion  syndication  deal  for 
Singapore Power. Despite strong lending growth over the year, 
balance  growth  slowed  during  the  second  half  as  the  Group 
actively managed the debt portfolio to sell-down its exposure to 
certain sectors of the market.  

Private Client Services  

Despite weaker financial markets during the second half, Private 
Client Services income increased by 25% on the prior year. This 
growth  was  the  result  of  strong  income  growth  during  the  first 
half  as  well  as  the  impact  of  the  IWL  acquisition  in  November 
2007.  

The  integration  of  IWL  is  tracking  well  against  the  planned 
integration  schedule  with  all  retail  clients  transitioned  onto  the 
CommSec platform. 

In  June,  CommSec  successfully  launched  an  integrated  cash 
management  solution  as  part  of  its  trading  platform  under  the 
theme  ‘Better  Together’.  In  addition,  during  the  year  the 
business received a number of awards including “Best Feature-
Packed Online Broker 2008” and “Best Margin Lender 2008”.  

Corporate Financial Services  

Corporate Financial Services  income increased  by  14% on  the 
prior  year.  Corporate  Financial  Services  continued  to  invest  in 
additional  front  line  staff,  adding  90  full-time  equivalents  during 
the  year,  as  well  as  opening  eight  new  Business  Banking 
Centres across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria 
adding  to  the  eight  Centres  opened  during  the  prior  year.  In 
addition, new specialist teams have been created to service the 
Healthcare  and  Financial  Planning  client  segments  which, 
together  with  the  strong  focus  on  client  cross-sell  activity,  has 
driven  balance  growth  and  a  significant  lift  in  customer  service 
scores as measured by TNS Business Finance Monitor. 

Agribusiness  

Agribusiness  performed  strongly  during  the  period  with  income 
growth  of  20%  on  the  prior  year.  This  was  underpinned  by 
significant  balance  growth  resulting  from  a  continued  focus  on 
corporate agriculture and large scale family farming enterprises. 
Market share gains were achieved during the year by providing 

16     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
Premium Business Services continued 

Institutional 
Banking
$M 
996 
886 
1,882 

Private Client 
Services 
$M 
240 
386 
626 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Corporate 
Financial 
Services
$M 
516 
416 
932 

Agri
business
$M 
156 
97 
253 

Local 
Business 
Banking  
$M 
358 
210 
568 

Eliminations 
$M 
- 
(30)
(30)

Institutional 
Banking
$M 
820 
837 
1,657 

Private Client 
Services 
$M 
189 
313 
502 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

(1)

Corporate 
Financial 
Services
$M 
441 
377 
818 

Agri
business
$M 
132 
79 
211 

Local 
Business 
Banking  
$M 
328 
178 
506 

Eliminations 
$M 
- 
(40)
(40)

Institutional 
Banking
$M 
511 
464 
975 

Private Client 
Services 
$M 
119 
192 
311 

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

(1)

Corporate 
Financial 
Services
$M 
271 
211 
482 

Agri
business
$M 
85 
49 
134 

Local 
Business 
Banking  
$M 
184 
120 
304 

Eliminations 
$M 
- 
(8)
(8)

Total 
$M 
2,266 
1,965 
4,231 
1,915 
426 
1,890 
410 
1,480 

Total 
$M 
1,910 
1,744 
3,654 
1,669 
75 
1,910 
465 
1,445 

Total 
$M 
1,170 
1,028 
2,198 
1,032 
251 
915 
159 
756 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Cash net profit after tax 

(1) During the current period the lines of business have been re-segmented due to refinements in allocation methodology. Prior periods have been restated on a consistent 

basis. 

Major Balance Sheet Items (gross of impairment) 
Interest earning lending assets (1) 
Bank acceptances of customers 
Non-lending interest earning assets  
Margin loans 
Other assets (2) 
Total assets  

Transaction deposits (1) 
Other demand deposits  
Deposits not bearing interest 
Certificates of deposits and other 
Due to other financial institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement  
Debt issues 
Loan Capital  
Other non-interest bearing liabilities (2) 
Total liabilities 

30/06/08
$M 
113,828 
18,278 
18,705 
7,817 
14,742 
173,370 

39,791 
5,602 
3,839 
33,922 
16,659 
1,914 
25,438 
581 
38,639 
166,385 

31/12/07
$M 
110,386 
19,805 
21,917 
8,721 
17,306 
178,135 

38,843 
7,634 
3,785 
29,741 
16,971 
2,555 
25,011 
714 
45,349 
170,603 

As at 

30/06/07 
$M 
95,519 
18,721 
25,245 
8,070 
11,869 
159,424 

34,831 
4,658 
4,244 
28,522 
13,837 
3,965 
37,861 
344 
44,582 
172,844 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
3 
(8)
(15)
(10)
(15)
(3)

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
19 
(2)
(26)
(3)
24 
9 

2 
(27)
1 
14 
(2)
(25)
2 
(19)
(15)
(2)

14 
20 
(10)
19 
20 
(52)
(33)
69 
(13)
(4)

(1) During the year, a review of the accounting treatment of Group Limit Facilities led to an increase in lending and deposit balances (30 June 2008: $17,134 million, 31 

December 2007: $16,200 million, 30 June 2007: $13,253 million). 

(2) Other assets include intangible assets and derivative assets, and other non-interest bearing liabilities include derivative liabilities. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management  

Financial Performance and Business Review 

Cash  net  profit  after  tax  for  the  Wealth  Management  business 
increased  by  18%  on  the  prior  year  to  $740  million.  The  result 
was driven by strong revenue growth in the funds management 
lower 
businesses  and  gains  on  asset  sales,  offset  by 
Shareholder investment returns. 

Cash  net  profit  after  tax  in  the  second  half  fell  10%  to  $351 
million impacted by significant falls in investment markets. 

Funds Under Administration increased 10% to $185 billion as at 
30  June  2008.  The  growth  in  funds  under  administration  was 
driven  by  positive  net  flows  offset  by  significant  market  falls  in 
Australian and global equities in the second half.  

Net  funds  flows  for  the  year  ended  30  June  2008  were  $28.6 
billion, driven by: 

•  Solid  net  flows  into  the  FirstChoice  and  Avanteos  platforms 

and Global Equity Funds; and 

•  Short-term cash mandates from institutional investors. 

Investment  markets  have  been  volatile,  with  some  negative 
returns experienced in the second half. Despite this, investment 
performance has been good relative to the market with 63% of 
funds outperforming benchmark on a three year basis. 

CFS Global Asset Management (CFS GAM) 

CFS  Global  Asset  Management  provides  asset  management 
services to wholesale and institutional investors. Cash net profit 
after tax was $409 million, an increase of 59% on the prior year, 
reflecting  revenue  growth  from  the  global  expansion  and 
diversification of the business. Included in operating income is a 
pre-tax gain of $108 million from the sell-down of seed assets.  

Funds  under  Management  increased  9%  on  the  prior  year  to 
$153 billion. The growth in funds under management was driven 
by  strong  flows  into  Global  Equity  Funds  and  short-term  cash 
mandates from institutional investors. 

Key developments include: 

•  Managed  property  funds  are  well  positioned  in  this  market 
environment with quality assets and strong balance sheets; 

•  Launched over 14 funds during the year. A number of funds 
have  grown  out  of  the  GAM  Seeding  Trust,  which  is  the 
foundation  for  many  new  product  development  initiatives 
within the business; 

•  CFS Property  Management has entered into a joint  venture 
partnership with Jones Lang LaSalle for the establishment of 
Sandalwood  Pte  Ltd,  one  of  Asia’s  largest  third-party  retail 
property asset management and development businesses; 

•  First State Investments won “Specialist Group of the Year” at 
the Investment  Week  Fund Manager of the  Year  Awards in 
the  UK  and  the  Global  Emerging  Markets  team  earned  the 
top six positions in Professional Adviser magazine’s Hot 100 
fund manager rankings; and 

•  The  progressive  sell-down  of  the  Group’s  interest  in  AWG 
continues,  with  the  remaining  16%  holding  expected  to  be 
sold in the next financial year. 

Colonial First State  

Colonial First State provides product packaging, administration, 
distribution and advice to retail customers. Cash net profit after 
tax  was  $206  million,  an  increase  of  45%  on  the  prior  year. 
Underlying  profit,  which  excludes  Shareholder 
investment 
returns, increased by 10% to $193 million. 

Net  revenue  benefited  from  strong  inflows,  as  investors  took 
advantage of superannuation legislation changes in June 2007, 
and tight expense control also contributed to the result.  

18     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

FirstChoice flows remained strong in the market with $4.9 billion 
in net flows for the year to 30 June 2008. FirstChoice captured 
18% of master fund net flows in the year to March 2008. 

Key developments include: 

•  Recognition as Australia’s Best Mastertrust/Wrap provider in 
the Wealth Insights 2008 Service Level Survey Reports and 
led all other platforms in the categories of service, value for 
money  and  planner  usage 
(Source:  ASSIRT/Wealth 
Insights);  

•  Ranking  number  one  in  terms  of  cash  flows  in  Money 

Management’s 2008 Top 50 Platforms Survey;  

•  Rated  by  advisers  as  the  best  platform  and  recorded  the 
highest  average  satisfaction  in  the  Investment  Trends  2007 
Planner Technology Report; and 

•  The  addition  of  eight  new  investment  options  following  the 
launch of the Generation Global Sustainability Fund earlier in 
the  year.  The  new  options  include  Australian  and  Global 
infrastructure funds, providing a total of 100 options. 

CommInsure 

CommInsure  is  a  domestic  provider  of  life  and  general 
insurance. Cash net profit after tax was $253 million, a decline of 
25% on the prior year, impacted by significant fall in investment 
markets  in  the  second  half  and  the  unrealised  mark  to  market 
losses  of  $37  million  from  widening  credit  spreads  on  the 
valuation  of  assets  backing  the  Guaranteed  Annuities  portfolio. 
The  life  insurance  business  attracted  strong  new  business 
volumes in both retail and wholesale lines driving a 22% growth 
in  inforce  premiums  to  $1,250  million  and  a  12%  increase  in 
planned profit margins. 

Life  experience  variations  were  positive  at  $12  million  albeit  at 
lower  levels  than  the  prior  year  following  a  reversion  to  normal 
life  claims  experience  on  wholesale  life  following  exceptional 
experience in the prior year. 

The  general  insurance  business  experienced  strong  new 
business  growth  primarily  through  cross-sell  into  the  Bank 
network. General Insurance operating margins were significantly 
impacted  by  claims  associated  with  major  weather  events 
resulting in a net loss for the year. Key developments include: 

•  Strong Retail Life sales up 22% on the prior year;  

•  CommInsure  was  awarded  the  Life  Insurance  Company  of 
the  Year  and  Annuity  provider  of  the  year  for  2007  at  the 
Association of Financial Advisers / Plan For Life awards; and  

•  General  Insurance  new  business  sales  increased  by  102% 
on the prior year through a significant improvement in cross-
sell rates, the launch of a new motor insurance product in the 
first half of the year, and the deployment of Branch Insurance 
Representatives  into  the  remaining  regions  of  the  Group’s 
retail branch network.  

Operating Expenses 

Total operating expenses increased by 7% on the prior year to 
$1,262 million, driven by: 

• 

Investment 
Management businesses;  

in 

the  expansion  of 

the  Global  Asset 

•  Growth  in  employee  profit  share  allocations,  commensurate 

with profit growth and investment performance; and 

•  Establishment  of  motor  underwriting  and  expansion  of  the 

insurance distribution footprint. 

Taxation 

The  effective  corporate  tax  rate  on  underlying  profit  for  the  full 
year was 26.7% compared with 30.6% for the prior year. 

Wealth Management continued 

Funds management income 
Insurance income  
Total operating income 
Volume expense 
Net operating income  
Operating expenses 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Underlying profit after tax 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

Funds management income 
Insurance income  
Total operating income 
Volume expense 
Net operating income  
Operating expenses 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Underlying profit after tax 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

Funds management income 
Insurance income  
Total operating income 
Volume expense 
Net operating income  
Operating expenses 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Underlying profit after tax 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

CFS GAM 
$M 
1,068 
- 
1,068 
153 
915 
369 
546 
136 
410 
(1)
409 

CFS GAM 
$M 
759 
- 
759 
98 
661 
310 
351 
108 
243 
15 
258 

CFS GAM 
$M 
567 
- 
567 
83 
484 
178 
306 
68 
238 
3 
241 

(1)

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 
Colonial 
First State
$M 
909 
- 
909 
215 
694 
416 
278 
85 
193 
13 
206 

CommInsure 
$M 
280 
580 
860 
177 
683 
331 
352 
103 
249 
4 
253 

Other
$M 
2 
- 
2 
- 
2 
146 
(144)
(48)
(96)
(32)
(128)

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

Colonial 
First State 
$M 
844 
- 
844 
184 
660 
407 
253 
78 
175 
(33)
142 

CommInsure 
$M 
229 
573 
802 
155 
647 
316 
331 
96 
235 
103 
338 

Other
$M 
(4)
- 
(4)
- 
(4)
141 
(145)
(40)
(105)
(6)
(111)

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Colonial 
First State 
$M 
421 
- 
421 
105 
316 
205 
111 
35 
76 
7 
83 

CommInsure 
$M 
148 
305 
453 
91 
362 
175 
187 
54 
133 
(28) 
105 

Other
$M 
4 
2 
6 
- 
6 
93 
(87)
(24)
(63)
(15)
(78)

Total
$M 
2,259 
580 
2,839 
545 
2,294 
1,262 
1,032 
276 
756 
(16)
740 

Total
$M 
1,828 
573 
2,401 
437 
1,964 
1,174 
790 
242 
548 
79 
627 

Total
$M 
1,140 
307 
1,447 
279 
1,168 
651 
517 
133 
384 
(33)
351 

Sources of Profit from Insurance Activities 

The Margin on Services profit from ordinary activities after 
income tax is represented by: 
Planned profit margins 
Experience variations 
Funds management operating margins  
General insurance operating margins 
Operating margins  
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

Full Year Ended 

Half Year Ended 

30/06/08
$M 

30/06/07
$M 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 

30/06/08 
$M 

31/12/07
$M 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 

145 
12 
117 
(25)
249 
4 
253 

130 
39 
55 
11 
235 
103 
338 

12 
(69)
large 
large 
6 
(96)
(25)

74 
11 
61 
(13) 
133 
(28) 
105 

71 
1 
56 
(12)
116 
32 
148 

4 
large 
9 
8 
15 
large 
(29)

(1) Additional information has been provided for this segment in line with the historic level of market disclosure.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management continued  

Funds Under Management (FUM) (1) 
Australian equities 
Global equities 
Cash and fixed interest 
Property and alternative investments  
Total  

Full Year Ended 

Half Year Ended  

30/06/08
$M 
23,502 
35,589 
66,729 
27,120 
152,940 

30/06/07
$M 
31,199 
33,709 
48,927 
25,850 
139,685 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
(25)
6 
36 
5 
9 

30/06/08 
$M 
23,502 
35,589 
66,729 
27,120 
152,940 

31/12/07 
$M 
29,618 
40,945 
66,694 
27,102 
164,359 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
(21)
(13)
- 
- 
(7)

(1) FUM does not include the Group’s interests in the China Joint Venture, AWG plc or ENW Limited. 

Funds Under Administration (FUA) 

Funds under administration – average  
Funds under administration – spot  
Funds under management – average 
Funds under management – spot  
Retail Net funds flows (Australian Retail) 

Full Year Ended 

Half Year Ended  

30/06/08
$M 
186,696 
184,970 
152,328 
152,940 
1,888 

30/06/07
$M 
157,338 
168,810 
128,893 
139,685 
(1,366)

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
19 
10 
18 
9 
large 

30/06/08 
$M 
191,721 
184,970 
158,650 
152,940 
279 

31/12/07 
$M 
183,548 
199,834 
152,022 
164,359 
1,609 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
4 
(7)
4 
(7)
(83)

Market Share 
In the latest Plan for Life market share statistics, the Group remained 1st in total Australian retail market share at 14.2% while FirstChoice 
Platform  remained  flat  at  9.6%.  Market  share  for  Individual  Life  Insurance  increased  to  13.1%  in  a  growing  market  and  CommInsure 
continues to maintain the No.1 ranking for Total Life Insurance with 14.3% of the market. 

Market Share Percentage 
Australian Retail Funds – administrator view (1) (2) 
FirstChoice Platform (1) (2) 
Australia (Total Life Insurance Risk) (1) (2) 
Australia (Individual Life Insurance Risk) (1) (2) 

(1) Prior period comparatives have been restated. 

(2) As at 31 March 2008. 

Annual Inforce Premiums (1) 

General insurance  
Retail life 
Wholesale life 
Total  

Annual Inforce Premiums (1) 

General insurance  
Retail life 
Wholesale life 
Total 

Annual Inforce Premiums (1)
General insurance 
Retail life 
Wholesale life 
Total 

30/06/08 
% 
14. 2 
9. 6 
14. 3 
13. 1 

As at 

31/12/07 
% 
14. 3 
9. 6 
14. 1 
13. 0 

30/06/07
% 
14. 1 
9. 0 
14. 3 
12. 9 

Opening
Balance
30/06/07
$M 
184 
530 
308 
1,022 

Opening
Balance
30/06/06
$M 
169 
486 
199 
854 

Opening
Balance
31/12/07
$M 
203 
568 
323 
1,094 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Sales/New
Balances
$M 
113 
156 
91 
360 

Lapses
$M 
(39)
(81)
(33)
(153)

(2)

Other 
Movements 
$M 
21 
- 
- 
21 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

Sales/New
Balances
$M 
56 
128 
176 
360 

Lapses
$M 
(41)
(84)
(64)
(189)

(2)

Other 
Movements 
$M 
- 
- 
(3) 
(3) 

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Sales/New
Balances
$M 
74 
83 
60 
217 

Lapses
$M 
(19)
(46)
(17)
(82)

(2)

Other 
Movements 
$M 
21 
- 
- 
21 

Closing
Balance
30/06/08
$M 
279 
605 
366 
1,250 

Closing
Balance
30/06/07
$M 
184 
530 
308 
1,022 

Closing
Balance
30/06/08
$M 
279 
605 
366 
1,250 

(1) Inforce premium relates to risk business. Savings products are disclosed within Funds Management. 

(2) Other movements represent prior year renewals not previously included in comparatives. 

20     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management continued 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Inflows
$M 
17,537 
2,365 
1,767 
2,477 
24,146 
209 
24,355 
37,097 
3,481 
159 
65,092 
17,481 
82,573 

Outflows
$M 
(12,610)
(1,079)
(2,411)
(6,110)
(22,210)
(257)
(22,467)
(17,470)
(1,713)
(267)
(41,917)
(12,042)
(53,959)

Investment 
Income & 
Other (5) 
$M 
(5,765) 
(904) 
90 
(2,928) 
(9,507) 
(163) 
(9,670) 
(1,720) 
3,599 
(279) 
(8,070) 
(4,384) 
(12,454) 

Net flows 
$M 
4,927 
1,286 
(644) 
(3,633) 
1,936 
(48) 
1,888 
19,627 
1,768 
(108) 
23,175 
5,439 
28,614 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

Inflows
$M 
17,191 
2,603 
2,066 
2,757 
24,617 
412 
25,029 
12,902 
1,014 
136 
39,081 
12,704 
51,785 

Outflows
$M 
(7,995)
(7,966)
(2,751)
(7,426)
(26,138)
(257)
(26,395)
(10,037)
(2,411)
(608)
(39,451)
(11,874)
(51,325)

Investment 
Income & 
Other (5) 
$M 
4,172 
2,040 
125 
4,061 
10,398 
536 
10,934 
1,789 
2,331 
399 
15,453 
7,249 
22,702 

Net flows 
$M 
9,196 
(5,363) 
(685) 
(4,669) 
(1,521) 
155 
(1,366) 
2,865 
(1,397) 
(472) 
(370) 
830 
460 

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Inflows
$M 
6,613 
1,281 
751 
1,155 
9,800 
75 
9,875 
9,827 
1,575 
95 
21,372 
7,610 
28,982 

Outflows
$M 
(5,208)
(497)
(1,200)
(2,571)
(9,476)
(120)
(9,596)
(9,776)
(690)
(97)
(20,159)
(5,380)
(25,539)

Investment 
Income & 
Other (5) 
$M 
(5,512) 
(805) 
78 
(3,217) 
(9,456) 
71 
(9,385) 
(2,421) 
774 
(278) 
(11,310) 
(6,997) 
(18,307) 

Net flows 
$M 
1,405 
784 
(449) 
(1,416) 
324 
(45) 
279 
51 
885 
(2) 
1,213 
2,230 
3,443 

Closing 
Balance
30/06/08
$M 
38,707 
6,257 
2,576 
27,500 
75,040 
1,366 
76,406 
52,376 
20,210 
3,248 
152,240 
32,730 
184,970 

Closing 
Balance
30/06/07
$M 
39,545 
5,875 
3,130 
34,061 
82,611 
1,577 
84,188 
34,469 
14,843 
3,635 
137,135 
31,675 
168,810 

Closing 
Balance
30/06/08
$M 
38,707 
6,257 
2,576 
27,500 
75,040 
1,366 
76,406 
52,376 
20,210 
3,248 
152,240 
32,730 
184,970 

Opening
Balance
30/06/07
$M 
39,545 
5,875 
3,130 
34,061 
82,611 
1,577 
84,188 
34,469 
14,843 
3,635 
137,135 
31,675 
168,810 

Opening
Balance
30/06/06
$M 
26,177 
9,198 
3,690 
34,669 
73,734 
886 
74,620 
29,815 
13,909 
3,708 
122,052 
23,596 
145,648 

Opening
Balance
31/12/07
$M 
42,814 
6,278 
2,947 
32,133 
84,172 
1,340 
85,512 
54,746 
18,551 
3,528 
162,337 
37,497 
199,834 

Funds Under Administration 

FirstChoice  
Avanteos 
Cash management 
Legacy products (1) 
Retail Products (Plan for Life) (2) 
Other retail (3) 
Australian retail 
Wholesale  
Property  
Other (4) 
Domestically sourced 
Internationally sourced  
Total Wealth Management 

Funds Under Administration 

FirstChoice  
Avanteos 
Cash management 
Legacy products (1) 
Retail Products (Plan for Life) (2) 
Other retail (3) 
Australian retail 
Wholesale  
Property  
Other (4) 
Domestically sourced 
Internationally sourced  
Total Wealth Management 

Funds Under Administration 

FirstChoice  
Avanteos 
Cash management 
Legacy products (1) 
Retail Products (Plan for Life) (2) 
Other retail (3) 
Australian retail 
Wholesale  
Property  
Other (4) 
Domestically sourced 
Internationally sourced  
Total Wealth Management 

(1) Includes stand-alone retail and legacy retail products. 

(2) Retail products aligned to Plan for Life market release. 

(3) Includes listed equity trusts and regular premium plans. These retail products are not reported in market share data.  

(4) Includes life company assets sourced from retail investors but not attributable to a funds management product (e.g. premiums from risk products). These amounts 

do not appear in retail market share data. 

(5) Includes foreign exchange gains and losses from translation of international sourced business. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Financial Services 

Financial Performance and Business Review 

Other Asia Pacific Business 

incorporates 

International  Financial  Services 
the  Group’s 
banking  operations  in  New  Zealand,  Fiji,  Indonesia,  China, 
Japan,  India  and  Vietnam.  It  also  includes  life  insurance  and 
funds distribution activities in several of these countries. 
Cash  net  profit  after  tax  for  the  year  was  $589(1)  million,  an 
increase of 23% on the prior year. After removing the impact of 
realised gains and losses associated with the hedge of the New 
Zealand operations and other foreign exchange movements the 
underlying  growth  was  17%.  This  strong  profit  growth  was 
attributable  to  sustained  growth  in  the  Group’s  New  Zealand 
businesses,  complemented  by  the  growing  contribution  from 
Asian businesses, particularly the China banking investments. 

ASB Bank 

ASB Bank cash net profit after tax for the year was $428 million. 
Excluding  the  impact  of  realised  gains  on  the  hedge  of  New 
Zealand operations, profit increased 11% on the prior year. This 
was  a  very  positive  result  in  a  challenging  market  with 
aggressive  competition  continuing  to  place  downward  pressure 
on  margins  and  a  general  slowing  in  economic  activity.  The 
major drivers of growth were: 

•  Home  loan  balances  increased  by  9%  over  the  year,  with 
market share increasing to 23.3%. Business banking market 
share  increased  to  8.8%  at  30  June  2008,  following  17% 
growth  in  balances  for  the  year.  Rural  lending  also  showed 
strong  growth  for  the  year.  Retail  deposits  grew  by  13%  to 
NZD  27.8  billion  at  30  June  2008.  Market  share  for  retail 
deposits was also stable at 21.2%; 

•  Net  interest  margin  declined  by  six  basis  points  with  the 
impact  of  competition  and  the  increased  costs  of  wholesale 
funding partially offset by the higher mix of retail deposits; 

• 

in  2007.  Although 

Impairment  expenses  increased  to  $34  million  from  $16 
million 
loan  arrears  remain  within 
acceptable limits, early indications are that the slowing in the 
New Zealand economy is starting to impact arrears; and 

•  ASB continued to focus on service capability, maintaining its 
position  as  leader  of  the  major  banks  based  on  recent 
customer service surveys and expanding the branch network 
with the addition of 10 new branches during the year. 

Sovereign Insurance 

life 

The 
predominantly under the Sovereign brand. 

insurance  operations 

in  New  Zealand  operate 

Sovereign’s cash net profit after tax for the year was $96 million, 
an  increase  of  3%  on  the  prior  year.  This  result  included  the 
impact  of  a  deterioration  in  the  New  Zealand  dollar  exchange 
rate. The main drivers of this result were: 

•  Positive  claims  experience  particularly  in  the  Death  and 

Living Assurance/TPD classes; 

•  Growth  in  inforce  premiums  of  11%  whilst  market  share 
declined marginally to 31.7% at 31 March 2008, from 31.8% 
at 30 June 2007; 

•  Market leading growth in new business sales with Sovereign 
capturing  34.4%  of  new  business  sales  market  share  to 
March 2008 on a rolling 12 month basis; and 

•  Positive impact on Shareholder investment returns due to the 

fall in corporate bond rates.  

(1) Represents Group Management view for the product segment rather than 

statutory view. 

22     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

International  Financial  Services  has  grown  its  presence  in  the 
Asia  Pacific  region  during  the  year  with  a  number  of  business 
initiatives: 

• 

• 

Indonesia:  Following  the  completion  of  the  acquisition  of 
Bank  Arta  Niaga  Kencana  (ANK)  on  26  July  2007  and  the 
legal  merger  of  Bank  ANK  with  PT  Bank  Commonwealth 
(PTBC) in December 2007, PTBC has continued to focus on 
expansion with the addition of eight new branches during the 
year which now total 51; 

Indonesia:  Acquisition  of  an  additional  30%  interest  held  by 
the  Group’s joint  venture  partner in PT Astra Life  Insurance 
business  bringing  the  Group’s  shareholding  to  80%.  The 
business  provides  unit  linked  investment,  traditional  life  and 
disability 
its  51  branches 
operating in 16 Indonesian cities; 

insurance  products 

through 

•  Vietnam:  Following  the  granting  of  a  licence  to  operate  a 
branch in Ho Chi Minh City in January 2008, the branch will 
open in August 2008; 

•  China:  Continued  strong  growth  in  profits  of  the  Jinan  City 
Commercial  Bank  (11%  holding)  and  Bank  of  Hangzhou 
(formerly Hangzhou City Commercial Bank - 19.9% holding). 
The  Group  also  continued  to  implement  its  Capability 
Transfer  Program  at  both  Jinan  City  Commercial  Bank  and 
the Bank of Hangzhou; and  

•  The  Fiji  business  performed  strongly  in  2008  following  the 
disruptions  which  arose  during  the  political  crisis  last  year. 
There  are  signs  of  increasing  arrears  as  the  economic 
uncertainty continues. 

Operating Expense 

Operating  expenses  for  the  year  increased  by  11%  to  $825 
million. The increase was due to: 

• 

Increases  in  staff  costs  associated  with  branch  expansion 
programs in ASB and PT Bank Commonwealth; 

•  Acquisitions and start up costs for new operations, including 
a  branch  in  Vietnam,  full  year  expenses  for  Bank  ANK  in 
Indonesia and the acquisition of PT Commonwealth Life; 

•  Wage  inflation  averaging  6%  in  New  Zealand  reflecting  a 
the 
combination  of  competitive 
introduction  of  a  mandatory  employer  sponsored  savings 
scheme (Kiwisaver);  

labour  markets  and 

•  Wage inflation in China and Indonesia in excess of 10% for 

the year; partly offset by 

• 

Impact  of  the  weaker  New  Zealand  Dollar  and  Indonesian 
Rupiah against the Australian Dollar. 

Market Share 

Housing market  share in New  Zealand improved over the  year 
to 23.3%. 

Retail deposit market share in New Zealand was 21.2%, in line 
with June 2007. 

The  market  share  of  inforce  premiums  at  30  June  2008  was 
31.7%, down marginally from June 2007. 

Market Share Percentage 
NZ lending for housing (1) 
NZ retail deposits (1)  
NZ retail FUM (1) 
NZ annual inforce premium  

30/06/08  31/12/07  30/06/07 
23. 1 
21. 2 
15. 8 
31. 8 

23. 1 
21. 3 
16. 1 
31. 8 

23. 3 
21. 2 
16. 4 
31. 7 

(1) The prior period comparative has been restated.  

 
 
International Financial Services continued  

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 

(1)

ASB
$M 
814 
316 
1,130 
- 
- 
1,130 
484 
34 
612 
184 
- 
428 
- 
428 

ASB
$M 
708 
266 
974 
- 
- 
974 
456 
16 
502 
145 
357 
- 
357 

ASB
$M 
414 
160 
574 
- 
- 
574 
232 
28 
314 
102 
- 
212 
- 
212 

Sovereign 
$M 
- 
- 
- 
48 
210 
258 
194 
- 
64 
(7) 
- 
71 
25 
96 

Other 
$M 
101 
67 
168 
- 
42 
210 
147 
9 
54 
(12) 
2 
64 
1 
65 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

Sovereign 
$M 
- 
- 
- 
46 
220 
266 
180 
- 
86 
10 
76 
17 
93 

Other 
$M 
41 
41 
82 
- 
24 
106 
104 
4 
(2) 
(30) 
28 
- 
28 

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Sovereign 
$M 
- 
- 
- 
24 
104 
128 
97 
- 
31 
(5) 
- 
36 
17 
53 

Other 
$M 
59 
40 
99 
2 
28 
129 
85 
3 
41 
1 
1 
39 
(11) 
28 

Total
$M 
915 
383 
1,298 
48 
252 
1,598 
825 
43 
730 
165 
2 
563 
26 
589 

Total
$M 
749 
307 
1,056 
46 
244 
1,346 
740 
20 
586 
125 
461 
17 
478 

Total
$M 
473 
200 
673 
26 
132 
831 
414 
31 
386 
98 
1 
287 
6 
293 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Funds management income  
Insurance income 
Total operating income  
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Minority interests 
Underlying profit after tax 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Funds management income  
Insurance income 
Total operating income  
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Underlying profit after tax 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income 
Other banking income 
Total banking income 
Funds management income  
Insurance income 
Total operating income  
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Net profit before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Minority interests  
Underlying profit after tax 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

(1) Additional information has been provided for this segment in line with the historic level of market disclosure. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Financial Services continued  

Major Balance Sheet Items (gross of 
impairment)  

Home lending 
Assets at fair value through Income Statement 
Other lending assets 
Non-lending interest earning assets  
Other assets  
Total assets  

Debt issues 
Deposits (1) 
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement 
Other liabilities  
Total liabilities  

Balance Sheet  

Assets  
ASB Bank 
Other  
Total assets  

Liabilities  
ASB Bank 
Other  
Total liabilities  

30/06/08
$M 
28,347 
5,186 
12,328 
1,654 
4,119 
51,634 

3,556 
22,810 
12,592 
3,792 
42,750 

46,958 
4,676 
51,634 

39,231 
3,519 
42,750 

31/12/07
$M 
29,723 
7,333 
11,088 
1,803 
4,428 
54,375 

2,473 
23,971 
18,724 
4,340 
49,508 

49,434 
4,941 
54,375 

45,542 
3,966 
49,508 

As at 

30/06/07
$M 
28,581 
4,921 
11,333 
3,102 
4,654 
52,591 

3,970 
23,094 
12,168 
4,569 
43,801 

47,688 
4,903 
52,591 

39,112 
4,689 
43,801 

Jun 08 vs 
Dec 07 % 
(5) 
(29) 
11 
(8) 
(7) 
(5) 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
(1)
5 
9 
(47)
(11)
(2)

44 
(5) 
(33) 
(13) 
(14) 

(5) 
(5) 
(5) 

(14) 
(11) 
(14) 

(10)
(1)
3 
(17)
(2)

(2)
(5)
(2)

- 
(25)
(2)

(1) International Financial Services exclude deposits held in other overseas countries (30 June 2008: $7 billion, 31 December 2007: $8 billion and 30 June 2007: $5 billion). 

These deposits are reported within the Premium Business Services segment. 

Sources of Profit from Insurance Activities 

30/06/08
$M 

30/06/07
$M 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 

30/06/08
$M 

31/12/07 
$M 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 

Full Year Ended  

Half Year Ended  

The Margin on Service profit from ordinary 
activities after income tax is represented by: 
Planned profit margin 
Experience variations 
Operating margins  
Shareholder investment returns after tax 
Cash net profit after tax 

New Zealand – Funds Under 
Administration 

Opening balance 
Inflows 
Outflows 
Net Flows 
Investment income and Other 
Closing balance 

New Zealand – Annual Inforce 
Premiums  

Opening balance 
Sales/New Business 
Lapses 
Other movements 
Closing balance 

76 
11 
87 
41 
128 

75 
18 
93 
24 
117 

1 
(39)
(6)
71 
9 

38 
10 
48 
9 
57 

38 
1 
39 
32 
71 

- 
large 
23 
(72)
(20)

30/06/08
$M 
8,261 
2,382 
(2,905)
(523)
(1,403)
6,335 

30/06/08
$M 
379 
54 
(14)
(48)
371 

Full Year Ended  

Half Year Ended  

30/06/07
$M 
5,865 
2,921 
(1,618)
1,303 
1,093 
8,261 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
41 
(18)
80 
large 
large 
(23)

30/06/08
$M 
7,868 
1,332 
(1,837)
(505)
(1,028)
6,335 

31/12/07 
$M 
8,261 
1,050 
(1,068) 
(18) 
(375) 
7,868 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
(5)
27 
72 
large 
large 
(19)

Full Year Ended  

Half Year Ended  

30/06/07
$M 
302 
55 
(14)
36 
379 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
25 
(2)
- 
large 
(2)

30/06/08
$M 
392 
25 
(9)
(37)
371 

31/12/07 
$M 
379 
29 
(5) 
(11) 
392 

Jun 08 vs
Dec 07 % 
3 
(14)
80 
large 
(5)

24     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (1) 
Other banking income (1) 
Total operating income  
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Underlying profit before tax  
Corporate tax expense 
Minority interests 
Underlying profit after tax  
Shareholder investment returns  
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income (1) 
Other banking income (1) 
Total operating income  
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Underlying profit before tax  
Corporate tax expense 
Minority interests 
Underlying profit after tax  
Shareholder investment returns  
Cash net profit after tax 

Net interest income (1) 
Other banking income (1) 
Total operating income  
Operating expenses 
Loan impairment expense 
Underlying profit before tax  
Corporate tax expense 
Minority interests 
Underlying profit after tax  
Shareholder investment returns  
Cash net profit after tax 

Other 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Corporate 
Centre 
$M 
302 
(12) 
290 
(75) 
- 
365 
110 
- 
255 
- 
255 

Eliminations/
Unallocated 
$M 
(181) 
(16) 
(197) 
- 
130 
(327) 
(144) 
29 
(212) 
(23) 
(235) 

Full Year Ended 30 June 2007 

Corporate 
Centre 
$M 
277 
99 
376 
(94) 
- 
470 
168 
- 
302 
- 
302 

Eliminations/
Unallocated 
$M 
(88) 
(13) 
(101) 
- 
(10) 
(91) 
(27) 
27 
(91) 
- 
(91) 

Half Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Corporate 
Centre 
$M 
160 
36 
196 
(19) 
- 
215 
64 
- 
151 
- 
151 

Eliminations/
Unallocated 
$M 
(93) 
(32) 
(125) 
- 
125 
(250) 
(121) 
15 
(144) 
(14) 
(158) 

Total
$M 
121 
(28)
93 
(75)
130 
38 
(34)
29 
43 
(23)
20 

Total
$M 
189 
86 
275 
(94)
(10)
379 
141 
27 
211 
- 
211 

Total
$M 
67 
4 
71 
(19)
125 
(35)
(57)
15 
7 
(14)
(7)

(1) Excludes the impact of reclassification of net swap costs from Net interest income to Other banking income related to certain economic hedges which do not qualify 

for AIFRS hedge accounting (30 June 2008: $265 million, 31 December 2007: $164 million and 30 June 2007: $107 million). 

Financial Performance  

Corporate  Centre  includes  the  results  of  unallocated  group 
support  functions  such  as  Investor  Relations,  Group  Strategy, 
Secretariat  and  Treasury,  together  with  centralised  project 
spend. Cash net profit after tax has decreased $47 million on the 
prior year due largely to the impact of $100 million of additional 
funding  costs  which  were  absorbed  within  Treasury  income 
during the first half of the current year. 

Corporate  Centre  cash  net  profit  after  tax  increased  by  $47 
million over the prior half due to passing on of additional funding 
costs from Treasury to the revenue-generating businesses. 

Eliminations/Unallocated includes intra-group elimination entries 
arising  on  consolidation,  centrally  raised  provisions  and  other 
unallocated  intra-group  revenue  and  expenses.  Cash  net  profit 
after tax has decreased $144 million on the prior year due to a 
lending 
reduction 
interest  accrued  on 
in 
balances,  a  change 
the 
to 
apportionment  of  deferred  tax  assets  across  the  Group,  a 
significant  strengthening  of  the  centralised  portion  of  the 
collective  loan  impairment  provision,  the  reversal  of  a  prior 
period tax provision and other unallocated intra-group expenses.  

intra-group 
the  methodology  relating 

the 

in 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Investment Returns  

Shareholder Investment Returns 

Wealth Management  
International Financial Services  
Eliminations  
Shareholder investment returns before tax 
Corporate tax expense 
Shareholder investment returns after tax 

Full Year Ended

30/06/08
$M 
(19)
25 
(23)
(17)
(4)
(13)

30/06/07
$M 
129 
20 
- 
149 
53 
96 

Jun 08 vs
Jun 07 % 
large 
25 
- 
large 
large 
large 

30/06/08
$M 
(46)
1 
(14)
(59)
(18)
(41)

Half Year Ended 
31/12/07  
$M 
27 
24 
(9) 
42 
14 
28 

Jun 08 vs
 Dec 07 % 
large 
(96)
56 
large 
large 
large 

Shareholder investment returns of $17 million before tax was impacted by market volatility, primarily in the property sector. 

Shareholder Investment Asset Mix (%) 

Local equities 
International equities 
Property 
Sub-total  

Fixed interest 
Cash 
Sub-total  
Total 

Shareholder Investment Asset Mix ($M) 
Local equities 
International equities 
Property 
Sub-total 

Fixed interest 
Cash 
Sub-total  
Total 

Australia
% 
1 
- 
21 
22 

26 
52 
78 
100 

Australia
$M 
10 
- 
310 
320 

373 
748 
1,121 
1,441 

As at 30 June 2008 

New Zealand
% 
- 
1 
- 
1 

55 
44 
99 
100 

As at 30 June 2008 

New Zealand
$M 
1 
4 
1 
6 

246 
194 
440 
446 

Asia 
% 
- 
12 
32 
44 

55 
1 
56 
100 

Asia 
$M 
- 
11 
28 
39 

49 
1 
50 
89 

Total
% 
- 
1 
17 
18 

34 
48 
82 
100 

Total
$M 
11 
15 
339 
365 

668 
943 
1,611 
1,976 

26     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Presentation of Financial Information 

Definitions 

In this Annual Report, the Group presents its profit from ordinary 
activities  after  tax  on  a  “statutory  basis”,  which  is  calculated  in 
accordance  with  the  Australian  equivalents  to  International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“AIFRS”).  

The  Group  also  presents  its  results  on  a  “cash  basis”.  "Cash 
basis"  is  defined  by  management  as  net  profit  after  tax  and 
minority interests, before the gain on Visa Initial Public Offering, 
Provisions  for  investment  and  restructuring,  defined  benefit 
superannuation plan income/expense, treasury shares valuation 
adjustment and unrealised gains and losses related to hedging 
and  AIFRS  volatility.  Management  believes  "cash  basis"  is  a 
meaningful measure of the Group’s performance and it provides 
the basis for the determination of the Bank’s dividends.  

The  Group  also  presents  its  Earnings  per  share  on  a  statutory 
basis  and  on  a  cash  basis.  Earnings  per  share  on  a  statutory 
basis  is  affected  by  the  impact  of  the  gain  on  the  Visa  Initial 
Public  Offering,  Provisions  for  investment  and  restructuring, 
defined  benefit  superannuation  plan  income/expense,  changes 
in  the  treasury  shares  valuation  adjustment,  and  unrealised 
gains  and  losses  related  to  hedging  and  AIFRS  volatility. 
"Earnings per share (cash basis)" is defined by management as 
“cash  basis”  net  profit  after tax as described above,  divided by 
the weighted average of the Bank’s ordinary shares outstanding 
over the relevant period. 

"Underlying net profit after tax" refers to net profit after tax, “cash 
basis”,  before  shareholder  investment  returns.  "Underlying  net 
profit  after  tax"  is  referred  to  across  all  businesses.  The 
underlying  profit  is  the  result  of  core  operating  performance. 
Management believes it is meaningful to highlight the underlying 
profit  in  order  to  show  performance  on  a  comparable  basis,  in 
particular excluding the volatility of equity markets. 

"Underlying" productivity ratios: 

•  Exclude  Shareholder 

investment 

returns 

from 

funds 

management and life insurance income;  

•  Exclude policyholder tax from the funds management income 

and life insurance income lines; and 

•  Exclude  the  impacts  of  transition  to  AIFRS  on  unwinding 

structured transactions. 

"Underlying" productivity ratios have been presented to provide 
what management believes to be a more relevant presentation 
of  productivity 
these 
adjustments enable comparison of productivity ratios from period 
to period to be more meaningful as it reflects the Group’s core 
operating performance. 

ratios.  Management  believes 

that 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     27 

 
 
 
Integrated Risk Management 

Risk Management  

Market Risk 

The  Risk  Committee  of  the  Board  oversees  credit,  market 

Market risk is the potential of loss arising from adverse changes 

(traded  and  non-traded),  funding  and  liquidity,  operational  and 

in interest rates, foreign exchange prices, commodity and equity 

strategic business, business continuity, compliance and security 

prices, credit spreads, and implied volatility levels for all assets 

risks  assumed  by  the  Group  in  the  course  of  carrying  on  its 

and  liabilities  where  options  are  transacted.  Market  risk  also 

business. Further information of the role and function of the Risk 

includes risks associated with funding and liquidity management. 

Committee is discussed in the Corporate Governance section of 

this report. 

APRA has specifically requested Australian banks implementing 

the  Basel  II  framework  to  incorporate  regulatory  capital  for 

The  Group  has  in  place  an  integrated  risk  management 

interest rate risk in the banking book in their assessment of total 

framework to identify, assess, manage and report risks and risk 

regulatory  capital  from  1  July  2008.  The  Group’s  capital 

adjusted  returns  on  a  consistent  and  reliable  basis.  This 

calculation 

framework  has  been  updated 

to 

include  an 

framework requires each business to manage the outcome of its 

appropriate  allowance  for  IRRBB  capital  in  its  2009  financial 

risk-taking  activities,  and  enjoy  the  resulting  risk  adjusted 

year regulatory capital calculation.  

returns.  Risk  management  professionals  employed  in  each 

Business  Unit  measure  risks  and  provide  advice  on  what  risks 

might be taken for better returns. These risk professionals report 

to the Group Chief Risk Officer, who in turn reports to the CEO 

and has direct reporting requirements to the Risk Committee of 

the Board. 

Independent  review  of  the  risk  management  framework  is 

carried out through Group Audit. 

Basel II 

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision introduced a new 
risk  based  capital  framework  (Basel  II)  in  June  2004.  The  new 
framework  reflects  advances  in  the  management  of  risk  since 
the introduction of the original Basel Accord in 1988.  

The Group initiated its Basel II project in 2004, implementing the 
new  framework’s principles in  order to elevate  the  Group’s  risk 
management culture.  The  Group’s approach  to  Basel II  was to 
obtain  advanced  accreditation  (cost  effectively)  by  using  and 
enhancing  existing  risk  rating 
tools  and  data  gathering 
capabilities. In June 2006, the Group commenced calculating its 
Risk Weighted Assets in accordance with Basel II rules as part 
of its accreditation application.  

On  10  December  2007,  the  Group  was  one  of  the  first  major 
banks  in  Australia  to  gain  approval 
from  the  Australian 
Prudential  Regulation  Authority  (APRA)  to  use  the  advanced 
internal  ratings-based  (AIRB)  approach  for  credit  risk  and  the 
advanced measurement approach (AMA) for operational risk for 
the  purposes  of  assessing  risk  weighted  assets  and  regulatory 
capital. These approvals took effect from 1 January 2008. 

APRA has requested the Group defer the release of its Pillar 3 
disclosures until the last quarter of 2008, when the other major 
Australian banks release their disclosures, to aid in comparative 
analysis. 

Further  detail  on  the  Group’s  assessment  of  regulatory  capital 
required  under  the  new  Basel  II  framework  is  discussed  in  the 
section on Capital Management.  

Credit Risk  

Credit risk is the potential of loss arising from failure of a debtor 

or  counterparty  to  meet  their  contractual  obligations.  The 

measurement  of  credit  risk  is  based  on  an  internal  credit  risk 

rating system, which uses analytical tools to estimate expected 

and unexpected loss for the credit portfolio.  

The  introduction  of  the  Basel  II  framework  has  enabled  the 

Group to manage loan portfolios and improve the ability to price 

for risk. 

Further  information  on  credit  risk  management  is  included  in 

Notes 15 and 42 to the Financial Statements. 

28     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 

The  measurement  of  market  risk  for  traded  assets  remains 

unchanged from the original Basel I approach. 

Further information on market risk is included in Note 42 to the 

Financial Statements.  

Liquidity and Funding Risk  

Balance  Sheet  liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  of  being  unable  to  meet 
financial  obligations  as  they  fall  due.  Funding  risk  is  the  risk  of 
over-reliance on a funding source to the extent that a change in 
that  funding  source  could  increase  overall  funding  costs  or 
cause difficulty in raising funds.  

Further  information  on  liquidity  and  funding  risk  is  included  in 
Note 42 to the Financial Statements. 

Operational and Strategic Business Risk 

risk 
The  Group’s  operational  and  strategic  business 
management 
its 
financial and business goals. Framework objectives approved by 
the Risk Committee are: 

the  achievement  of 

framework  supports 

•  Maintenance of an effective internal control environment and 

system of internal control; 

•  Demonstration  of  effective  governance, 

including  a 
consistent approach to operational risk management across 
the Group; 

•  Transparency,  escalation  and  resolution  of  risk  and  control 

incidents and issues; 

•  Making  decisions  based  upon  an 

informed  risk-return 
analysis  and  appropriate  standards  of  professional  practice; 
and 

•  Achieving  business  growth  and  enhancing 

financial 
through  efficient  and  effective  operational 

performance 
processes. 

Operational Risk is defined as the risk of economic gain or loss 
resulting from: 

Inadequate or failed internal processes and methodologies; 

• 
•  People; 
•  Systems and models used in making business decisions; or 
•  External events. 
Strategic Business Risk is defined as the risk of economic gain 
or  loss  resulting  from  changes  in  the  business  environment 
caused by the following factors: 

•  Economic; 
•  Competitive; 
•  Social trends; or 
•  Regulatory 

Strategic  business  risk  is  taken  into  account  when  defining 
business strategy and objectives. The Risk Committee receives 
reports on business plans, major projects and change initiatives 
(including the Group’s current relocation program NOVA and the 
Core  System  Modernisation  Project).  The  Risk  committee 
monitors progress and reviews successes compared to plans. 

Each business manager is responsible for the identification and 
assessment  of  these  risks,  and  for  maintaining  appropriate 
internal  controls.  Skilled  operational 
risk  professionals 
embedded  in  the  business  lead  the  Group’s  operational  risk 
framework  and  governance  structures  to  support  business 
managers through a suite of risk mitigating policies, the reporting 
of internal loss incidents and key risk indicators, and qualitative 
and  quantitative  assessment  of 
risk  exposures.  Further 
governance and control oversight is provided by Group Audit for 
this and other risk types. 

The  Group’s  operational 
risk  measurement  methodology 
combines  expert  assessment  of  individual  risk  exposures  with 
internal  loss  data  to  calculate  operational  risk  economic  capital 
and determine potential loss. 

As a result of the implementation of the Basel II framework the 
Group developed a sophisticated Operational Risk loss incident 
database.  This  has  increased  awareness  of  controls  and 
processes  which  is  contributing  to  lower  operational  losses, 
including loan frauds. 

The  Group  continues  to  benchmark  and  monitor  its  insurance 
risk  transfer  program  for  efficiency  and  effectiveness.  This  is 
primarily  achieved  through  a  methodology  that  optimises  total 
shareholder returns and determines the most appropriate blend 
of economic capital coverage and insurance risk transfer. 

Business Continuity Management 

Business  Continuity  Management  (“BCM”)  within  the  Group 
involves the development, maintenance and testing of advance 
action  plans  to  respond  to  threats  that  have  the  potential  to 
impact  business  operations.  BCM  ensures 
that  business 
processes continue with minimal adverse impact on customers, 
staff, products, services and brands. 

BCM  constitutes  an  essential  component  of  the  Group’s  risk 
management  process  by  providing  a  controlled  response  to 
business  disruption  events  that  could  have  a  significant  impact 
on  the  Group’s  critical  processes  and  revenue  streams.  It 
includes both cost-effective responses to mitigate the impact of 
risk events or disasters and crisis management plans to respond 
to crisis events. 

A  comprehensive  BCM  program  including  plan  development, 
testing  and  education  continues  to  be  implemented  across  all 
business units. 

Integrated Risk Management 

Compliance Risk Management 

Compliance  risk  is  the  risk  of  legal  or  regulatory  sanctions, 
material financial loss, or loss of reputation that the Group may 
suffer as a result of its failure to comply with the requirements of 
relevant laws, regulatory bodies, industry standards and codes. 

to  meet 

the  Group’s  obligations  under 

The  Group’s  Compliance  Risk  Management  Framework 
(CRMF)  is  a  key  element  of  the  Group’s  integrated  risk 
management  framework.  The  CRMF  is  consistent  with  the 
Australian  Standard  on  Compliance  Programs;  as  such  it  is 
the 
designed 
Corporations  Act  2001  and  the  Bank’s  Australian  Financial 
Services  Licence.  The  CRMF 
incorporates  a  number  of 
components 
including  Group  Standards,  a  Compliance 
Obligations  Register  and  Guidance  Notes  that  detail  specific 
requirements and accountabilities. These are complemented by 
business  unit  compliance  frameworks  including  obligations 
registers, standards and procedures.  

The  CRMF  provides  for  the  assessment  of  compliance  risks, 
implementation of controls, monitoring and testing of framework 
effectiveness,  the  escalation,  remediation  and  reporting  of 
compliance incidents and control weaknesses. 

The  Group's compliance strategy is based on two  fundamental 
principles:  

•  Line  Management 

in  each  Business  Unit  have 

the 
responsibility  to  ensure  their  business  is  and  remains 
compliant  with  legislative,  regulatory,  industry  code  and 
organisational requirements; and  

•  Group  and  Business  Unit  Regulatory  Risk  and  Compliance 
teams  work  together  to  monitor,  overview  and  report  on 
compliance to management, compliance committees and the 
Board. 

Security Risk 

Security  risk  is  defined  as  threats  associated  with  theft  and 
fraud,  information  and  IT  security,  protective  security  and  crisis 
management. 

The Group’s security risk management framework forms part of 
the  operational  risk  framework  and  sets  out  the  key  roles, 
responsibilities  and  processes  for  security  risk  management 
across the Group. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     29 

 
Capital Management 

Capital Management 

The Bank is an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (“ADI”) and 
is  subject  to  regulation  by  APRA  under  the  authority  of  the 
Banking  Act  1959.  APRA  has  set  minimum  regulatory  capital 
requirements for banks that are consistent with the International 
Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards: A 
Revised Framework (“Basel II”) issued by the Basel Committee 
on  Banking  Supervision.  These  requirements  define  what  is 
acceptable as capital and provide for methods of measuring the 
risks incurred by the Bank.  

The  regulatory  capital  requirements  are  measured  for  the 
Extended  Licence  Entity  Group  (known  as  “Level  One” 
comprising the Bank and APRA approved subsidiaries) and for 
the  Bank  and  all  of  its  banking  subsidiaries  (known  as  “Level 
Two” or the “Group).  

All  entities  which  are consolidated  for accounting  purposes are 
included  within  the  Group capital  adequacy calculations except 
for: 

•  The insurance and funds management operations; and 

•  The entities through which securitisation of Bank assets are 

conducted. 

Regulatory capital is divided into Tier One and Tier Two Capital. 
Tier One Capital primarily consists of Shareholders’ Equity plus 
other capital instruments acceptable to APRA, less goodwill and 
other  prescribed  deductions.  Tier  Two  Capital  is  comprised 
primarily  of  hybrid  and  debt  instruments  acceptable  to  APRA 
less any prescribed deductions. Total Capital is the aggregate of 
Tier  One  and  Tier  Two  Capital.  A  detailed  breakdown  of  the 
components of capital is detailed on pages 32 to 36. 

The tangible component of the investment in the insurance and 
funds  management  operations  are  deducted  from  capital,  50% 
from Tier One and 50% from Tier Two. 

Capital adequacy is measured by means of a risk based capital 
ratio.  The  capital  ratios  reflect  capital  (Tier  One,  Tier  Two  or 
Total  Capital)  as  a  percentage  of  total  Risk  Weighted  Assets 
(“RWA”). RWA represents an allocation of risks associated with 
the Group’s assets and other related exposures. 

its  capital 

the 
The  Group  actively  manages 
requirements  of  various  stakeholders 
rating 
agencies and shareholders). This is achieved by optimising the 
mix  of  capital  while  maintaining  adequate  capital  ratios 
throughout the financial year.  

to  balance 

(regulators, 

The  Group  has  a  range  of  instruments  and  methodologies 
available  to  effectively  manage  capital  including  share  issues 
and buybacks, dividend and dividend reinvestment plan policies, 
hybrid capital raising and dated and undated subordinated debt 
issues. All major capital related initiatives require approval of the 
Board. 

The Group’s capital position is monitored on a continuous basis 
and reported monthly to the Asset and Liability Committee of the 
Bank. Three year capital forecasts are conducted on a quarterly 
basis and a detailed capital and strategy plan is presented to the 
Board annually. 

The  Group’s  capital  ratios  throughout  the  2007  and  2008 
Financial  Years  were  in  compliance  with  both  APRA  minimum 
capital adequacy requirements (Tier One Capital 4% and Total 
Capital 8%) and the Board Approved Target Ranges of Tier One 
Capital 6.5 to 7% and Total Capital 10 to 12%). 

30     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008  

The  Total  Capital  target  range  was  amended  in  2008  from  a 
range of 9 to 11% to a range of 10 to 12% in order to align with 
the  Group’s  strategy  to  apply  for  U.S.  Financial  Holding 
Company  (FHC)  status.  FHC  status  requires  the  Group  to 
maintain minimum Tier One Capital of 6% and  Total Capital at 
10% at all times. 

The Bank is required to inform APRA immediately of any breach 
or  potential  breach  of 
its  minimum  capital  adequacy 
requirements,  including  details  of  remedial  action  taken  or 
planned to be taken. 

Dividends 

Banks may not pay dividends if immediately after payment, they 
are  unable  to  meet  the  minimum  capital  requirements.  Banks 
cannot pay dividends from Retained Profits without APRA’s prior 
approval.  Under  APRA  guidelines,  the  expected  dividend  must 
be deducted from Tier One Capital. 

Regulatory Changes  

Basel II 

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision introduced a new 
risk  based  capital  framework  (Basel  II)  in  June  2004.  The  new 
framework  reflects  advances  in  the  management  of  risk  since 
the introduction of the original Basel Accord in 1988.  

The aim of Basel II is to improve the stability and soundness of 
the financial system by more closely linking capital requirements 
to  risks.  This  is  achieved  by  allowing  banks  with  sophisticated 
risk  management  systems  and  techniques  to  use  internal 
models  to  align  the  assessment  of  risk  with  the  assessment  of 
regulatory capital required. 

The Basel II framework consists of three pillars: 

•  Pillar  1  –  defines  the  rules  for  calculating  the  minimum 
for  credit,  market  and 

regulatory  capital  requirements 
operational risk; 

•  Pillar  2  –  addresses  the  Group’s  internal  capital  adequacy 

assessment process (ICAAP); and 

•  Pillar 3 – specifies public  disclosure  requirements  to  enable 
market  participants  to  assess  key  pieces  of  information  on 
risk exposures and processes of a banking group. 

In  June  2006,  the  Group  commenced  calculating  its  RWA  in 
accordance  with  Basel  II  rules  as  part  of  its  accreditation 
application.  On  10  December  2007,  the  Group  became  one  of 
the first major banks in Australia to be granted “advanced” Basel 
II accreditation by APRA.  

As  a  result  of  receiving  advanced  Basel  II  accreditation,  the 
advanced internal ratings based approach (AIRB) for credit risk 
and 
for 
the  advanced  measurement  approaches  (AMA) 
operational  risk  have  been  adopted  in  the  calculation  of  RWA. 
There  is  an  agreed  methodology  for  measuring  market  risk  for 
traded assets, which remains unchanged from Basel I.  

APRA has specifically requested Australian banks to incorporate 
regulatory capital for interest rate risk in the banking book in their 
assessment of total regulatory capital from 1 July 2008. This is 
not  a  requirement  under  Basel  II  Pillar  1.  The  Group’s  capital 
calculation 
include  an 
appropriate  allowance  for  IRRBB  capital  in  its  2009  financial 
year regulatory capital calculation. 

framework  has  been  updated 

to 

The work undertaken to achieve the advanced accreditation has 
in  risk 
provided 
the  Group  with 
measurement  and  management, 
the 
flexibility with which the Group manages its decision making and 
capital management.  

increased  sophistication 
thereby 

increasing 

Adoption  of  the  methodology  prescribed  under  the  advanced 
approach was effective from 1 January 2008.  

• 

Regulatory  capital  as  at  30  June  2008  has  been  calculated  in 
accordance with the Basel II advanced methodology. 

The  prudential  calculations  for  the  prior  financial  year  are  in 
accordance with the previous Basel I methodology.  

APRA made several changes to the definition of capital effective 
from  1  January  2008.  The  material  changes  applicable  to  the 
Group include: 

•  Limits  on  the  amount  of  Residual  (25%)  and  Innovative 
Capital  (15%)  that  qualifies  as  Tier  One  capital,  with  any 
excess  transferred  to  upper  Tier  Two  Capital.  APRA  has 
granted  the  Group  $974  million  transitional  relief  on  the 
innovative capital limits until 1 January 2010;  

•  Regulatory  Expected  Loss  (pre-tax)  using  stressed  loss 
given  default  assumptions  associated  with  the loan portfolio 
in  excess  of  eligible  credit  provisions  (net  of  tax)  are 
deducted 50% from both Tier One and Tier Two capital; 

•  The  prudential  general  reserve  for  credit  losses  (mostly 
comprising  the  collective  provision  for  impairment  losses)  is 
excluded from Upper Tier Two Capital; 

•  Total  Capital  deductions  revert  to  50%  Tier  One  and  50% 

Tier Two Capital deductions;  

•  Capital  floor  based  on  90%  of  the  capital  required  under 
Basel  II,  which  as  at  30  June  2008  has  no  impact  on  the 
Group’s capital levels; and 

•  The loss of AIFRS Transitional Relief from Tier One and Two 

Capital. 

Active Capital Management 

The Group maintains a strong capital position with the advanced 
Basel II accreditation resulting in an increase in both the Group’s 
Tier  One  and  Total  Capital  ratios,  primarily  driven  by  the 
reduction in risk weighted assets.  

As a result of Basel II advanced accreditation, the Total Capital 
Ratio  was  restated  from  9.82%  to  12.08%  at  31  December 
2007.  The  Tier  One  capital  ratio  was  restated  from  7.41%  to 
8.17% at 31 December 2007. 

As  at  30  June  2008  the  Tier  One  and  Total  Capital  ratio  are 
8.17% and 11.58% respectively. 

RWA  are  $206  billion  at  30  June  2008.  This  represents  an  $8 
billion  increase  from  the  restated  Basel  II  31  December  2007 
level of $198 billion.  

Adjusted Common Equity 

The  Group’s  Basel  II  ACE  capital  ratio  as  at  30  June  2008  is 
6.47% and compares with 6.58% as at 31 December 2007. 

Significant Initiatives 

The  following  significant  initiatives  were  undertaken  during  the 
financial year to actively manage the Bank’s capital: 

Tier One Capital 

• 

• 

• 

Issue  of  $1,465  million  ($1,443  million  net  of  issue  costs) 
Perpetual  Exchangeable  Resaleable  Listed  Securities 
(PERLS  IV)  in  July  2007  which  qualify  as  Non-Innovative 
Residual Tier One Capital; 

Issue  of  $709  million  shares  in  October  2007  to  satisfy  the 
Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  (“DRP”)  in  respect  of  the  final 
dividend for 2006/07; 

Issue of $400 million of shares in April 2008 in order to satisfy 
the  DRP  in  respect  of  the  interim  dividend  for  2007/08.  A 
further  $98  million  of  shares  were  purchased  as  part  of  the 
DRP; and 

Capital Management 

In accordance with APRA guidelines, the estimated issue of 
$609  million  of  shares  to  satisfy  the  DRP  in  respect  of  the 
final  dividend  for  2007/08.  This  estimate  represents  a  30% 
participation in the DRP in respect of the final dividend. 

Tier Two Capital 

• 

Issue  of  the  equivalent  of  $664  million  of  Lower  Tier  Two 
Capital was raised during the financial year, all of which was 
raised in the first half of the financial year.  

Regulatory Capital Requirements for Other Major ADIs 
in the Group 

ASB Bank Limited 

ASB Bank Limited is subject to regulation by the Reserve Bank 
of New Zealand (“RBNZ”). RBNZ applies a similar methodology 
to  APRA  in  calculating  regulatory  capital  requirements.  At  30 
June 2008 ASB Bank Limited had a Tier One ratio of 9.4% and 
a Total Capital ratio of 11.8% 

ASB  Bank  was 
requirements at all times throughout the current financial year. 

in  compliance  with 

regulatory  capital 

In December 2007 ASB Bank Limited received advanced Basel 
II accreditation from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.  

Regulatory Capital Requirements for Life Insurance and 
Funds Management Business 

The Group’s life insurance business in Australia is regulated by 
APRA.  The  Life  Insurance  Act  1995  includes  a  two  tiered 
framework for the calculation of regulatory capital requirements 
“capital 
for 
adequacy”.  The  capital  adequacy  test  for  statutory  funds  is 
always equal to or greater than the solvency test. (1) 

insurance  companies  – 

“solvency”  and 

life 

The Group owns Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited 
(“CMLA”),  a  life  insurance  company  operating  in  Australia.  Life 
insurance  business  previously  written  by  Commonwealth 
Insurance Holdings Limited (“CIHL”) was transferred into CMLA 
effective 30 June 2007. 

There  are  no  regulatory  capital  requirements  for  life  insurance 
companies  in  New  Zealand,  though  the  directors  of  any 
Company  must  certify  its  solvency  under  the  Companies  Act 
1993. The Group determines the minimum capital requirements 
for  its  New  Zealand  life  insurance  business  according  to  the 
professional  standard  “Solvency  Reserving  for  Life  Insurers”, 
issued by the New Zealand Society of Actuaries. 

the  Australian  Securities  and 

Fund  managers  in  Australia  are  subject  to  ‘Responsible  Entity’ 
regulation  by 
Investment 
Commission (“ASIC”).  The  regulatory capital  requirements  vary 
depending  on  the  type  of  Australian  Financial  Services  licence 
or Authorised Representatives’ Licence held, but a requirement 
of up to $5 million of net tangible assets applies. 

APRA  supervises  approved  trustees  of  superannuation  funds 
and requires them to also maintain net tangible assets of at least 
$5  million.  These  requirements  are  not  cumulative  where  an 
entity is both an approved trustee for superannuation purposes 
and a responsible entity. 

The  Group’s  life  insurance  and  funds  management  companies 
held  assets  in  excess  of  regulatory  capital  requirements  at  30 
June  2008.  The  Group’s  Australian  and  New  Zealand  life 
insurance and funds management businesses held $949 million 
of  assets  in  excess  of  regulatory  solvency  requirements  at  30 
June 2008 (2007: $1,168 million).  

(1) The Shareholders’ fund is subject to a separate capital requirement.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     31 

 
Capital Management 

Capital Adequacy 

Risk-Weighted Capital Ratios (1) 

Tier One 
Tier Two 
Less Deductions 
Capital Base 
Adjusted Common Equity (2) 

Regulatory Capital 

Tier One Capital 
Fundamental Tier One Capital 
Total shareholders’ equity (3) 
Adjustments to total shareholders’ equity: 
Expected dividend (4) 
Estimated reinvestment under Dividend Reinvestment Plan (5) 
Treasury shares 
Cash flow hedge reserve  
General reserve for credit losses (after tax) (6) 
Employee compensation reserve 
Asset revaluation reserve 
Available-for-sale investments reserve 
Foreign currency translation reserve related to non-consolidated subsidiaries 
Deferred fees  
Retained earnings (7) 
Trust Preferred Securities 2006 (8) 
Minority Interests (9) 
Other  
Total Fundamental Tier One Capital 

Residual Tier One Capital  
Innovative Tier One Capital 
Irredeemable non-cumulative preference shares (10) 
Minority Interests (9) 
Eligible loan capital 
Total Innovative Capital  
Non-Innovative Residual Tier One Capital (11) 
Less residual capital in excess of prescribed limits transferred to Upper Tier Two 
Capital (12) 
Total Residual Tier One Capital 

Basel II
30/06/08
% 
8. 17 
3. 41 
- 
11. 58 
6. 47 

Basel II
31/12/07
% 
8. 17 
3. 91 
- 
12. 08 
6. 58 

Basel I 
31/12/07 
% 
7. 41 
3. 19 
(0. 78) 
9. 82 
4. 77 

30/06/08
$M 

31/12/07
$M 

31/12/07 
$M 

Group
Basel I
30/06/07
% 
7. 14 
3. 41 
(0. 79)
9. 76 
4. 79 

Group
30/06/07
$M 

26,137 

25,638 

25,638 

24,444 

(2,029)
609 
264 
(341)
- 
39 
(195)
41 
39 
2 
752 
(939)
(505)
(67)
23,807 

3,396 
505 
209 
4,110 
1,443 

(1,359)
4,194 

(1,487)
400 
235 
(477)
- 
81 
(181)
72 
(13)
54 
752 
(939)
(505)
(40)
23,590 

3,451 
505 
236 
4,192 
1,443 

(1,592)
4,043 

(1,487) 
400 
235 
(477) 
- 
81 
(181) 
72 
(13) 
54 
752 
(939) 
- 
(40) 
24,095 

3,451 
- 
236 
3,687 
1,443 

- 
5,130 

(1,939)
485 
255 
(440)
(350)
51 
(185)
35 
(8)
97 
752 
(939)
- 
(34)
22,224 

3,474 
- 
245 
3,719 
- 

- 
3,719 

(1) June 2008 regulatory capital is calculated in accordance with Basel II rules and methodology which was effective from 1 January 2008. The Basel II ratios quoted in the 
table above do not make allowance for interest rate risk in the banking book, which is not effective until 1 July 2008. The December 2007 and June 2007 regulatory 
capital is reported in accordance with Basel I rules and methodology. 

(2) Adjusted Common Equity ("ACE") is one measure considered by Standard & Poor's in evaluating the Bank's credit rating. The ACE ratio for June 2008 has been 

calculated using the ACE numerator as a percentage of Basel II RWA with a comparison for December 2007. 

(3) Represents total shareholders’ equity as disclosed in the Group's Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

(4) Represents expected dividends required to be deducted from current period earnings. 

(5) Based on reinvestment experience related to the Bank's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) as approved by APRA. The DRP in respect of the December 2007 interim 
dividend was satisfied by the issue of $400 million of ordinary shares and has been reflected in the December 2007 numbers as detailed in the table above. The shares 
to be issued under the DRP in respect of the final 2007 dividend were estimated at 25% as approved by APRA, actual take up was 36.6%. 

(6) General reserve for credit loss of $350 million (after tax) transferred to retained earnings December 2007. 

(7) Represents the write-down in retained earnings upon adoption of AIFRS within the non-consolidated subsidiaries. 

(8) Trust Preferred Securities 2006 issued 15th March 2006 USD 700 million. These instruments qualify as Tier One Innovative Capital of the Bank. 

(9) Minority interest classified as Tier One Innovative Capital under Basel II regulations. Comprised predominately of ASB Perpetual Preference Shares of NZD550 million 

issued by New Zealand subsidiary entities. These shares are non-redeemable and carry limited voting rights. 

(10) APRA approved Innovative Tier One Capital instruments (PERLS II and III and Trust Preferred Securities 2003 and 2006). 

(11) Perpetual Exchangeable Resaleable Listed Securities (PERLS IV) of $1,465 million (less costs) issued by the Bank in July 2007 and approved by APRA as Tier One 

Non-Innovative Capital instruments. 

(12) Residual Capital eligible for inclusion as Tier One Capital is subject to an APRA prescribed limit of 25% of Tier One capital with any excess transferred to Upper Tier 

Two Capital. The Bank was granted transitional relief to 1 January 2010 with respect to the Innovative Capital limit of 15% of Tier One Capital of $974 million. 

32     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Adequacy (continued) 

Tier One Capital Deductions – 100% 
Goodwill (1) 
Capitalised expenses  
Capitalised computer software costs 
Defined benefit superannuation plan surplus (2) 
Deferred tax 

Tier One Capital Deductions – 50% (3) 
Equity investments in other companies and trusts(4) 
Equity investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries (net on intangibles) 
Expected impairment loss (before tax) in excess of eligible credit provisions (net 
of deferred tax) (5) 
Other deductions 

Transitional Tier One Capital relief on adoption of AIFRS (6)  
Total Tier One Deductions 
Total Tier One Capital 

Capital Management 

Basel II
30/06/08
$M 

Basel II 
31/12/07 
$M 

Basel I 
31/12/07 
$M 

(8,010)
(110)
(353)
(1,075)
(38)
(9,586)

(561)
(376)

(587)
(100)
(1,624)
- 
(11,210)
16,791 

(8,030) 
(100) 
(316) 
(1,314) 
(27) 
(9,787) 

(723) 
(296) 

(536) 
(95) 
(1,650) 
- 
(11,437) 
16,196 

(8,030)
(100)
(316)
(1,314)
(27)
(9,787)

(870)
- 

- 
- 
(870)
1,641 
(9,016)
20,209 

Group
Basel I
30/06/07
$M 

(7,632)
(136)
(297)
(1,270)
(37)
(9,372)

(700)
- 

- 
- 
(700)
1,641 
(8,431)
17,512 

(1) Represents total Goodwill and other intangibles (excluding capitalised computer software costs) which is required to be deducted from Tier One Capital. 

(2) In accordance with APRA regulations, the surplus (net of tax) in the Bank's defined benefit superannuation fund which is included in shareholders' equity, must be 

deducted from Tier One Capital. 

(3) Represents 50% Tier One and 50% Tier Two Capital deductions under Basel II rules. 

(4) Represents the Group’s non-controlling interest in major infrastructure assets and unit trusts. 

(5) Regulatory Expected Loss (pre-tax) using stressed loss given default assumptions associated with the loan portfolio in excess of eligible credit provisions (net of tax) are 

deducted 50% from both Tier One and Tier Two capital. 

(6) APRA granted transitional relief for Tier One and Tier Two Capital on adoption of AIFRS, which expired 1 January 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Management 

Capital Adequacy (continued) 

Regulatory Capital 

Tier Two Capital 
Upper Tier Two Capital 
Residual capital in excess of prescribed limits transferred from Tier One Capital (1) 

Collective provision for impairment losses  
Other credit provisions  
Fair value credit adjustments  
General reserve for credit losses (pre-tax equivalent)  
Prudential general reserve for credit losses (2) 
Future income tax benefit related to prudential general reserve for credit losses 
Asset revaluation reserve (3) 
Upper Tier Two note and bond issues 
Other  
Total Upper Tier Two Capital  

Lower Tier Two Capital  
Lower Tier Two note and bond issues (4) (5) 
Holding of own Lower Tier Two Capital 
Transitional Tier Two capital relief on adoption of AIFRS (6) 
Total Lower Tier Two capital 

Tier Two Capital Deductions 
50% Deductions from Tier Two Capital (7) 
Total Tier Two Capital 
Total Tier One and Tier Two Capital 

Basel II
30/06/08
$M 

Basel II 
31/12/07 
$M 

Basel I 
31/12/07 
$M 

Group
Basel I
30/06/07
$M 

1,359 

1,592 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
88 
196 
57 
1,700 

6,977 
(40)
- 
6,937 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
81 
203 
45 
1,921 

7,532 
(45) 
- 
7,487 

1,084 
28 
22 
- 
1,134 
(340) 
81 
203 
45 
1,123 

7,532 
(45) 
74 
7,561 

1,034 
23 
24 
500 
1,581 
(474)
83 
191 
34 
1,415 

6,922 
(46)
74 
6,950 

(1,624)
7,013 
23,804 

(1,650) 
7,758 
23,954 

- 
8,684 
28,893 

- 
8,365 
25,877 

Total Capital Deductions (8) 
Investment in non–consolidated subsidiaries (net of intangible component deducted 
from Tier One Capital): 
Value of acquired inforce business (9) 
Other deductions 
Total Capital  

- 

- 

(592) 

(409)

- 
- 
23,804 

- 
- 
23,954 

(1,339) 
(189) 
26,773 

(1,339)
(178)
23,951 

(1) Residual Capital eligible for inclusion as Tier One Capital is subject to an APRA prescribed limit of 25% of Tier One Capital with any excess transferred to Upper Tier 

Two Capital. 

(2) Prudential General Reserve for Credit Losses is not eligible for inclusion in Upper Tier Two Capital under Basel II. 

(3) APRA allows only 45% of the asset revaluation reserve to be included in Tier Two Capital. 

(4) APRA requires these Lower Tier Two note and bond issues to be included as if they were unhedged. 

(5) For regulatory capital purposes, Lower Tier Two note and bond issues are amortised by 20% of the original amount during each of the last five years to maturity. 

(6) APRA has granted transitional relief for Tier One and Two Capital on adoption of AIFRS, which expired 1 January 2008. 

(7) Represents 50% Tier One and 50% Tier Two Capital deductions under Basel II rules. 

(8) Total Capital deductions revert to a 50% Tier One and 50% Tier Two deduction under Basel II regulations. 

(9) Value of acquired inforce business transferred to goodwill upon adoption of AIFRS. The deduction as at 30 June 2008 is now reflected in the goodwill deduction in Tier 

One Capital. 

34     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Adequacy (continued) 

Risk Weighted Assets (1)  
Credit Risk 
Sovereign 
Banks 
Corporate (2) 
SME Corporate (3) 
Residential Mortgages (4) 
Qualifying Revolving Retail 
SME Retail (5) 
Other Retail 
Equity Portfolio 
Trading book repos and other derivatives (6) 
Specialised lending subject to the slotting approach (7) 
Securitisation (8) 
Other Assets (9) 
Portfolios subject to Standardised Approach  
Impact of regulatory scaling factor (10) 

Total Credit Risk 
Market Risk - Traded 
Operational Risk 
Total risk weighted assets (11) 

Capital Management 

Basel II
30/06/08
$M 

Basel II 
31/12/07 
$M 

Basel I
31/12/07
$M 

Group 

Basel I
30/06/07
$M 

1,802 
5,292 
45,635 
31,478 
39,128 
6,070 
4,318 
5,274 
293 
- 
21,053 
3,536 
9,229 
5,992 
8,340 
187,440 
4,501 
13,560 
205,501 

1,380 
3,780 
40,855 
31,529 
34,693 
5,587 
5,920 
4,623 
204 
4,851 
22,760 
2,554 
5,968 
7,605 
9,527 
181,836 
4,374 
12,018 
198,228 

268,235 
4,374 

241,224 
4,123 

272,609 

245,347 

(1) Risk Weighted Assets for 30 June 2008 are calculated in accordance with the Group's advanced accreditation under Basel II. Risk Weighted Assets under Basel II are 
disclosed for 31 December 2007 for the purposes of comparison and align to the "Parallel Run" return provided to APRA at that date. Risk Weighted Assets calculated 
under Basel I methodology for 31 December 2007 and 30 June 2007 are shown for information purposes. 

(2) Corporate includes commercial credit risk where annual revenues exceed $50 million. 

(3) SME Corporate includes small and medium enterprise commercial credit risk where annual revenues are less than $50 million and exposures are greater than $1 

million. 

(4) Residential Mortgages include retail and small and medium enterprise exposures up to $1 million that are secured by residential mortgage property. 

(5) SME Retail includes small and medium enterprise exposures up to $1 million that are not secured by residential mortgage property. 

(6) Trading Book repos and derivatives were separately identified in the calculation of RWA during the Basel II "Parallel Run" period. From, 1 January 2008, these 

exposures are now reported in asset classes including Sovereign, Banks and Corporate. 

(7) Specialised lending subject to the slotting approach includes Income Producing Real Estate and Project Finance. 

(8) Securitisation includes Bank-originated securitised exposures and the provision of facilities to customers in relation to securitisation activities. 

(9) Other Assets includes Cash, Investments in Related Entities, Fixed Assets and Margin Lending. 

(10) Risk Weighted Assets which are calculated in accordance with APRA's approval for advanced accreditation under Basel II, are required to apply a scaling factor of 

1.06 to assets that are not subject to specific risk weights. The 31 December 2007 comparative includes scaling impact of $1,531 million applied to Specialised Lending, 
Securitisation and Equity Portfolio that was included in the "Parallel Run" calculations of RWA provided to APRA at that date for those credit risk types. This is no longer 
applicable to these asset classes. 

(11) The transitional capital floors prescribed in APRA Prudential Standard APS 150 "Capital Adequacy: Basel II Transition" did not impact on the Group's Risk Weighted 
Assets as at 30 June 2008 or 31 December 2007. Risk Weighted Assets equivalent for Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book is not included in this table as it is not 
effective until 1 July 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Management 

Capital Adequacy (continued) 

Adjusted Common Equity (1) 
Total Fundamental Tier One capital 
Deduct: 
Goodwill 
Capitalised expenses  
Capitalised computer software costs 
Defined benefit superannuation plan surplus 
Investment in non-consolidated subsidiaries (net of intangible component 
deducted from Tier One Capital) (2) 
Other deductions (3) 
Minority interest (4) 
Total Adjusted Common Equity 
Total risk-weighted assets(5)  

Basel II
30/06/2008
$M 

Basel II
31/12/2007
$M 

Basel I 
31/12/2007 
$M 

23,807 
(8,010)
(110)
(353)
(1,075)

(752)
(200)
(13)
13,294 
205,501 

23,590 
(8,030)
(100)
(316)
(1,314)

(592)
(189)
(6)
13,043 
198,228 

24,095 
(8,030) 
(100) 
(316) 
(1,314) 

(592) 
(189) 
(511) 
13,043 
273,478 

Group
Basel I
30/06/2007
$M 

22,224 
(7,632)
(136)
(297)
(1,270)

(409)
(178)
(512)
11,790 
246,047 

(1) Adjusted Common Equity ("ACE") is one measure considered by Standard & Poor's in evaluating the Bank's credit rating. The ACE ratio for June 2008 has been 

calculated using the ACE numerator as a percentage of Basel II RWA with a comparison for December 2007. 

(2) Investment in non-consolidated subsidiaries of $752 million comprises $376 million deduction from both Tier One and Tier Two Capital. 

(3) Other deductions of $200 million comprises $100 million deduction from both Tier One and Tier Two Capital. 

(4) Represents minority interest balance net of preference shares transferred to innovative capital of $505 million. 

(5) In calculating Basel I risk weighted assets in accordance with Standard and Poor's agreed methodology, the equity investment in other companies (December 2007: 

$0.9 billion and June 2007: $0.7 billion) was required to be added to risk weighted assets as this amount is not deducted from ACE Capital. 

36     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description of Business Environment 

Australia 

Financial Services 

Financial  services  providers  in  Australia  offer  a  wide  range  of 
products  and  services  to  consumer  and  business  customers, 
encompassing  retail,  business  and  institutional  banking,  funds 
management,  superannuation, 
investment  and 
stockbroking  services.  The  domestic  competitive  landscape 
includes the four major banks, regional banks, building societies 
and credit unions, foreign entrants to the Australian market, local 
and global investment banks and fund managers, private equity 
firms, insurance companies and third party distributors. 

insurance, 

Banking 

The  Australian  banking  sector  performed  strongly  in  the  1990s 
and  early  this  millennium,  largely  driven  by  strong  growth  in 
lending. More recently, however, there has been some slowing 
of  credit  growth  and  more  active  management  of  credit  by 
consumers.  Together  with  an  increase  in  the  activities  of  new 
entrants,  this  has  led  to  intensifying  competition  and  to 
downward  pressure  on  margins.  Over  the  last  six  months,  the 
volatility  in  global  credit  markets  has  impacted  all  institutions 
negatively. 

The  major  banks,  which  offer  a  full  range  of  financial  products 
and services through branch networks, call centres, the internet, 
ATMs  and  third  party  intermediaries  across  Australia,  have 
responded to the increased competition by improving efficiency 
and  by  an  increased  focus  on  customer  service.  This  has 
resulted  in  increased  customer  satisfaction  scores  across  the 
industry.  

The regional banks, whilst smaller than the majors, mostly now 
operate  across  state  borders.  They  have  experienced  strong 
growth  in  targeted  product  segments  (especially  mortgages) 
facilitated  by  an  increased  acceptance  by  customers  of  third 
party  brokers.  At  the  present  time  it  is  unclear  how  this  will 
develop  given  the  higher  funding  costs  incurred  and  current 
uncertainties in financial markets. 

Funds Management 

Substantial  growth  continues  in  funds  management,  especially 
within the superannuation (pension funds) segment although the 
downturn in equity markets will impact returns and probably also 
inflows. The simplification of superannuation legislation including 
the removal of taxes on end benefits for over sixties is expected 
to support continuing growth in superannuation investment and 
self managed superannuation. 

The  search  for  above  market  return  investments  has  seen  an 
increased allocation of funds to boutiques, hedge funds, private 
equity  players  and  alternative  asset  classes.  The  recent 
uncertainties have slowed this movement with investors showing 
some flight from risk to quality.  

Over the last decade, the corporate bond market in Australia has 
benefited  from  the  growth  in  funds  under  management  with 
many of the major Australian corporates now directly accessing 
capital markets domestically and around the world.  

Insurance 

Solid  growth  in  the  sector  is  expected  to  continue  given  the 
current levels of underinsurance and beneficial treatment of life 
insurance 
levels  of 
inside  superannuation.  Growing  debt 
households  will  increase  the  importance  of  life  insurance  and 
other wealth protection products. 

The  general  insurance  market  is  mature,  diversified  and  highly 
competitive.  Margin  pressure  and  other  competitive  activity  will 
necessitate targeted growth strategies. 

New Zealand 

The  Group’s  activities  in  New  Zealand  are  conducted  through 
ASB  Group.  Through  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  Sovereign 
Group and ASB Group Investments, ASB Group also competes 
in the New Zealand insurance and investment market.  

in  Australia, 

the  New  Zealand  banking  system 

As 
is 
characterised  by  strong  competition.  New  Zealand  banking 
activities are led by four financial services groups, owned by the 
big  four  Australian  major  banks.  In  addition,  there  are  several 
financial  institutions  operating  largely  in  the  wholesale  banking 
sector. As in Australia, there is strong competition with non-bank 
financial institutions in the areas of funds management and the 
provision of insurance. Major trends in the New Zealand market 
include  continued  margin  pressure,  a  slowing  housing  market, 
declining net migration and the commoditisation of retail lending. 

Long-term trends that impact Financial Services 

Long-term  trends  that  impact  financial  services  providers  in 
Australia and New Zealand include: increasing consumer power 
industry 
as  a 
result  of  electronic  delivery  channels; 
consolidation;  an  ageing  population 
retirement 
savings  and  the  provision  of  retirement  solutions  placing 
pressure on labour supply. 

impacting 

Financial System Regulation in Australia 

Australia  has  by  international  standards  a  high  quality  financial 
system  which 
financial  products  and  services 
consistently  regardless  of  the  type  of  financial  institutions 
providing them. 

regulates 

Since  July  1998,  the  main  financial  services  regulators  in 
Australia have comprised five separate  agencies:  The  Reserve 
Bank of Australia, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, 
the  Australian  Securities  and  Investments  Commission,  the 
Australian  Transaction  Reports  and  Analysis  Centre  and  the 
Australian  Competition  and  Consumer  Commission.  Each 
agency  has  system-wide  responsibilities 
the  different 
objectives  of  government  oversight  of  the  financial  system.  A 
description  of  these  agencies  and  their  general  responsibilities 
and functions is set out below. 

for 

Reserve  Bank  of  Australia  (“RBA”)  is  responsible  for  monetary 
policy, financial system stability and regulation of the payments 
system. 

The  Australian  Prudential  Regulation  Authority  (“APRA”)  has 
responsibility  for  the  prudential  supervision  of  banks,  building 
insurance 
societies  and  credit  unions, 
funds 
companies, 
(pension  funds).  Unless  an  institution  is  authorised  under  the 
Banking  Act  1959  or  exempted  by  APRA,  it  is  prohibited  from 
engaging in the general business of deposit-taking. 

friendly  societies  and  superannuation 

life  and  general 

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) 
has  responsibility  for  regulating  and  enforcing  Company  and 
financial  services  laws  to  protect  consumers,  investors  and 
creditors, including the Corporations Act 2001. The Corporations 
Act 2001 provides for a single licensing regime for sales, advice 
and  dealings  in financial  products  and  services,  consistent  and 
comparable 
financial  product  disclosure  and  a  single 
authorisation  procedure  for  financial  exchanges  and  clearing 
and settlement facilities. The current financial services regulatory 
framework  is  intended  to  facilitate  innovation  and  promote 
business  while at the same  time ensuring consumer  protection 
and market integrity.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     37 

Description of Business Environment 

 (iii) Large Credit Exposures 

APRA  requires  banks  to  ensure  that,  other  than  in  exceptional 
circumstances,  individual  credit  exposures  to  non-bank,  non-
government  clients  do  not  exceed  25%  of  the  capital  base. 
Exposure to unrelated ADIs is not to exceed 50% of the capital 
base.  Prior  consultation  must  be  held  with  APRA  if  a  bank 
intends to exceed set thresholds. For information on the Bank’s 
large exposures refer to Note 15 to the Financial Statements. 

(iv) Ownership and Control 

In  pursuit  of  transparency  and  risk  minimisation,  the  Financial 
Sector  (Shareholding)  Act  1998  embodies  the  principle  that 
regulated  financial  institutions  should  maintain  widespread 
ownership.  The  Act  applies  a  common  15%  shareholding  limit 
for  ADIs,  insurance  companies  and  their  holding  companies. 
The Treasurer has the power to approve acquisitions exceeding 
15%  where  this  is  in  the  national  interest,  taking  into  account 
advice from the ACCC in relation to competition considerations 
and  APRA  on  prudential  matters.  The  Treasurer  may  also 
financial 
delegate  approval  powers 
institution seeks to acquire another. 

to  APRA  where  one 

The Government’s present policy is that mergers among the four 
major  banks  will  not  be  permitted  until  the  Government  is 
satisfied that competition from new and established participants 
in the financial industry, particularly in respect of small business 
lending, has increased sufficiently. 

Proposals for foreign acquisition of Australian banks are subject 
to approval by the Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and 
Takeovers Act 1975. 

(v) Banks’ Association With Non-Banks 

There are formal guidelines (including maximum exposure limits) 
that  control  investments  and  dealings  with  subsidiaries  and 
associates.  A  bank’s  equity  associations  with  other  institutions 
should normally be in the field of finance. APRA has expressed 
an unwillingness to allow subsidiaries of a bank to exceed a size 
which  would  endanger  the  stability  of  the  parent.  No  bank  can 
enter  into  any  agreements  or  arrangements  for  the  sale  or 
disposal  of  its  business,  or  effect  a  reconstruction  or  carry  on 
business  in  partnership  with  another  bank,  without  the  consent 
of the Commonwealth Treasurer. 

(vi) Fit & Proper and Governance  

ADIs are subject to APRA’s “Fit and Proper” and “Governance” 
prudential  standards.  ADIs  are  required  to  implement  a  Board 
approved Fit and Proper policy covering minimum requirements 
for  the  fitness  and  proprietary  of  their  responsible  persons 
(directors and designated members of senior management etc). 
ADIs  also  have  to  comply  with  APRA’s  Governance  prudential 
standard  which  sets  out  requirements  for  Board  size  and 
composition, 
independence  of  directors  and  other  APRA 
governance matters.  

The  Australian  Transaction  Reports  and  Analysis  Centre 
(“AUSTRAC”) has responsibility for overseeing compliance with 
the  Anti-Money  Laundering  and  Counter  Terrorism  Financing 
Act  (being  phased  in  between  December  2006  and  December 
2008)  and  the  Financial  Transaction  Reports  Act  1998.  As  a 
provider of financial services in Australia and internationally, the 
Group is committed to the principles of the Financial Action Task 
Force  as  the  international  standard  setter  for  anti-money 
laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts.  

The  Australian  Competition  and  Consumer  Commission 
(“ACCC”)  promotes  competition  and  fair  trade  to  benefit 
consumers,  business  and 
the 
the  community 
administration of The Trade Practices Act 1974. 

through 

Supervisory Arrangements 

The  Bank  is  an  Authorised  Deposit-taking  Institution  (“ADI”) 
under the Banking Act and is subject to prudential regulation by 
APRA.  

In  carrying  out  its  prudential  responsibilities,  APRA  closely 
monitors  the  operations  of  banks  to  ensure  that  they  operate 
within  the  prudential  framework  and  that  sound  management 
practices are followed.  

APRA  currently  supervises  banks  by  a  system  of  off-site 
examination. It closely monitors the operations of banks through 
the collection of regular statistical returns and regular prudential 
consultations  with  each  bank’s  management.  APRA  also 
conducts  a  program  of  specialised  on-site  visits  to  assess  the 
adequacy of individual banks’ systems for identifying, measuring 
and  controlling  risks  associated  with  the  conduct  of  these 
activities. 

In  addition,  APRA  has  established  arrangements  under  which 
each  bank’s  external  auditor  reports  to  APRA  regarding 
observance  of  prudential  standards  and  other  supervisory 
requirements. 

The  prudential  framework  applied  by  APRA  is  embodied  in  a 
series of prudential standards and other requirements including: 

(i) Capital Adequacy 

APRA  approved  the  Group’s  application  to  use  the  advanced 
internal ratings-based approach to credit risk and the advanced 
measurement  approach  to  operational  risk  for  the  purposes  of 
calculating capital requirements under the Basel II Framework in 
December 2007. 

(ii) Funding and Liquidity 

APRA  exercises  liquidity  control  by  requiring  each  bank  to 
develop  a  liquidity  management  strategy  that  is  appropriate  for 
itself. Each policy is formally approved by APRA. A key element 
of the Group’s liquidity policy is the holding of high quality liquid 
assets to meet liquidity requirements. 

The  liquid  assets  held  are  assets  that  are  available  for 
repurchase by the RBA (over and above those required to meet 
the  Real  Time  Gross  Settlement  (“RTGS”)  obligations,  AUD 
Certificates  of  Deposit/Bills  of  other  banks  and  AUD  overnight 
interbank loans) and other highly liquid market securities. More 
detailed comments on the Group’s liquidity and funding risks are 
provided in Note 42 to the Financial Statements. 

38     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008  

Description of Business Environment 

(vii) Supervision of Non-Bank Group Entities 

The  Australian  life  insurance  company  subsidiaries,  general 
insurance  company  subsidiaries  and 
the  superannuation 
trustees of the Group also come within the supervisory review of 
APRA. 

APRA’s prudential supervision of both life insurance and general 
insurance  companies  is  exercised  through  the  setting  of 
minimum standards for solvency and financial strength to ensure 
obligations  to  policyholders  can  be  met.  Trustees  operating 
APRA  regulated  superannuation  entities  are  required  to  hold  a 
Registrable Superannuation Entity (“RSE”) licence from APRA. 

insurance  companies  are  subject 

General 
to  prudential 
standards  including  capital  adequacy,  liability  valuation,  risk 
management  and  reinsurance  arrangements.  Compliance  with 
APRA regulation for general insurance companies is monitored 
through regular returns, lodgement of an audited annual return, 
and Auditor certification covering prudential matters. 

financial  reporting, 

The financial condition of life insurance companies is monitored 
through  regular 
lodgement  of  audited 
accounts,  the  preparation  of  a  financial  conditions  report 
(prepared by the company’s approved actuary) and supervisory 
inspections.  

Life and general insurance companies are also subject to similar 
Fit and Proper and Governance requirements as those applying 
to ADIs. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

The  Group’s  accounting  policies  are  set  out  in  Note  1  to  the 
Financial Statements. 

Critical accounting policies and estimates are set out in Note 1 
(mm) to the Financial Statements. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     39 

 
Sustainability 

Sustainability Initiatives 

Sustainability  initiatives  are  an  integral  part  of  delivering  the 
Group’s strategic priorities and creating value for shareholders. 

During  the  2008  financial  year  the  Group  implemented  and 
further developed a number of initiatives designed to:  

•  Deliver cost savings through eco-efficiency;  
•  Create  an  organisational  culture  that  supports  customer 

service excellence;  

•  Manage  risks  and  identify  new  commercial  opportunities 

associated with climate change and carbon trading;  
•  Build stronger relationships with the community; and  
•  Create a workplace that attracts and retains the best people. 
These  activities  are  part  of  being  a  well-managed  organisation 
that delivers long-term shareholder value. 

is  committed 

to  consistently 

The  Group 
reporting  a 
comprehensive  set  of  sustainability  metrics  to  Shareholders. 
Measuring and publicly reporting these indicators is an important 
part of driving performance improvement, and we are continually 
working to improve our sustainability data and processes. 

More information about the Group’s sustainability objectives and 
achievements can be found at  

www.commbank.com.au/sustainability 

Environment 

Reporting and disclosure 

The  Group  has  been  measuring  and  voluntarily  disclosing  its 
energy  use  and  greenhouse  emissions  since  2001,  as  part  of 
the  Greenhouse  Challenge  Plus  program.  Participation  in  this 
program  has  driven  a  range  of  energy  efficiency  initiatives 
across the Group. 

The  Group  is  subject  to  the  Federal  Government’s  Energy 
Efficiency Opportunity Act as its operations exceed the minimum 
energy  consumption  threshold  set  by  the  Act.  The  Group 
currently  undertakes  energy  assessments  for  its  offices  and 
branches.  A  report  on  the  Group’s  progress  in  complying  with 
the  Act  will  be  available  on 
Internet  site 
www.commbank.com.au in December 2008.  

the  Group’s 

The  Group  is  also  subject  to  the  National  Greenhouse  and 
Energy  Reporting  Scheme  (NGERS).  As  a  result  of  a  long 
history of voluntary reporting, the Group is well placed to meet 
the NGERS’ mandatory requirements, and is currently revising 
its data capture and reporting systems to comply with the new 
legislation. 

During 2008 the Group voluntarily reported its greenhouse gas 
emissions  to  the  Carbon  Disclosure  Project,  an  independent 
not-for-profit organisation that seeks climate-related information 
from  the  world’s  largest  companies  on  behalf  of  institutional 
investors. 

This was an opportunity to examine more closely the risks and 
opportunities  associated  with climate change  and  to contribute 
to  the  international  dialogue  on  disclosure  of  greenhouse  gas 
emissions. 

Managing greenhouse gas emissions 

The Group occupies over 750,000 square metres of office and 
retail space across Australia, and is committed to reducing the 
environmental impact of these properties.  

the  period.  During 

The  Group’s  gross greenhouse  gas emissions  have increased 
since  2004  due  to  the  size  of  the  Group’s  property  portfolio 
increasing  over 
the  Group 
commenced  a  major  restructuring  of  its  commercial  property 
portfolio,  with  new  premises  being  opened  at  Sydney  Olympic 
Park  and  major  refurbishments  at  Parramatta.  Energy  use  is 
higher  during  this  transition  period  as  both  old  and  new 
properties  are  being  run  concurrently  and  fuel  use  has 
increased due to growth in the business. 

the  year 

To  address  greenhouse  gas  emissions,  the  Group  has  an 
ongoing program of refurbishing and upgrading its retail branch 
network  to  deliver  significant  improvements  to  lighting  and  air-
conditioning energy efficiency.  

The Group is progressively upgrading its office accommodation 
which includes new modern office premises at Sydney Olympic 
Park,  the  Sydney  CBD  and  Parramatta.  These  new  and 
upgraded  premises  will  accommodate  up  to  15,000  people. 
Environmental  performance  has  been  a  key  consideration  for 
these new buildings.  

The ongoing nature of the Group’s energy efficiency measures 
is demonstrated by the fact that greenhouse gas emissions fell 
by  16  percent  per  square  metre  of  floor  space  between  2002 
and 2007 (1). 

Financial Year 
Greenhouse gas emissions 
Total equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2-e) (3) (4) (5) 
CO2-e emissions per Full Time Equivalent staff (tonnes) (6) 
Energy use 
Total (GJ) (7)  
Total per FTE (GJ) (6) 

2008 (2) 

2007 

2006 

2005 

2004 

171,738 
5. 6 

734,386 
23. 87 

163,509 
5. 5 

687,839 
22. 94 

165,935 
5. 6 

675,307 
22. 79 

149,781 
5. 2 

608,661 
21. 28 

159,823 
n/a 

638,819 
n/a 

(1) This figure varies slightly from that reported in the Group’s April 2008 Sustainability Update due to improved accuracy in calculation methodology. 

(2) Due to the electricity billing cycle, 18% of 2007-2008 electricity data was estimated to meet publication deadlines. Final data will be provided on the Group’s Internet 

site when available. 

(3) Total CO2-e emissions consist of emissions relating to consumption of electricity, gas and transport fuel (gasoline and diesel) for domestic retail and commercial 

properties and waste (i.e. general waste, which is collected from a number of Group occupied properties). 

(4) For all years CO2-e calculations used the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) Workbook conversion factors.  

(5) CO2-e figures previously reported under Greenhouse Challenge Plus have been restated to reflect full fuel cycle emissions for transport fuels. 

(6) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) includes only domestic permanent and contractor employees. Offshore employees are excluded. 

(7) Total energy use consists of consumption of electricity, gas and transport fuel (gasoline and diesel). Gas and electricity consumption includes all domestic retail and 

commercial occupied properties, both owned and leased, excluding residential and properties where electricity is on-sold. Transport fuel includes gasoline and diesel 
fuel purchased for both Group fleet and novated leased vehicles. 

40     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
Sustainability 

People 

Trust  and  team  spirit  is  one  of  the  Group’s  key  strategic 
priorities.  The  Group  recognises  the  importance  of  attracting, 
retaining  and  developing  good  quality  people  in  achieving  its 
vision  of  becoming  Australia’s 
financial  services 
organisation through excelling in customer service. 

finest 

The  Group  has  recorded  a  continual  improvement  in  the 
workplace  survey  results  over  the  last  five  years  and  is  now 
ranked in the top quartile worldwide (source: Gallup). 

The  Group  has  put  in  place  many  initiatives  to  address  the 
turnover  and  absenteeism  rates  amongst  its  staff,  which  have 
increased  during  the  year,  as  a  result  of  the  tightening  labour 
market.  One  key  initiative  is  an  increased  focus  on  leadership 
and  talent  management.  In  2008  the  Group  launched  its 
Leadership  Capabilities  framework  that  defines  the  skills, 
knowledge  and behaviours that leaders  need  for the  Group  to 
achieve  its  vision  and  objectives.  The  Group  is  supporting  the 
development  of  these  capabilities  in  its  people  through  the 
programs offered in its Leadership Curriculum. 

Financial Year 

Employee satisfaction 
Gallup Survey GrandMean (1) 
Employee turnover (voluntary) % (2) 
Absenteeism 
Average days per FTE (3)  
Safety 
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) (5) 

2008 

2007 

2006 

2005 

2004 

4. 28 
18. 45 

6. 5 (4) 

2. 5 

4. 13 
14. 94 

6. 2 

3. 6 

4. 15 
15. 94 

6. 0 

4. 5 

4. 08 
n/a 

n/a 

5. 8 

3. 94 
n/a 

n/a 

5. 6 

(1) The Gallup Survey GrandMean measures employee engagement out of a possible score of 5.  

(2) Employee turnover refers to all voluntary exits of domestic permanent employees. 

(3) Absenteeism refers to sick leave of domestic, permanent employees only (since January 2005). 

(4) 2007-2008 figure is annualised figure as at 31 May 2008. 

(5) LTIFR refers to domestic, permanent employees only. Data is correct as of 30 June 2008; however it may be adjusted in future due to post-publication reporting of 

incidents or acceptance/decline of claims for the reporting period. This measure represents the number of working hours lost per million hours worked. 

Diversity 

Safety 

The Group is strongly committed to the health, safety and well-
being of its people. 

This  commitment  is  demonstrated  through  a  range  of  safety 
awareness and management activities, which has contributed to 
a  steady  improvement  in  the  Group’s  Lost  Time  Injury 
Frequency Rate (LTIFR) over recent years.  

Central  to  the  Group’s  activities  is  the  continued  development 
and improvement of its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) 
Management  System.  A  major  change  during  the  year  was 
consolidation  of  most  of  the  Group’s  OHS  and  Workers 
Compensation  arrangements  from  State  based  jurisdictions  to 
the  Federal  Comcare  scheme.  This  has  allowed  the  Group  to 
simplify  OHS  compliance  documentation  and  processes,  in 
order to focus on continuously improving the OHS Management 
System and performance. 

The  Group  regularly  undertakes  both  internal  and  external 
audits  of  its  OHS  Management  System  to  measure  its 
performance  and  ensure  that  the  Group  complies  with  all 
relevant legislation in the jurisdictions that it operates.  

The  Group  is  committed  to  creating  and  maintaining  a  diverse 
workforce.  Through  diversity  the  Group  recognises  and  values 
the varied perspectives, skills and approaches its people bring to 
work.  

In  2006  the  Group  established  a  Diversity  Council,  chaired  by 
the CEO. The Council has adopted five areas of focus: 

•  Leveraging  the  skills  and  talents  of  the  female  workforce  to 
build  a  leadership  pipeline  that  increases  the  number  of 
women in senior leadership positions; 

•  Creating a framework and culture that enables employees to 
better  balance  their  work  and  personal  circumstances 
through flexible work arrangements; 

•  Attracting and retaining mature-age employees; 

•  Enhancing understanding and acceptance of employees and 

customers from culturally diverse backgrounds; and 

• 

Improving the work environment and opportunities for current 
and future employees with disabilities. 

Over 20 per cent of employees work part-time with many more 
taking  advantage  of  other  flexible  work  arrangements  such  as 
working from home or adjusting their work hours. 

The Group is recognised as an Employer of Choice for Women 
by  the  Federal  Government’s  Equal  Opportunity  for  Women  in 
the  Workplace  Agency,  a  status  it  has  maintained  since  the 
award's  inception  in  2001.  Almost  65  per  cent  of  the  domestic 
workforce  is  female.  The  Group  holds  women's  forums  where 
senior female managers can develop career skills and network 
with one another in an informal environment. 

One  key  diversity  initiative  is  the  Group’s  partnership  with  the 
Aboriginal  Employment  Strategy.  In  the  year  to  June  2008  the 
Group  provided  60  Year  11  and  12  Indigenous  students  with 
valuable experience in the Group’s retail banking network. This 
program  is  credited  towards  their  Higher  School  Certificate 
qualifications  and  can  help  them  gain  permanent  employment 
with the Group. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     41 

 
 
 
 
Sustainability 

Customers 

Contributing to the community 

The  Group’s  Main  Financial  Institution  (MFI)  retail  customer 
satisfaction levels reached a 10-year(1) high during the year and 
business  customer  satisfaction  levels  also  showed  significant 
improvements.  All  major  banks  have  experienced  a  decline  in 
MFI  customer  satisfaction,  as  measured  by  Roy  Morgan 
Research,  during  the  six  months  to  June  2008,  reflecting  a 
weakening  overall  in  customer  sentiment  towards  the  sector. 
CBA  experienced  the  smallest  such  decline  of  all  the  major 
banks over this period. 

Colonial First State’s FirstChoice product platform achieved the 
number  one  ranking  for  advisers’  overall  satisfaction  in  the 
Wealth Insights MasterTrust survey. 

The  Group’s  focus  on  sales  and  service  is  reflected  in  the 
achievement  of  a  number  of  awards, 
including  Money 
Magazine’s  Bank  of  the  Year  for  2008  and  the  Group’s  retail 
branch  strategy  being  awarded  “Best  Branch  Strategy”  at  the 
2008 International Retail Banking awards. 

More  information  about  customer  service  initiatives  is  available 
on page 62. 

Customer Satisfaction Rating 

2008 
2007 
2006 
2005 
2004 

Retail (1)  Business (2) 
73. 9% 
60. 7% 
56. 5% 
55. 5% 
54. 0% 

70. 1% 
70. 5% 
64. 9% 
65. 4% 
63. 2% 

Wealth (3) 
7. 70 
7. 96 
7. 51 
7. 85 
7. 86 

(1) Roy Morgan Research MFI Customer Satisfaction is based on Australians 
aged 14+, Very or Fairly Satisfied, a 6 month moving average. The period 
reported is for 1 January to 30 June for each year. 

(2) TNS Business Finance Monitor. All businesses with annual turnover to $100 

million (excluding agribusinesses). Very or Fairly Satisfied a 12 month 
moving average. The period reported is for 1 July to 30 June for each year. 

(3) Source: Colonial FirstChoice rated by advisors in Wealth Insights Master 

Trust/Wrap survey. 

Responsible investment 

As  part  of  the  Group’s Wealth Management  business,  Colonial 
First State Global Asset Management became a signatory to the 
UN  Principles  for  Responsible  Investment  (PRI)  on  1  March 
2007,  to  better  align  investment  practices  with  the  interests  of 
the Group’s institutional investors globally. 

has 

established 

comprehensive 

Since  becoming  a  signatory,  Colonial  First  State  Global  Asset 
internal 
Management 
governance  structures  to  assist  with  the  implementation  of  the 
PRI  across  all  investment  teams  and  to  drive  the  continuous 
improvement of responsible investment practices. Ultimately, the 
business believes this will lead to the delivery of improved risk-
adjusted returns for clients.  

This  governance  structure 
includes  an  executive-driven 
Responsible  Investment  Steering  Committee,  with  underlying 
investment committees for listed investments and direct assets. 
As  a  result,  the  risk  assessment  of  environmental,  social  and 
governance 
fundamental  part  of 
investment processes across all asset classes and regions.  

factors  has  become  a 

Colonial First State Global Asset Management has also updated 
its  corporate  governance  policy  to  include  environmental  and 
social engagement factors. 

42     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008  

The  Group  has been  an  active  part  of Australian communities 
for almost 100 years. This long-term commitment is reflected in 
a number of ongoing community partnerships and sponsorship 
programs in the  areas  of  health,  the arts, sport, social  welfare 
and  financial  literacy.  Financial  literacy  is  one  of  the  Group’s 
major  areas  of 
the 
importance of  financial literacy  education in ensuring a secure 
and financially stable Australia. 

the  community,  reflecting 

focus 

in 

The Commonwealth Bank Foundation financial literacy program 
involved  over  30,000  teenagers  and  teachers  in  2007  through 
StartSmart education forums and workshops.  

The  Group  encourages  its  people  to  engage  with  their  local 
communities  and  participate  in  volunteering  activities  including 
St Vincent  de  Paul Night  Patrol and  Midnight Basketball.  Staff 
make  regular  contributions  to  the  Staff  Community  Fund  and 
undertake  fundraising  activities.  In  2008  over  $750,000  was 
raised  for  the  Fund,  to  support  the  health  and  wellbeing  of 
Australian  children  through  the  Local  Grants  Program,  the 
Humour Foundation and Midnight Basketball. 

The Group is currently developing the capability to capture and 
report  on  all  community  contributions  and  staff  volunteering 
hours. 

Reconciliation Action Plan 

The  Group  launched  its  Reconciliation  Action  Plan  on  24  July 
2008,  in  partnership  with  Reconciliation  Australia.  The  Group 
recognises  that  a  comprehensive  reconciliation  program  is  an 
important  part  of  its  investment  in  the  community.  In  the 
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the Group has formalised its 
commitment  to  Indigenous  Australians  and  identified  how 
reconciliation can advance the Group’s objectives and vision. 

The  implementation  of  the  RAP  will  enhance  the  involvement, 
inclusion  and  progression  of  Indigenous  Australians  within  the 
Group and build capability in meeting the needs of Indigenous 
customers  and  staff.  The  Group  will  also  investigate  ways  to 
support  Indigenous  Enterprise  and  the  Commonwealth  Bank 
Foundation  will  continue  to  provide  financial  literacy  education 
to both Indigenous adults and young people. 

Future Developments 

The Group has identified five priority areas for sustainability that 
it plans to focus on in the coming year: 

•  Embedding  sustainability  into  business  processes,  which 
includes  an  increased  incorporation  of  environmental  and 
into  management  and  decision  making 
social 
processes;  

issues 

•  Supporting  diversity  and 

financial  wellbeing 

the 
community by continuing the focus on financial literacy, and 
focus  on  educational  and  employment 
an 
opportunities  for  Indigenous  Australians  as  part  of  the 
Reconciliation Action Plan; 

increased 

in 

•  Helping  customers  to  meet  their  sustainability  goals  by 
developing  products  and  services  to  meet  their  evolving 
needs;  

•  Creating  greener  workplaces  by  setting  a  greenhouse  gas 
reduction  target,  as  well  as  addressing  measurement  and 
reporting of water and waste data; and 

•  Continuing to build a culture of customer service excellence, 
with  a  focus  on  leadership,  recruitment  and  reward  to 
ensure  culture  is  aligned  with  the  Group’s  goal  of  being 
Australia’s finest financial services organisation. 

 
  
 
Introduction 

This  statement  reflects  the  key  aspects  of  the  Commonwealth 
Bank’s  corporate  governance 
framework.  The  Board  has 
consistently  placed  great  importance  on  the  governance  of  the 
Group,  which  it  believes  is  vital  to  the  well-being  of  the 
corporation. The Board has adopted a comprehensive framework 
of  Corporate  Governance  Guidelines  which  are  designed  to 
properly  balance  performance  and  conformance  and  thereby 
allow the Group to undertake, in an effective manner, the prudent 
risk-taking  activities  which  are  the  basis  of  its  business.  The 
Guidelines and the practices of the Group comply with the revised 
‘Corporate  Governance  Principles  and  Recommendations’ 
published in August 2007 by the Australian Securities Exchange 
(ASX) Limited’s Corporate Governance Council. 

Charter 

The role and responsibilities of the Board of Directors are set out 
in the Board Charter. The responsibilities include: 

Corporate Governance 

•  Approving  documents  (including  reports  and  statements  to 
shareholders)  required  by  the  Bank’s  Constitution  and 
relevant regulation; 

•  Employment of the Chief Executive Officer; and 

•  Approval  of  the  Group’s  major  HR  policies  and  overseeing 
the  development  strategies  for  senior  and  high  performing 
executives. 

The  Board  carries  out  the  legal  duties  of  its  role  in  accordance 
with the Group’s values of trust, honesty and integrity and having 
the  Group’s  customers,  staff, 
regard 
shareholders  and  the  broader  community  in  which  the  Group 
operates. 

interests  of 

the 

to 

The Board delegates to the Chief Executive Officer the authority 
to achieve the Group’s objective of creating long term value for 
its  shareholders  through  providing  financial  services  to  its 
customers and providing sustained best-in-industry performance 
in safety, community reputation and environmental impact. 

•  The  corporate  governance  of  the  Group,  including  the 

Composition 

There are currently 11 Directors of the Bank and details of their 
experience, 
and 
attendance at meetings are set out in the Directors’ Report. 

responsibilities 

qualifications, 

special 

Membership of the Board and Committees is set out below: 

establishment of Committees; 

•  Oversight of the business and affairs of the Group by: 

−  Establishing,  with  management,  and  approving 

the 

strategies and financial objectives; 

−  Approving  major  corporate  and  capital  initiatives  and 
approving capital expenditure in excess of limits delegated 
to management; 

−  Establishing  appropriate  systems  of  risk  management 
including  defining 
risk  appetite  and 
the  Group’s 
establishing  appropriate  financial  policies  such  as  target 
capital and liquidity ratios; and 

−  Monitoring  the  performance  of  management  and  the 

environment in which the Group operates;  

Board Membership  Position Title

Committee Membership 

Chairman 

Chief Executive 
Officer  

Director  
J M Schubert 

R J Norris 

J A Anderson 

R J Clairs 

C R Galbraith 

Non-Executive, 
independent 
Executive 

Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 

Board Performance
& Renewal 
Chairman 

People 
& Remuneration 
Member 

Audit 

Risk 

Member 

Member 

Chairman 

Member 

Member 

J S Hemstritch  Non-Executive, 

Member 

Member 

S C H Kay 

F D Ryan 

D Turner 

H H Young 

A M Mohl (1) 

W G Kent (2) 

F J Swan (2) 

independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 
Non-Executive, 
independent 

Member 

Member 

Chairman 

Member 

Member 

Member 

Member 

Chairman 

Member 

(1) Mr Mohl was appointed to the Board with effect from 1 July 2008. In accordance with the Bank’s constitution and the ASX Listing Rules, he will stand for election at the 

Annual General meeting to be held on 13 November 2008. 

(2) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired at the Annual General Meeting on 7 November 2007. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance 

Constitution  

The Constitution of the Bank specifies that: 

•  The Chief Executive Officer and any other executive Director 
shall not be eligible to stand for election as Chairman of the 
Bank; 

•  The number of Directors shall not be less than nine nor more 
than 13 (or such lower number as the Board may from time 
to  time  determine).  The  Board  has  determined  that  the 
number of directors shall be 11; and 

•  At each Annual General Meeting one third of Directors (other 
than the Chief  Executive  Officer)  shall retire from  office and 
may stand for re-election. 

The  Board  has  established  a  policy  that  the  term  of  Directors’ 
appointments  would  be  limited  to  12  years  (except  where 
succession planning for Chairman and appointment of Chairman 
requires  an  extended  term.  On  appointment,  the  Chairman  will 
be expected to be available for that position for five years). 

Independence 

The  Board  regularly  assesses  the  independence  of  each 
Director.  For  this  purpose  an  independent  Director  is  a  Non-
Executive Director whom the Board considers to be independent 
of  management  and  free  of  any  business  or  other  relationship 
that could materially interfere with the exercise of unfettered and 
independent judgment. 

themselves 

to  conduct 

to  being  required 

In  addition 
in 
accordance with the ethical policies of the Group, Directors are 
required  to  be  meticulous  in  their  disclosure  of  any  material 
contract or relationship in accordance with the Corporations Act 
and this disclosure extends to the interests of family companies 
and  spouses.  Directors  are  required  to  strictly  adhere  to  the 
constraints on their participation and voting in relation to matters 
in  which  they  may  have  an  interest  in  accordance  with  the 
Corporations Act and the Group’s policies. 

•  That no Non-Executive Director has ever been employed by 

the Bank or any of its subsidiaries; 

•  That no Director is, or has been associated with, a supplier, 
professional adviser, consultant to or customer of the Group 
which is material under accounting standards; and 

•  That  no  Non-Executive  Director  personally  carries  on  any 

role for the Group other than as a Director of the Bank. 

The Group does not consider that term of service on the Board 
is a factor affecting a Director's ability to act in the best interests 
of  the  Group.  Independence  is  judged  against  the  ability, 
integrity  and  willingness  of  the  Director  to  act.  The  Board  has 
established a policy limiting Directors' tenures to ensure that skill 
sets remain appropriate in a dynamic industry. 

Education 

Directors participate in an induction program upon appointment 
and  in  a  refresher  program  on  a  regular  basis.  The  Board  has 
established a program of continuing education to ensure that it is 
kept  up  to  date  with  developments  in  the  industry  both  locally 
and  globally.  This  includes  sessions  with  local  and  overseas 
experts in the particular fields relevant to the Group’s operations. 

Review 

The  Board  has  in  place  a  process  for  annually  reviewing  its 
performance,  policies  and  practices.  These  reviews  seek  to 
identify where improvements can be made and also assess the 
quality  and  effectiveness  of  information  made  available  to 
Directors.  Every  two  years,  this  process  is  facilitated  by  an 
external  consultant,  with  an  internal  review  conducted  in  the 
intervening  years. The review  process includes an assessment 
of the performance of the Board Committees and each Director. 

the 

After  consideration  of 
the  performance 
assessment,  the  Board  will  determine  its  endorsement  of  the 
Directors  to  stand  for  re-election  at  the  next  Annual  General 
Meeting. 

results  of 

Each Director may from time to time have personal dealings with 
the  Group.  Each  Director  is  involved  with  other  companies  or 
professional  firms  which  may  from  time  to  time  have  dealings 
with  the  Group.  Details  of  offices  held  by  Directors  with  other 
organisations  are  set  out  in  the  Directors'  Report  and  on  the 
Group's website. Full details of related party dealings are set out 
in notes to the Financial Statements as required by law. 

The  Non-Executive  Directors  meet  at  least  annually,  without 
management,  in  a  forum  intended  to  allow  for  an  open 
discussion  on  Board  and  management  performance.  This  is  in 
addition  to  the  consideration  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer’s 
performance and remuneration which is conducted by the Board 
in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer. 

All  the  current  Non-Executive  Directors  of  the  Bank  have  been 
assessed  as 
that 
determination,  the  Board  has  taken  into  account  (in  addition  to 
the matters set out above): 

independent  Directors. 

reaching 

In 

•  The specific disclosures made by each Director as referred to 

above;  

•  Where  applicable,  the  related  party  dealings  referrable  to 
each  Director,  noting  that  those  dealings  are  not  material 
under accounting standards; 

•  That  no  Director  is,  or  has  been  associated  directly  with,  a 

substantial shareholder of the Bank; 

44     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008

Selection of Directors 

The  Board  Performance  and  Renewal  Committee  has 
developed a set of criteria for Director appointments which has 
been adopted by the Board. The criteria are aimed at creating a 
Board  capable  of  challenging,  stretching  and  motivating 
to  achieve  sustained  outstanding  company 
management 
performance in  all respects.  These criteria,  which are reviewed 
annually,  aim  to  ensure  that  any  new  appointee  is  able  to 
contribute to the Board constituting a competitive advantage for 
the Group and: 

•  Be capable of operating as part of an exceptional team; 

•  Contribute  outstanding  performance  and  exhibit  impeccable 

values; 

•  Be capable of inputting strongly to risk management, strategy 

and policy; 

•  Provide  skills  and  experience  required  currently  and  for  the 

future strategy of the Group; 

•  Be excellently prepared and receive all necessary education; 

•  Provide 

important  and  significant 

input  and 
questions  to  management  from  their  experience  and  skill; 
and 

insights, 

•  Vigorously debate and challenge management. 

regularly  compares 

The  Committee 
the  skill  base  and 
experience of existing Directors with that required for the future 
strategy  of  the  Group  to  enable  identification  of  attributes 
required in new Directors. 

Executive  search  firms  are  engaged  to  identify  potential 
candidates based on the identified criteria. 

Candidates for appointment as Directors are considered by the 
Board Performance and Renewal Committee, recommended for 
decision  by  the  Board  and,  if  appointed,  stand  for  election,  in 
accordance with the Constitution, at the next general meeting of 
shareholders. 

The  Group  has  adopted  a  policy  whereby,  on  appointment,  a 
letter is provided from the Chairman to the new Director setting 
out  the  terms  of  appointment  and  relevant  Board  policies 
including  time  commitment,  code  of  ethics  and  continuing 
education. All current Directors have been provided with a letter 
confirming the terms of their appointment. A copy of the form of 
letter of appointment appears on the Group’s website.  

Policies 

Board  policies  relevant  to  the  composition  and  functions  of 
Directors include: 

•  The  Board  will  consist  of  a  majority  of  independent  Non-
Executive  Directors  and  the  membership  of  the  Board 
Performance  and  Renewal,  People  &  Remuneration  and 
Audit Committees should consist solely of independent Non-
Executive Directors. The Risk Committee should consist of a 
majority of independent Non-Executive Directors; 

•  The  Chairman  will  be  an 

independent  Non-Executive 
Director.  The  Audit  Committee  will  be  chaired  by  an 
independent  Non-Executive  Director  other  than  the  Board 
Chairman; 

Corporate Governance 

•  The  Board  will  meet  regularly  with  an  agenda  designed  to 
provide adequate information about the affairs of the Group, 
allow  the  Board  to  guide  and  monitor  management  and 
assist  in  involvement  in  discussions  and  decisions  on 
strategy.  Matters  having  strategic  implications  are  given 
priority  on  the  agenda  for  regular  Board  meetings.  In 
addition, ongoing strategy is the major focus of at least two of 
the Board meetings annually; 

•  The  Board  has  an  agreed  policy  on  the  basis  on  which 
to  Company 
Directors  are  entitled 
documents  and  information  and  to  meet  with  management; 
and 

to  obtain  access 

•  The  Group  has  in  place  a  procedure  whereby,  after 
appropriate  consultation,  Directors  are  entitled  to  seek 
independent  professional  advice,  at  the  expense  of  the 
Group,  to  assist  them  to  carry  out  their  duties  as  Directors. 
The  policy  of  the  Group  provides  that  any  such  advice  is 
generally made available to all Directors.  

Ethical Standards 

Conflicts of Interest  

In  accordance  with  the  Constitution  and  the  Corporations  Act 
2001,  Directors  are  required  to  disclose  to  the  Board  any 
material  contract  in  which  they  may  have  an  interest.  In 
compliance  with  section  195  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001  any 
Director  with  a  material  personal  interest  in  a  matter  being 
considered by the Board will not be present when the matter is 
being considered and will not vote on the matter. In addition, any 
Director  who  has  a  conflict  of  interest  in  connection  with  any 
matter being considered by the Board or a Committee does not 
receive a copy of any paper dealing with the matter. 

Share Trading  

The restrictions imposed by law on dealings by Directors in the 
securities  of  the  Group  have  been supplemented  by the Board 
of  Directors  adopting  guidelines  which  further  limit  any  such 
dealings by Directors, their spouses, any dependent child, family 
Company or family trust. 

The  guidelines  provide,  that  in  addition  to  the  requirement  that 
Directors  not  deal  in  the  securities  of  the  Group  or  any  related 
Company  when  they  have  or  may  be  perceived  as  having 
relevant  unpublished  price-sensitive  information,  Directors  are 
only  permitted  to  deal  within  certain  periods.  These  periods 
include  between  three  and  30  days  after  the  announcement  of 
half  yearly  and  final  results  and  from  the  date  of  the  Annual 
General Meeting until 14 days after the Annual General Meeting. 
Further,  the  guidelines  require  that  Directors  not  deal  on  the 
basis of considerations of a short term nature or to the extent of 
trading 
to 
executives of the Group. 

those  securities.  Similar  restrictions  apply 

in 

In addition, Group policy prohibits: 

•  For  Directors  and  executives  who  report  to  the  Chief 
Executive  Officer,  any  hedging  of  publicly  disclosed 
shareholding positions; 

•  For  executives,  any  trading  (including  hedging)  in  positions 

prior to vesting of shares or options; and 

•  The use, by Directors and executives who report to the Chief 
Executive Officer, of investments of arrangements for margin 
borrowing,  short  selling  or  stock  lending,  in  connection  with 
the securities of the Group. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     45 

Corporate Governance 

Remuneration Arrangements 

In carrying out these functions, the Committee: 

•  Reviews the Financial Statements and reports of the Group; 

•  Reviews  accounting  policies  to  ensure  compliance  with 
current laws, relevant regulations and accounting standards; 

•  Conducts  any  investigations  relating  to  financial  matters, 
records, accounts and reports which it considers appropriate; 
and 

•  Reviews  all  material  matters  requiring  exercise  of  judgment 
by management and reports those matters to the Board. 

The  Committee  regularly  considers, 
the  absence  of 
management  and  the  external  Auditor,  the  quality  of  the 
information  received  by  the  Committee  and,  in  considering  the 
Financial  Statements,  discusses  with  management  and  the 
external Auditor: 

in 

•  The  Financial  Statements  and 

accounting  standards,  other  mandatory 
statutory requirements; and 

their  conformity  with 
reporting  and 

•  The quality of the accounting policies applied and any other 

significant judgments made. 

The  external  audit  partner  attends  Audit  Committee  and  Board 
meetings  by  invitation,  which  is  normally  all  Audit  Committee 
meetings  and  the  Board  meetings  when  the  annual  and  half 
yearly accounts are approved and signed. 

The  Committee,  at  least  twice  a  year,  meets  separately  with 
each  of  the  chief  internal  audit  executive  and  the  external 
Auditor, without management, as part of the process of ensuring 
independence of the audit functions. 

is 

responsible 

The  Audit  Committee 
for  oversight  of 
management  in  the  preparation  of  the  Group’s  Financial 
Statements  and  financial  disclosures.  The  Audit  Committee 
relies  on 
information  provided  by  management  and 
considers  matters  raised  by  the  external  auditor.  The  Audit 
Committee does not have the duty to plan or conduct audits to 
determine  whether  the  Group’s  Financial  Statements  and 
disclosures are complete and accurate. 

the 

Details of the governance arrangements and policies relevant to 
remuneration are set out in the Directors’ Report - Remuneration 
Report. 

Audit Arrangements 

Audit Committee 

The  Charter  of  the  Audit  Committee  incorporates  a  number  of 
policies  and  practices 
is 
to  ensure 
independent and effective. Among these are: 

the  Committee 

that 

•  The  Audit  Committee  consists  entirely  of  independent  Non-
Executive Directors, all of whom are financially literate and at 
least one has expertise in financial accounting and reporting. 
The Chairman of the Risk Committee is also a member of the 
Audit Committee. The Chairman of the Bank is not permitted 
to be the Chairman of the Audit Committee; 

•  At least twice a year the Audit Committee meets the external 

Auditors and the chief internal audit executive; 

•  The  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for  nominating  the 
external  Auditor 
for  appointment  by 
the  Board 
shareholders.  The  Audit  Committee  approves  the  terms  of 
the  contract  with  the  external  Auditor,  agrees  the  annual 
audit plan and approves payments to the Auditor; 

to 

•  The  Audit  Committee  discusses  audit  issues  and  receives 
periodic  reports  from  the  external  Auditors  on  the  quality  of 
the  Group’s  systems,  its  accounting  processes  and  its 
financial results. It also receives a report from the Auditors on 
any  significant  matters 
the  Auditors  with 
management; 

raised  by 

•  All  material  accounting  matters  requiring  exercise  of 
judgement  by  management  are  specifically  reviewed  by  the 
Audit  Committee  and  reported  on  by  the  Committee  to  the 
Board; and 

•  Certified  assurances  are  received  by  the  Audit  Committee 
and  the  Board  that  the  Auditors  meet  the  independence 
requirements as recommended by the Corporations Act and 
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (“SEC”)  of  the 
USA. 

46     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008

Non-Audit Services 

Auditor 

Corporate Governance 

PricewaterhouseCoopers  was  appointed  as  the  Auditor  of  the 
Bank  at  the  2007  Annual  General  Meeting,  effective  from  the 
beginning of the 2008 financial year. 

The  audit partner from PricewaterhouseCoopers  will attend the 
2008 Annual General Meeting of the Bank and will be available 
to respond to shareholder audit-related questions. 

The Group currently requires that the partner managing the audit 
for  the  external Auditor be changed after  a  period  of  no longer 
than five years. 

The Chief Executive Officer is authorised to appoint and remove 
the chief internal audit executive only after consultation with the 
Audit Committee. 

Due to SEC rules that apply to various activities that the Group 
continues to undertake in the United States, notwithstanding the 
Bank’s  de-registration  under  the  Exchange  Act,  the  Group  and 
its  Auditor  must  continue 
to  comply  with  U.S.  Auditor 
independence requirements. 

The  Board  has  in  place  an  External  Auditor  Services  Policy 
which requires the Audit Committee (or its delegate) to approve 
all  audit  and  non-audit  services  before  engaging  the  Auditors. 
The  policy  also  prohibits  the  Auditors  from  providing  certain 
services to the Group or its affiliates. The objective of this policy 
is to avoid prejudicing the independence of the Auditors.  

The policy is designed to ensure that the Auditors do not: 

•  Assume the role of management or act as an employee; 

•  Become an advocate for the Group; 

•  Audit their own work; 

•  Create  a  mutual  or  conflicting  interest  between  the  Auditor 

and the Group; 

•  Require an indemnification from the Group to the Auditor;  

•  Seek contingency fees; nor 

•  Have  a  direct  financial  or  business  interest  or  a  material 
indirect financial  or business interest in the  Group or any  of 
its affiliates, or an employment relationship with the Group or 
any of its affiliates.  

Under  the  policy,  the  Auditor  shall  not  provide  certain  services 
including the following services: 

•  Bookkeeping or other services relating to accounting records 

or Financial Statements of the Group; 

•  Financial information systems design and implementation; 

•  Appraisal  or  valuation  services  (other  than  certain  tax  only 

valuation services) and fairness opinions; 

•  Actuarial  services  when  approved 

in  accordance  with 

independence guidelines; 

• 

Internal audit outsourcing services; 

•  Management functions, including acting as an employee and 

secondment arrangements; 

•  Human resources; 

•  Broker-dealer,  investment  adviser  or  investment  banking 

services; 

•  Legal services; or 

•  Expert services for the purpose of advocating the interests of 

the Group. 

In general terms, the permitted services are: 

•  Audit services to the Group or an affiliate; 

•  Related  services  connected  with 

lodgement  of 
statements  or  documents  with  the  Australian  Securities 
Exchange  (ASX),  ASIC,  APRA  or  other  regulatory  or 
supervisory bodies;  

the 

•  Services  reasonably related to the performance of  the  audit 

services; 

•  Agreed-upon  procedures  or  comfort  letters  provided  by  the 
Auditor  to  third  parties  in  connection  with  the  Group’s 
financing or related activities; and 

•  Other services pre-approved by the Audit Committee. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     47 

Board Performance and Renewal Committee 

The  Board  Performance  and  Renewal  Committee  critically 
reviews, at least annually, the corporate governance procedures 
of  the  Group  and  the  composition  and  effectiveness  of  the 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Board and the Boards of the 
major wholly owned subsidiaries. The policy of the Board is that 
the  Committee  shall  consist  solely  of 
independent  Non-
Executive  Directors.  The  Chief  Executive  Officer  attends  the 
meeting by invitation. 

In  addition  to  its  role  in  proposing  candidates  for  Director 
appointment  for  consideration  by  the  Board,  the  Committee 
reviews  fees  payable  to  Non-Executive  Directors  and  reviews, 
and  advises  the  Board  in  relation  to  Chief  Executive  Officer 
succession planning and Board renewal. 

Continuous Disclosure 

in  place 

“Guidelines 

securities.  The  Group’s 

The  Corporations  Act  2001  and  the  ASX  Listing  Rules  require 
that a Company discloses to the market matters which could be 
expected  to  have  a  material  effect  on  the  price  or  value  of  the 
Company’s 
for 
Communication  between  the  Bank  and  shareholders”  sets  out 
the  processes  to  ensure  that  shareholders  and  the  market  are 
provided  with  full  and  timely  information  about  the  Group’s 
activities in compliance with continuous disclosure requirements. 
Management  procedures  are 
the 
Commonwealth Bank Group to ensure that all material matters 
which may potentially require disclosure are promptly reported to 
the Chief Executive Officer, through established reporting lines, 
or  as  a  part  of  the  deliberations  of  the  Group’s  Executive 
Committee. Matters reported are assessed and, where required 
by  the  Listing  Rules,  advised  to  the  market.  A  Disclosure 
Committee  has  been 
the 
requirements  for  disclosure  of  information  to  the  market.  The 
Company Secretary is responsible for communications with the 
ASX  and  for  ensuring  that  such  information  is  not  released  to 
any  person  until  the  ASX  has  confirmed  its  release  to  the 
market. 

to  provide  advice  on 

throughout 

formed 

Corporate Governance 

Risk Management 

Risk Committee 

The  Risk  Committee  oversees  credit,  market  (traded  and  non-
traded), funding and liquidity, operational and strategic business, 
business  continuity,  compliance  and  security  risks  assumed  by 
the  Group  in  the  course  of  carrying  on  its  business.  A  primary 
action is to construct the Group’s risk appetite for consideration 
by  the  Board  in  its  role  of  oversight  of  the  Internal  Capital 
Adequacy Assessment Process, which is updated on at least an 
annual basis. 

the  Group’s  credit  policies  and  ensures 

The Committee guides the setting of risk appetite for credit risks, 
considers 
that 
management  maintains  a  set  of  credit  underwriting  standards 
designed  to  achieve  portfolio  outcomes  consistent  with  the 
Group’s risk/return expectations.  

The  Committee  approves  risk  management  policies  and 
procedures  for  market,  funding  and  liquidity  risks  incurred  or 
likely to be incurred in the Group’s business. It guides the setting 
of risk appetite for traded and non-traded market risks, including 
the  establishment  of  limits  for  these  risk  exposures.  The 
Committee  reviews  progress  in  implementing  management 
procedures  and  identifying  new  areas  of  exposure  relating  to 
market, funding and liquidity risk. 

The Committee guides the setting of risk appetite for operational 
risks, including ratification of the Group’s operational risk policies 
for approval by the Board and reviews and informs the Board of 
risk. 
the  measurement  and  management  of  operational 
Operational risk is a basic line management responsibility within 
the  Group  consistent  with  the  policies  established  by  the 
Committee.  A  range  of  insurance  policies  maintained  by  the 
Group  mitigates  some  operational  risks,  with  insurance  risk 
coverage levels disclosed to the Risk Committee for comment. 

The  Committee  oversees  risk  management  of  compliance  risk 
through the Group’s Compliance Risk Management Framework, 
which  provides 
risks, 
implementation of controls, monitoring and testing of framework 
effectiveness,  and  the  escalation,  remediation  and  reporting  of 
compliance incidents and control weaknesses. 

for  assessment  of  compliance 

The  Committee  meets,  at  least  seven  times  each  year  and  at 
least annually with the Group Chief Risk Officer, in the absence 
of other management to allow the Committee to form a view on 
the independence of the function. 

Framework 

The  Group  has  in  place  an  integrated  risk  management 
framework to identify, assess, manage and report risks and risk 
adjusted returns on a consistent and reliable basis. 

A  full  description  of  the  functions  of  the  framework  and  the 
nature of the risks is set out in the section of the Annual Report 
entitled Integrated Risk Management and in Notes 15 and 42 to 
the Financial Statements. 

48     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008

Ethical Policies 

Behaviour Issues 

Corporate Governance 

The  Group’s  objective  is  to  create  long  term  value  for  its 
shareholders 
its 
customers 
best-in-industry 
performance in safety, community, reputation and environmental 
impact. 

through  providing 
and 

financial  services 

producing 

sustained 

to 

The  Group’s  vision  is  to  be  Australia’s  finest  financial  services 
organisation through excelling in customer service. 

The  values  of  the  Group  are  trust,  honesty  and  integrity.  The 
Board carries out the legal duties of its role in accordance with 
the values and having appropriate regard to the interests of the 
Group’s  customers,  shareholders,  staff  and 
the  broader 
community in which the Group operates. 

Policies  and  codes  of  conduct  have  been  established  by  the 
Board  and  the  Group  Executive  team  to  support  the  Group’s 
objectives, vision and values. 

Statement of Professional Practice 

The Group has adopted a code of ethics, known as a Statement 
of  Professional  Practice,  which  sets  standards  of  behaviour 
required of all employees and directors including: 

•  To  act  properly  and  efficiently  in  pursuing  the  objectives  of 

the Group; 

•  To  avoid  situations  which  may  give  rise  to  a  conflict  of 

interest; 

•  To  know  and  adhere  to  the  Group’s  Equal  Employment 

Opportunity policy and programs; 

•  To maintain confidentiality in the affairs of the Group and its 

customers; and 

•  To be absolutely honest in all professional activities. 

These  standards  are  regularly  communicated  to  staff.  In 
addition, the Group has established insider trading guidelines for 
staff to ensure that unpublished price-sensitive information about 
the  Group  or  any  other  Company  is  not  used  in  an  illegal 
manner or so that inside information could be used for personal 
advantage. 

Our People 

The Group is committed to providing fair, safe, challenging and 
rewarding  work,  recognising  the  importance  of  attracting  and 
retaining high quality staff and consequently, being in a position 
to excel in customer service. 

There  are  various  policies  and  systems  in  place  to  enable 
achievement of these goals, including: 

•  Fair Treatment Review; 

•  Equal Employment Opportunity; 

•  Occupational Health and Safety; 

•  Recruitment and selection; 

•  Performance management; 

•  Talent management and succession planning; 

•  Remuneration and recognition; 

•  Employee share plans; and 

•  Supporting Professional Development. 

The  Group  is  strongly  committed  to  maintaining  an  ethical 
workplace,  complying  with  legal  and  ethical  responsibilities. 
Policy  requires  staff  to  report  fraud,  corrupt  conduct,  mal-
administration  or  serious  and  substantial  waste  by  others.  A 
system  has  been  established  which  allows  staff  to  remain 
anonymous, if they wish, for reporting of these matters. 

The  policy  has  been  extended  to  include  reporting  of  auditing 
and  accounting  issues,  which  will  be  reported  to  the  Chief 
the  Chief  Security  Officer,  who 
Compliance  Officer  by 
administers  the  reporting  and  investigation  system.  The  Chief 
Security  Officer  reports  any  such  matters 
the  Audit 
Committee,  noting  the  status  of  resolution  and  actions  to  be 
taken. 

to 

Code of Conduct 

In  carrying  out  its  role,  the  Board  will  operate  in  a  manner 
reflecting the Group’s values and in accordance with its agreed 
corporate  governance  guidelines,  the  Bank’s  Constitution,  the 
Corporations Act and all other application regulations. 

The  Board  operates  and  requires  at  all  levels,  impeccable 
values,  honesty  and  openness.  Through  its  processes  it 
achieves  transparent,  open  governance  and  communications 
under  all  circumstances  with  both  performance  and 
conformance addressed. 

The  Board’s  policies  and  codes  include  detailed  provisions 
dealing with: 

•  The interface between the Board and management to ensure 
there  is  effective  communications  of  the  Board’s  views  and 
decisions resulting in motivation and focus towards long term 
shareholder value behaviours and outcomes; 

•  Disclosure  of  relevant  personal  interests  so  that  potential 
situations  of  conflict  of  interest  can  be  identified  and 
appropriate  action  undertaken  to  avoid  compromising  the 
independence of the Board; and 

•  Securities  dealings  in  compliance  with  the  Group’s  strict 
guidelines and in accordance with the values of honesty and 
integrity. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     49 

 
Director: International Cricket Council 

Other Interests: Institute of Financial Professionals New Zealand 
(Fellow), Institute of Directors (Fellow), New Zealand Society of 
Accountants  (Fellow),  Australian  Institute  Banking  and  Finance 
(Life  Member)  and  Hawkes  Bay  District  Health  Board 
(Commissioner). 

Sir John is a resident of Wellington, New Zealand. Age 61. 

Reg J Clairs, AO 

Mr  Clairs  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  since  1999  and  is 
Chairman  of  the  People  &  Remuneration  Committee.  As  the 
former Chief Executive Officer of Woolworths Limited, he had 33 
years experience in retailing, branding and customer service. 

Director: David Jones Limited 

Other  Interests:  Australian  Institute  of  Company  Directors 
(Member). 

Mr Clairs is a resident of Queensland. Age 70. 

Colin R Galbraith, AM 

Mr Galbraith has been a member of the Board since 2000 and is 
a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  Board  Performance  & 
Renewal  Committee.  He  is  a  special  advisor  for  Gresham 
Partners Limited. 

Chairman: BHP Billiton Community Trust. 

Director: OneSteel Limited and Australian Institute of Company 
Directors. 

Other Interests: CARE Australia (Director) and Royal Melbourne 
Hospital Neuroscience Foundation (Trustee).  

Mr Galbraith is a resident of Victoria. Age 60. 

Jane S Hemstritch  

Ms  Hemstritch  was  appointed to  the Board  effective  9  October 
2006  and  is  a  member  of  the  People  &  Remuneration 
Committee and Risk Committee. 

Ms Hemstritch was Managing Director - Asia Pacific, Accenture 
Limited from 2004 until her retirement in February 2007. In this 
role,  she  was  a  member  of  Accenture’s  global  executive 
leadership  team  and  oversaw  the  management  of  Accenture’s 
business  portfolio  in  Asia  Pacific.  She  holds  a  Bachelor  of 
Science  Degree  in  Biochemistry  and  Physiology  and  has 
professional  expertise  in  technology,  communications,  change 
management  and  accounting.  She  also  has  experience  across 
the financial services, telecommunications, government, energy 
and manufacturing sectors and in business expansion in Asia. 

Director:  The  Global  Foundation  and  Tabcorp  (subject  to 
regulatory approval). 

Other  Interests:  Institute  of  Chartered  Accountants  in  Australia 
(Fellow),  Institute  of  Chartered  Accountants  in  England  and 
Wales  (Fellow),  Chief  Executive  Women  Inc.  (Member)  and 
Council of Governing Members of The Smith Family. 

Ms Hemstritch is a resident of Victoria. Age 55. 

Directors’ Report 

report, 

together  with 

The  Directors  of  the  Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  submit 
their 
the 
Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  (“the  ‘Bank”)  and  of  the 
Group,  being  the  Bank  and  its  controlled  entities,  for  the  year 
ended 30 June 2008. 

report  of 

financial 

the 

The  names  of  the  Directors  holding  office  during  the  financial 
year  are  set  out  below  together  with  details  of  Directors’ 
experience, 
and 
organisations  in  which  each  of  the  Directors  has  declared  an 
interest. 

responsibilities 

qualifications, 

special 

John M Schubert, Chairman 

Dr Schubert has been a member of the Board since 1991 and 
Chairman since  November 2004. He is  Chairman of the Board 
Performance  &  Renewal  Committee  and  a  member  of  the 
People  &  Remuneration  Committee.  He  holds  a  Bachelor’s 
Degree  and  PhD  in  Chemical  Engineering  and  has  executive 
experience  in  the  petroleum,  mining  and  building  materials 
industries.  Dr  Schubert  is  the  former  Managing  Director  and 
Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer International Limited and the 
former Chairman and Managing Director of Esso Australia Ltd. 

Chairman:  G2  Therapies  Limited,  Great  Barrier  Reef 
Foundation. 

Director:  BHP  Billiton  Limited,  BHP  Billiton  Plc  and  Qantas 
Airways Limited. 

Interests:  Academy  of  Technological  Science  and 
Other 
Engineering  (Fellow), 
Institute  of  Engineers  (Fellow)  and 
Honorary  Member  &  Past  President,  Business  Council  of 
Australia. 

Dr Schubert is a resident of New South Wales. Age 65. 

Ralph J Norris, DCNZM, Managing Director and Chief 
Executive Officer 

Mr  Norris  was  appointed  as  Managing  Director  and  Chief 
Executive  Officer  with  effect  from  September  2005.  Mr  Norris 
had been Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air 
New  Zealand  since  2002  and  had  been  a  Director  of  that 
Company since 1998. He retired from that Board in 2005 to take 
up  his  position  with  the  Group.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Risk 
Committee. 

Mr  Norris  has  a  30  year  career  in  Banking.  He  was  Chief 
Executive Officer of ASB Bank Limited from 1991 until 2001 and 
Head of International Financial Services from 1999 until 2001. 

In  2005,  Mr  Norris  retired  from  the  Board  of  Fletcher  Building 
Limited where he had been a Director since 2001. 

Other Interests: New Zealand Institute of Management (Fellow) 
and New Zealand Computer Society (Fellow). 

Mr Norris is a resident of New South Wales. Age 59. 

Sir John A Anderson, KBE  

Sir John joined the Board on 12 March 2007. He is a member of 
the Risk Committee. Sir John is a highly respected business and 
community  leader,  having  held  many  senior  positions  in  New 
Zealand  finance including Chief  Executive  and  Director  of  ANZ 
National Bank Limited from 2003 to 2005 and the National Bank 
of New Zealand Limited from 1989 to 2003.  

In 1994, Sir John was awarded Knight Commander of the Civil 
Division of the Order of the British Empire, and in 2005 received 
“Outstanding  Leadership 
inaugural  Blake  Medal 
the 
Contributions to New Zealand”. 

for 

Chairman:  Television  New  Zealand  Limited,  New  Zealand 
Cricket  Inc.,  Capital  and  Coast  District  Health  Board,  New 
Zealand  Venture  Investment  Fund  and  New  Zealand  Meat 
Industry Taskforce. 

50     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008

S Carolyn H Kay 

Harrison H Young 

Directors’ Report 

Ms Kay has been a member of the Board since 2003 and is also 
a  member  of 
the  People  &  Remuneration  and  Audit 
Committees. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Law and Arts and a 
Graduate  Diploma 
in  Management.  She  has  extensive 
experience in international finance. She was a senior executive 
at  Morgan  Stanley  in  London  and  Melbourne  for  10  years  and 
prior to that she worked in international banking and finance both 
as a lawyer and banker in London, New York and Melbourne. 

Director:  Brambles  Industries  Limited,  Starlight  Foundation  and 
Allens Arthur Robinson. 

Other  Interests:  Australian  Institute  of  Company  Directors 
(Fellow) and Chief Executive Women’s Inc (member). 

Ms Kay is a resident of New South Wales. Age 46. 

Fergus D Ryan 

Mr  Ryan  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  since  2000  and  is 
Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Risk 
Committee.  He  has  extensive  experience  in  accounting,  audit, 
finance and risk management. He was a senior partner of Arthur 
Andersen until his retirement in 1999 after 33 years with that firm 
including five years as Managing Partner Australasia. Until 2002, 
he  was  Strategic  Investment  Co-ordinator  and  Major  Projects 
Facilitator for the Commonwealth Government. 

Director:  Australian  Foundation  Investment  Company  Limited, 
Clayton  Utz,  National  Australia  Day  Council  and  Deputy 
Chairman for National Library of Australia. 

Other  Interests:  Committee  for  Melbourne  (Counsellor)  and 
Pacific Institute (Patron). 

Mr Ryan is a resident of Victoria. Age 65. 

David J Turner  

Mr Turner was appointed to the Board in August 2006 and is a 
member  of  the  Audit  and  Board  Performance  and  Renewal 
Committees.  

Until  his  retirement  on  30  June  2007,  Mr  Turner  was  CEO  of 
Brambles. He occupied that role since October 2003. He joined 
Brambles  as  Chief  Financial  Officer  in  2001  having  previously 
been Finance Director of GKN plc. Mr Turner has also served as 
a member of the Board of Whitbread plc and as Chairman of its 
Audit  Committee  from  2000  until  2006.  He  is  a  Fellow  of  The 
Institute  of  Chartered  Accountants  in  England  and  Wales  and 
has  wide  experience  in  finance,  international  business  and 
governance. 

Chairman: Cobham plc. 

Director: Brambles Limited. 

Mr Turner is a resident of the United Kingdom. Age 63. 

Mr Young has been a member of the Board since 2007. He is 
Chairman  of  the  Risk  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Audit 
Committee. At the time of appointment to the Board, Mr Young 
retired as  Chairman  of Morgan Stanley  Australia,  a position he 
had  held  since  2003. In  an investment banking  career  of more 
than 30 years, he did business in 20 countries and advised eight 
foreign  governments.  From  1997  to  2003  he  was  a  Managing 
Director  and  Vice  Chairman  of  Morgan  Stanley  Asia.  Prior  to 
that, he spent two years in Beijing as Chief Executive of China 
International Capital Corporation. 

From  1991  to  1994  he  was  a  senior  officer  of  the  Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation in Washington. 

Chairman: Asia  Society AustralAsia  Centre and  Howard  Florey 
Institute Foundation. 

Board  member:  Florey  Neuroscience 
Services Volunteer Corps and the Asia Society. 

Institutes,  Financial 

Mr Young is a resident of Victoria. Age 63. 

Andrew M Mohl 

Mr Mohl was appointed to the Board effective 1 July 2008 and is 
a member of the People & Remuneration Committee. 

Mr Mohl was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of 
AMP Limited from October 2002 until his retirement at the end of 
December  2007.  He  has  over  30  years  of  financial  services 
experience. Mr Mohl was a former Senior and Chief Economist 
at  ANZ  Banking  Group  and  worked  at  the  Reserve  Bank  of 
Australia for eight years and was Deputy Head of Research. 

Director: AMP Foundation. 

Mr Mohl is a resident of New South Wales. Age 52. 

Warwick G Kent, AO (retired 7 November 2007) 

Mr  Kent  was  a  member  of  the  Board  from  2000  until  his 
retirement  in  November  2007.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Audit 
and Risk Committees. He was previously a Director of Colonial 
Limited,  appointed  in  1998.  He  was  Managing  Director  and 
Chief Executive Officer of BankWest until his retirement in 1997. 
Prior to joining BankWest, Mr Kent had a long and distinguished 
career with Westpac Banking Corporation. 

Other interests: Walter and Eliza Hall Trust (Trustee), Australian 
Institute  of  Company  Directors  (Fellow),  Australian  Society  of 
CPAs  (Fellow),  Finsia  (Senior  Fellow)  and  the  Chartered 
Institute of Company Secretaries (Fellow). 

Mr Kent is a resident of Western Australia. Age 72. 

Frank J Swan (retired 7 November 2007) 

Mr  Swan  was  a  member  of  the  Board  since  1997  and  was 
Chairman  of  the  Risk  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Audit 
Committee  and  Board  Performance  and  Renewal  Committee. 
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and has 23 years senior 
management experience in the food and beverage industries. 

Chairman: Centacare Catholic Family Services. 

Other Interests: Institute of Directors (Fellow), Australian Institute 
of Company Directors (Fellow). 

Mr Swan is a resident of Victoria. Age 67. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     51 

Directors’ Report 

Other Directorships 

The Directors held directorships on listed companies within the last three years as follows: 

Director 

Company 

J M Schubert 

BHP Biliton Limited 
BHP Biliton Plc 
Qantas Airways Limited 

R J Norris 

Air New Zealand Limited 
Fletcher Building Limited 

R J Clairs 

David Jones Limited 
Cellnet Group Limited 

C R Galbraith 

OneSteel Limited 
GasNet Australia Group  

S C H Kay 

Brambles Industries Limited 
Symbion Health Limited 

F D Ryan 

Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited 

D J Turner 

Brambles Limited 
Cobham plc 

W G Kent  

F J Swan 

West Australian Newspaper Holdings Limited 
Coventry Group Limited 
Perpetual Trustees Australia Limited (Group) 

Foster’s Group Limited 
National Foods Limited 
Southcorp Limited 

Date Appointed 

Date of Ceasing 
(if applicable) 

01/06/2000 
29/06/2001 
23/10/2000 

18/02/2002 
17/04/2001 

22/02/1999 
01/07/2004 

25/10/2000 
17/12/2001 

01/06/2006 
28/09/2001 

08/08/2001 

21/03/2006 
01/12/2007 

02/02/1998 
01/07/2001 
01/05/1998 

26/08/1996 
11/03/1997 
26/05/2005 

30/08/2005 
09/08/2005 

20/08/2007 

10/11/2006 

02/03/2007 

16/11/2007 

01/11/2006 
01/11/2006 
31/07/2005 

31/08/2007 
30/06/2005 
29/07/2005 

Directors’ Meetings 

The number of Directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of Directors) and number of meetings attended by each of the 
Directors of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia during the financial year were: 

No. of Meetings 

(1)

Held 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
- 
4 
4 

No. of Meetings 
Attended  
11 
11 
11 
11 
10 
10 
11 
11 
10 
11 
- 
4 
4 

Director 

J M Schubert 
R J Norris 
J A Anderson 
R J Clairs 
C R Galbraith 
J S Hemstritch 
S C H Kay 
F D Ryan 
D J Turner 
H H Young 
A M Mohl (2) 
W G Kent (3) 
F J Swan (3) 

(1) The number of meetings held during the time the Director was a member of the Board. 

(2) Mr Mohl was appointed effective 1 July 2008.  

(3) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired 7 November 2007. 

52     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

Committee Meetings 

Risk Committee 

Audit Committee 

People & Remuneration 
Committee 

No. of Meetings 

(1)

Held 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7 
- 
7 
7 
7 
5 
- 
2 
2 

No. of Meetings 
Attended 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7 
- 
7 
7 
7 
5 
- 
2 
2 

No. of Meetings 

(1)

Held 
- 
7 
7 
- 
- 
3 
- 
7 
- 
7 
- 
3 
3 

No. of Meetings 
Attended 
- 
7 
7 
- 
- 
3 
- 
7 
- 
7 
- 
3 
3 

Director 

J M Schubert 
R J Norris 
J A Anderson 
R J Clairs 
C R Galbraith 
J S Hemstritch 
S C H Kay 
F D Ryan 
D J Turner 
H H Young 
A M Mohl (2) 
W G Kent (3) 
F J Swan (3) 

Director 

J M Schubert 
C R Galbraith 
D J Turner 
F J Swan (2) 

No. of Meetings 

(1)

Held 
7 
- 
- 
7 
- 
7 
7 
- 
- 

No. of Meetings 
Attended 
7 
- 
- 
7 
- 
7 
7 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

Board Performance & Renewal 
Committee 

No. of Meetings 

(1)

Held 
6 
6 
4 
2 

No. of Meetings 
Attended 
6 
6 
4 
2 

(1) The number of meetings held during the time the Director was a member of the relevant committee.  

(2) Mr Mohl was appointed to the Board effective 1 July 2008.  

(3) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired 7 November 2007. 

Principal Activities 

(iv) International Financial Services 

integrated 

financial  services 

institutional  banking,  superannuation, 

The  Commonwealth  Bank  Group  is  one  of  Australia’s  leading 
including  retail, 
providers  of 
business  and 
life 
insurance,  general  insurance,  funds  management,  broking 
services and finance company activities. The principal activities 
of  the  Commonwealth  Bank  Group  during  the  financial  year 
were: 

(i) Retail Banking Services 

The  Group  provides  retail  banking  services  within  Australia 
including  housing  loans,  credit  cards,  personal  loans,  savings 
and cheque accounts, and demand and term deposits.  

(ii) Premium Business Services 

The Group offers commercial products within Australia including 
business  loans,  equipment  and  trade  finance,  and  rural  and 
agribusiness products and provides private banking services to 
high net worth individuals and direct trading and margin lending 
through  CommSec.  This  segment  also  has  wholesale  banking 
operations  in  London,  New  York,  Singapore,  Hong  Kong  and 
Malta. 

(iii) Wealth Management  

The  Wealth  Management  segment  conducts  Australian  funds 
retail 
management  business  comprising  wholesale  and 
investment,  superannuation  and  retirement  funds.  Investments 
are  across  all  major  asset  classes  including  Australian  and 
international  shares,  property,  fixed  interest  and  cash.  This 
segment also has funds management businesses in the United 
Kingdom and Asia. 

The Wealth Management segment also provides Australian term 
insurance,  disability 
trusts, 
investment products and general insurance. 

insurance,  annuities,  master 

The Group has full service banking operations in New Zealand, 
Fiji,  Indonesia  and  Vietnam.  The  Group  conducts  wholesale 
operations  in  New  York,  London,  Hong  Kong,  Singapore  and 
Malta and is represented in Japan and selected regions of China 
together  with  a  representative  office  in  India.  The  Group’s 
International  Financial  Services  segment  also  conducts  Life 
Insurance operations in New Zealand, where it has the leading 
market  share,  as  well  as  Asia  and  the  Pacific,  and  conducts 
Funds Management business in New Zealand. 

Consolidated Profit 

Consolidated net profit after income tax and minority interests for 
the financial year ended 30 June 2008 was $4,791 million (2007: 
$4,470 million).  

The  net  operating profit for the  year ended 30 June 2008  after 
tax,  and  before  the  gain  on  Visa  Initial  Public  Offering, 
Provisions for investment and restructuring and asset write-offs, 
defined  benefit  superannuation  plan  income,  treasury  shares 
valuation  adjustments,  hedging  and  AIFRS  volatility  and 
shareholder  investment  returns  was  $4,746  million.  This  is  an 
increase  of  $315  million  or  7%  over  the  year  ended  30  June 
2007.  

The  principal  contributing  factors  to  the  profit  increase  were 
strong  growth  in  banking  income  following  growth  in  average 
lending  assets.  Funds  management  and  insurance  income 
growth was strongly supported by solid growth in both average 
Funds Under Administration and average inforce premiums. 

There  have  been  no  significant  changes  in  the  nature  of  the 
principal activities of the Group during the financial year. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

Operating expense growth reflected continued investment in the 
business to support productivity and growth initiatives as well as 
the  effect  of  inflation  on  salary  and  general  expenses,  the 
commencement  of  spend  on  a  number  of  strategic  initiatives 
and  ongoing  compliance  expenditure,  partly  offset  by  the 
realisation of expense savings. 

Dividends 

The  Directors  have  declared  a  fully  franked  (at  30%)  final 
dividend  of  153  cents  per  share  amounting  to  $2,029  million. 
The dividend will be payable on 1 October 2008 to shareholders 
on the register at 5pm on 22 August 2008. Dividends paid in the 
year to 30 June 2008 were as follows: 

•  As  declared  in  the  30  June  2007  Annual  Report,  a  fully 
franked  final  dividend  of  149  cents  per  share  amounting  to 
$1,938  million  was  paid  on  5  October  2007.  The  payment 
comprised  cash  disbursements  of  $1,229  million  with  $709 
million being reinvested by participants through the Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan (DRP); and 

• 

In respect of the year to 30 June 2008, a fully franked interim 
dividend of 113 cents per share amounting to $1,487 million 
was  paid  on  2  April  2008.  The  payment  comprised  direct 
cash disbursements of $989 million, with $498 million being 
reinvested  by  participants  through  the  DRP  of  which  $98 
million of shares were provided by an on-market purchase. 

Review of Operations 

An analysis of operations for the financial year is set out in the 
Highlights section in pages 6 to 9 and in the sections for Retail 
Banking  Services,  Premium  Business  Services,  Wealth 
Management,  International  Financial  Services  and  Other  on 
pages 14 to 25. A review of the financial condition of the Group 
is set out in the Highlights on page 6. 

Changes in State of Affairs 

During  the  year,  the  Group  continued  to  make  significant 
progress in implementing a number of strategic initiatives.  

The initiatives are designed to ensure a better service outcome 
for the Group’s customers.  

Progress within the major initiatives included the following:  

•  Further roll-out of the new branch design with 70 new state-
of-the-art branches completed or under construction by June 
2008; 

•  Market  leading  product  development  with  the  full  suite  of 
rated  personal  deposit  and  transaction  products  receiving  a 
five star rating from CANNEX; 

•  Opening of eight new Business Banking centres across New 
South  Wales,  South  Australia  and  Victoria,  adding  to  the 
eight centres opened in the prior year; 

•  Continued  investment  in  Local  Business  Banking  including 
the  progressive  roll-out  of  Business  Bankers  across  more 
than  700  branches  and  the  implementation  of  the  new  24 
hour, 7 days a week, Customer Service Centre; and 

• 

Investment  in  Branch  Insurance  representatives  across 
remaining  regions  of  the  Group’s  Retail  branch  network 
contributing to solid growth across both life and general new 
business sales. 

There  were  no  significant  changes  in  the  state  of  affairs  of  the 
Group during the financial year. 

54     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

Events Subsequent to Balance Date 

The Directors are not aware of any matter or circumstance that 
has  occurred  since  the  end  of  the  financial  year  that  has 
significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of 
the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs 
of the Group in subsequent financial years. 

The  Bank  expects  to  issue  around  $609  million  of  shares  in 
respect of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan for the final dividend 
for the year ended 30 June 2008. 

Business Strategies and Future Developments 

Accommodation Strategy 

The  Group  is  implementing  a  property  strategy  to  relocate 
approximately  3,500  staff  from  the  Sydney  Central  Business 
District  (CBD)  to  Sydney  Olympic  Park  or  Parramatta  by  30 
June  2010.  This  will  result  in  rationalisation  of  the  existing 
Sydney CBD property space.  

As part of the Group’s accommodation strategy, staff in the CBD 
are being located across fewer sites, including rationalisation of 
certain CBD sites in line with lease expiry profiles. 

In  December  2007 
approximately 51,500 square metres at Darling Park, Tower 1. 

the  Group  executed  a 

lease 

for 

These changes have not had a material financial impact on the 
Group’s results and it is not anticipated that the future relocation 
will have a material impact on the Group’s results. 

Business Strategies 

Business strategies, prospects and future developments, which 
may  affect  the  operations  of  the  Group  in  subsequent  financial 
years, are referred to in the Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 
on pages 4 to 5. In the opinion of the Directors, disclosure of any 
further  information  on  likely  developments  in  operations  would 
be unreasonably prejudicial to the interests of the Group. 

Environmental Regulation 

The Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006 (EEO) which aims 
to  promote  energy  efficiencies  by  business,  commenced  on  1 
July 2006.  

The  Group,  including  several  Colonial  First  State  managed 
funds,  is  required  to  comply  with  the  EEO,  and  has  registered 
with the Federal Government for this purpose.  

As  required  by  the  EEO  the  Group  has  lodged  a  five  year 
energy  efficiency  assessment  plan  and  will  report  to  the 
Government  and  publicly  by  31  December  2008,  and  each 
subsequent year, on assessments carried out under the plan. 

The Group does not anticipate any obstacles in complying with 
the legislation. Considerable energy efficiency work has already 
been undertaken across the Group during the last five years. 

From  1  July  2008  the  Group  becomes  subject  to  the  National 
Greenhouse  and  Energy  Reporting  Scheme  (NGERS).  As  a 
result of a long history  of voluntary  reporting, the  Group is  well 
placed  to  meet  the  NGERS’  mandatory  requirements,  and  is 
currently  revising  its  data  capture  and  reporting  systems  to 
comply with the new legislation. 

The  Group  is  not  subject  to  any  other  particular  or  significant 
environmental  regulation  under  a  law  of  the  Commonwealth  or 
of a State or Territory, but can incur environmental liabilities as a 
lender. The Group has developed credit policies to ensure this is 
managed appropriately. 

Directors’ Report 

Directors’ Shareholdings and options 

Particulars  of  shares  held  by  Directors  in  the  Commonwealth 
Bank  or  in  a  related  body  corporate  are  set  out  in  the 
Remuneration Report within this report. 

(“EOP”)  was  approved  by 
An  Executive  Option  Plan 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 8 October 1996 
and its continuation was further approved by shareholders at the 
Annual  General  Meeting  on  29  October  1998.  At  the  2000 
Annual  General  Meeting,  the  EOP  was  discontinued  and 
shareholders approved the establishment of the Equity Reward 
Plan (“ERP”).  

The  last  grant  of  options  to  be  made  under  the  ERP  was  the 
2001 grant, with options being granted on 31 October 2001, 31 
January 2002 and 15 April 2002.  

A  total  of  3,007,000  options  were  granted  by  the  Bank  to  81 
executives in the 2001 grant.  

All  option  grants  have  now  met  their  specified  performance 
hurdles and are available for exercise by participants. 

During  the  financial  year  and  for  the  period  to  the  date  of  this 
report 125,000 shares were allotted by the Bank consequent to 
the  exercise  of  options  granted  under  the  EOP  and  ERP.  Full 
details  of  the  Plan  are  disclosed  in  Note  33  to  the  Financial 
Statements. No options have been allocated since the beginning 
of the 2002 financial year. 

The names of persons who currently hold options in the Plan are 
entered  in  the  register  of  option  holders  kept  by  the  Bank 
pursuant  to  Section  170  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001.  The 
register may be inspected free of charge. 

No options have previously been granted to the Chief Executive 
Officer.  Refer  to  the  Remuneration  Report  within  this  report  for 
further details. 

19.3 Extent of indemnity 

The indemnity in article 19.2: 

(a)  is  enforceable  without  the  Officer  having  to  first  incur  any 
expense or make any payment; 

(b)  is  a  continuing  obligation  and  is  enforceable  by  the  Officer 
even though the Officer may have ceased to be an officer of the 
Company or its related bodies corporate; and 

(c)  applies  to  Liabilities  incurred  both  before  and  after  the 
adoption of this constitution.” 

An indemnity  for  employees,  who  are  not  directors, secretaries 
or senior managers, is not expressly restricted in any way by the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

The Directors, as named on pages 50 and 51 of this report, and 
the Secretaries of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, being J 
D  Hatton,  and  C  F  Collingwood  are  indemnified  under  articles 
19.1,  19.2  and  19.3  as  are  all  the  senior  managers  of  the 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia. 

Deeds  of  indemnity  have  been  executed  by  Commonwealth 
Bank of Australia consistent with the above articles in favour of 
each Director. 

A  deed  poll  has  been  executed  by  Commonwealth  Bank  of 
Australia  consistent  with  the  above  articles  in  favour  of  each 
secretary  and  senior  manager  of  the  Bank,  each  Director, 
secretary and senior manager of a related body corporate of the 
Bank (except where in the case of a partly owned subsidiary the 
person  is  a  nominee  of  an  entity  which  is  not  a  related  body 
corporate of the Bank unless the Bank's Chief Executive Officer 
has  certified that  the indemnity shall  apply  to  that person),  and 
any employee of the Bank or any related body corporate of the 
Bank  who  acts  as  a  Director  or  secretary  of  a  body  corporate 
which is not a related body corporate of the Bank. 

Directors’ Interests in Contracts 

Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance 

The Commonwealth Bank has, during the financial year, paid an 
insurance  premium  in  respect  of  an  insurance  policy  for  the 
benefit of those named and referred to above and the directors, 
secretaries,  executive  officers  and  employees  of  any  related 
bodies  corporate  as  defined  in  the  insurance  policy.  The 
insurance  grants  indemnity  against  liabilities  permitted  to  be 
indemnified  by  the  Company  under  Section  199B  of  the 
Corporations Act 2001. In accordance with commercial practice, 
the  insurance  policy  prohibits  disclosure  of  the  terms  of  the 
policy including the nature of the liability insured against and the 
amount of the premium. 

A  number  of  Directors  have  given  written  notices,  stating  that 
they hold office in specified companies and accordingly are to be 
regarded  as  having  an  interest  in  any  contract  or  proposed 
contract that may be made between the Bank and any of those 
companies. 

Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnity 

Articles  19.1,  19.2  and  19.3  of  the  Commonwealth  Bank  of 
Australia’s Constitution provides:  

“19. Indemnity 

19.1 Persons to whom articles 19.2 and 19.4 apply 

Articles 19.2 and 19.4 apply: 

(a)  to each person  who is or  has  been a  Director,  secretary or 
senior manager of the Company; and 

(b)  to  such  other  officers,  employees,  former  officers  or  former 
employees of the Company or of its related bodies corporate as 
the directors in each case determine, 

(each an “Officer” for the purposes of this article). 

19.2 Indemnity 

The  Company  must  indemnify  each  Officer  on  a  full  indemnity 
basis  and  to  the  full  extent  permitted  by  law  against  all  losses, 
liabilities, costs, charges and expenses (“Liabilities”) incurred by 
the  Officer  as  an  officer  of  the  Company  or  of  a  related  body 
corporate. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     55 

 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Remuneration Report  

Key Terms 

Introduction 

Remuneration Philosophy 

People & Remuneration Committee 

Remuneration for the Year Ended 30 June 2008  

Remuneration Mix 

Fixed Remuneration 

Short Term Incentive (STI) 

Long Term Incentive (LTI) 

Group Leadership Share Plan (GLSP) 

Equity Reward Plan (ERP)  

Group Performance for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Short Term Performance  

Summary of Group Performance 

Long Term Performance 

Variable Remuneration Life Cycle  

Directors’ Remuneration 

Managing Director and CEO 

Non-Executive Directors 

Retirement Benefits  

Directors’ Retirement Allowance Scheme 

Remuneration of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

Remuneration of Directors 

Remuneration of Executives 

Termination Arrangements of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

STI Allocations to Executives for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

LTI Allocations to Executives for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Equity Holdings of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

Shareholdings 

Share Trading Policy 

Shares Held by Directors  

Shares Held by Executives 

Total Loans to Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

Individual Loans above $100,000 to Key Management Personnel and Other Executives  

Terms and Conditions of Loans  

Other Transactions of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives and Related Parties 

Audit 

56     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

57 

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58 

58 

59 

59 

59 

59 

60 

60 

61 

62 

62 

62 

63 

64 

65 

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68 

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71 

72 

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Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Key Terms 

To assist readers a number of key terms and abbreviations used in the Remuneration Report are set out below: 

Term 

Definition 

Base Remuneration 

Cash and non-cash remuneration paid regularly with no performance conditions. Calculated on a total cost 
basis and includes any Fringe Benefits tax related to Salary Packaging. 

Board 

Committee 

The Board of Directors of the Bank. 

The People & Remuneration Committee of the Board. 

Earnings Per Share (EPS) 

Net profit after tax divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. 

Equity  Reward  (Performance 
Units) Plan (ERPUP) 

The  Group’s  previous  cash-based  Equity  Reward  Plan  (see  below)  replicator  scheme  where  grants  are 
delivered in the form of Performance Units. 

Equity Reward Plan (ERP) 

The Group's previous long term incentive plan. 

Executive Committee 

Fixed Remuneration 

A management committee comprising the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Group Executives and any other 
executives selected by the CEO. 

Consists of Base Remuneration plus employer contributions to superannuation. For further details please 
refer to page 59. 

Group 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia and its subsidiaries. 

Group Executive 

Key Management Personnel who are also members of the Group’s Executive Committee. 

Group  Leadership  Share  Plan 
(GLSP) 

Key Management Personnel 

Long Term Incentive (LTI) 

NPAT 

Options 

Other Executives 

The Group's current long term incentive plan from 1 July 2007 for the CEO and Group Executives. 

Persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of an entity, 
directly or indirectly, including any Director (whether executive or otherwise) of that entity.  

The GLSP which grants rights to participating executives that may vest as ordinary shares in the Bank if, 
and  to  the  extent  that,  performance  hurdles  are  met  over  a  three  year  period.  For  further  details  please 
refer to page 60. 

The ERP and ERPUP which were the Group’s previous long term incentive plans. 

Net profit after tax. 

Rights to acquire a Bank share on payment of an exercise price if relevant performance hurdles are met. 

Those executives who are not Key Management Personnel but are amongst the “Company Executives” or 
“Group  Executives”  as  defined  by  the  Corporations  Act  2001  and  for  whom  disclosure  is  required  in 
accordance with section 300A(1)(c) of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Performance Rights 

Rights to acquire a Bank share with no payment by the recipient if relevant performance hurdles are met. 

PACC 

Remuneration 

Profit after capital charge. 

All forms of consideration paid, payable or provided by the Group, or on behalf of the Group, in exchange 
for services rendered to the Group. In reading this report, the term “remuneration” means the same as the 
term  “compensation”  for  the  purposes  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001  and  the  accounting  standard 
AASB124. 

Remuneration Mix 

The weighting of each component of remuneration (Fixed Remuneration, STI and LTI) for each employee 
group. 

Reward Shares 

Shares in the Bank granted under the Equity Reward Plan and subject to a performance hurdle. 

Salary Packaging 

An  arrangement  where  an  employee  agrees  to  forego  part  of  his  or  her  cash  component  of  Base 
Remuneration in return for non-cash benefits of a similar value. 

Short Term Incentive (STI) 

Remuneration paid with direct reference to the Group’s and the individual’s performance over the financial 
year. For further details please refer to page 59. 

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)  Calculated by combining the reinvestment of dividends and the movement in the Bank’s share price, the 

performance hurdle used to determine vesting of grants made under the ERP and ERPUP. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     57 

 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

The  Group’s  performance  management  framework  and  setting 
of  appropriate  Key  Performance  Indicators  (KPIs)  supports  the 
Group’s  remuneration  strategy  by  providing  employees  with 
competitive  remuneration and valuable  rewards for  outstanding 
performance.  It  has  supported  the  key  behaviours  which 
generate  shareholder  value  and  are  necessary  to  support 
achievement  of  the  Group’s  vision,  to  be  Australia’s  finest 
financial  services  organisation  through  excelling  in  customer 
service. 

People & Remuneration Committee 

The  People  &  Remuneration  Committee  of  the  Board  consists 
entirely of independent Non-Executive Directors. 

It  is  this  independence  which  allows  the  Committee  to  ensure 
that the Group’s remuneration framework can reflect the guiding 
principles of its remuneration philosophy.  

The Committee has an active and ongoing role in evaluating any 
proposed  enhancements  to  the  framework,  and  seeks  advice 
and  information  from  independent  sources  in  order  to  satisfy 
itself 
remain 
that 
competitive. 

remuneration  practices 

the  Group’s 

The  Committee  oversees  all  executive 
arrangements and currently consists of: 

remuneration 

•  Mr Clairs (Chairman); 

•  Ms Hemstritch; 

•  Ms Kay;  

•  Mr Mohl (appointed 1 July 2008); and 

•  Dr Schubert. 

The  CEO  attends  Committee  meetings  by  invitation,  but  does 
not attend in relation to matters that can affect him. 

The  Committee’s  activities  are  governed  by  its  terms  of 
reference,  which  are  available  on  the  Group’s  website  at 
www.commbank.com.au/shareholder. 

Introduction 

This  Remuneration  Report  sets  out  the  Group’s  remuneration 
framework 
for  Key  Management  Personnel  and  Other 
Executives. It demonstrates the links between the performance 
It  discloses 
of 
remuneration  arrangements,  equity  holdings,  loans  and  other 
transactions for Key Management Personnel.  

individual’s  remuneration. 

the  Group  and 

The year ended 30 June 2008 saw some significant and exciting 
enhancements  to  the  Group’s  remuneration  framework.  These 
enhancements aim to ensure the Group remains competitive in 
the  employment  field  of  the  financial  services  industry  and  to 
strengthen  the  motivation  of  executives  to  produce  superior 
performance. 

Remuneration Philosophy 

The  guiding  principles  of  the  Group’s  remuneration  philosophy 
for  all  Key  Management  Personnel,  Other  Executives  and 
employees generally are: 

•  To  motivate  employees  to  produce  superior  sustainable 

performance towards achieving the Group’s vision; 

•  To be transparent and simple to understand, administer and 

communicate; 

•  To be competitive; and 

•  To  be  flexible  enough  to  ensure  that  the  remuneration 
arrangements  for  specific  roles  can  reflect  the  external 
market. 

The  Group  has  enjoyed  success  over  the  years  in  delivering 
solid  shareholder  returns.  The  guiding  principles  of 
the 
remuneration philosophy support this success. 

58     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Remuneration for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

The  Group  provides  remuneration  for  its  employees  in  the 
following components: 

•  Fixed Remuneration; 

•  Short Term Incentive (STI); and 

•  Long Term Incentive (LTI). 

The  weighting  of  each  of  these  components  differs  for  each 
employee,  depending  on  their  role  and  seniority  within  the 
Group.  Typically,  there  is  greater  weighting  on  the  variable 
components (STI and LTI) for more senior employees. 

Employees  below  Group  Executive  level  generally  do  not 
receive an LTI component. 

The  Group's  remuneration  structure  is  designed  to  motivate 
employees to achieve superior performance over the short and 
long  term.  Incentive  plans  are  at  their  most  effective  when 
employees  feel  they  can  directly  influence  the  outcomes  to 
which they are linked. In the 2008 financial year, in response to 
research  supporting  STI  as  the  most  effective  driver  of 
performance,  the  Group  removed  LTI  and  increased  the 
weighting on STI for General Managers and Executive General 
Managers.  In  order  to  ensure  alignment  with  shareholder 
interests, retention of talent and a continued focus on long term 
value  creation,  the  Group  also  introduced  compulsory  deferral 
of a third of earned STI into shares, to vest after three years. 

Remuneration Mix 

The  relationship  of  fixed  and  variable  remuneration  (potential 
short term and long term incentives) is approved for each level 
of executive management by the Committee. 

For  the  financial  year  ended  30  June  2008,  the  target 
remuneration  mixes  that  generally  applied  for  individuals  in 
each of the following executive groups were: 

Target Remuneration Mix  

   Fixed

 STI 

LTI 

CEO   

Group Executives   

28%

30%

55%

17%

60%

10%

Executive General Managers    

40%

General Managers   

50%

60% 

50% 

Fixed Remuneration 

Fixed  Remuneration  comprises  base  remuneration,  calculated 
on a total cost basis including the cost of salary packaging and 
employer  contributions  to  superannuation.  (Note  that  salary 
packaging  arrangements  are  available 
to  employees  on 
individual  contracts  and  to  a  limited  extent  to  some  other 
employees.) 

The Group sets Fixed Remuneration competitively, facilitated by 
regular independent benchmarking analysis and advice.  

Short Term Incentive (STI) 

All  permanent  employees  participate  in  some  form  of  STI 
arrangement. Individual STI potentials (as applicable) are set at 
the beginning of the financial year and payments are determined 
through the Group’s performance management framework. 

The  Committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  Board,  determines  the 
pool  of  STI  payments  available  for  the  performance  year  with 
reference  to  the  Group’s  business  performance  relative  to 
targets.  Those  targets  that  are  not  disclosed  are  commercially 
sensitive. 

The  assessment  of  business  performance  takes  into  account 
factors  which include financial results  and  progress against  the 
Group’s  five  strategic  priorities  of  Customer  Service,  Business 
Banking,  Technology  and  Operational  Excellence,  Trust  and 
Team Spirit and Profitable Growth.  

For the performance year ended 30 June 2008, STI payments 
for  General  Managers  and  above  were  determined  with 
reference to the performance of the individual and the business 
against certain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).  

The  weighting  of  each  of  these  factors  is  adjusted  for  each 
executive  group,  to  ensure  the  criteria  are  within  the  area  of 
control and influence of each executive. 

Individual  performance  for  Key  Management  Personnel  and 
Other Executives is assessed through the Group’s performance 
management  system  by  measuring  actual  results  of  KPIs 
against  operating  targets  and  behavioural  standards  with 
reference to their area of responsibility. Examples of KPIs can 
include  measures  such  as  profitability,  market  share,  balance 
growth,  costs,  margins,  customer  satisfaction,  employee 
engagement,  succession  planning  and  strategic  priorities. 
Business  performance 
factors 
discussed earlier.  

is  assessed  against 

the 

The  targets  within  the  Group’s  performance  management 
framework allow for three levels of stretch targets on each KPI. 
This means that the ability of the participant to access the STI 
potential  will  only  occur  where  there  have  been  outstanding 
levels of performance. Employees must achieve a minimum of 
meets expectations on the behaviours and compliance KPIs to 
trigger any STI payment.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Customer  satisfaction  is  of  the  highest  importance  to  the 
Group’s overall performance and forms the basis of its vision. 

Three  well  established  independent  external  surveys  will  be 
used 
the  Group’s  customer  satisfaction 
performance at the end of the three year performance period. 

to  determine 

These  surveys  have  been  chosen  as  they  measure  customer 
satisfaction across the operations of the Group as follows: 

•  Roy  Morgan,  which  measures  customer  satisfaction  across 
the  retail  bank  base,  including  CommInsure  products  sold 
through retail bank sales channels; 

•  TNS  Business  Finance  Monitor,  which  measures  business 

banking customer satisfaction; and 

•  Wealth  Insights  Service  Level  Survey  Master  Trust/WRAP, 
which measures wealth management service performance of 
master trusts/wraps in Australia. 

In order to determine the Group’s level of achievement against 
the customer satisfaction performance hurdle, scores are taken 
for  both  the  Group  and  the  peer  group  from  the  three 
independent external surveys. A ranking is then determined and 
a vesting scale applied, as follows: 

Group Ranking 

% of Pool to Vest 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 

100 
75 
50 
30 
0 

The  Board  may  exercise  discretion  to  ensure  the  rewards 
resulting 
the  Group’s 
the  GLSP  are  reflective  of 
performance over the three year period. 

from 

These performance measures place the Group’s profitability and 
customer service uppermost, and reward participants for driving 
long  term  shareholder  value.  The  criteria  are  based  on  results 
which  participants  can  directly  influence  and  which  are  publicly 
available. 

The  plan  will  provide  shares  to  the  participants  if  and  when 
grants vest. The number of shares to vest will be determined by 
the  value  of  the  pool  that  vests  at  the  end  of  the  performance 
period  and  the  share  price  at  the  end  of  the  relevant 
performance period. 

For  the  performance  year  ended  30  June  2008,  STI  deferral 
applied  for  the  CEO,  Group  Executives,  Executive  General 
Managers  and  some  other  executives.  STI  payments  were 
delivered in two components: 

•  2/3 as an immediate cash payment; and 
•  1/3 used to acquire shares in the Bank which will be held in 
trust for three years. After the three year vesting period, the 
executive will receive the shares and any dividends accrued 
over  that  time.  These  shares  will  generally  be  subject  to 
forfeiture in circumstances of dismissal or resignation prior to 
the conclusion of the vesting period.  

Long Term Incentive (LTI) 

The Group’s LTI arrangements for grants made during the year 
ended 30 June 2008 are known as the Group Leadership Share 
Plan (“GLSP”). New grants under the Group’s previous LTI plan, 
the Equity Reward Plan (“ERP”), have ceased.  

Group Leadership Share Plan (GLSP) 

The objective of the GLSP is to motivate participants to increase 
profitability  and  customer  satisfaction  in  order  to  improve  long 
term shareholder value and achieve the Group’s vision.  

Participation in the plan is currently limited to the CEO and other 
Executive Committee members. For allocations made during the 
year ended 30 June 2008, participants will share in a pool to the 
value  of  2.2%  of  the  growth  in  the  Group’s  Profit  after  Capital 
Charge  (PACC),  capped  at  a  maximum  pool  of  $34  million 
subject 
following 
performance hurdles: 

to  performance  against  both  of 

the 

•  The  Group’s  cash  NPAT  growth  over  the  three  year  period 
must  be  above  the  average  of  NPAT  growth  of  the  peer 
group; and 

•  The  Group’s  customer  satisfaction  ranking  relative  to  the 

peer group. 

The current GLSP grant is measured from 1 July 2007 to 1 July 
2010 and may vest depending on performance. 

Performance Conditions 

The  Group’s  performance  relative  to  the  peer  group  which 
comprises of ANZ, NAB, St George and Westpac will be tested 
on the third anniversary of the grant. 

The  relative  cash  NPAT  performance  to  peers  and  its  link  to 
growth  in  PACC  have  been  incorporated  into  the  GLSP  to 
ensure the Group continues to provide above average long term 
financial performance for all stakeholders. 

Cash NPAT performance will be measured over the three year 
performance  period  and  the  hurdle  will  be  measured  following 
the  release  of  the  Group’s  full  year  profit  results  for  the  last 
financial year of the period. This will then be tested against Cash 
NPAT  results  for  peer  group  companies  over  the  same 
performance  period.  This  is  a  gateway  hurdle  –  if  the  Group’s 
Cash  NPAT  performance  over  the  period  is  not  above  the 
average  Cash  NPAT  performance  of  the  peer  group  then, 
subject to Board discretion, nothing will vest under the plan. 

The  customer  satisfaction  performance  hurdle  was  chosen  as 
research has shown a direct correlation between high levels of 
customer satisfaction and high shareholder returns. 

60     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Equity Reward Plan (ERP) 

New grants under the Group’s previous LTI plan, the ERP, have 
ceased. The last grant from July 2006 is not due to be tested for 
vesting  until  14  July  2009  and  this  will  apply  to  selected 
executives  in  General  Manager  roles  and  above  who  have 
participated  in  this  plan.  Grants  are  delivered  in  the  form  of 
ordinary  shares  in  the  Bank  that  may  vest  in  the  executive  in 
some proportion, to the extent that a performance hurdle is met. 

For a limited number of executives, a cash-based ERP replicator 
plan  was  operated  where  grants  were  delivered  in  the  form  of 
Performance  Units.  This  was  known  as  the  Equity  Reward 
(Performance Unit) Plan (ERPUP). 

In assessing whether the performance hurdles for each ERP or 
ERPUP grant have been met, the Group receives independent 
data  from  Standard  &  Poor’s  which  provides  both  the  Bank’s 
TSR growth from the commencement of each grant and that of 
the  peer  group  (excluding  the  Bank,  as  shown  in  the  below 
table).  The  Bank’s  performance  against  the  hurdle  is  then 
determined by ranking each company in the peer group against 
the  Bank  in  order  of  TSR  growth  from  the  commencement  of 
each grant.  

A weighting for each company in the peer group is determined 
by dividing the market capitalisation of the relevant company by 
the  total  market  capitalisation  of  the  peer  group.  The  Bank’s 
percentile ranking is determined by aggregating the calculated 
weighting of each company ranked below the Bank. 

Relative  TSR  was  previously  selected  as  the  performance 
measure  based  on  its  link  to  shareholder  value.  However,  the 
current measures of customer satisfaction and the profitability of 
the  Group  better  align  executive’s  motivation  and  behaviours 
with  achieving the  Group’s strategic vision  and improving long 
term shareholder value. 

Grants  under  the  ERP  and  ERPUP  were  made  annually  and 
vesting is subject to the Bank’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 
performance relative to the other entities in the peer group over 
a three to four year period as follows: 

Years of Grant  Vesting Scale 
2004 & 2005 

<50th percentile = Nil Shares 
50th – 67th percentile = 50% - 75% of shares 
68th – 75th percentile = 76% - 100% of shares 
<51st percentile = Nil Shares 
51st – 75th percentile = 50% - 100% of shares 

2006 

AMP 
ANZ Group  
AXA 
Bank of Queensland 
Bendigo Bank* 
IAG 

Peer Group 

Macquarie Bank 
National Australia Bank 
QBE insurance 
St George 
Suncorp-Metway 
Westpac Banking Group 

* Adelaide Bank was removed from the peer group when it was taken over by Bendigo Bank in November 2007. 

Summary of the Group’s LTI grants 

The table below provides a summary of the LTI grants that were in operation during the year ended 30 June 2008. 

Year of Grant 
Current LTI - GLSP 
2007 
Previous LTI - ERP 
2004 
2005 
2006 

Performance Period 

Retesting 

Expiry date 
if unvested 

Status
 as at 30 June 2008 

July 2007 to July 2010 

None 

1 July 2010 

Unvested 

Sept 2004 to Sept 2007 
July 2005 to July 2008 
July 2006 to July 2009 

Every 6 months to Sept 2009 
Every 6 months to July 2010 
Once only in July 2010 

23 Sept 2009 
15 July 2010 
14 July 2010 

100% vested 
63rd percentile 
69th percentile 

The departure from CFS GAM of a number of key employees 
participating  in  the  scheme  indicated  that  the  arrangements 
were  insufficiently  competitive  against  arrangements  offered 
elsewhere in the market. 

For  the  2008  financial  year  the  Board  agreed  to  remove  the 
performance  hurdles  in  return  for  an  increase  in  the  vesting 
period  from  three  to  five  years  to  focus  the  LTI  style 
arrangement  more  directly  on  the  long  term  retention  of  key 
individuals in an increasingly volatile market. 

Other LTI Style Arrangements 

Certain  executives 
in  Colonial  First  State  Global  Asset 
Management  (CFS  GAM)  participate  in  a  specific  cash-settled 
LTI style arrangement relating to that business. The purpose of 
this LTI style arrangement is the retention of key employees with 
specific  and  unique  skill  sets  highly  valued  in  the  market.  The 
decision  of  investors  to  grant  an  investment  mandate  to  CFS 
GAM is highly dependent on their confidence in the investment 
capability and experience of individual fund managers. As such, 
the  loss  of  these  individuals  from  CFS  GAM  could  put  current 
and future mandates at risk. 

During  the  2007  financial  year  this  LTI  style  arrangement  was 
allocated  a  three  year  vesting  period  and  between  50%  and 
100% of the pool may vest depending on performance hurdles 
relating to the CFS GAM profit growth rate over a period of three 
years.  There  were  also  limits  on  how  much  of  the  vested 
entitlement employees were eligible to redeem in any one year. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Group Performance for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

following 

The 
the  Group’s 
table  gives  an  overview  of 
performance for the year ended 30 June 2008, in the context of 
the  remuneration  criteria.  Continuing  strong  results,  driven  by 
progress made on our strategic priorities towards achieving the 
Group’s vision, have meant that variable remuneration awarded 
to executives is at the higher end of their potential. 

Details  of  the  remuneration  outcomes  based  on  business 
performance  are  provided  on  pages  59 
this 
remuneration report. 

to  61  of 

The  Key  Performance 
reference to the Group’s five strategic priorities, being: 

Indicators  are  set  with  particular 

•  Customer Service; 

•  Business Banking; 

•  Technology and Operational Excellence; 

•  Trust and Team Spirit; and 

•  Profitable Growth. 

The  following  table  provides  a  description  of  the  Group’s 
performance  in  relation  to  each  strategic  priority  for  the 
performance year ending 30 June 2008. 

Summary of Group Performance  

Strategic Priorities 

Commentary 

Customer Service  

Business Banking 

Technology & Operational 
Excellence 

Trust & Team Spirit 

Profitable Growth 

The Group’s vision is “to be Australia’s finest financial services organisation through excelling in customer 
service”. The Group has made significant progress on this strategic priority including investing in front line 
staff, the refurbishment and redesign of retail branches, the opening of new business banking centres, 
the introduction of new and enhanced product offerings and simplified processes and procedures.  

These and a number of other initiatives have contributed to improvements in a range of customer service 
measures. The Group’s MFI customer satisfaction levels as measured by Roy Morgan(1) reached a 10 
year high during the year. The Group was awarded Money Magazine’s “Bank of the Year” for 2008 and 
24  of  the  retail  bank’s  products  have  received  CANNEX  5-star  ratings.  The  Group  also  recorded  the 
strongest  gains  in  Business  Customer  satisfaction  amongst  the  peer  group  over  the  past  12  months 
(Source: TNS Business Finance Monitor – businesses with annual turnover to $100 million), FirstChoice 
was rated the number one platform by financial advisers as measured by Investment Trends and ASB 
Bank once again won The Banker’s “Bank of the Year Award for New Zealand”. There have also been 
significant reductions in customer complaints and increases in customer compliments. 

Improving  the  Group’s  competitive  position  in  Business  Banking  remains  a  key  strategic  priority,  with 
recent progress including the introduction of business bankers into selected branches, the acquisition and 
successful  integration  of  IWL  providing  a  strategic  entry  into  the  wholesale  online  broking  market,  the 
launch of CommSec banking solutions and the iPhone share trading option, and the continued migration 
of  business  customer  to  CommBiz,  our  internet-based  business  banking  offering.  During  the  year 
CommSec won the AFR Smart Investor’s “Highest Polling Online Broker 2008” award and Trade Choice 
Awards  “Best  Margin  Lender  2008”.  Customer  Complaints  for  Premium  Business  Services  declined 
significantly and the Group recorded strong above system growth in business deposits during 2008. 

Initiatives  in  this  area  are  designed  to  deliver  greater  efficiency  across  the  Group  as  well  as  providing 
competitive  leverage  through  innovative  process  and  systems.  Progress  during  the  year  included  the 
announcement of a $580 million, four  year Core Banking Modernisation project to replace the Group’s 
legacy systems designed to drive significant improvements in customer service and productivity, further 
IT efficiency savings and significant improvements in systems stability and resilience. Good progress was 
also  made  on  a  number  of  initiatives  designed  to  improve  customer  service,  increase  operational 
efficiency and increase security for the Group and its customers. The restructuring of relationships with IT 
providers was also advanced through the execution of new application sourcing agreements designed to 
deliver greater contestability, flexibility and delivery capability. 

A  number  of  key  measures  indicate  the  Group  is  continuing  to  make  good  progress  on  employee 
engagement, highlighted by the fact the Group is now placed in the top quartile of the Gallup worldwide 
database.  There  has  also  been  a  significant  improvement  in  Workplace  Safety,  with  the  Group’s  Lost 
Time  Injury  Frequency  Rate  falling  by  a  further  31%.  During  the  year  ASB  Bank  received  the  Gallup 
“Great  Workplace  Award  2008”  and  the  Group  continued  to  demonstrate  support  to  the  community 
through  a  range  of  initiatives  including  financial  literacy,  environmental  partnerships  and  community 
assistance. 

The  Group  continued  to  make  good  progress  in  seeking  out  and  developing  new  opportunities  for 
profitable growth and value creation, with highlights including the continued strong performance from our 
Indonesian  and  Chinese  businesses,  CFS  GAM’s  focus  on  a  wide  range  of  opportunities  to  grow  its 
global  footprint,  and  further  strong  gains  in  Group-wide  referral  rates  designed  to  better  leverage  the 
significant opportunities in our existing customer base.

(1) Source:  Roy Morgan Research MFI Customer Satisfaction is based on Australians aged 14+, Very or Fairly Satisfied, a 6 month moving average. 

62     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Cash NPAT performance 2004 to 2008 ($M) 

Cash EPS performance 2004 to 2008 (cents) 

4,527

4,733

4,086

3,492

2,695

4,700

4,100

3,500

2,900

2,300

1,700

1,100

500

-100

347.1

356.9

318.5

264.8

206.6

s
t
n
e
C

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Jun 04
AGAAP

Jun 05

Jun 06

Jun 07

Jun 08

AIFRS

Jun 04

Jun 05

Jun 06

Jun 07

Jun 08

AGAAP

AIFRS

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
$

Long Term Performance 

The objective of LTI grants during the year ended 30 June 2008 is to improve shareholder value over the long term. Further details on the 
GLSP performance hurdles are on page 60.  

For the ERP, long term performance of the Bank is measured on the Bank’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) relative to its peers. 

The following graph indicates the Bank’s TSR by showing share price and dividend growth over the past 5 years. 

)
s
t
n
e
c
(
s
d
n
e
d
i
v
i
D

280

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

)
$
(

e
c
i
r
P
e
r
a
h
S

Jun 04

Jun 05

Jun 06

Jun 07

Jun 08

Dividends Per Share

Share Price

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Variable Remuneration Life Cycle 

This life cycle depicts how the variable remuneration arrangements for the CEO and the other Executive Committee members operate for the 
year ended 30 June 2008. 

July 2007 

July 2008 

July 2009 

July 2010 

July 2011 

•  July 2008 STI 
payments 
deferred until 
Bank shares 
vest after three 
years. 

LTI measurement 
and allocation 

•  GLSP pool is 
determined 
(percentage of 
PACC growth 
over the past 
three years), 
capped at $34 
million; 

•  Performance is 
tested against 
relative NPAT 
and customer 
satisfaction 
hurdles; and 

•  Subject to 

satisfaction of 
the performance 
conditions, a 
proportion of the 
GLSP allocation 
pool value may 
vest. The 
performance 
rights already 
granted may be 
exercisable 
immediately into 
shares. 

•  Performance 
reviews; 
•  STI payments 

determined; and 

•  2/3 of STI 
payment is 
made 
immediately in 
cash, the other 
1/3 is deferred 
into Bank shares 
for three years. 

The following is set 
for each executive: 

•  STI potential; 

and 

•  Performance 

plans (including 
Key 
Performance 
Indicators, 
behaviours, 
targets and 
stretch targets). 

The following is set 
for the performance 
period: 

•  LTI potential for 
each executive, 
being a potential 
share in the 
GLSP pool; and 
•  Relative NPAT 
and customer 
satisfaction 
performance 
hurdles. 

STI 

LTI 

64     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Directors’ Remuneration 

Ralph Norris (Managing Director and CEO) 

Summary of Remuneration Arrangements 

Mr  Norris’  remuneration  consists  of  fixed  and  variable  (at  risk) 
components. 

Fixed Remuneration 

the  year  ended  30  June  2008,  Mr  Norris’  Fixed 

For 
Remuneration was 30% of total remuneration. 

Variable Remuneration 

Mr Norris’ variable remuneration consists of short and long-term 
incentives.  Variable  remuneration  for  the  year  ended  30  June 
2008 was 70% of total remuneration. 

For the year ended 30 June 2008, a Short Term Incentive (STI) 
was  delivered  in  two  components;  2/3  made  as  an  immediate 
cash payment and 1/3 deferred into Bank shares for three years. 
Performance  was  measured  against  Key  Performance 
Indicators. The Board has assessed Mr Norris’ performance for 
the year and has approved a total STI payment of $2.85 million. 

This assessment took into account the following factors: 

•  Business and financial results; 

•  The Group’s customer service levels; 

•  Technology and operational excellence; 

•  The Group’s core behaviours; and 

• 

Identifying and developing talent. 

Incentive  (LTI)  was  allocated 

Following  shareholder  approval  at  the  2007  Annual  General 
Meeting,  a  Long  Term 
in 
November  2007  in  the  form  of  Performance  Rights  under  the 
Group Leadership Share Plan (GLSP). Vesting will occur subject 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  performance  conditions  -  the  Group’s 
relative  NPAT  and  customer  satisfaction  ranking  against  the 
peer  group  at  the  end  of  the  three  year  performance  period. 
(Refer to the GLSP on page 60). 

Terms and conditions of appointment 

The Board determines Mr Norris’ remuneration, pursuant to the 
Constitution,  as  part  of  the  terms  and  conditions  of  his 
appointment.  Those  terms  and  conditions  are  established  in  a 
contract of employment with Mr Norris which was effective from 
22 September 2005. Remuneration is subject to review annually 
by  the  Board.  Mr  Norris’  remuneration  arrangements  are 
detailed  on  page  68  and  follow  the  same  principles  as  other 
executives. 

in  cases  other 

Mr  Norris’  contract  provides  for  no  end  date,  although  he  may 
resign at any time by giving six months’ notice. The Group may 
terminate  Mr  Norris’  employment, 
than 
misconduct,  on  six  months’  notice.  In  this  case,  the  Group  will 
pay all Fixed Remuneration relating to the notice period, and any 
outstanding  statutory  entitlements.  Any  unvested  STI  or  LTI 
amounts will be payable at the discretion of the Board. There is 
also a provision allowing Mr Norris to terminate the agreement if 
a  material  change  to  his  status  occurs,  and  to  receive  benefits 
as if the Group had terminated his employment. 

On ceasing employment with the Group, Mr Norris is entitled to 
receive  his  statutory  entitlements  of  accrued  annual  and  long 
service leave as well as accrued superannuation benefits. This 
arrangement is the same for all executives. 

Non-Executive Directors 

Remuneration Arrangements 

Remuneration for Non-Executive Directors consists of base and 
committee fees within a maximum of $3,000,000 per annum as 
approved  by  shareholders  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held 
on 5 November 2004. The total remuneration for Non-Executive 
Directors  is  less  than  that  approval.  No  component  of  Non-
Executive  Director 
upon 
remuneration 
performance. 

contingent 

is 

On appointment to the Board, Non-Executive Directors enter into 
a  service  agreement  with  the  Bank  in  the  form  of  a  letter  of 
appointment. The letter of appointment, a copy of which appears 
on  the  Group's  website,  summarises  the  Board  policies  and 
terms,  including  remuneration,  relevant  up  to  and  including  the 
office of Director. All Non-Executive Directors have entered into 
a form of service agreement. 

The  policy  of  the  Board  is  that  the  aggregate  amount  of  fees 
should  be  set  at  a  level  which  provides  the  Group  with  the 
necessary  degree  of  flexibility  to  enable  it  to  attract  and  retain 
the services of Directors of the highest calibre. 

The  Board  Performance  and  Renewal  Committee  annually 
reviews the fees payable to individual Non-Executive Directors, 
takes  into  account  relevant  factors  and,  where  appropriate, 
receives external advice on comparable remuneration. The last 
review  was  conducted  in  December  2007  and  changes  to  the 
level  of  remuneration  were  agreed  with  effect  from  1  January 
2008. 

Non-Executive Directors have 20% of their annual fees applied 
to  the  mandatory  on-market  acquisition  of  shares  in  the  Bank, 
under the Non-Executive Director Share Plan. In addition, Non-
Executive  Directors  can  voluntarily  elect  to  sacrifice  up  to  a 
further  80%  of  their  fees  for  the  acquisition  of  shares,  or  into 
superannuation.  

The Bank’s Non-Executive Directors’ fee structure provides for a 
base  fee  for  all  Directors  of  $210,000,  and  a  base  Chairman’s 
fee  of  $695,000.  In  addition,  amounts  are  payable  where 
Directors are members of, or chair a Committee. Details of the 
breakdown of each Non-Executive Directors' fees as at 30 June 
2008  is  provided  on  page  66.  The  Bank  also  contributes  to 
compulsory  superannuation  on  behalf  of  Non-Executive 
Directors. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     65 

Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Details of Components of Non-Executive Directors’ Fees 

Board  

Audit Committee 

Risk Committee 

People & Remuneration Committee 

Board Performance & Renewal Committee 

Committee Remuneration 

Position 
Chairman 
Non-Executive Director 
Chairman 
Member 
Chairman 
Member 
Chairman 
Member 
Chairman 
Member 

Fee (1) 
$ 
695,000 
210,000 
50,000 
25,000 
50,000 
25,000 
40,000 
20,000 
10,000 
10,000 

(1) Non-Executive Directors sacrifice 20% of these fees on a mandatory basis under the Non-Executive Directors Share Plan (NEDSP). Fees were adjusted as from 1 

January 2008. 

Retirement Benefits 

Under the Directors’ Retirement Allowance Scheme, which was 
approved by shareholders at the 1997 Annual General Meeting, 
Directors  previously  accumulated  a  retirement  benefit  on  a  pro 
rata basis to a maximum of four years’ total emoluments after 12 
years’ service. No benefit accrued until the Director had served 
three  years  on  the  Board.  In  2002,  the  Board  decided  to 
the  Directors’  Retirement  Allowance  Scheme 
discontinue 
without  affecting  the  entitlements  of  the  existing  Non-Executive 
Directors  at  the  time.  Since  that  year,  new  Directors  have  not 
been entitled to participate in the scheme. 

The Board  resolved  with  effect from the  2004  Annual  General 
Meeting  to  terminate  the  accrual  of  further  benefits  under  the 
Scheme  and  freeze  the  entitlements  of  current  members  until 
their  respective  retirements.  This  approach  has  resulted  in 
remuneration  arrangements  being  expressed 
in  a  more 
transparent manner. 

The entitlements of the Non-Executive Directors under the Directors’ Retirement Allowance Scheme are: 

Directors’ Retirement Allowance Scheme 

Director 

J M Schubert 
J A Anderson (1) 
R J Clairs 
C R Galbraith 
J S Hemstritch (1) 
S C H Kay (1) 
F D Ryan 
D J Turner (1) 
H H Young (1) 
W G Kent (2)  
F J Swan (2)  
Total  

Increase in Accrued Benefit 
in Year $ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Entitlement as at 30 June 2008 
$ 
636,398 
- 
202,989 
159,092 
- 
- 
168,263 
- 
- 
- 
- 
1,166,742 

(1) Sir John Anderson, Ms Hemstritch, Ms Kay, Mr Turner and Mr Young were appointed as Directors after the closure of the scheme. 

(2) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired at the 2007 Annual General Meeting on 7 November 2007 and received payments of $159,092 and $266,173 respectively, representing 

their entitlements under the Scheme. 

66     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Remuneration of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

The executives  and  Directors listed in  the tables below  include 
Key  Management  Personnel  (KMP)  and  Other  Executives 
during  the  year  ended  30  June  2008.  The  KMP  are  the  CEO, 
members of the Group’s Executive Committee and all members 
of the Board. 

The  position  and  tenure  for  each  of  the  executives  and 
Directors 
table.  The 
subsequent  tables  refer  to  these  employees  by  surname  and 
initials only. 

listed  are  shown  on 

following 

the 

Name 

Position 

Tenure (if not full year) 

Non-Executive Directors 
J M Schubert 
J A Anderson 
R J Clairs 
C R Galbraith 
J S Hemstritch 
S C Kay 
F D Ryan 
D J Turner 
H H Young 
W G Kent 
F J Swan 

Chairman 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 

Managing Director and CEO  
R J Norris 

Managing Director and CEO 

Executives 
B J Chapman  
D Cohen 
D P Craig 
S I Grimshaw 
M R Harte 
G L Mackrell 
R M McEwan 
J K O’Sullivan 
G A Petersen 
A Toevs 

Other Executives 

W Negus 

Group Executive, Human Resources and Group Services 
Group General Counsel 
Group Executive, Financial Services 
Group Executive, Premium Business Services 
Group Executive, Enterprise IT & Chief Information Officer 
Group Executive, International Finance Services 
Group Executive, Retail Banking Services 
Chief Solicitor and General Counsel 
Group Executive, Wealth Management 
Group Chief Risk Officer 

Retired on 7 November 2007 
Retired on 7 November 2007 

Commenced on 16 June 2008 

Ceased employment on 31 January 2008 

Commenced on 23 June 2008 

Chief Executive Officer, Colonial First State Global Asset 
Management (CEO CFS GAM) 

Ceased as CEO CFS GAM on 1 June 2008 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Individual remuneration details for Directors for the year ended 30 June 2008 are set out below: 

Remuneration of Directors 

Short Term Benefits 

Cash  
(1) 

Fixed 
$ 

Cash STI 
payment  
At Risk 
$ 

STI Deferred 
in Shares  
At Risk 
$ 

Other Short 
Term 
Benefits 
$ 

Post-
employment 
Benefits 

Share-based Payments 

Super-
annuation  

(2)

Fixed 
$ 

LTI Reward 
Shares  
At Risk 
$ 

Performa
nce 
Rights 
$ 

NEDSP  
(1)
Fixed 
$ 

Termination 
Benefits 
$ 

Other Long 
Term 
Benefits 
$ 

Total 
 Remuneration
$ 

188,471 
88,260 

192,482 
175,277 

551,342 
505,096 

113,980 
90,171 

178,433 
51,090 

J M Schubert 
2008 
2007 
J A Anderson 
2008 
2007 
R J Clairs 
2008 
2007 
C R Galbraith 
2008 
2007 
J S Hemstritch 
2008 
2007 
S C H Kay 
2008 
2007 
F D Ryan 
2008 
2007 
D J Turner 
2008 
2007 
H H Young 
2008 
2007 
W G Kent (3) 
2008 
2007 
F J Swan (3) 
35,834 
2008 
2007 
187,112 
Non-Executive Director Total 
1,977,111 
2008 
1,757,806 
2007 

203,803 
63,518 

218,542 
92,767 

196,493 
174,553 

- 
175,901 

97,731 
42,214 

Managing Director and CEO 
R J Norris (4) 
2008 
2007 
Director Grand Totals 
2008 

3,122,450 
1,467,450 

5,099,561 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

52,570 
45,459 

17,012 
4,598 

18,367 
15,775 

17,983 
88,943 

90,161 
36,759 

18,751 
15,710 

20,848 
109,467 

104,524 
105,257 

19,417 
5,717 

78,363 
15,831 

52,483 
16,840 

490,479 
465,451 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

137,836 
126,603 

44,608 
12,658 

48,121 
43,937 

47,118 
42,427 

46,603 
29,112 

49,123 
43,748 

54,636 
48,595 

46,159 
35,918 

50,951 
15,879 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

11,847 
44,088 

159,092 
- 

13,359 
46,885 

266,173 
- 

550,361 
518,034 

425,265 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

741,748 
677,158 

240,053 
68,346 

258,970 
234,989 

253,572 
219,630 

250,744 
156,042 

264,367 
234,011 

294,026 
250,829 

248,414 
183,389 

274,171 
85,114 

249,302 
235,820 

367,849 
250,837 

3,443,216 
2,741,291 

1,900,000 
1,425,000 

950,000 
1,514,063 

- 
81,125 

100,014 
792,672 

1,237,635 
1,237,635 

1,280,790 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

72,031 
52,040 

8,662,920 
6,569,985 

2007 

3,225,256 

1,425,000 

1,514,063 

81,125 

1,258,123 

1,237,635 

- 

1,900,000 

950,000 

- 

590,493 

1,237,635 

1,280,790 

550,361 

518,034 

425,265 

72,031 

12,106,136 

- 

52,040 

9,311,276 

Group totals in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2007 do not necessarily equal the sum of amounts disclosed for individuals listed above as there are some different individuals specified 
as Directors in 2008. 

Amounts in the table above reflect remuneration for the time the Director has been in a Key Management Personnel role i.e. pro-rating is applied relative to the date the Director commenced or 
ceased a Key Management Personnel role. 

(1) For Non-Executive Directors, this includes that portion of base fees and committee fees paid as cash. Non-Executive Directors also salary sacrifice 20% of their fees on a mandatory basis 

under the Non-Executive Directors Share Plan (NEDSP). Further details on the NEDSP is contained in Note 33 to the Financial Statements. 

(2) Represents company contribution to superannuation and includes any allocations made by way of salary sacrifice by Directors. 

(3) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired at the 2007 Annual General Meeting on 7 November 2007. 

(4) Cash STI payment represents the amount of cash immediately payable in recognition of performance for the year ended 30 June 2008, with the exception of STI sacrificed to superannuation 
which is included under 'Superannuation'. STI deferred in shares represents the compulsory deferral of 1/3 of the STI payment for the performance year ended 30 June 2008. This amount is 
deferred until 1 July 2011. Generally, Mr Norris will need to be an employee of the Bank at the end of the deferral period to receive this portion. The 2007 financial year figure represents STI 
deferred in cash. The value of LTI Performance Rights under the GLSP and Reward Shares under the ERP has been calculated using a Monte-Carlo simulation method. Details on the 
assumptions incorporated are set out on page 70 under Reward Shares Valuation Assumptions and Performance Rights Valuation Assumptions. 

68     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Individual remuneration details for Executives for the year ended 30 June 2008 are set out below: 

Remuneration of Executives 

Short Term Benefits 

Cash  
(1)

Fixed 
$ 

Non 
Monetary  
Fixed 
$ 

(2)

Cash STI 
payment  
(3)
At Risk 

STI Deferred 
in Shares 
(4)
At Risk 

Other Short 
Term 
Benefits 

(5)

$ 

$ 

$ 

Post-
employ-
ment 
Benefits 

Super-
annuation 

(6)

Fixed 
$ 

Share-based Payments 

Performance
Rights 

(7)

LTI Reward 
Shares  
(7)

At Risk 

LTI 
Performance 
Units At Risk 
(7)

Other Long 
Term 
Benefits 

(8)

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Total 
 Remuneration
$ 

B J Chapman 
2008 
2007 
D Cohen (9) 
2008 
2007 
D P Craig  
2008 
2007 
S I Grimshaw  
2008 
2007 
M R Harte 
2008 
2007  
G L Mackrell  
2008 
2007 
R M McEwan 
2008 
2007 
J K O’Sullivan (10) 
2008 
2007 
G A Petersen 
2008 
2007 
A Toevs (11) 
2008 
2007 
Total Remuneration (12) 
2008 
2007 

931,854 
113,426 

1,406,154 
1,215,608 

862,067 
632,568 

770,205 
600,724 

924,144 
116,999 

486,042 
848,665 

1,022,877 
442,521 

1,130,595 
- 

8,375,607 
5,756,239 

807,709 
112,213 

13,763 
9,726 

666,667 
312,164 

333,333 
331,674 

263,352 
144,739 

49,838 
601,128 

263,692 
- 

133,247 
125,259 

110,997 
397,554 

18,703 
16,535 

2,661,301 
2,050,992 

33,960 
- 

564 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

2,271 
- 

263,692 
- 

- 
- 

13,763 
8,236 

1,000,000 
306,647 

500,000 
325,812 

100,000 
- 

86,128 
774,720 

301,362 
- 

177,673 
142,138 

13,507 
10,200 

1,000,000 
556,600 

500,000 
591,388 

- 
- 

94,030 
81,288 

376,703 
- 

715,296 
1,713,785 

13,653 
10,260 

866,667 
296,100 

433,333 
314,606 

73,756 
310,618 

49,352 
42,500 

263,692 
- 

111,929 
111,929 

13,763 
10,260 

633,333 
415,000 

316,667 
440,938 

- 
- 

173,753 
202,503 

301,362 
- 

534,536 
1,270,275 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

786 
- 

301,273 
- 

22,094 
14,935 

3,132,874 
1,685,914 

32,560 
28,148 

4,138,250 
4,197,017 

19,961 
14,647 

2,694,410 
1,733,228 

20,178 
18,599 

2,763,797 
2,958,299 

13,653 
1,321 

1,000,000 
47,612 

500,000 
50,588 

101,036 
17,725 

93,838 
8,730 

376,703 
- 

- 
- 

238,692 
181,058 

22,094 
2,729 

3,270,160 
426,762 

8,160 
10,260 

- 
332,645 

- 
395,935 

13,763 
10,260 

733,333 
410,576 

366,667 
436,237 

- 
- 

- 
- 

33,677 
96,800 

- 
- 

(78,900) 
734,820 

50,000 
476,449 

339,033 
- 

400,040 
607,463 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

61,222 
- 

2,186 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
19,651 

448,979 
2,438,776 

23,685 
19,945 

2,949,398 
2,403,451 

42,374 
- 

1,236,377 
- 

104,589 
92,757 

5,900,000 
2,677,344 

2,950,000 
2,887,178 

599,366 
473,082 

635,073 
4,582,851 

2,486,239 
- 

1,993,821 
6,150,372 

349,689 
578,612 

202,435 
135,189 

23,596,819 
27,792,307 

Other Executives (13) 
W Negus 
2008 
2007 

1,022,877 
1,004,395 

13,763 
10,260 

1,466,666 
888,000 

- 
943,500 

- 
- 

50,000 
67,164 

- 
- 

212,720 
212,720 

304,157 
1,779,157 

23,685 
23,257 

3,093,868 
4,928,453 

Total Remuneration of Executives 
2008 
2007 

9,398,484 
6,760,634 

118,352 
103,017 

7,366,666 
3,565,344 

2,950,000 
3,830,678 

599,366 
473,082 

685,073 
4,650,015 

2,486,239 
- 

2,206,541 
6,363,092 

653,846 
2,357,769 

226,120 
158,446 

26,690,687 
32,720,760 

Grand totals in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2007 do not necessarily equal the sum of amounts disclosed for individuals listed above as there are different individuals specified as 
Executives in 2008. 

Amounts in the table above reflect remuneration for the time the Executive has been in a Key Management Personnel role i.e. pro-rating is applied relative to the date the Executive commenced 
or ceased a Key Management Personnel role. 

1) Reflects the amounts paid in the year ended 30 June 2008 and is calculated on a total cost basis. Included may be annual leave accruals and salary sacrifice amounts with the exception of 

salary sacrifice superannuation which is included under 'Superannuation'. For Mr Toevs, this also includes a cash payment upon commencement. 

(2) Represents the cost of car parking (including FBT). 

(3) Cash STI payment represents the amount of cash immediately payable to an Executive in recognition of performance for the year ended 30 June 2008, with the exception of STI sacrificed to 

superannuation which is included under 'Superannuation'. 

(4) STI deferred in Shares represents the compulsory deferral of 1/3 of STI payments for Executives for performance to the year ended 30 June 2008. These amounts are deferred until 1 July 
2011. Generally, the Executive will need to be an employee of the Group at the end of the deferral period to receive this portion. The 2007 financial year figure represents STI deferred in 
cash. 

(5) All Other Short Term Benefits payable that are not covered above. 

(6) Represents company contribution to superannuation and includes any allocations made by way of salary sacrifice by Executives. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

(7) The ‘fair value’ of LTI performance rights under the GLSP and ERP reward shares has been calculated using a Monte-Carlo simulation method, incorporating the 
assumptions below: 

Reward Share Valuation Assumptions 

Purchase Date 

Fair Value  

Exercise Price 

Risk Free Rate  Assumption Term 

Dividend Yield  

Volatility 

22-Sep-04 
5-Nov-04 
23-Nov-05 
3-Nov-06 

$16.72 
$19.72 
$24.51 
$30.62 

$0.00 
$0.00 
$0.00 
$0.00 

5. 48% 
5. 61% 
5. 65% 
6. 04% 

59 mths 
57 mths 
56 mths 
47 mths 

Nil 
Nil 
Nil 
Nil 

15. 0% 
15. 0% 
15. 0% 
15. 0% 

Performance Rights Valuation Assumptions 
12-Oct-07 

$53.50 

$0.00 

7. 75% 

33 mths 

5. 94% 

15. 0% 

- The Reward Shares assessment has been made as at purchase date for each ERP grant based on the expected future TSR performance of the Bank and each 

member of its peer group. The annualised equivalent of the ‘fair value’ in respect of the number of shares for each grant has been amortised on a straight line basis 
over the term of the grant.  

- The Performance Rights assessment under the GLSP has been made at grant date based on the expected future NPAT growth (using TSR) and customer satisfaction 
outcomes of the Group and each member of the peer group. The annualised equivalent of the ‘fair value’ in respect of the number of performance rights for the grant 
has been amortised on a straight line basis over the term of the grant. 

- For the GLSP, the final allocation pool can only be determined at the end of the performance period. As each participant’s allocation is based on the proportion of the 

pool that may vest, the above assumptions have been used to determine the maximum number of performance rights that may vest. Each participant has been 
granted their allocated percentage of the pool based on the above valuation assumptions.  

(8) All other benefits payable that are not covered above. 

 For Mr Toevs, this represents equity arrangements offered at commencement.  

(9) Mr Cohen commenced in his role on 16 June 2008. 

(10) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008 

(11) Mr Toevs commenced in his role on 23 June 2008 

(12) Termination benefits to the value of $4,458,683 were included in the total remuneration for Executives for the year ended 30 June 2007. No termination benefits 

were paid in the year ended 30 June 2008. 

(13) Mr Negus, who is not a Key Management Personnel, and Messrs Craig, Grimshaw, McEwan and Petersen are the five executives who received the highest 

remuneration for the year ended 30 June 2008 as defined in the Section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Termination Arrangements of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

The Group’s executive contracts provide for the following termination arrangements for KMP and Other Executives: 

Name 
B J Chapman 

Contract Type 
Permanent 

Permanent 
Permanent 
Permanent 
Permanent 
Permanent 
Permanent 

D Cohen 
D P Craig 
S I Grimshaw 
M R Harte 
G L Mackrell 
R M McEwan 

J K O’Sullivan (2) 
G A Petersen 
A Toevs 

Other Executives 
W Negus 

Notice 
4 weeks 

6 months 
4 weeks 
3 months 
4 weeks 
4 weeks 
3 months 

Severance (1) 
Linked to years of service with a maximum of 64 
weeks payment after 19 years service (including ASB 
service) 
6 months 
6 months 
12 months 
6 months 
6 months 
Linked to years of service with a maximum of 64 
weeks payment after 19 years service (including ASB 
service) 
12 months 
6 months 
If terminated in first two years, the greater of 
$5,000,000 or remuneration for remainder of term 

Permanent 
Permanent 
2 year term with the option to 
extend to a maximum of 3 years 

4 weeks 
4 weeks 
Not Applicable 

Fixed Term, expires on 1 June 
2009 

Not Applicable 

None 

(1) Severance applies where termination is initiated by the Group, other than for misconduct or unsatisfactory performance.  

(2) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

Upon  ceasing  employment  with  the  Group,  executives  are 
entitled to receive their statutory entitlements of accrued annual 
and  long  service  leave,  as  well  as  accrued  superannuation 
benefits.  

Executives  who  cease  employment  with  the  Group  during  a 
given performance year (i.e. 1 July to 30 June) will generally not 
receive  an  STI  payment 
the 
for 
circumstances of retrenchment, retirement or death. 

that  year  except 

in 

Deferred cash or shares from previous STI awards are usually 
forfeited  where  the  executive  resigns  or  is  dismissed.  In 
circumstances  of  retrenchment,  retirement  or  death  any  cash 
will  generally  be  paid  and  unvested  shares  will  generally  vest 
immediately.  LTI  grants  are  generally  forfeited  where  the 
executive  resigns  or 
In  circumstances  of 
is  dismissed. 
retrenchment, retirement or death, the executive or their estate 
may, at Board discretion, retain their full or pro-rata grant of LTI. 
Vesting of any LTI retained by the executive will still be subject 
to the performance hurdle relevant to that grant. 

70     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

STI Allocations to Executives for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Directors 
R J Norris 
Executives 
B J Chapman  
D Cohen (4) 
D P Craig  
S I Grimshaw 
M R Harte 
G L Mackrell 
R M McEwan  
J K O’Sullivan (5) 
G A Petersen 
A Toevs (6) 
Other Executives  
W Negus 

Portion Paid
Paid 

Percentage
Forfeited
% 

Portion
 (1)

Deferred

Minimum Total 
(2)  

Value 

Maximum Total
(3)

Value 

$ 

$ 

2/3 

2/3 
- 
2/3 
2/3 
2/3 
2/3 
2/3 
- 
2/3 
- 

100% 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
100 
- 
- 

- 

1/3 

1/3 
- 
1/3 
1/3 
1/3 
1/3 
1/3 
- 
1/3 
- 

- 

1,900,000 

2,850,000 

666,667 
- 
1,000,000 
1,000,000 
866,667 
633,333 
1,000,000 
- 
733,333 
- 

1,000,000 
- 
1,500,000 
1,500,000 
1,300,000 
950,000 
1,500,000 
- 
1,100,000 
- 

1,466,666 

1,466,666 

(1) Used to acquire shares in the Bank that will generally vest on 1 July 2011 subject to not being forfeited due to resignation or misconduct including misrepresentation 

of performance outcomes. Will generally vest early in circumstances of retrenchment, retirement or death. 

(2) For those executives with a minimum total value greater than zero, this reflects the 2/3 component of the STI payment which is immediately payable determined by 
actual performance over the year ended 30 June 2008. Executives generally do not receive an STI payment unless their individual performance is at least meeting 
expectations. 

(3) Includes value of shares purchased at commencement of vesting period for the deferred portion. 

(4) Mr Cohen commenced employment on 16 June 2008. 

(5) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

(6) Mr Toevs commenced employment on 23 June 2008. 

LTI Allocations to Executives for the Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Percentage 
Paid 
% 

Percentage
Forfeited
% 

Percentage
Deferred (1) 
% 

Current
Allocation
(Percentage of
Pool) (2) 

Minimum Total 
Value 
$ 

Maximum Total
Value (3)
$000s 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

100 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
- 
100 
- 

- 

34 

7 
7 
8 
10 
7 
8 
10 
- 
9 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

11,560 

2,380 
2,380 
2,720 
3,400 
2.380 
2,720 
3,400 
- 
3,060 
- 

- 

Directors 
R J Norris 
Executives 
B J Chapman  
D Cohen (4) 
D P Craig 
S I Grimshaw 
M R Harte 
G L Mackrell 
R M McEwan 
J K O’Sullivan (5) 
G A Petersen 
A Toevs (6) 
Other Executives 
W Negus (3) 

(1) Will vest in July 2010 under the GSLP subject to the performance conditions and the performance hurdle being met (see page 60). 

(2) Each participant’s allocated percentage of the proportion of the pool that may vest (capped at $34 million). See page 60. 

(3) Equals the participant’s allocated percentage of the maximum pool that may vest – $34 million, except for Mr Negus who participates in a cash settled LTI style 

arrangement that is specific to Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFS GAM). Allocations under this arrangement vest depending on the CFS GAM net 
profit before tax growth rate over three years. 

(4) Mr Cohen commenced employment on 16 June 2008. 

(5) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

(6) Mr Toevs commenced employment on 23 June 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Equity Holdings of Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 
Shareholdings 

Share trading policy 

All  shares  were  acquired  by  Directors  on  normal  terms  and 
conditions or through the Non-Executive Directors’ Share Plan. 

Shares  awarded  under  the  Equity  Reward  Plan  and  the 
mandatory  component  of  the  Equity  Participation  Plan  are 
registered  in  the  name  of  the  Trustee  of  the  employee  share 
plan  trust.  For  further  details  of  the  Non-Executive  Directors’ 
Share  Plan,  previous  Equity  Reward  Plan,  previous  Executive 
Option Plan and Equity Participation Plan refer to Note 33 to the 
Financial Statements. 

The  Group  has  guidelines  restricting  the  dealings  of  Directors 
and certain executives in Bank securities. In particular, they are 
instruments  or 
prohibited 
arrangements  for  margin  borrowing,  short  selling  or  stock 
lending  in  relation  to  securities  of  the  Bank  or  of  any  other 
member of the Group.  

from  hedging  and 

from  using 

Directors  and  executives  are  reminded  of  the  share  trading 
policy each six months and are required to complete an annual 
declaration confirming their compliance with the policy. 

Details  of  shareholdings  of  Key  Management  Personnel  and 
Other  Executives  (or  close  family  or  entities  controlled,  jointly 
controlled, or significantly influenced by them, or any entity over 
which any of the aforementioned hold significant voting power) 
are as follows: 

Shares Held by Directors 

Name 
Directors 
J M Schubert 
R J Norris 

J A Anderson 
R J Clairs  
C R Galbraith 
J S Hemstritch  
S C H Kay 
F D Ryan 
D J Turner 
H H Young 
W G Kent (3)  
F J Swan (3) 

Total For Directors 

Class 

Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 

Balance 
1 July 2007  

24,418 
10,000 
191,238 
10,000 
17,886 
11,404 
15,565 
5,901 
9,196 
301 
20,000 
17,070 
8,181 
149,922 
191,238 

Acquired/Granted 
as 

Remuneration 

(1)

On Exercise of 
Options 

Net Change  

(2)

Other 

2,890 
- 
- 
773 
1,014 
992 
926 
1,036 
1,146 
940 
866 
441 
497 
11,521 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
792 
- 
658 
- 
2,100 
5,000 
- 
1,131 
1,689 
- 
11,370 
- 

Balance 
30 June 2008  

27,308 
10,000 
191,238 
11,565 
18,900 
13,054 
16,491 
9,037 
15,342 
1,241 
21,997 
19,200 
8,678 
172,813 
191,238 

(1) For Non-Executive Directors, represents shares acquired under NEDSP on 20 August 2007 and 4 March 2008 by mandatory sacrifice of fees. All shares acquired 
through NEDSP are subject to a 10 year trading restriction (shares will be tradeable earlier if the Director leaves the Board). For Mr Norris this represents Reward 
Shares granted under the ERP subject to performance hurdles. For the ERP, the first possible date for meeting the performance hurdle is 14 July 2009 with the last 
possible date for vesting being 14 July 2010. See Note 33 to the Financial Statements for further details on the NEDSP and ERP. 

(2) “Net Change Other” incorporates changes resulting from purchases and sales during the year. 

(3) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired at the 2007 Annual General Meeting on 7 November 2007. 

72     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Shares Held by Executives 

Name 
Executives 
B J Chapman  

D Cohen (4) 

D P Craig  

S I Grimshaw 

M R Harte 

G L Mackrell 

R M McEwan  

J K O’Sullivan (5) 

G A Petersen 

A Toevs (6) 

Other Executives 
W Negus 

Total for 
Executives 

(1)

Class 

Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Deferred Shares 

Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Deferred Shares 

Balance  
30 June 2007

Acquired/Granted
as  
Remuneration  

On Exercise of 
Options 

Reward 
Shares 
(2)

Vested 

Net Change  

(3)

Other 

- 
17,046 
- 
- 
- 
22,728 
29,999 
105,140 
- 
14,318 
39,808 
80,018 
- 
- 
45,767 
69,770 
14,652 
64,780 
- 
- 
- 

3,680 
40,500 
133,906 
414,300 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
37,784 

- 
- 
- 
- 
37,784 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(37,500) 
- 
- 
- 
(28,130) 
- 
- 
- 
(25,940) 
- 
(19,500) 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
(111,070) 
- 

450 
- 
- 
- 
6,000 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,388 
- 
- 
- 
25,940 
(43,830) 
(1,287) 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
33,491 
(43,830) 
- 

Balance  
30 June 2008 

450 
17,046 
- 
- 
6,000 
22,728 
29,999 
67,640 
- 
14,318 
42,196 
51,888 
- 
- 
71,707 
- 
13,365 
45,280 
- 
- 
37,784 

3,680 
40,500 
167,397 
259,400 
37,784 

(1) Reward Shares represents shares granted under the Equity Reward Plan (ERP) and are subject to a performance hurdle. The last possible date for vesting is 14 

July 2010. See Note 33 to the Financial Statements for further details on the ERP. 

(2) Reward Shares become ordinary shares upon vesting. 

(3) “Net Change Other” incorporates changes resulting from purchases, sales and forfeitures during the year. 

(4) Mr Cohen commenced employment on 16 June 2008. 

(5) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

(6) Mr Toevs commenced employment on 23 June 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
1 

9 
6 

10 
7 

1 
1 

11 
8 

Highest
Balance
in Period
$000s 

3,181 

2,852 
936 
215 
100 
3,544 
647 
748 
3,874 
2,702 

Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Total Loans to Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

Year Ended
30 June

Balance  
1 July 
$000s 

Interest 
Charged
$000s 

Interest Not 
Charged 
$000s 

Write-off

$000s 

Balance 
30 June 
$000s 

Number in 
Group at
30 June 

Directors 

Executives  

Total for Key 
Management 
Personnel 

Other Executives  

Total 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

3,648 
464 

6,103 
9,178 

9,751 
9,642 

1,442 
554 

11,193 
10,196 

258 
21 

781 
425 

1,039 
446 

68 
35 

1,107 
481 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

2,795 
464 

12,369 
5,965 

15,164 
6,429 

1,335 
443 

16,499 
6,872 

Details of Individuals with Loans above $100,000 in the reporting period are as follows: 

Individual Loans above $100,000 to Key Management Personnel and Other Executives 

Balance 
1 July 2007 
$000s 

Interest
Charged
$000s 

Interest Not
Charged
$000s 

Write-off

$000s 

Balance 
30 June 2008 
$000s 

Directors 
R J Norris (1) 
Executives 
B J Chapman (1)  
D Cohen 
D P Craig 
S I Grimshaw 
M R Harte 
G L Mackrell 
R M McEwan (1) 
J K O’Sullivan (2) 
G A Petersen 
Total for Key  
Management Personnel 

Other Executives  
W Negus 
Total for Other Executives 
Total for Key Management 
Personnel & Other Executives 

3,648 

- 
936 
- 
- 
- 
647 
279 
3,599 
642 

9,751 

1,442 
1,442 

258 

153 
75 
5 
- 
218 
1 
39 
200 
90 

1,039 

68 
68 

11,193 

1,107 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

2,795 

2,679 
936 
213 
50 
3,394 
647 
460 
3,013 
977 

15,164 

18,799 

1,335 
1,335 

1,845 
1,845 

16,499 

20,644 

(1) Balance declared in NZD for Mr Norris, Ms Chapman and Mr McEwan. Exchange rates are taken from Forex as at 30 June 2008 for interest charged, 30 June 2008 

balances and highest balance in period. The exchange rate as at 30 June 2007 has been used for the 1 July 2007 balances. 

(2) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

74     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report - Remuneration Report 

Terms and Conditions of Loans  

Transactions other than Financial Instrument Transactions 

of Banks 

All  other  transactions  with  Key  Management  Personnel,  Other 
Executives and their related entities and other related parties are 
conducted  on  an  arm’s  length  basis  in  the  normal  course  of 
business  and  on  commercial  terms  and  conditions.  These 
transactions  principally  involve  the  provision  of  financial  and 
investment services by entities not controlled by the Group. 

Audit 

Certain  disclosures  required  by  the  Corporations  Act  2001  and 
accounting standard  AASB124  Related Party  Disclosures have 
been  made 
this  Remuneration  Report.  The  entire 
Remuneration Report has been audited as required. 

in 

All loans to Key  Management Personnel and  Other Executives 
(or close family members or entities controlled, jointly controlled, 
or significantly influenced by them, or any entity over which any 
of the aforementioned held significant voting power) have been 
provided on an arm’s length commercial basis including the term 
of the loan, security required and the interest rate (which may be 
fixed or variable). 

Other Transactions of Key Management Personnel and 
Other Executives and Related Parties 

Financial Instrument Transactions 

Financial  instrument  transactions  (other  than  loans  and  shares 
disclosed within this report) of Key Management Personnel and 
Other Executives occur in the ordinary course of business on an 
arm’s length basis. 

Disclosure of financial instrument transactions regularly made as 
part of normal banking operations is limited to disclosure of such 
transactions  with  Key  Management  Personnel  and  Other 
Executives  and  entities  controlled  or  significantly  influenced  by 
them. 

All  such  financial  instrument  transactions  that  have  occurred 
between  entities  within  the  Group  and  their  Key  Management 
Personnel and Other Executives have been trivial or domestic in 
nature  and  were  in  the  nature  of  normal  personal  banking  and 
deposit transactions. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     75 

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

Company Secretaries 

Audit Services 

The  details  of  the  Bank’s  Company  Secretaries,  including  their 
experience and qualifications are set out below. 

John  Hatton  has  been  Company  Secretary  of 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia since 1994. 

the 

From 1985 until 1994, he was a solicitor with the Bank’s Legal 
Department. 

He has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Sydney University and 
was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales. He is a Fellow 
of  Chartered  Secretaries  Australia  and  a  Member  of  the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Carla  Collingwood  was  appointed  a  Company  Secretary  to  the 
Bank in July 2005.  

From 1994 until 2005, she was a solicitor with the Bank’s Legal 
Services Department, before being appointed to the position of 
General  Manager,  Secretariat.  She  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Laws 
degree (Hons.) and a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretary 
Practice from Chartered Secretaries Australia.  

Non-Audit Services 

Amounts  paid  or  payable  to  PricewaterhouseCoopers  for  non-
audit services provided during the year, as set out in the Annual 
Report in Note 38 to the Financial Statements are as follows: 

Regulatory audits, reviews, attestations and 
assurances for Group entities – Australia 
APRA reporting (including the tripartite review) 

Financial and other audits, reviews, attestations 
and assurances for Group entities - Australia 
Financial and other audits, reviews, attestations 
and assurances for Group entities – Offshore 
Agreed upon procedures and comfort letters in 
respect of financing, debt raising and related 
activities 
Taxation services 

Controls review and related work 

Other 

Total 

2008
$’000 

135 

245 

26 

544 

272 

2,011 

1,680 

982 

5,895 

(1) An additional amount of $5,877,085 was paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers 
by way of fees for entities not consolidated into the Financial Statements. 
Of this amount $4,527,545 relates to statutory audits. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

Amounts 
audit 
PricewaterhouseCoopers totalled $14,041,000.  

payable 

paid 

for 

or 

services 

to 

The  Bank  has  in  place  an  External  Auditor  Services  Policy, 
details of which are set out in the Corporate Governance section 
of this Annual Report, to assist in ensuring the independence of 
the Bank’s external auditor.  

The  Audit  Committee  has  considered  the  provision,  during  the 
year, of non-audit services by PricewaterhouseCoopers and has 
those  services  did  not 
concluded 
compromise  the  auditor  independence  requirements  of  the 
Corporations Act.  

the  provision  of 

that 

The  Audit  Committee  advised  the  Board  accordingly  and,  after 
considering  the  Committee’s  advice,  the  Board  of  Directors 
agreed  that  it  was  satisfied  that  the  provision  of  the  non-audit 
services  by  PricewaterhouseCoopers  during  the  year  was 
compatible with the general standard of independence imposed 
by the Corporations Act.  

The reasons for the Directors being satisfied that the provision of 
the  non-audit  services  during  the  year  did  not  compromise  the 
auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act are: 

•  The operation of the External Auditor Services Policy during 
the  year 
the  nature  of  non-audit  services 
engagements,  to  prohibit  certain  services  and  to  require 
Audit Committee pre-approval for all such engagements; and  

to  restrict 

•  The  relative  quantum  of  fees  paid  for  non-audit  services 

compared to the quantum of audit fees.  

The  above  Directors’  statements  are  in  accordance  with  the 
advice received from the Audit Committee.  

Auditor’s Declaration of Independence 

We  have  obtained  an  independence  declaration  from  our 
auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers as presented on the following 
page.  

Incorporation of Additional Material 

This  report incorporates the  Chairman’s Statement (pages 2 to 
3), Highlights (pages 6 to 9), Analysis sections for Retail Banking 
Services (pages 14 to 15), Premium Business Services (pages 
to  21)  and 
16 
to  24)  and 
International  Financial  Services 
Shareholding  Information  (pages  226  to  229)  sections  of  this 
Annual report. 

to  17),  Wealth  Management  (pages  18 
(pages  22 

J M Schubert 

Chairman 

13 August 2008 

R J Norris 

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer 

76     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Directors’ Report 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     77 

 
 
 
This page has been intentionally left blank. 

78     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Five Year Financial Summary 

2008
$M 

7,907 
6,434 
14,341 
930 

7,021 
- 
7,021 

6,390 
(1,626)
(31)
4,733 
9 
60 
(42)
295 
(264)
- 
- 

2007
$M 

7,036 
6,161 
13,197 
434 

6,427 
- 
6,427 

6,336 
(1,782)
(27)
4,527 
5 
(75)
13 
- 
- 
- 
- 

AIFRS 

(1) 

AGAAP 

(1)

2006 
$M 

6,514 
5,613 
12,127 
398 

5,994 
- 
5,994 

5,735 
(1,618) 
(31) 
4,086 
(25) 
(100) 
(33) 
- 
- 
- 
- 

2005 
$M

6,026   
5,076   
11,102   
322   

5,719   
150   
5,869   

4,911 
(1,409)   
(10)   
3,492   
(53)  
(39)  
-  - 
-   
-   
-   
- 

2004
$M 

5,410 
5,081 
10,491 
276 

5,500 
749 
6,249 

3,966 
(1,262)
(9)
2,695 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
201 
(324)

4,791 

4,470 

3,928 

3,400   

2,572 

1,904 
1,480 
756 
563 
43 
4,746 
(13)
- 
- 
4,733 
9 
60 
(42)
295 
(264)
- 
- 
4,791 

1,766 
1,445 
548 
461 
211 
4,431 
96 
- 
- 
4,527 
5 
(75)
13 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,470 

1,576 
1,138 
441 
442 
278 
3,875 
66 
- 
145 
4,086 
(25) 
(100) 
(33) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
3,928 

n/a   
n/a   
n/a   
n/a   
n/a   
3,420   
177   
(105)   
-   
3,492   
(53)  
(39)  
-   
- 
- 
- 
-   
3,400   

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
3,078 
152 
(535)
- 
2,695 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(324)
201 
2,572 

361,282 
487,572 

263,706 
461,435 

26,137 
16,422 

315,465 
440,157 

219,068 
415,713 

24,444 
15,158 

273,525 
382,850 

243,232   
351,662   

187,576 
361,507 

182,912   
329,019   

21,343 
12,087 

22,643   
10,938   

189,391 
305,995 

163,177 
281,110 

22,405 
17,700 

205,501(2) 

245,347 

216,438 

189,559   

169,321 

385,667 
362,249 

332,492 
311,236 

289,416 
269,718 

260,085   
240,974   

214,187 
197,532 

410,225 
54,312 
23,035 
487,572 

360,188 
55,160 
24,809 
440,157 

318,578 
43,318 
20,954 
382,850 

294,513   
41,383   
15,766   
351,662   

252,652 
35,059 
18,284 
305,995 

Income Statement  
Net interest income  
Other operating income  
Total operating income 
Loan Impairment expense 
Operating expenses: 

Comparable business 
Initiatives including Which new Bank 

Total operating expenses 
Operating profit before goodwill amortisation, appraisal 
value uplift and income tax expense 
Corporate tax expense 
Minority interests 
Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) 
Defined benefit superannuation plan income/(expense) 
Treasury shares valuation adjustment 
Hedging and AIFRS volatility 
Visa Initial Public Offering gain after tax 
Investment and restructuring  
Appraisal value uplift 
Goodwill amortisation 
Net profit after income tax attributable to Equity holders of 
the Bank 

Contributions to profit (after tax) 
Retail Banking Services 
Premium Business Services  
Wealth Management 
International Financial Services 
Other 
Net profit after income tax (“underlying basis”) 
Shareholder investment returns  
Which new Bank 
Profit on sale of the Hong Kong Insurance Business 
Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) 
Defined benefit superannuation plan (expense)/income 
Treasury shares valuation adjustment 
Hedging and AIFRS volatility 
Visa Initial Public Offering gain after tax 
Strategic investment initiatives and asset write-offs 
Goodwill amortisation 
Appraisal value uplift 
Net profit after income tax 

Balance Sheet 
Loans, advances and other receivables 
Total assets  

Deposits and other public borrowings 
Total liabilities 

Shareholders’ equity  
Net tangible assets 

Risk weighted assets 

Average interest earning assets  
Average interest bearing liabilities 

Assets (on Balance Sheet) 

Australia 
New Zealand 
Other  
Total assets 

(1) The Group adopted AIFRS accounting standards for the reporting period beginning 1 July 2004. As a result the 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 results are presented on 

an AIFRS basis, while the 2004 result is presented on the previous AGAAP basis. 

(2) Risk weighted assets for 30 June 2008 are calculated in accordance with the Group’s advanced accreditation under Basel II. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
Five Year Financial Summary 

Shareholder Summary 
Dividend per share – fully franked (cents) 
Dividend cover – statutory (times) 
Dividend cover – cash (times) 
Dividend cover – underlying (times) 
Earnings per share (cents) 

Basic 

Statutory 
Cash basis  
Underlying basis  

Fully diluted 
Statutory 
Cash basis  
Underlying basis 
Dividend payout ratio (%) 

Statutory  
Cash basis 
Underlying basis  

Net tangible assets per share ($) 
Weighted average number of shares (statutory basic) 
Weighted average number of shares (statutory fully diluted) 
Weighted average number of shares (cash basic) 
Weighted average number of shares (cash fully diluted) 
Number of Shareholders  
Share prices for the year ($) 

Trading high 
Trading low  
End (closing price) 

Performance Ratios (%) 
Return on average Shareholders’ equity  

Statutory  
Cash basis  
Underlying basis 

Return on average total assets 

Statutory  
Cash basis  
Underlying basis  

Capital adequacy – Tier One 
Capital adequacy – Tier Two 
Capital adequacy – Deductions 
Capital adequacy – Total  
Net interest margin 

Other Information (numbers) 
Full-time equivalent employees  
Branches/services centres (Australia) 
Agencies (Australia) 
ATMs (proprietary) 
EFTPOS terminals  
EzyBanking locations  

2008

2007

2006

2005 

2004

AIFRS 

(1) 

AGAAP 

(1)

266 
1. 3 
1. 3 
1. 3 

363. 0 
356. 9 
357. 9 

348. 7 
343. 1 
344. 0 

74. 1 
75. 0 
74. 8 
12. 4 
1,307 
1,424 
1,313 
1,430 
741,072 

62. 16 
37. 02 
40. 17 

19. 8 
20. 4 
20. 4 

1. 0 
1. 0 
1. 0 
8. 17 
3. 41 
- 
11. 58 
2. 02 

39,621 
1,009 
3,814 
3,301 
187,377 
930 

256 
1. 3 
1. 3 
1. 3 

344. 7 
347. 1 
339. 6 

339. 7 
342. 1 
335. 0 

75. 2 
74. 2 
75. 8 
11. 7 
1,281 
1,344 
1,289 
1,351 
696,118 

56. 16 
42. 98 
55. 25 

20. 7 
21. 7 
21. 2 

1. 1 
1. 1 
1. 1 
7. 14 
3. 41 
(0. 79)
9. 76 
2. 08 

224 
1. 4 
1. 4 
1. 3 

308. 2 
318. 5 
302. 0 

303. 1 
312. 9 
297. 1 

73. 3 
70. 5 
74. 3 
9. 4 
1,275 
1,329 
1,283 
1,338 
698,552 

47. 41 
36. 62 
44. 41 

20. 4 
21. 5 
20. 4 

1. 1 
1. 1 
1. 1 
7. 56 
3. 10 
(1. 00)
9. 66 
2. 22 

197   
1. 3   
1. 3   
1. 3   

259. 6   
264. 8   
259. 2   

255. 3   
260. 5   
255. 0   

77. 0   
74. 9   
76. 5   
8. 5   
1,260   
1,316   
1,269   
1,325   
704,906   

38. 52   
28. 79   
37. 95   

18. 2   
18. 8   
18. 4   

1. 0   
1. 1   
1. 0   
7. 46   
3. 21   
(0. 92)   
9. 75   
2. 29   

183 
1. 1 
1. 1 
1. 3 

196. 9 
206. 6 
237. 1 

196. 8 
206. 5 
237. 0 

93. 5 
89. 1 
77. 6 
12. 2 
1,256 
1,257 
1,256 
1,257 
714,901 

33. 54 
27. 00 
32. 58 

12. 5 
12. 7 
14. 6 

0. 9 
0. 9 
1. 1 
7. 43 
3. 93 
(1. 11)
10. 25 
2. 53 

37,873 
1,010 
3,833 
3,242 
171,138 
907 

36,664 
1,005 
3,836 
3,191 
157,350 
862 

35,313   
1,006   
3,864   
3,154   
137,240   
841   

36,296 
1,012 
3,866 
3,109 
126,049 
815 

Productivity 
Total net operating income per full-time (equivalent) 
employee ($) 
Employee expense/Total operating income (%) 
Total operating expenses/Total operating income (%) 

361,955 
25. 5 
49. 0 

348,454 
24. 5 
48. 7 

330,760 
23. 3 
49. 4 

314,388   
24. 1   
52. 9   

289,040 
24. 3 
59. 6 

(1) The Group adopted AIFRS accounting standards for the reporting period beginning 1 July 2004. As a result the 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 results are presented on 

an AIFRS basis, while the 2004 result is presented on the previous AGAAP basis. 

80     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
Income Statements 
Balance Sheets  

Statements of Recognised Income and Expense 

Statements of Cash Flows 

Note 1 

Note 2 

Note 3 

Note 4 

Note 5 

Note 6 

Note 7 

Note 8 

Note 9 

Note 10 

Note 11 

Note 12 

Note 13 

Note 14 

Note 15 

Note 16 

Note 17 

Note 18 

Note 19 

Note 20 

Note 21 

Note 22 

Note 23 

Note 24 

Note 25 

Note 26 

Note 27 

Note 28 

Note 29 

Note 30 

Note 31 

Note 32 

Note 33 

Note 34 

Note 35 

Note 36 

Note 37 

Note 38 

Note 39 

Note 40 

Note 41 

Note 42 

Note 43 

Note 44 

Note 45 

Note 46 

Note 47 

Note 48 

Note 49 

Accounting Policies  

Profit  

Income from Ordinary Activities 

Average Balances and Related Interest 

Income Tax Expense 

Dividends  

Earnings Per Share  

Cash and Liquid Assets  

Receivables due from Other Financial Institutions  

Assets at Fair Value through Income Statement  

Derivative Assets and Liabilities 

Available-for-Sale Investments  

Loans, Advances and Other Receivables 

Provisions for Impairment 

Credit Risk Management 

Asset Quality 

Shares in and Loans to Controlled Entities 

Investment Property 

Property, Plant and Equipment 

Intangible Assets 

Other Assets 

Assets Held for Sale 

Deposits and Other Public Borrowings 

Payables due to Other Financial Institutions 

Liabilities at Fair Value through Income Statement  

Income Tax Liability 

Other Provisions  

Debt Issues  

Managed Funds Units on Issue 

Bills Payable and Other Liabilities  

Loan Capital  

Detailed Statements of Changes in Equity 

Share Capital 

Minority Interests 

Capital Adequacy 

Financial Reporting by Segments 

Life Insurance Business 

Remuneration of Auditors  

Commitments for Capital Expenditure Not Provided for 

Lease Commitments – Property, Plant and Equipment 

Contingent Liabilities, Assets and Commitments  

Risk Management 

Retirement Benefit Obligations  

Controlled Entities  

Investments in Associated Entities and Joint Ventures  

Director and Executive Disclosures  

Related Party Disclosures  

Notes to the Statements of Cash Flows 

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

Financial Statements 

82
83 

84 

85 

87 

100 

102 

103 

109 

112 

113 

113 

114 

114 

116 

122 

125 

128 

132 

139 

149 

149 

150 

152 

153 

154 

154 

155 

155 

155 

156 

157 

159 

160 

160 

168 

171 

177 

178 

179 

182 

189 

189 

190 

191 

194 

206 

209 

212 

212 

213 

218 

220 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     81 

 
 
Financial Statements 

Income Statements 
For the year ended 30 June 2008 

Interest income 
Interest expense  
Net interest income  
Other operating income  
Net banking operating income (1) 

Funds management income 
Investment (expense)/revenue 
Claims and policyholder liability 
revenue/(expense) 
Net funds management operating income 

Premiums from insurance contracts 
Investment (expense)/revenue  
Claims and policyholder liability expense from 
insurance contracts  
Insurance margin on services operating income 

Total net operating income 

Loan impairment expense  
Operating expenses 
Defined benefit superannuation plan 
income/(expense) 
Net profit before income tax 

Corporate tax expense  
Policyholder tax (benefit)/expense 
Net profit after income tax 
Minority interests 
Net profit attributable to Equity holders of the 
Bank 

Note 
2 
2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2,14,15 
2 

2,43 
2 

5 
5 

2008
$M 
29,234 
21,327 
7,907 
3,559 
11,466 

2,369 
(525)

519 
2,363 

1,373 
(27)

(606)
740 

2007
$M 
23,862 
16,826 
7,036 
3,341 
10,377 

1,871 
2,120 

(2,020)
1,971 

1,117 
858 

(932)
1,043 

Group
2006
$M 
19,758 
13,244 
6,514 
3,036 
9,550 

1,589 
2,098 

(2,064)
1,623 

1,052 
1,031 

(970)
1,113 

2008 
$M 
25,585 
19,667 
5,918 
5,786 
11,704 

Bank
2007
$M 
20,068 
14,916 
5,152 
5,522 
10,674 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

14,569 

13,391 

12,286 

11,704 

10,674 

930 
7,398 

14 
6,255 

1,548 
(115)
4,822 
(31)

4,791 

434 
6,427 

8 
6,538 

1,775 
266 
4,497 
(27)

4,470 

398 
5,994 

(35)
5,859 

1,569 
331 
3,959 
(31)

3,928 

902 
5,593 

14 
5,223 

865 
- 
4,358 
- 

4,358 

390 
4,882 

8 
5,410 

933 
- 
4,477 
- 

4,477 

Group
2006 

(1) Net Banking operating income of the Bank is greater than the Group due to the receipt of tax exempt intragroup dividends. 

2008 

2007 

Note 

Cents per share 

Earnings per share: 

Basic  
Fully diluted  

Dividends per share attributable to shareholders 
of the Bank: 

Ordinary shares 
Trust preferred securities (TPS) – issued 8 
March 2006 

7 
7 

6 

363. 0 
348. 7 

344. 7 
339. 7 

308. 2 
303. 1 

266 

256 

6,850 

7,821 

224 

- 

These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

82     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheets 
As at 30 June 2008 

Assets 
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through Income Statement:  

Trading  
Insurance 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale investments  
Loans, advances and other receivables  
Bank acceptances of customers  
Shares in and loans to controlled entities  
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment in associates 
Intangible assets 
Deferred tax assets 
Other assets  

Assets held for sale 
Total assets  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public borrowings 
Payables due to other financial institutions  
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement 
Derivative liabilities 
Bank acceptances  
Due to controlled entities  
Current tax liabilities  
Deferred tax liabilities  
Other provisions 
Insurance policy liabilities  
Debt issues 
Managed funds units on issue 
Bills payable and other liabilities  

Loan capital 
Total liabilities 
Net assets  

Shareholders’ Equity 

Share capital: 

Ordinary share capital  
Other equity instruments  

Reserves  
Retained profits  
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Equity 
holders of the Bank  

Minority interests: 

Controlled entities  
Total minority interests 
Total Shareholders’ equity 

Financial Statements 

2008
$M 

7,736 
6,984 

21,676 
20,650 
3,266 
18,232 
11,488 
361,282 
18,278 
- 
1,640 
906 
8,258 
76 
6,492 
486,964 
608 
487,572 

263,706 
17,672 
15,526 
19,541 
18,278 
- 
768 
266 
1,174 
18,495 
85,817 
1,109 
7,524 
449,876 
11,559 
461,435 
26,137 

Group 
2007 
$M 

10,108 
5,495 

21,469 
23,519 
4,073 
12,743 
9,672 
315,465 
18,721 
- 
1,436 
836 
7,835 
254 
7,157 
438,783 
1,374 
440,157 

219,068 
14,386 
16,396 
16,680 
18,721 
- 
882 
908 
878 
21,613 
88,525 
310 
7,346 
405,713 
10,000 
415,713 
24,444 

2008 
$M 

7,282 
6,731 

19,168 
- 
274 
19,287 
27,067 
309,714 
18,278 
37,472 
1,336 
757 
2,826 
54 
5,369 
455,615 
412 
456,027 

240,871 
17,625 
2,930 
19,367 
18,278 
54,119 
708 
19 
983 
- 
55,778 
- 
6,301 
416,979 
11,620 
428,599 
27,428 

Bank
2007
$M 

7,401 
5,772 

20,287 
- 
448 
13,862 
8,468 
262,967 
18,721 
37,596 
1,112 
749 
2,788 
25 
6,786 
386,982 
21 
387,003 

194,630 
14,322 
5,206 
16,786 
18,721 
45,642 
800 
91 
734 
- 
47,760 
- 
6,366 
351,058 
10,422 
361,480 
25,523 

15,727 
939 
1,206 
7,747 

14,483 
939 
2,143 
6,367 

15,927 
1,895 
2,253 
7,353 

14,691 
1,895 
2,622 
6,315 

25,619 

23,932 

27,428 

25,523 

518 
518 
26,137 

512 
512 
24,444 

- 
- 
27,428 

- 
- 
25,523 

Note 

8 
9 
10 

11 
12 
13 

17 
19 
45 
20 
5 
21 

22 

23 
24 
25 
11 

26 
5 
27 
37 
28 
29 
30 

31 

33 
33 
32 
32 

34 

These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. Comparative information has been restated to 
conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 

Statements of Recognised Income and Expense 
For the year ended 30 June 2008 

Actuarial (losses)/gains from defined benefit 
superannuation plans 
Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedging instruments: 

Recognised in equity 
Transferred to Income Statement 

Gains/(losses) on available-for-sale investments:  

Recognised in equity 
Transferred to Income Statement on disposal 
Transferred to Income Statement on impairment 

Revaluation of properties 
Transfer from Foreign Currency Translation 
Reserve to Income Statement on disposal  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign 
operations 
Income tax on items transferred directly to/from 
equity: 

Foreign Currency Translation Reserve 
Available-for-sale investments revaluation 
reserve 
Revaluation of properties 
Cash flow hedge reserve 

Net (expense)/income recognised directly in equity 
Profit for the period 
Total net income recognised for the period 

Attributable to: 

Equity holders of the Bank 
Minority interests 

Total net income recognised for the period 

Note 

32,43 

32 
32 

32 
32 
32 
32 

32 

32 

32 

32 
32 
32 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

(240)

422 
(573)

262 
(312)
- 
20 

- 

(648)

414 

429 
120 

28 
(138)
- 
79 

- 

54 

Group
2006
$M 

387 

89 
(58)

51 
(33)
(3)
19 

41 

2008 
$M 

(240) 

426 
(318) 

240 
(272) 
- 
19 

- 

Bank
2007
$M 

414 

125 
167 

18 
(119)
- 
75 

- 

(232)

(103) 

(119)

53 

(13)

13 

1 

(1)

44 
(4)
52 
(924)
4,822 
3,898 

3,867 
31 
3,898 

10 
(23)
(168)
792 
4,497 
5,289 

5,262 
27 
5,289 

(6)
(4)
(11)
253 
3,959 
4,212 

4,181 
31 
4,212 

7 
(4) 
(27) 
(271) 
4,358 
4,087 

4,087 
- 
4,087 

14 
(23)
(87)
464 
4,477 
4,941 

4,941 
- 
4,941 

These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

84     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of Cash Flows (1)  

For the year ended 30 June 2008 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities  
Interest received  
Interest paid 
Other operating income received 
Expenses paid 
Income taxes paid 
Net (increase)/decrease in assets at fair value through 
Income Statement (excluding life insurance) 
Net increase/(decrease) in liabilities at fair value 
through Income Statement: 

Life insurance: 

Investment income 
Premiums received (2)  
Policy payments (2) 

Other liabilities at fair value through Income 
Statement 

Cash Flows from operating activities before 
changes in operating assets and liabilities 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities arising 
from cash flow movements  
Movement in available-for-sale investments: 

Purchases  
Proceeds from sale  
Proceeds at or close to maturity 

Lodgement of deposits with regulatory authorities  
Net (increase) in loans, advances and other receivables 
Net (increase)/decrease in receivables due from other 
financial institutions not at call 
Net decrease/(increase) in securities purchased under 
agreements to resell 
Life insurance business: 

Purchase of insurance assets at fair value through 
Income Statement 
Proceeds from sale/maturity of insurance assets at 
fair value through Income Statement  

Net increase in deposits and other borrowings 
Net proceeds from issuance of debt securities 
Net increase in payables due to other financial 
institutions not at call 
Net (decrease)/increase in securities sold under 
agreements to repurchase 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities arising 
from cash flow movements 
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities  
Payment for acquisition of entities and management 
rights 
Proceeds from disposal of controlled entities  
Proceeds from disposal of entities and businesses  
(net of cash disposals) 
Dividends received  
Net amounts received from controlled entities  
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  
Payment for acquisitions of investments in 
associates/joint ventures 
Purchases of intangible assets  
Sale/(purchases) of assets held for sale 
Net (increase)/decrease in other assets  
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities 

Financial Statements 

Note 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

29,464 
(20,786)
5,314 
(6,882)
(1,905)

23,123 
(16,405)
4,627 
(5,699)
(1,942)

Group 

2006 
$M 

19,712 
(12,555) 
4,319 
(5,813) 
(1,980) 

2008 
$M 

25,445 
(19,098) 
3,485 
(5,385) 
(1,601) 

Bank 

2007
$M 

19,471 
(14,614)
2,826 
(4,364)
(1,056)

(990)

(1,715)

(307) 

200 

(3,206)

509 
2,304 
(3,789)

2,296 
2,431 
(5,346)

2,399 
2,338 
(4,938) 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

810 

4,831 

1,941 

(2,279) 

3,373 

4,049 

6,201 

5,116 

767 

2,430 

(35,113)
610 
31,974 
13 
(51,570)

(22,214)
1,480 
21,139 
(8)
(37,885)

(28,189) 
646 
24,831 
(29) 
(31,996) 

(48,162) 
577 
28,432 
1 
(47,536) 

(21,411)
1,101 
20,582 
(2)
(35,037)

(2,621)

833 

(881) 

(2,126) 

2,089 

634 

(1,647)

537 

311 

(1,867)

(8,719)

(8,476)

(8,078) 

- 

- 

11,159 
49,603 
(4,816)

8,842 
26,361 
7,207 

9,398 
12,799 
14,109 

- 
48,418 
6,274 

- 
20,914 
(5,254)

4,486 

1,865 

2,571 

4,584 

1,864 

(1,764)

1,943 

328 

(1,835) 

2,013 

(6,124)
(2,075)

(560)
5,641 

(3,954) 
1,162 

(11,062) 
(10,295) 

(15,008)
(12,578)

(241)
2 

- 
39 
- 
14 
(482)

- 
(226)
766 
(24)
(152)

(7)
- 

16 
3 
- 
53 
(314)

(6)
(130)
(1,091)
(800)
(2,276)

(414) 
553 

35 
4 
- 
32 
(385) 

(152) 
(90) 
- 
31 
(386) 

- 
- 

- 
1,667 
8,864 
10 
(421) 

- 
(183) 
(391) 
1,025 
10,571 

- 
- 

- 
1,881 
11,760 
49 
(242)

(6)
(51)
- 
(738)
12,653 

48(a)

48(e)
48(c)

(1) It should be noted that the Group does not use these accounting Statements of Cash Flows in the internal management of its liquidity positions. 

(2) Represents gross premiums and policy payments before splitting between policyholders and shareholders. 

These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. Comparative information has been restated 
to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 

Statements of Cash Flows (1)  
For the year ended 30 June 2008 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities  
On-market share purchase 
Proceeds from issue of shares (net of costs) 
Proceeds from issue of other equity instruments 
(net of costs) 
Dividends paid (excluding Dividend Reinvestment 
Plan) (2) 
Net movement in other liabilities  
Net (purchase)/sale of treasury shares  
Issue of loan capital  
Redemption of loan capital  
Other  
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing 
activities 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash 
equivalents  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (3) 

Note 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

- 
3 

- 

(2,351)
553 
(9)
2,091 
(7)
128 

- 
19 

- 

(2,284)
219 
55 
1,969 
(1,069)
(228)

Group
2006
$M 

(500)
49 

939 

(2,163)
139 
(10)
2,446 
(915)
1 

408 

(1,319)

(14)

(1,819)
4,084 
2,265 

2,046 
2,038 
4,084 

762 
1,276 
2,038 

48(b)

2008 
$M 

- 
3 

- 

(2,317) 
453 
(17) 
1,784 
(7) 
34 

(67) 

209 
128 
337 

Bank
2007
$M 

- 
19 

- 

(2,229)
1,197 
(55)
1,865 
(965)
(20)

(188)

(113)
241 
128 

(1) It should be noted that the Group does not use these accounting Statements of Cash Flows in the internal management of its liquidity positions. 

(2) Includes $98 million allocated to participants under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan by an on-market purchase. 

(3) For the purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, cash includes cash, money at short call, at call deposits with other financial institutions and settlement account

balances with other banks. 

These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes 

86     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 1 Accounting Policies 

General Information 

The  Financial  Statements  of  the  Commonwealth  Bank  of 
Australia  (the  “Bank”)  and  the  Bank  and  its  subsidiaries  (the 
“Group”) for the year ended 30 June 2008, were approved and 
authorised  for  issue  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  13  August 
2008. 

The  Bank  is  incorporated  and  domiciled  in  Australia.  It  is  a 
company  limited  by  shares  that  are  publicly  traded  on  the 
Australian Stock Exchange. The address of its registered office 
is Level 7, 48 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 1155, Australia. 

The  Group  is  one  of  Australia’s  leading  providers  of  integrated 
financial  services  including  retail,  business  and  institutional 
banking,  superannuation,  life  insurance,  general  insurance, 
funds  management,  broking  services  and  finance  company 
activities. The principal activities of the Group during the financial 
year were:  

(i) Retail Banking Services 

The  Group  provides  retail  banking  services  within  Australia 
including  housing  loans,  credit  cards,  personal  loans,  savings 
and cheque accounts, and demand and term deposits.  

(ii) Premium Business Services 

The Group offers commercial products within Australia including 
business  loans,  equipment  and  trade  finance,  and  rural  and 
agribusiness products and provides private banking services to 
high net worth individuals and direct trading and margin lending 
through  CommSec.  This  segment  also  has  wholesale  banking 
operations  in  London,  New  York,  Singapore,  Hong  Kong  and 
Malta.  

(iii) Wealth Management  

The  Wealth  Management  segment  conducts  Australian  funds 
management  business  comprising  wholesale  and 
retail 
investment,  superannuation  and  retirement  funds.  Investments 
are  across  all  major  asset  classes  including  Australian  and 
international  shares,  property,  fixed  interest  and  cash.  This 
segment also has funds management businesses in the United 
Kingdom and Asia. 

The Wealth Management segment also provides Australian term 
trusts, 
insurance,  disability 
investment products and general insurance.  

insurance,  annuities,  master 

(iv) International Financial Services 

The Group has full service banking operations in New Zealand, 
Fiji  and  Indonesia.  The  Group  also  has  wholesale  banking 
operations  in  Indonesia,  regions  of  China  and  Tokyo.  The 
Group’s International Financial Services segment also conducts 
Life  Insurance  operations  in  New  Zealand,  where  it  has  the 
leading  market  share,  as  well  as  Asia  and  the  Pacific,  and 
conducts Funds Management business in New Zealand. 

There  have  been  no  significant  changes  in  the  nature  of  the 
principal activities of the Group during the financial year. 

(a) Bases of accounting 

This  general  purpose  Financial  Report  for  the  year  ended  30 
June 2008 has been prepared in accordance with the Australian 
equivalents 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(“AIFRS”) and the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. 

to 

The basis of the AIFRS standards are the International Financial 
Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  issued  by  the  International 
Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). As a result of complying 
with AIFRS, the Group Financial Statements comply with IFRS, 
and interpretations as issued by the IASB. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

requires  management 

The preparation of the Annual Financial Report conforming with 
AIFRS 
to  make  estimates  and 
assumptions  that  affect  the  amounts  reported  in  the  Financial 
Statements  and  accompanying  notes.  Further  information  is 
included  in  Note  1  (mm)  Critical  Accounting  Policies  and 
Estimates. 

The  use  of  available  information  and 
the  application  of 
judgement  are  inherent  in  the  formation  of  estimates.  Actual 
results could differ from these estimates.  

(b) Basis of preparation 

The Financial Statements are prepared on the basis of historical 
cost except that the following assets and liabilities are measured 
at  fair  value:  derivative  financial  instruments,  assets  and 
liabilities  at  fair  value  through  Income  Statement,  available-for-
sale  investments,  insurance  policy  liabilities,  domestic  bills 
discounted  which  are  included  in  loans,  advances  and  other 
receivables, investment property which backs liabilities paying a 
return linked to the fair value or returns from assets including the 
investment  property,  owner-occupied  property,  defined  benefit 
plan assets and liabilities, employee share-based remuneration 
liabilities and recognised assets and liabilities attributable to the 
hedged  risk  in  a  hedging  relationship  that  qualifies  for  hedge 
accounting treatment. 

The Financial Report is presented in Australian dollars. 

The following comparative information has been restated: 

•  During  the  year  the  Group  reassessed  the  application  of 
AASB  132  Financial  Instruments:  Presentation,  to  certain 
products  with  legal  right  of  set  off,  for  which  interest  is 
calculated  and  charged  on  a  net  basis.  While  interest 
continues  to  be  calculated  and  charged  on  a  net  basis,  the 
Group  no  longer  considers  that  these  products  meet  the 
requirements  for  set  off  in  the  Balance  Sheet,  so  they  are 
now  presented  on  a  gross  basis.  Prior  periods  have  been 
restated  by 
increasing:  Loans,  advances  and  other 
receivables  and  Deposits  and  other  public  borrowings  as 
follows  -  2007:  increased  $15,686  million,  2006:  increased 
$14,349 million; 

•  During  the  year  the  Group  reassessed  the  application  of 
AASB  139  Financial 
Instruments:  Recognition  and 
Measurement,  to  certain  liabilities  previously  designated  as 
Liabilities  at  fair  value  through  Income  Statement.  These 
liabilities  did  not  meet  the  necessary  requirements  for  this 
designation.  Consequently 
liabilities  have  been 
reclassified to Debt issues. Prior periods have been restated, 
by  decreasing  Liabilities  at  fair  value  through  Income 
Statement  and  increasing  Debt  issues  as  follows  -  2007: 
$3,035 million, 2006: $2,144 million; and 

these 

•  During  the  year  the  Group  reassessed  the  application  of 
AASB  112:  Income  Taxes,  to  presentation  of  deferred 
income  tax  balances  for  the  tax-consolidated  group  and 
determined  that  the  conditions  for  set-off  have  been  met. 
This has had the effect of reducing Deferred tax assets and 
Deferred tax liabilities as follows - 2007: $668 million, 2006: 
$602 million. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     87 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

The following standards, interpretations and amendments have 
been early adopted during the financial year commencing 1 July 
2007: 

•  AASB  Interpretation  13  Customer  Loyalty  Programmes,  was 
early adopted on 1 July 2007. Upon transition this resulted in 
a reduction in retained earnings of $5 million and replacement 
of the Group’s provision for future expenses in relation to its 
credit card loyalty programmes with an equivalent amount of 
deferred income. Income in relation to the credit card loyalty 
program  will  be  recognised  in  subsequent  periods  when  the 
loyalty points are redeemed and CBA fulfils its obligation; and 

•  AASB  8  Operating  Segments  and  AASB  2007-3 
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from 
AASB 8 (February 2007), was early adopted effective 1 July 
2007. This has resulted in changes to the presentation of the 
Group’s segment reporting.  

The following standards, interpretations and amendments have 
been  applied  by 
financial  year 
the  Group  during 
commencing 1 July 2007: 

the 

•  AASB  7  Financial  Instruments:  Disclosures  (August  2005) 
supersedes  AASB  130  and  the  disclosure  requirements  of 
AASB  132.  This  new  standard  has  no  impact  on  the 
recognition,  measurement  or  presentation  of 
financial 
instruments,  so  does  not  impact  the  Group’s  financial 
position  or  results. 
the 
significance  of  financial  instruments  to  the  Group’s  financial 
position  and  result,  and  the  nature  and  extent  of  credit, 
market  and  liquidity  risks  arising  from  financial  instruments, 
including how they are managed; 

It  requires  disclosures  about 

•  AASB  2005-10  Amendments 

(September 

2005)  made 

to  Australian  Accounting 
consequential 
Standards 
amendments 
Instruments: 
to  AASB  132  Financial 
Disclosures  and  Presentation,  AASB  101  Presentation  of 
Financial Statements, AASB 114 Segment Reporting, AASB 
117  Leases,  AASB  133  Earnings  per  Share,  AASB  139 
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, AASB 
1  First-time  Adoption  of  Australian  Equivalents 
to 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards,  AASB  4 
Insurance 
Insurance  Contracts,  AASB  1023  General 
Contracts  and  AASB  1038  Life  Insurance  Contracts, arising 
from the release of AASB 7;  

•  AASB  2007-4  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards  Arising  from  ED  151  and  Other  Amendments 
(April 2007)[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 102, 107, 108, 110, 112, 114, 
116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 
133,  134,  136,  137,  138,  139,  141,  1023  &  1038]  allows 
additional choices in the application of AASB 107 Cash Flow 
Statements  and  AASB  131  Interests  in  Joint  Ventures, 
amends  the  definition  of  “separate  financial  statements”  in 
certain standards, removes the commentary from AASB 119 
Employee Benefits, that Australia does not have a sufficiently 
active and liquid market for high quality corporate bonds for 
the  purpose  of  discounting  employee  benefit  liabilities,  and 
removes  many  of 
the  additional  Australian  disclosure 
requirements  in  a  number  of  standards,  other  than  those 
considered 
the  Australian 
environment;  

particularly 

relevant 

in 

88     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

•  AASB  2007-7  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standard [AASB 1, AASB 2, AASB 4, AASB 5, AASB 107 & 
AASB  128]  which  follows  the  issuance  of  AASB 2007-4 
Amendments  to  Australian  Accounting  Standards  arising 
from ED 151 and Other Amendments; 

interaction  between 

•  AASB  Interpretation  10  Interim  Financial  Reporting  and 
Impairment  addresses 
the 
the 
requirements  of  AASB  134  Interim  Financial  Reporting  and 
the  recognition  of  impairment  losses  on  goodwill  in  AASB 
136 and certain financial assets in AASB 139, and the effect 
of that interaction on subsequent interim and annual financial 
reports; 

•  AASB Interpretation 11 AASB 2 Group and Treasury Share 
Transactions  addresses  whether  certain  types  of  share-
based  payment  transactions  with  employees  (or  other 
suppliers of good and services) should be accounted for as 
equity-settled or as cash-settled transactions under AASB 2 
and  also  specifies  the  accounting  in  a  subsidiary’s  financial 
statements for share-based payment arrangements involving 
equity instruments of the parent; 

•  AASB  2007-1  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards. This follows the issuance of Interpretation 11; and 

•  AASB  2008-4  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standard  –  Key  Management  Personnel  Disclosures  by 
Disclosing  Entities  removes  the  requirement  for  disclosing 
entities  that  are  companies  from  having  to  make  Key 
Management Personnel (KMP) compensation disclosures in 
the financial report as well as in the remuneration report. This 
standard amends AASB 124 to exclude the Group from the 
application  of  AASB  124  paragraphs  25.2-25.6  and  25.7.1 
and 25.7.2. This has resulted in the removal of the KMP from 
the financial report. 

None  of  these  had  a  material  effect  on  the  financial  results  or 
position of the Group. 

The  following  interpretations  will  be  applied  from  the  financial 
year commencing 1 July 2008: 

•  AASB Interpretation 4 Determining whether an Arrangement 
contains  a  Lease  is  applicable  to  annual  reporting  periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2008. The initial application 
of AASB Interpretation 4 is not expected to materially impact 
the financial results of the Bank or the Group; 

•  AASB  Interpretation  12  Service  Concession  Arrangements 
and  AASB  2007-2  Amendments  to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards arising from AASB Interpretation 12 are applicable 
to  annual  reporting  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January 
2008. The initial application of AASB Interpretation 12 is not 
expected to materially impact the financial results of the Bank 
or the Group; and 

•  AASB Interpretation 14 The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, 
Minimum  Funding  Requirements  and  their  Interaction  is 
applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 
January  2008.  The  initial  application  of  AASB  Interpretation 
14 is not expected to materially impact the financial results of 
the Bank or the Group.  

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

The following standards and amendments are available for early 
adoption  at  1  July  2008  and  will  be  applied  from  the  financial 
year commencing 1 July 2009: 

•  AASB  2007-6  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards Arising from AASB 123 (June 2007) and Revised 
AASB 123 Borrowing Costs (June 2007) which removes the 
option  to  expense  borrowing  costs  related  to  “qualifying 
assets”.  AASB  2007-6  and  the  revised  AASB  123  are 
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2009. The initial application of AASB 2007-6 is not 
expected to materially impact the financial results of the Bank 
or the Group; 

•  Revised  AASB  3  Business  Combinations,  AASB  127 
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements and AASB 
2008-3  Amendments  to  Australian  Accounting  Standards 
arising from AASB 3 and AASB 127. The initial application of 
these revised standards is not expected to materially impact 
the financial results of the Bank or the Group; 

•  Revised AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements and 
AASB  2007-8  Amendments 
to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards  arising  from  AASB  101  and  AASB  2007-10 
Further  Amendments  to  Australian  Accounting  Standards 
arising from AASB 101. The initial application of the revised 
AASB 101 and the revised AASB 2007-10 is not expected to 
materially  impact  the  financial  results  of  the  Bank  or  the 
Group.  This  standard  has  no  impact  on  the  Bank  or  the 
Group’s financial position or results; 

•  AASB  2008-1  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards – Share based Payments: Vesting Conditions and 
Cancellations  clarifies 
that  vesting  conditions  comprise 
service conditions and performance conditions only and that 
other features of a share-based payment transaction are not 
vesting  conditions  and  specifies 
that  all  cancellations, 
whether by the entity or by other parties, should receive the 
same  accounting  treatment.  The  initial  application  of  AASB 
2008-1  is  not  expected  to  materially  impact  the  financial 
results of the Bank or the Group; and 

•  AASB  2008-2  Amendments 

to  Australian  Accounting 
Standards  –  Puttable  Financial  Instruments  and  Obligations 
Arising  on  Liquidation  introduces  an  exception  to  the 
definition of financial liability to classify as equity instruments 
certain puttable financial instruments and certain instruments 
that  impose  on  an  entity  an  obligation  to  deliver  to  another 
party a pro rata share of the net assets of the entity only on 
liquidation of the entity. The initial application of AASB 2008-
2 is not expected to materially impact the financial results of 
the Bank or the Group. 

Other  standards  and  amendments  are  unlikely  to  have  a 
material effect on the Group.  

(c) Consolidation 

The  consolidated  Financial  Statements  include  the  Financial 
Statements  of  the  Bank  and  all  entities  where  it  is  determined 
that there is a capacity to control the entity. 

Potential voting rights are considered when assessing control. A 
number  of  consolidated  entities  were  formed  by  the  Group  for 
the  purpose  of  asset  securitisation  transactions  and  structured 
debt  issuance,  or  to  accomplish  certain  other  narrow  and  well-
defined objectives. Such entities may acquire assets directly or 
indirectly from the Bank or its affiliates.  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Additionally,  some  of  these  entities  are  bankruptcy-remote  (i.e. 
their assets are not available to satisfy the claims of creditors of 
the  Group  or  any  other  of  its  subsidiaries).  These  entities  are 
consolidated  in  the  Group’s  Financial  Statements  when  the 
majority of exposure to risks and benefits from the entity resides 
with the Group.  

All balances and transactions between Group entities, including 
unrealised  gains  and 
losses,  have  been  eliminated  on 
consolidation. 

The consolidated Financial Statements also include the Group’s 
share  of  the  financial  results  of  entities  where  the  Group  holds 
an investment in, and has significant influence over, the financial 
and  operating  policies  of  the  entity.  This  is  normally  evidenced 
when the Group owns 20% or more of the voting rights. 

Associated companies are defined as those entities over which 
the  Group  has  significant  influence  but  there  is  no  capacity  to 
control.  Investments  in  associates  are  carried  at  cost  plus  the 
Group’s  share  of  post-acquisition  profit  or  loss  and  other 
reserves.  The  Group’s  share  of  profit  or  loss  of  associates  is 
included in the Group’s Income Statement. 

(d) Revenue recognition 

Revenue is recognised to the extent it is probable that economic 
benefits  will  flow  to  the  Group  and  the  revenue  can  be  reliably 
measured. The principal sources of revenue are interest income 
and fees and commissions. 

Interest income 

Interest  income  is  recognised  on  an  accrual  basis  using  the 
effective interest method. Further information is included in Note 
1  (g)  Receivables  from  other  financial  institutions,  Note  1  (i) 
Assets  at  fair  value  through  Income  Statement,  Note  1  (j) 
Available-for-sale investments,  Note  1  (l)  Loans, advances and 
other receivables, and Note 1 (m) Leasing. 

Lending fees 

Fee  income  and  direct  costs  relating  to  loan  origination, 
financing or restructuring and to loan commitments are deferred 
and  amortised  to  interest  income  over  the  expected  life  of  the 
loan  using  the  effective  interest  method.  Fees  received  for 
commitments  which  are  not  expected  to  result  in  a  loan  are 
recognised  in  the  Income  Statement  over  the  commitment 
period. 

Loan syndication fees where the Group does not retain a portion 
of  the  syndicated  loan  are  recognised  in  income  once  the 
syndication has been completed. Where fees are received on an 
ongoing  basis  and  represent  the  recoupment  of  the  costs  of 
maintaining  and  administering  existing  loans,  these  fees  are 
recognised in Income Statement on an accrual basis. 

Fees and commissions 

fees 

to  specific 
When  commission  charges  and 
transactions  or  events,  they  are  recognised  in  income  in  the 
period  in  which  they  are  earned.  However,  when  they  are 
charged for services provided over a period, they are recognised 
in the income on an accrual basis. 

relate 

Other income 

Trading income is recognised  when earned  based on changes 
in fair value of financial instruments and is recorded from trade 
date.  Further  information  is  included  in  Notes  1  (e)  Foreign 
currency  translations,  1  (i)  Assets  at  fair  value  through  Income 
Statement, and Note 1 (ff) Derivative financial instruments.  

Life insurance business income recognition is explained in Note 
1 (hh). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     89 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued)  

•  Available-for-sale investments (Note 1 (j)); 

(e) Foreign currency translations 

•  Derivative assets (Note 1 (ff)); 

The  functional  and  presentation  currency  of  the  domestic 
operations  of  the  Bank  has  been  determined  to  be  Australian 
Dollars  (“AUD”)  as  this  currency  best  reflects  the  economic 
substance of the underlying events and circumstances relevant 
to the Bank. Each entity and overseas branch within the Group 
has also determined their functional currency based on their own 
primary economic indicators. 

All foreign currency monetary items are revalued at spot rates of 
exchange prevailing at Balance Sheet date and changes in the 
spot  rate  are  recorded  in  the  Income  Statement.  Foreign 
currency  forward,  futures,  swaps  and  option  positions  are 
revalued at appropriate market rates applying at Balance Sheet 
date. 

Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms 
of  historical  cost  in  a  foreign  currency  are  translated  using  the 
exchange rate at the date of transaction.  

Non-monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies  that  are  measured  at  fair  value  are  translated  into 
AUD at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value 
was determined.  

With  the  exception  of  the  revaluations  classified  in  equity, 
unrealised foreign currency gains and losses arising from these 
revaluations and gains and losses arising from foreign exchange 
dealings are included in the Income Statement. 

The foreign currency assets and liabilities of overseas branches 
and controlled entities with an overseas functional currency are 
converted to AUD at Balance Sheet date in accordance with the 
foreign exchange rates ruling at that date. Profit and loss items 
for  overseas  branches  and  controlled  entities  are  converted  to 
AUD  progressively  throughout  the  year  at  the  spot  exchange 
rate  at  the  date  of  the  transaction.  All  resulting  exchange 
differences  are  recognised  in  the  Foreign  Currency  Translation 
Reserve (“FCTR”) as a separate component of equity. 

Translation  differences  arising  from  translation  of  opening 
balances  of  shareholders’  funds  of  overseas  branches  and 
controlled  entities  at  year  end  exchange  rates  are  reflected  in 
the  FCTR.  The  Group  maintains  a  substantially  matched 
position  in  assets  and  liabilities  in  foreign  currencies  and  the 
level of net foreign currency exposure does not have a material 
impact on its financial condition. 

(f) Cash and liquid assets 

Cash  and  liquid  assets  includes  cash  at  branches,  cash  at 
banks,  nostro  balances,  money  at  short  call  with  an  original 
maturity  of  three  months  or  less  and  securities  held  under 
reverse  repurchase  agreements.  They  are  measured  at  face 
value  or the gross value  of the outstanding balance. Interest is 
recognised in the Income Statement using the effective interest 
method. 

(g) Receivables from other financial institutions 

Receivables  from  other  financial  institutions  include  loans, 
deposits  with  regulatory  authorities  and  settlement  account 
balances  due  from  other  banks.  They  are  measured  at 
amortised cost similar to loans, advances and other receivables, 
refer Note 1 (l). Interest is recognised in the Income Statement 
using the effective interest method. 

(h) Financial instruments 

Financial  instruments  are  classified  into  one  of  the  following 
categories which determines their measurement basis: 

•  Assets at fair value through Income Statement (Note 1 (i)); 

90     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

•  Loans, advances and other receivables (Note 1 (l)); 

•  Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement (Note 1 (x)); 

•  Liabilities at amortised cost; 

•  Derivative liabilities (Note 1 (ff)); and 

•  Shareholders’ equity (Note 1 (ee)). 

Except  for  restructured  facilities  referred  to  in  Note  1(l)  Loans, 
advances  and  other  receivables,  financial  instruments  are 
transacted on a commercial basis to derive an interest yield/cost 
with terms and conditions having due regard to the nature of the 
transaction and the risks involved. 

The Group has no held to maturity investments. 

Offsetting financial instruments 

The Group offsets financial assets and liabilities where there is a 
legally  enforceable  right  to  set  off,  and  there  is  an  intention  to 
settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability 
simultaneously. 

Derecognition of financial assets 

Financial assets are derecognised either when sold, or when the 
rights  to  receive  cash  flows  from  the  financial  assets  have 
expired  or  have  been  transferred,  or  when  the  Group  has 
transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. 
In transactions where substantially all the risks and rewards are 
neither retained nor transferred, the Group derecognises assets 
when  control  is  no  longer  retained,  or  when  control  is  retained 
the assets are recognised to the extent of the Group’s continuing 
involvement. 

(i) Assets at fair value through Income Statement 

Assets  at  fair  value  through  Income  Statement  include  assets 
held  for  trading  and  assets  that  upon  initial  recognition  are 
designated  by  the  Group  as  at  fair  value  through  Income 
Statement. This designation is made when it reduces significant 
accounting  mismatches  between  assets  and  related  liabilities, 
the  group  of 
their 
performance  is  evaluated  on  a  fair  value  basis,  or  where  the 
asset is a contract which contains an embedded derivative.  

financial  assets  are  managed  and 

These  assets  are  recognised  on  trade  date  at  fair  value  with 
transaction  costs  including  brokerage,  commissions  and  fees 
expensed through the Income Statement. Subsequent changes 
in fair value are recognised in other operating income. Dividends 
earned are recorded in other operating income. Interest earned 
is  recorded  within  net  interest  earnings  using  the  effective 
interest method. 

Assets at fair value through Income Statement are classified into 
three subcategories: Trading, Insurance and Other. 

Trading 

Trading  assets  are  short  and  long  term  public,  bank  and  other 
debt  securities  and  equities  that  are  acquired  and  held  for 
trading purposes. Subsequent to initial  recognition,  fair value is 
measured using quoted bid prices where available. In a trading 
portfolio  with  offsetting  risk  positions,  quoted  mid  prices,  where 
available,  are  used  to  measure  the  fair  value.  Non-market 
quoted  assets  are valued  using valuation  techniques  based  on 
market conditions and risks existing at Balance Sheet date.  

Insurance 

Insurance  assets  are  investments  that  back  life  insurance 
contracts  and  life  investment  contracts.  They  are  measured  at 
fair  value  based  on  quoted  bid  prices  or  using  appropriate 
valuation  techniques.  Refer  to  Note  1  (hh),  Life  insurance 
business for further details. 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

Other 

Other investments include financial assets which the Group has 
designated  as  at  fair  value  through  Income  Statement  at 
inception  to  eliminate  an  accounting  mismatch.  Subsequent  to 
initial recognition fair value is measured using quoted bid prices 
where  available.  Quoted  mid  prices,  where  available,  are  used 
to measure fair value in a portfolio with offsetting risk positions.  

Non-market  quoted  instruments  are  valued  using  valuation 
techniques,  based  on  market  conditions  and  risks  existing  at 
Balance Sheet date.  

(j) Available-for-sale investments 

Available-for-sale  investments  are  short  and  long  term  public, 
bank  and  other  securities  and  include  bonds,  notes,  bills  of 
exchange,  commercial  papers,  certificates  of  deposit,  equities 
and rolling loan originations and syndications. 

investments  whose 

Available-for-sale  investments  are  initially  recognised  at  fair 
value  including  transaction  costs,  and  thereafter  at  fair  value. 
Equity 
fair  value  cannot  be  reliably 
measured  are  valued  at  cost.  Gains  and  losses  arising  from 
changes  in  fair  value  are  reported  in  the  Available-for-sale 
investments reserve within equity net of applicable income taxes 
until such investments are sold, collected, otherwise disposed of, 
or  become  impaired.  Interest,  premiums  and  dividends  are 
reflected in other operating income when earned. 

Available-for-sale  investments  are  tested  for  impairment  in  line 
with Note 1 (n) Provisions for impairment. 

Upon  disposal  or  impairment,  the  accumulated  change  in  fair 
value  within 
is 
transferred  to  the  Income  Statement  and  reported  within  other 
operating income. 

the  Available-for-sale 

investments  reserve 

(k) Repurchase agreements 

Securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  are  retained 
within  the  Available-for-sale investments or Assets  at  fair value 
through 
for 
accordingly in line with Note 1 (j) and (i) respectively.  

Income  Statement  categories  and  accounted 

Liability accounts are used to record the obligation to repurchase 
and  disclosed  as  Deposits.  Securities  held  under  reverse 
repurchase  agreements  are  recorded  within  Cash  and  liquid 
assets.  

(l) Loans, advances and other receivables 

Loans, advances and other receivables are financial assets with 
fixed  and  determinable  payments  that  are  not  quoted  in  an 
active market.  

term 

finance 

lending, 

They  include  overdrafts,  home  loans,  credit  card  and  other 
financing,  redeemable 
personal 
loans,  bill 
preference  shares,  securities  and 
leases.  Loans, 
advances  and  other  receivables  are  initially  recognised  at  fair 
value  including  direct  and  incremental  transaction  costs.  They 
are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest  method  and  are  presented  net  of  provisions  for 
impairment.  Where  loans,  advances  and  other  receivables  are 
originated with the intent to be sold immediately or in the short 
term,  they  are  recorded  in  Assets  at  fair  value  through  Income 
Statement. 

Note  1  (d)  and  Note  1  (n)  provide  additional  information  with 
respect to revenue recognition and impairment respectively.  

Non-Performing Facilities 

Individual  provisions  for  impairment  are  recognised  to  reduce 
the carrying amount of loans, advances and other receivables to 
their  estimated  recoverable  amounts.  Individually  significant 
provisions are calculated based on discounted cash flows. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

The  unwinding  of  the  discount  from  initial  recognition  of 
impairment  through  to  recovery  of  the  written  down  amount  is 
recognised as interest income. In subsequent periods, interest in 
arrears/due  on  non-performing  facilities  is  recognised  in  the 
Income Statement using the interest rate used for the purpose of 
measuring the impairment of the asset.  

Restructured Facilities 

When the original contractual terms of facilities (primarily loans) 
are  modified,  the  accounts  become  classified  as  restructured. 
Such accounts continue to accrue interest as long as the facility 
is  performing  in  accordance  with  the  restructured  terms.  If 
performance  is  not  maintained,  or  collection  of  interest  and/or 
principal  is  no  longer  probable,  the  account  will  be  returned  to 
the non-performing classification. Facilities are generally kept as 
non-performing until they are returned to a performing basis. 

Assets Acquired Through Securities Enforcement 

Assets  acquired  in  satisfaction  of  facilities  in  default  (primarily 
loans)  are  recorded  at  net  market  value  at  the  date  of 
acquisition.  Any  difference  between  the  carrying  amount  of  the 
facility  and  the  net  market  value  of  the  assets  acquired  is 
represented as an individually assessed provision or written off. 
AATSE  are  further  classified  as  Other  Real  Estate  Owned  or 
Other  Assets  Acquired  Through  Security  Enforcement  and 
classified in the appropriate asset classifications in the Balance 
Sheet. 

Impairment of loans, advances and other receivables 

The  Group  has  individually  assessed  and  collective  provisions 
for impairment as explained in Note 1 (n). 

(m) Leasing  

Leases where the Group transfers substantially all the risks and 
rewards incident to ownership of an asset to the lessee or a third 
party are classified as finance leases. A receivable at an amount 
equal to the present value of the lease payments, including any 
guaranteed residual value, is recognised. 

Income  on  finance  lease  transactions  is  recognised  on  a  basis 
reflecting  a  constant  periodic  return  based  on  the  lessor’s  net 
investment outstanding in respect of the finance lease. 

The  difference  between  the  gross  receivable  and  the  present 
value  of  the  receivable  is  unearned  finance  income  and  is 
recognised over the term of the lease using the effective interest 
method.  Finance  lease  receivables  are  included  in  Loans, 
advances and other receivables. 

Leases  where  the  Group  retains  substantially  all  the  risks  and 
rewards  incident  to  ownership  of  an  asset  are  classified  as 
operating leases. 

Operating lease rental revenue and expense is recognised in the 
Income  Statement  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  lease  term. 
The  Group  classifies  assets  leased  out  under  operating  leases 
as property, plant and equipment. These assets are depreciated 
over their expected useful lives on a basis consistent with similar 
fixed assets. 

(n) Provisions for impairment 

Financial assets 

Financial assets, excluding Derivative assets and Assets at fair 
value through Income Statement, are reviewed at each Balance 
Sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of 
impairment.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     91 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

A financial asset  or portfolio of financial  assets is impaired and 
impairment losses are incurred if, and only if, there is objective 
evidence  of impairment as  a  result  of one  or more  loss events 
that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset and prior to 
the  Balance  Sheet  date  (“a  loss  event”)  and  that  loss  event  or 
events has had an impact on the estimated future cash flows of 
the financial asset or the portfolio that can be reliably estimated.  

If  any  such  indication  exists,  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  is 
written down to the asset’s estimated recoverable amount. 

Loans, advances and other receivables  

The Group assesses at each balance date whether there is any 
objective evidence of impairment.  

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on loans, 
advances and other receivables has been incurred, the amount 
of  the  loss  is  measured  as  the  difference  between  the  asset’s 
carrying  amount  and  the  present  value  of  the  expected  future 
cash  flows  (excluding  future  credit  losses  that  have  not  been 
incurred),  discounted  at  the  financial  asset’s  original  effective 
interest rate. Short-term balances are not discounted. 

The Group has individually assessed provisions and collectively 
assessed provisions. Individually assessed provisions are made 
against  individually  significant  financial  assets  and  groups  of 
financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics.  

Individually significant provisions are assessed as the difference 
between  an  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  present  value  of 
estimated  future  cash  flows  discounted  at  the  asset’s  original 
effective interest rate.  

All  other  loans  and  advances  that  do  not  have  an  individually 
assessed  provision  are  assessed  collectively  for  impairment. 
Collective  provisions  are  maintained  to  reduce  the  carrying 
amount  of  portfolios  of  similar  loans  and  advances  to  their 
estimated recoverable amounts at the Balance Sheet date.  

The  expected  future  cash  flows  for  portfolios  of  assets  with 
similar risk characteristics are estimated on the basis of historical 
loss  experience.  Loss  experience  is  adjusted  on  the  basis  of 
current  observable  data  to  reflect 
the  effects  of  current 
conditions  that  did  not  affect  the  period  on  which  the  loss 
experience  is  based  and  to  remove  the  effects  of  conditions  in 
the period that do not currently exist. Increases or decreases in 
the provision amount are recognised in the Income Statement. 

Available-for-sale investments  

When  a  decline  in  the  fair  value  of  an  Available-for-sale 
investment  has  been  recognised  directly  in  equity  and  there  is 
objective evidence that the asset is impaired, the cumulative loss 
is removed from equity and recognised in the Income Statement 
through a provision account. 

If in a subsequent period the amount of an impairment loss for 
an available-for-sale debt security decreases and the decrease 
can  be  linked  objectively  to  an  event  occurring  after  the 
impairment  event,  the  impairment  is  reversed  through  the 
Income  Statement.  However,  impairment  losses  on  available-
for-sale  equity  securities  are  not  reversed  through  the  Income 
Statement while the asset is still recognised. 

Goodwill and other non-financial assets 

Goodwill balances and intangible assets with an indefinite useful 
life are assessed for impairment at each reporting date or more 
regularly where an indication of impairment exists. Refer to Note 
1  (t)  Intangibles  for  more  details  on  goodwill  and  intangibles 
impairment  testing.  If  any  such  indication  exists,  the  asset’s 
carrying  amount  is  written  down  to  the  asset’s  estimated 

92     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

recoverable  amount  and  the  loss  is  recognised  in  the  Income 
Statement in the period in which it occurs. 

The carrying amounts of the Group’s other non-financial assets 
are reviewed at each Balance Sheet date to determine whether 
there  is  any  indication  of  impairment.  If  any  such  indication 
exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. 

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit can 
be the greater of the fair value less cost to sell, or value in use. 
An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount 
of  an  asset  or  its  cash-generating  unit  exceeds  its  recoverable 
amount.  Impairment  losses  are  recognised  in  the  Income 
Statement. 

A previously recognised impairment loss (except for goodwill) is 
reversed  if  there  has  been  a  change  in  the  estimates  used  to 
determine the recoverable amount. However, the reversal is not 
to an amount higher than the carrying amount that would have 
been  determined,  net  of  amortisation  or  depreciation,  if  no 
impairment loss had been recognised in prior years. 

Off-balance sheet items 

Provisions for impairment for off-balance sheet items such as a 
commitment  are  reported  in  other  provisions.  Measurement  of 
provisions is discussed further in Note 1 (aa) Provisions. 

The Group recognises impairment provisions in respect of only 
those  advances  and  credit  transactions  for  which  there  is 
objective evidence of impairment at Balance Sheet date. 

The amounts required to bring the provisions for impairment to 
their assessed levels are recognised in the Income Statement. 

(o) Bank acceptances of customers 

The  exposure  arising  from  the  acceptance  of  bills  of  exchange 
that are sold into the market is recognised as a liability. An asset 
of equal value is raised to reflect the offsetting claim against the 
drawer of the bill. Bank acceptances generate fee income that is 
recognised in the Income Statement when earned. 

(p) Shares in and loans to controlled entities 

Equity  contributions  to  controlled  entities  are  carried  in  the 
Bank’s Financial Statements at the lower of cost of acquisition or 
recoverable  amount,  and  loans  to  controlled  entities  are 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.  

These  assets  are measured  at  fair value  when impaired  and  a 
provision is raised as per Note 1 (n) Provisions for impairment. 

(q) Investment property 

Investment  properties  are  classified  as  properties  held  to  earn 
rental income and/or for capital appreciation.  

The  Group  carries  investment  property  which  backs  liabilities 
paying  a  return  linked  to  the  fair  value  or  returns  from  assets 
including  the  investment  property  at  fair  value  based  on  a 
valuation  performed  by  professional  valuers.  Valuations  are 
carried  out  annually.  Fair  value  movements  are  recognised  in 
the Income Statement in the period in which they arise. 

(r) Assets classified as held for sale 

Assets  are  classified  as  held  for  sale  when  their  carrying 
amounts  will  be  recovered  principally  through  sale  within  12 
months. They are measured at the lower of carrying amount and 
fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  unless  the  nature  of  the  assets 
requires  they  be  measured  in  line  with  another  accounting 
standard. Where this is the case the asset’s measurement basis 
is separately outlined. 

Assets  classified  as  held  for  sale  are  neither  amortised  nor 
depreciated unless the nature of the asset requires it. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

(s) Property, plant and equipment 

(t) Intangibles 

Goodwill  

The Group measures its property assets (land and buildings) on 
a  fair  value  measurement  basis  using  independent  market 
valuations.  

Revaluation  adjustments  are  generally  reflected  in  the  Asset 
Revaluation  Reserve,  except  to  the  extent  they  reverse  a 
revaluation decrease of the same asset previously recognised in 
the  Income  Statement.  Gains  or  losses  on  disposals  are 
the  net  disposal 
determined  as 
proceeds, if any, and the carrying amount of the item. Realised 
amounts in the Asset Revaluation Reserve are transferred to the 
Capital Reserve. 

the  difference  between 

Equipment  is  measured  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation 
and  provision  for  impairment,  if  any.  Depreciation  is  calculated 
principally  on  a  category  basis  at  rates  applicable  to  each 
category’s useful life using the straight-line method and treated 
as an operating expense charged to the Income Statement.  

Computer  software  is  capitalised  at  cost  and  classified  as 
Property,  Plant  and  Equipment  where  it  is  integral  to  the 
operation of associated hardware. 

The  useful  lives  of  major  depreciable  asset  categories  are  as 
follows: 

Goodwill,  representing  the  excess  of  purchase  consideration 
plus incidental expenses over the fair value of the identifiable net 
assets  at  the  time  of  acquisition  of  an  entity,  is  capitalised  and 
recognised in the Balance Sheet. 

Goodwill  is  reviewed  annually  for  impairment  at  each  reporting 
date,  or more frequently  if  events  or changes in circumstances 
indicate  that  it  might  be  impaired.  For  the  purposes  of 
impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units 
or  groups  of  units.  A  cash-generating  unit  is  the  smallest 
identifiable  group  of  assets  that  generate  independent  cash 
flows.  Goodwill  is  allocated  by  the  Group  to  cash  generating 
units or groups of units based on how goodwill is monitored by 
management. 

An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  for  a  cash-generating  unit  if 
the higher of the recoverable amount or the value in use of the 
unit/group  of  units  is  less  than  the  carrying  amount  of  the 
unit/group of units.  

The  recoverable  amount  of 
is 
calculated  as  the  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell,  measured  using 
readily  available  market  data  and  assumptions.  Impairment 
losses on goodwill are not subsequently reversed. 

the  cash-generating  units 

Gains  and  losses  on  the  disposal  of  an  entity  are  net  of  the 
carrying amount of the goodwill relating to the entity. 

Buildings 

Shell 

Maximum 30 years 

Computer software costs  

Integral plant and equipment: 

Carpets 

10 years 

All other (air-conditioning, lifts) 

20 years 

Non-integral plant and equipment: 

Fixtures and fittings 

10 years 

Leasehold improvements 

Leasehold improvements 

Lesser of unexpired lease 
term or lives as above 

Equipment 

Security surveillance systems 

Furniture 

Office machinery 

EFTPOS machines 

7 years 

8 years 

5 years 

3 years 

Depreciation  rates  and  methods  underlying  the  calculation  of 
depreciation of items of property, plant and equipment are kept 
under review to take account of any change in circumstances. 

Where  computer  software  costs  are  not  integrally  related  to 
associated  hardware,  the  Group  recognises  them  as  an 
intangible  asset  where  they  are  clearly  identifiable,  can  be 
reliably  measured  and  it  is  probable  they  will  lead  to  future 
economic benefits that the Group controls. 

The  Group  carries  capitalised  software  assets  at  cost  less 
amortisation and any impairment losses.  

These assets are amortised over their estimated useful lives on 
a  straight-line  basis  which  is  usually  between  three  and  five 
years. 

Estimates  of  useful  lives  are  revised  when  a  change  in 
circumstances indicates a reassessment should be performed. 

Any impairment loss is recognised when incurred. 

Software maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. 

Other Intangibles 

Other intangibles comprise acquired management fee rights and 
customer lists where they are clearly identifiable, can be reliably 
measured  and  where  it  is  probable  they  will  lead  to  future 
economic benefits that the Group controls. 

Estimates  of  useful  lives  are  revised  when  a  change  in 
circumstances indicates a reassessment should be performed. 

Management  fee  rights  have  been  assessed  to  have  indefinite 
lives and are carried at cost less any impairment losses. 

No  depreciation  is  charged  on  freehold  land,  although,  in 
common  with  all  long-lived  assets,  it  is  subject  to  impairment 
testing, if deemed appropriate. 

Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  periodically  reviewed  for 
impairment.  Where  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  is  greater 
than  its  estimated  recoverable  amount,  it  is  written  down 
immediately  through  the  Income  Statement  to  its  recoverable 
amount. 

Where  the  Group  expects  the  carrying  amount  of  assets  held 
within property, plant and equipment to be recovered principally 
through a sale transaction in the short-term rather than through 
continuing use, these assets are classified as Held for sale. 

Customer  lists  are  carried  at  cost  less  amortisation,  which  is 
generally over a period of ten years. 

(u) Other assets 

Other  assets  include  all  other  financial  assets  and  include 
interest,  fees  and  other  unrealised  income  receivable,  and 
securities  sold  not  delivered.  These  assets are  recorded  at  the 
amortised cost. 

The  net  surpluses  or  deficits  that  arise  within  defined  benefit 
superannuation  plans  are  recognised  and  disclosed  separately 
in Other assets and Bills payable and Other liabilities.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     93 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued)  

(v) Deposits from customers  

Deposits  and  other  public  borrowings  includes  certificates  of 
deposits,  term  deposits,  savings  deposits,  cheque  and  other 
demand deposits, debentures and other funds raised publicly by 
borrowing corporations. They are initially recognised at fair value 
including directly attributable transaction costs and subsequently 
measured at amortised cost. Interest and yield related fees are 
recognised on an effective interest basis.  

Where 
the  Group  has  hedged  deposits  with  derivative 
instruments, hedge accounting rules are applied (refer to Note 1 
(ff) Derivative financial instruments). 

(w) Payables to other financial institutions 

Payables  to  other  financial  institutions  include  deposits,  vostro 
balances and settlement account balances due to other banks. 
They  are  recognised  at  fair  value  including  directly  attributable 
transaction costs at inception.  

to  other 

institutions  are  subsequently 
Payables 
recognised at amortised cost. Interest and yield related fees are 
recognised using the effective interest method.  

financial 

Where  the  Group  has  designated  payables  to  other  financial 
institutions as Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement, 
the changes in fair value are reported in the Income Statement 
(refer  Note  1  (x)  Liabilities  at  fair  value  through  Income 
Statement). 

(x) Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement 

The  Group  designates  certain  liabilities  at  fair  value  through 
Income  Statement  on  origination  where  those  liabilities  are 
managed  on a fair value basis or  where the liabilities eliminate 
an accounting mismatch. The liabilities are recognised on trade 
date at fair value and transaction costs are taken directly to the 
Income  Statement.  Subsequent  changes  in  fair  value  are 
recognised  in  the  Income  Statement.  For  quoted  liabilities, 
quoted offer prices are subsequently used to measure fair value. 
Quoted mid prices are used to measure liabilities with offsetting 
risk positions in a portfolio at fair value. For non-market quoted 
liabilities, subsequent fair values are determined using valuation 
techniques. 

A  deferred  tax  asset  is  recognised  only  to  the  extent  it  is 
probable  that  future  taxable  profits  will  be  available  against 
which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced 
to  the  extent  that  it  is  no  longer  probable  that  the  related  tax 
benefit will be realised. 

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia Group elected to be taxed 
as a single entity under the tax consolidation system with effect 
from 1 July 2002.  

The Bank has formally notified the Australian Taxation Office of 
its  adoption  of  the  tax  consolidation  regime.  In  addition  to  the 
Group  electing  to  be  taxed  as  a  single  entity  under  the  tax 
consolidation  regime,  the  measurement  and  disclosure  of 
deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  has  been  performed  in 
accordance with the principles in AASB 112, and on a modified 
stand alone basis under UIG 1052. 

Any  current  tax  liabilities/assets  (after  the  elimination  of  intra-
Group transactions) and deferred tax assets arising from unused 
tax losses assumed by the Bank from the subsidiaries in the tax 
consolidated  group  are  recognised  in  conjunction  with  any  tax 
funding arrangement amounts (refer below).  

Any  difference  between  these  amounts  is  recognised  by  the 
Bank  as  an  equity  contribution  to  or  distribution  from  the 
subsidiary. 

The  Bank  recognises  deferred  tax  assets  arising  from  unused 
tax  losses  of  the  tax-consolidated  group  to  the  extent  it  is 
probable that future taxable profits of the tax-consolidated group 
will be available against which the asset can be utilised. 

Any  subsequent  period  adjustments  to  deferred  tax  assets 
arising  from  unused  tax  losses  assumed  from  subsidiaries  are 
recognised by the Bank only. 

The members of the tax-consolidated group have entered into a 
tax funding arrangement which sets out the funding obligations 
of  members  of  the  tax-consolidated  group  in  respect  of  tax 
amounts.  

(z) Employee benefits 

Annual leave 

The  provision 
outstanding liability to employees at Balance Sheet date. 

for  annual 

represents 

leave 

the  current 

(y) Income taxes 

Long service leave 

Income  tax  on  the  profit  and  loss  for  the  period  comprises 
current and deferred tax.  

Income tax is recognised in the Income Statement, except to the 
extent  that  it  relates  to  items  recognised  directly  in  equity,  in 
which case it is recognised in equity. 

Current tax  is  the expected  tax  payable on  the taxable income 
for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at 
the  Balance  Sheet  date,  and  any  adjustment  to  tax  payable  in 
respect of previous years. 

Deferred  tax  is  provided  using  the  Balance  Sheet  liability 
method,  providing 
for  temporary  differences  between  the 
carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  for  financial  reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.  

The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected 
manner  of  realisation  or  settlement  of  the  carrying  amount  of 
assets  and  liabilities,  using  tax  rates  enacted  or  substantially 
enacted at the Balance Sheet date which are expected to apply 
when  the  deferred  tax  asset  is  realised  or  the  deferred  tax 
liability is settled. 

94     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

The provision for long service leave is discounted to the present 
value, is subject to actuarial review and is maintained at a level 
that accords with actuarial advice. 

Other employee benefits 

The  provision  for  other  employee  entitlements  represents 
liabilities for staff housing loan benefits, a subsidy to a registered 
health  fund  with  respect  to  retired  and  current  employees,  and 
employee  incentives  under  employee  share  plans  and  bonus 
schemes. 

The Group engages in share-based remuneration in respect of 
services  received  from  certain  of  its  employees.  The  share 
based remuneration may be cash settled or equity settled. The 
fair  value  of  equity  settled  remuneration  is  calculated  at  grant 
date  and  amortised  to  the  Income  Statement  over  the  vesting 
period,  with  a  corresponding 
the  Equity 
Compensation  Reserve.  For  these  awards,  market  vesting 
conditions,  such  as  share  price  performance  conditions,  are 
taken  into  account  when  estimating  the  fair  value.  Non–market 
vesting  conditions,  such  as  service  conditions,  are  taken  into 
account  by  adjusting  the  number  of  the  equity  instruments 
included in the measurement of the expense.  

increase 

in 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

Cash  settled  remuneration  is  recognised  as  a  liability  and 
remeasured  to  fair  value  until  settled,  with  changes  in  the  fair 
value recognised as an expense. 

Defined benefit superannuation plans 

currently 

The  Group 
two  defined  benefit 
sponsors 
superannuation  plans  for  its  employees.  The  assets  and 
liabilities  of  these  plans  are  legally  held  in  separate  trustee-
administered  funds.  They  are  calculated  separately  for  each 
plan by assessing the fair value of plan assets and deducting the 
amount  of  future  benefit  that  employees  have  earned  in  return 
for  their  service  in  current  and  prior  periods  discounted  to 
present  value.  The  discount  rate  is  the  yield  at  Balance  Sheet 
date  on  government  securities  which  have  terms  to  maturity 
approximating to the terms of the related liability.  

The  defined  benefit  superannuation  plan  surpluses  and/or 
deficits  are  calculated  by  fund  actuaries.  Contributions  to  all 
superannuation plans are made in accordance with the rules of 
the  plans.  As  the  Australian  plan  is  in  surplus,  no  funding  is 
currently necessary.  

losses 

related 

Actuarial  gains  and 
to  defined  benefit 
superannuation  plans  are  directly  recorded  in  Retained  Profits. 
The  net  surpluses  or  deficits  that  arise  within  defined  benefit 
superannuation  plans  are  recognised  and  disclosed  separately 
in Other assets or Bills payable and other liabilities. 

Defined contribution superannuation plans 

The  Group  sponsors  a  number  of  defined  contribution 
superannuation plans. Certain plans permit employees to make 
contributions and earn matching or other contributions from the 
Group. The Group recognises contributions due in respect of the 
accounting  period  in  the  Income  Statement.  Any  contributions 
unpaid at the Balance Sheet date are included as a liability. 

(aa) Provisions 

Provision for dividends 

A  provision  for  dividend  payable  is  recognised  when  dividends 
are declared by the Directors. 

Provisions for restructuring 

Provisions  for  restructuring  are  recognised  where  there  is  a 
for  restructure  and  a  demonstrated 
detailed 
commitment to that plan. 

formal  plan 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Where the Group has designated debt instruments at fair value 
through  Income  Statement,  the  changes  in  fair  value  are 
recognised  in  the  Income  Statement.  Refer  to  Note  1  (x) 
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement. 

Embedded  derivatives  with  economic  characteristics  and  risks 
that  are  not  wholly  related  to  the  economic  characteristics  and 
notes  of  the  host  instruments  are  separated  from  the  debt 
issues. Refer Note 1 (ff) Derivative financial instruments. 

Hedging 

The  Group  hedges  interest  rate  and  foreign  currency  risk  on 
certain debt issues. When hedge accounting is applied to fixed 
rate debt issues, the carrying values are adjusted for changes in 
fair  value  related  to  the  hedged  risks  rather  than  carried  at 
to  Note  1  (ff)  Derivative  financial 
amortised  cost.  Refer 
instruments.  

(cc) Bills payable and other liabilities 

Bills  payable  and  other  liabilities  includes  interest,  fees,  other 
expenses  payable,  securities  purchased  not  delivered  and  any 
defined benefit superannuation plan deficit. 

Any  superannuation  plan  deficit  is  recorded  in  line  with  Note  1 
(z) Employee benefits while the remaining liabilities are recorded 
at amortised cost using the effective interest method.  

Where  the  Group  has  designated  bills  payable  and  other 
liabilities at fair value through Income Statement, the changes in 
fair value are reported in the Income Statement (refer to Note 1 
(x) Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement). 

(dd) Loan capital 

Loan  capital  is  debt  issued  by  the  Group  with  terms  and 
conditions, such as being undated or subordinated, which qualify 
for inclusion as capital under APRA Prudential Standards. Loan 
capital debt issues are initially recorded at fair value plus directly 
attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition loan capital 
debt issues are measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method. 

Interest  inclusive  of  premiums,  discounts  and  associated  issue 
expenses  is  recognised  in  the  Income  Statement  using  the 
effective interest method over the expected life of the instrument 
so that they attain their redemption values by maturity date. Any 
profits  or  losses  arising  from  redemption  prior  to  expected 
maturity are recognised in the Income Statement in the period in 
which they are realised. 

Provision for self-insurance 

(ee) Shareholders’ equity 

The  provision  for  self-insurance  covers  certain  non-lending 
losses  and  non-transferred  insurance  risks.  Actuarial  reviews 
are  carried  out  at  regular  intervals  with  provisioning  effected  in 
accordance with actuarial advice. 

(bb) Debt issues 

Debt  issues  are  short  and  long  term  debt  issues  of  the  Group 
including  commercial  papers,  notes,  term  loans  and  medium 
term  notes.  Commercial  paper,  floating,  fixed  and  structured 
debt  issues  are  recorded  at  cost  or  amortised  cost  using  the 
effective interest method.  

Premiums,  discounts  and  associated  issue  expenses  are 
recognised in the Income Statement using the effective interest 
method,  from  the  date  of  issue,  to  ensure  that  securities  attain 
their redemption values by maturity date. 

Interest  is  recognised  in  the  Income  Statement  using  the 
effective  interest  method.  Any  profits  or  losses  arising  from 
redemption prior to maturity are taken to the Income Statement 
in the period in which they are realised. 

Ordinary share capital is the amount of paid up capital from the 
issue of ordinary shares. 

Treasury  Shares  are  deducted  from  Ordinary  share  capital. 
Gains  or  losses  on  the  reissue  of  Treasury  Shares  are 
recognised in shareholders’ equity within Retained Profits.  

The  movement  between  the  acquisition  and  reissue  price  of 
Treasury Shares remains within shareholders’ equity. 

The  General  Reserve  is  derived  from  revenue  profits  and  is 
available for dividend payments except for undistributable profits 
in respect of the Group’s life insurance businesses. 

The Capital Reserve is derived from capital profits (refer to Note 
1  (s)  Property,  Plant  and  Equipment)  and  is  available  for 
dividend payments. 

for  Credit  Losses  was  originally 
The  General  Reserve 
appropriated  from  Retained  Profits  to  comply  with  APRA 
prudential requirements in prior periods and has been returned 
to Retained Profits. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     95 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

Cash flow hedges 

(ff) Derivative financial instruments 

The  Group  has  a  significant  volume  of  derivative  financial 
instruments  that  include  foreign  exchange  contracts,  forward 
rate  agreements,  futures,  options  and  interest  rate,  currency, 
equity and credit swaps.  

Derivative financial instruments are used as part of the Group’s 
trading  activities  and  to  hedge  certain  assets  and  liabilities. 
Derivatives that do not meet the hedging criteria are classified as 
derivatives held for trading, or as other derivatives. 

The Group initially recognises derivative financial instruments at 
the fair value of consideration given or received.  

They  are  subsequently  remeasured  to  fair  value  based  on 
quoted market prices, or broker or dealer price quotations. Non-
market  quoted  instruments  are  subsequently  valued  using 
valuation  techniques  based  on  market  conditions  and  risks 
existing at Balance Sheet date.  

A  positive  revaluation  amount  of  a  contract  is  reported  as  an 
asset  and  a  negative  revaluation  amount  of  a  contract  as  a 
liability.  

Changes  in  fair  value  of  derivatives  are  recognised  in  the 
Income Statement unless designated within a cash flow hedging 
relationship. 

Swaps 

Interest rate swap receipts and payments are recognised within 
net  interest  income  using  the  effective  interest  method  as 
interest  of  the  designated  hedged  item  or  class  of  items  being 
hedged over the term for which the swap is effective as a hedge, 
whereas  revaluation  gains  and  losses  are  recognised  within 
other operating income. 

Similarly  with  cross  currency  swaps,  interest  rate  receipts  and 
payments are recognised on the same basis as for interest rate 
swaps. In addition, the initial principal flows are revalued to fair 
value at the current market exchange rate with revaluation gains 
and  losses  recognised  in  the  Income  Statement  against 
revaluation  losses  and  gains  of  the  underlying  hedged  item  or 
class of items.  

Derivative financial instruments utilised for hedging 

relationships 

The Group uses derivative instruments as part of its asset and 
liability  management  activities  to  manage  exposures  to  interest 
rate,  foreign  currency  and  credit  risks,  including  exposures 
arising  from  forecast  transactions.  Hedge  accounting  can  be 
applied subject to certain rules for fair value hedges, cash flow 
hedges  and  hedges  of  foreign  operations.  Cash  flow  and  fair 
value hedges are the predominant hedges applied by the Group. 
Swaps  are  the  major  financial  instruments  used  in  the  Group’s 
hedging arrangements. 

Fair value hedges 

For  fair  value  hedges,  the  change  in  fair  value  of  the  hedging 
derivative, and the hedged risk of the hedged item, is recognised 
immediately  in  the  Income  Statement  within  other  operating 
income.  If  the  fair  value  hedge  relationship  is  terminated  for 
reasons  other  than  the  derecognition  of  the  hedged  item,  fair 
value hedge  accounting  ceases  and, in  the case of  an interest 
bearing  item,  the  fair  value  adjustment  of  the  hedged  item  is 
amortised  to the  Income Statement  over the  remaining term of 
the  original  hedge.  If  the  hedged  item  is  derecognised  the 
unamortised fair value adjustment is recognised immediately in 
the Income Statement. 

96     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

A fair valuation gain or loss associated with the effective portion 
of  a  derivative  designated  as  a  cash  flow  hedge  is  recognised 
initially  in  shareholders’  equity  within  the  Cash  flow  hedge 
reserve.  Amounts 
flow  hedge  reserve  are 
transferred to the Income Statement when the cash flows on the 
hedged item are recognised in profit and loss. Gains and losses 
resulting  from  cash  flow  hedge  ineffectiveness  are  recorded 
immediately in the Income Statement.  

the  Cash 

in 

A  fair  valuation  gain  or  loss  represents  the  amount  by  which 
changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  expected  cash  flow  of  the 
hedging  derivative  differ  from  the  fair  value  of  the  changes  (or 
expected changes) in the cash flow of the hedged item. 

Where the hedged item is derecognised, the cumulative gain or 
loss  is  recognised  immediately  in  the  Income  Statement.  If  for 
reasons  other  than  the  derecognition  of  the  hedged  item,  cash 
flow  hedge  accounting  ceases,  the  cumulative  gains  or  losses 
are amortised to the Income Statement over the remaining term 
of the original hedge. 

Net Investment Hedges 

Hedges  of  net  investments  in  overseas  subsidiaries  are 
accounted for in a manner similar to cash flow hedges. Any gain 
or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion 
of the hedge is recognised in the Foreign Currency Translation 
Reserve (“FCTR”) and the gain or loss relating to the ineffective 
portion  is  immediately  recognised  in  the  Income  Statement. 
Gains  and  losses  accumulated  in  the  FCTR  are  transferred  to 
the Income Statement when the overseas subsidiary is disposed 
of. 

Embedded derivatives 

A derivative may be embedded within a host contract. If the host 
contract  is  not  already  measured  at  fair  value  with  changes  in 
fair  value  reported  in  the  Income  Statement,  and  where  the 
economic  characteristics  and  risks  of  the  embedded  derivative 
are not closely related to the economic characteristics and risks 
of the host contract, the embedded derivative is separated from 
the host contract and accounted for as a stand-alone derivative 
instrument at fair value. 

(gg) Commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, 
guarantees, warranties and indemnities issued 

Contingent  liabilities  are  possible  obligations  whose  existence 
will  be  confirmed  only  by  uncertain  future  events,  or  present 
obligations where the transfer of economic benefit is uncertain or 
cannot  be  reliably  measured.  Contingent  liabilities  are  not 
recognised, but are disclosed, unless they are remote. 

Financial  guarantees  are  given  to  banks,  financial  institutions 
and  other  bodies  on  behalf  of  customers  to  secure  loans, 
overdrafts  and  other  banking  facilities,  and  to  other  parties  in 
connection with the performance of customers under obligations 
related  to contracts,  advance payments made by  other  parties, 
tenders, retentions and the payment of import duties. 

Financial  guarantee  contracts  are  initially  recognised  at  fair 
value. 

Subsequent  to  initial  recognition,  financial  guarantees  are 
measured at the higher of the initial measurement amount, less 
amortisation calculated to recognise fee income earned, and the 
best estimate of the expenditure required to settle any financial 
obligation at the Balance Sheet date. 

Any  increase  in  the  liability  relating  to  financial  guarantees  is 
recognised  in  the  Income  Statement.  Any  liability  remaining  is 
recognised  in  the  Income  Statement  when  the  guarantee  is 
discharged, cancelled or expires. 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

(hh) Life and general insurance business 

Life Insurance business 

The  Group’s  life  insurance  business  is  comprised  of  insurance 
contracts and investment contracts as defined by AASB 4.  

Insurance  contracts  are  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  the 
requirements  of  AASB  1038. 
Investment  contracts  are 
accounted 
instruments  with  a  separate 
for  as 
management  services  element  in  accordance  with  AASB  118, 
139 and 1038. Details are set out below. 

financial 

All  assets,  liabilities,  revenues,  expenses  and  equity  are 
recognised  irrespective  of  whether  they  are  designated  as 
relating to policyholders or to shareholders. 

All assets backing insurance liabilities are classified as Assets at 
fair value through Income Statement. They are measured at fair 
value based on quoted bid prices or using appropriate valuation 
techniques. 

Life insurance contract liabilities are measured at the net present 
value  of  future  receipts  from  and  payments  to  policyholders 
using  a  risk  free  discount  rate  (or  expected  fund  earning  rate 
where  benefits  are  contractually 
the  asset 
performance),  and  are  calculated  in  accordance  with  the 
principles  of  Margin  on  Services  (“MoS”)  profit  reporting  as  set 
out  in  Prudential  Standard  LPS  1.04  –  Valuation  of  Policy 
Liabilities (“LPS 1.04”) issued by APRA. 

linked 

to 

Life  investment  contract  liabilities  are  measured  at  fair  value  in 
accordance  with  AASB  139  as  Liabilities  at  fair  value  through 
Income Statement. 

Returns  on  all  investments  controlled  by  life  insurance  entities 
within the Group are recognised as revenues. Investments in the 
Group’s  own  equity  instruments  held  within  the  life  insurance 
statutory funds and other funds are treated as Treasury Shares 
in accordance with Note 1 (ee) Shareholders’ equity. 

Initial  entry  fee  income  on  investment  contracts  issued  by  life 
insurance  entities  is  recognised  upfront  where  the  Group 
provides  financial  advice.  Other  entry  fees  are  deferred  and 
recognised over the life of the underlying investment contract. 

Participating  benefits  vested  in  relation  to  the  financial  year, 
from  unvested  policyholder  benefits 
transfers 
other 
liabilities, are recognised as expenses. 

than 

Reinsurance  contracts  entered  into  are  recognised  on  a  gross 
basis. 

Premiums and claims 

Premiums and claims are separated on a product basis into their 
revenue, expense and change in liability components unless the 
separation  is  not  practicable  or  the  components  cannot  be 
reliably measured. 

(i) Life insurance contracts 

Premiums received for providing services and bearing risks are 
recognised  as  revenue.  Premiums  with  a  regular  due  date  are 
recognised  as  revenue  on  a  due  and  receivable  basis. 
Premiums with no due date are recognised on a cash received 
basis. Insurance contract claims are recognised as an expense 
when a liability has been established. 

(ii) Investment contracts 

Premiums  received  include  the  fee  portion  of  the  premium 
recognised as revenue over the period the underlying service is 
provided  and  the  deposit  portion  recognised  as  an  increase  in 
investment  contract  liabilities.  Premiums  with  no  due  date  are 
recognised on a cash received basis.  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Fees earned for managing the funds invested are recognised as 
revenue.  Claims  under 
represent 
withdrawals  of  investment  deposits  and  are  recognised  as  a 
reduction in investment contract liabilities. 

investment  contracts 

Life insurance liabilities and profit 

Life  insurance  contract  policy  liabilities  are  calculated  in  a  way 
that allows for the systematic release of planned profit margins 
as  services  are  provided  to  policyowners  and  the  revenues 
relating  to  those  services  are  received.  Selected  profit  carriers 
including premiums and anticipated policy payments are used to 
determine profit recognition.  

insurance  contract  and 

Investment assets are held in excess of those required to meet 
life 
liabilities. 
Investment earnings are directly influenced by market conditions 
and as such this component of profit varies from year to year. 

investment  contract 

Participating policies 

insurance  contract  policy 

Life 
participating  policies  include 
shareholder  profit  margins  and  an  allowance 
supportable bonuses.  

liabilities  attributable 
to 
the  value  of  future  planned 
future 

for 

The  value  of  supportable  bonuses  and  planned  shareholder 
profit margins account for all profit on participating policies based 
on best estimate assumptions. 

Under the “Margin on Services” profit recognition methodology, 
the  value  of  supportable  bonuses  and  the  shareholder  profit 
margin relating to a reporting year will emerge as planned profits 
in that year. 

Life insurance contract acquisition costs 

Acquisition  costs  for  life  insurance  contracts  include  the  fixed 
and  variable  costs  of  acquiring  new  business.  These  costs  are 
effectively  deferred  through  the  determination  of  life  insurance 
contract liabilities at the balance date to the extent that they are 
deemed  recoverable  from  the  expected  future  profits  of  an 
amount equivalent to the deferred cost.  

Deferred  acquisition costs  are amortised  over  the  expected life 
of the life insurance contract. 

Life investment contract acquisition costs 

Acquisition  costs  for  investment  contracts  include  the  variable 
costs  of  acquiring  new  business.  However,  the  deferral  of 
investment contract acquisition costs is limited by the application 
of  AASB  118  to  the  extent  that  only  incremental  transaction 
costs  (for  example  commissions  and  volume  bonuses)  are 
deferred.  The 
in 
accordance  with  AASB  139  is  no  less  than  the  contract 
surrender value. 

investment  contract 

liability  calculated 

Managed fund units on issue – held by minority unitholders 

The  life  insurance  statutory  funds  and  other  funds  include 
controlling  interests  in  trusts  and  companies,  and  the  total 
amounts  of  each  underlying  asset,  liability,  revenue  and 
expense of the controlled entities are recognised in the Group’s 
consolidated Financial Statements. 

When a controlled unit trust is consolidated, the share of the unit 
holder liability attributable to the Bank is eliminated but amounts 
due  to  external  unitholders  remain  as  liabilities  in  the  Group’s 
consolidated  Balance  Sheet.  The  share  of  the  net  assets  of 
controlled  companies  attributable  to  minority  unit  holders  is 
disclosed separately on the Balance Sheet.  

In the Income Statement, the net profit or loss of the controlled 
entities relating to minority interests is eliminated before arriving 
at the net profit or loss attributable to Equity holders of the Bank. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     97 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

(ii) Asset securitisation 

General Insurance Business 

Premium revenue 

Premium revenue comprises amounts charged to policyholders, 
including  fire  service  levies,  but  excludes  taxes  collected  on 
behalf of third parties. The earned portion of premiums received 
and  receivable  is  recognised  as  revenue.  Premium  revenue  is 
earned from the date of attachment of risk and over the term of 
the policies written, based on assessment of the likely pattern in 
which risk will emerge. The portion not earned as determined by 
the above methods is recognised as unearned premium liability. 

Unearned Premium Liability  

The adequacy of the unearned premium liability is assessed by 
considering  current  estimates  of  all  expected  future  cash  flows 
relating to future claims covered by current insurance contracts. 

If the present value of the expected future cash flows relating to 
future  claims,  plus  the  additional  risk  margin  to  reflect  the 
inherent  uncertainty  in  the  estimate,  exceeds  the  unearned 
premium liability less related deferred acquisition costs, then the 
unearned premium liability is deemed deficient. Any deficiency is 
recognised 
Income  Statement  as  an 
the 
expense,  both  gross  and  net  of  reinsurance.  The  deficiency  is 
recognised  by  writing  down  any  related  deferred  acquisition 
costs, with any excess being recorded on the Balance Sheet as 
an unexpired risk liability. 

immediately 

in 

Reinsurance  

Premium ceded to reinsurers is recognised as an expense from 
the  attachment  date  over  the  period  of  indemnity  of  the 
reinsurance  contract, 
the  pattern  of 
reinsurance service received. Accordingly, a portion of outwards 
reinsurance  premium  is  treated  at  the  Balance  Sheet  date  as 
deferred reinsurance. 

in  accordance  with 

Claims expense 

Claims  expense  and  a  liability  for  outstanding  claims  are 
recognised in respect of all business. The liability covers claims 
reported  but  not  yet  paid,  incurred  but  not  reported  claims 
("IBNR") and the anticipated direct and indirect costs of settling 
those  claims.  The  liability  for  outstanding  claims  is  determined 
having  regard  to  an  independent  actuarial  assessment.  The 
liability is measured as the estimate of the present value of the 
expected  future  payments  against  claims  incurred  at  the 
Balance  Sheet  date,  with  an  additional  risk  margin  to  allow  for 
the  inherent  uncertainty  in  the  estimate.  These  payments  are 
estimated  on  the  basis  of  the  ultimate  cost  of  settling  claims, 
which  is  affected  by  factors  arising  during  the  period  to 
settlement, such as inflation. The expected future payments are 
discounted  to  present  value  at  the  Balance  Sheet  date  using 
market-determined, risk-adjusted discount rates.  

A  risk  margin  is  applied  to  the  outstanding  claims  liability, 
sufficient to ensure the probability of adequacy of the liabilities to 
a 75% confidence level. 

Acquisition costs 

Acquisition  costs  include  brokerage  and  other  selling  and 
underwriting  costs  incurred  in  obtaining  general  insurance 
premiums.  A  portion  of  acquisition  costs  relating  to  unearned 
premium  revenue 
is  recognised  as  an  asset.  Deferred 
acquisition costs are amortised over the financial years expected 
to  benefit  from  the  expenditure  and  are  stated  at  the  lower  of 
cost and recoverable value. 

98     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

The  Group  conducts  an  asset  securitisation  program  through 
which  it  packages  and  sells  assets  as  securities  to  investors. 
The Group is entitled to any residual income of the program after 
all  payments  due  to  investors  and  costs  of  the  program  have 
been  met.  Therefore  the  Group  is  considered  to  hold  the 
majority  of  the  residual  risks  and  benefits  within  the  entities 
through  which  asset  securitisation  is  conducted  and  so  it 
consolidates these entities. 

Liabilities associated with asset securitisation entities and related 
issue costs are accounted for on an amortised cost basis using 
the  effective  interest  method.  Interest  rate  swaps  and  liquidity 
facilities  are  provided  at  arm’s  length  to  the  program  by  the 
Group in accordance with APRA Prudential Guidelines. 

Derivatives  return  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  of  the 
securitised  assets  to  the  Bank  and  consequently  the  Bank 
cannot  derecognise 
is 
these  assets.  An 
recognised inclusive of the derivative and any related fees. 

imputed 

liability 

For further details on the treatment of securitisation entities, refer 
to Note 1 (c) Consolidation. 

(jj) Fiduciary activities 

The Bank and designated controlled entities act as Responsible 
Entity,  Trustee  and/or  Manager  for  a  number  of  wholesale, 
superannuation  and  investment  funds,  trusts  and  approved 
deposit funds. 

The  assets  and  liabilities  of  these  trusts  and  funds  are  not 
included in the consolidated Financial Statements as the Group 
does  not have  direct  or indirect control of the trusts and funds. 
Commissions  and  fees  earned  in  respect  of  the  activities  are 
included in the Income Statement of the Group. 

(kk) Comparative figures 

Where  necessary,  comparative  figures  have  been  adjusted  to 
conform  with  changes  in  presentation  in  these  Financial 
Statements. 

(ll) Roundings 

The  amounts  contained  in  this  Financial  Report  and  the 
Financial  Statements  are  presented  in  Australian  Dollars  and 
have  been  rounded  to  the  nearest  million  dollars  unless 
otherwise  stated,  under  the  option  available  to  the  company 
under  ASIC  Class  Order  98/100  (as  amended  by  ASIC  Class 
Order 04/667). 

(mm) Critical accounting policies and estimates 

to  be  more 

These Notes to the Financial Statements contain a summary of 
the  Group’s  significant  accounting  policies.  Certain  of  these 
policies  are  considered 
the 
determination  of  the  Group’s  financial  position,  since  they 
require  management  to  make  difficult,  complex  or  subjective 
judgements,  some  of  which  may  relate  to  matters  that  are 
inherently  uncertain.  These  decisions  are  reviewed  by  a 
Committee of the Board. 

important 

in 

for 

loan  balances,  actuarial  assumptions 

These policies include judgements as to levels of provisions for 
in 
impairment 
determining  life  insurance  policy  liabilities  and  determining 
whether certain entities should be consolidated. An explanation 
of  these  policies  and  the  related  judgements  and  estimates 
involved is set out below. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 Accounting Policies (continued) 

Life insurance policyholder liabilities 

Provisions for impairment  

Provisions  for  impairment  of  financial  assets  are  raised  where 
there  is  objective  evidence  of  impairment  and  at  an  amount 
adequate to cover assessed credit related losses. 

Credit losses arise primarily from loans but also from other credit 
instruments  such  as  bank  acceptances,  contingent  liabilities, 
guarantees and other financial instruments and assets acquired 
through security enforcement. 

Life  insurance  policyholder  liabilities  are  accounted  for  under 
AASB  1038:  Life  Insurance  Business.  A  significant  area  of 
judgement is in the determination of policyholder liabilities, which 
involve actuarial assumptions. 

The  areas  of  judgement  where  key  actuarial  assumptions  are 
made in the determination of policyholder liabilities are: 

•  Business assumptions including: 

•  Amount, timing and duration of claims/policy payments; 

Individually assessed provisions 

•  Policy lapse rates; and 

•  Acquisition and long term maintenance expense levels; 

•  Long  term  economic  assumptions  for  discount  and  interest 

rates, inflation rates and market earnings rates; and 

•  Selection  of  methodology,  either  projection  or  accumulation 
method.  The  selection  of  the  method  is  generally  governed 
by the product type. 

The determination of assumptions relies on making judgements 
on  variances  from  long-term  assumptions.  Where  experience 
differs from long term assumptions: 

•  Recent results may be a statistical aberration; or 

•  There  may  be  a  commencement  of  a  new  paradigm 

requiring a change in long term assumptions. 

The  Group’s  actuaries  arrive  at  conclusions  regarding  the 
statistical analysis using their experience and judgement.  

Additional information on the accounting policy is set out in Note 
1  (hh)  Life  and  General  Insurance  Business,  and  Note  37  Life 
Insurance Business details the key actuarial assumptions. 

Consolidation of special purpose entities 

The Group assesses whether a special purpose entity should be 
consolidated based on the risks and rewards of each entity and 
whether the majority pass to the Group. Such assessments are 
predominately 
the  Group’s 
securitisation program and structured transactions. 

the  context  of 

required 

in 

Individually  assessed  provisions  are  raised  where  there  is 
objective evidence of impairment and full recovery of principal is 
considered doubtful.  

Individually  assessed  provisions  are  made  against  individual 
facilities  in  the  credit  risk  rated  managed  segment  where 
exposure  aggregates  to  $250,000  or  more,  and  a  loss  of 
$10,000  or  more  is  expected.  The  provisions  are  established 
based  primarily  on  estimates  of  the  realisable  (fair)  value  of 
collateral taken and are measured as the difference between a 
financial  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  present  value  of  the 
expected  future  cash  flows  (excluding  future  credit  losses  that 
have  not  been  incurred),  discounted  at  the  financial  asset’s 
original  effective  interest  rate.  Short  term  balances  are  not 
discounted. 

Individually assessed provisions (in bulk) are also made against 
statistically managed segments to cover facilities which are not 
well secured and past due 180 days or more, against the credit 
risk  rated  segment  for  exposures  aggregating  to  less  than 
$250,000 and 90 days or more past due, and against credit risks 
identified  in  specific  segments  in  the  credit  risk  rated  portfolio. 
These provisions are derived primarily by reference to historical 
ratios of write-offs to balances in default. 

Individually  assessed  provisions  are  provided  for  from  the 
collective provision. 

Collective provision 

All  other  loans  and  advances  that  do  not  have  an  individually 
assessed provision are assessed collectively for impairment. 

The  collective  provision  is  maintained  to  reduce  the  carrying 
amount  of  portfolios  of  similar  loans  and  advances  to  their 
estimated recoverable amounts at the Balance Sheet date.  

The  evaluation  process  is  subject  to  a  series  of  estimates  and 
judgements.  

In the credit risk rated segment, the risk rating system, including 
the  frequency  of  default  and  loss  given  default  rates,  loss 
history, and the size, structure and diversity of individual credits 
are  considered.  Current  developments  in  portfolios  (industry, 
geographic and term) are reviewed.  

In the retail statistically managed segment the history of defaults 
and losses, and the size, structure and diversity of portfolios are 
considered. 

In addition management considers overall indicators of portfolio 
performance, quality and economic conditions.  

Changes  in  these  estimates  could  have  a  direct  impact  on  the 
level of provision determined. 

The amount required to bring the collective provision to the level 
assessed  is  recognised  in  the  Income  Statement  as  set  out  in 
Note 14 Provisions for Impairment. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     99 

 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 2 Profit  
Profit before income tax has been determined as follows: 

Interest Income  
Loans 
Other financial institutions  
Cash and liquid assets  
Assets at fair value through Income Statement 
Available-for-sale investments 
Controlled entities 
Total interest income 

Interest Expense  
Deposits 
Other financial institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement (1) 
Debt issues (1) 
Controlled entities 
Loan capital 
Total interest expense 
Net interest income 

Other Operating Income  
Loan service fees: 

From financial assets  
Other  

Commission and other fees: 
From financial liabilities  
Other 

Trading income 
Net gain/(loss) on disposal of available-for-sale investments  
Net (loss)/gain on other non-trading instruments 
Net hedging ineffectiveness 
Net (loss)/gain on other financial instruments: 

Fair value through Income Statement 
Reclassification of net interest on swaps 
Non-trading derivatives 

Dividends – Controlled entities  
Dividends – Other 
Net (loss)/gain on sale of property, plant and equipment 
Funds management and investment contract income: 

Fees receivable on trust and other fiduciary activities 
Other  

Insurance contracts income 
Other  
Total other operating income 
Total net operating income  

Loan Impairment Expense 
Loan impairment expense 
Loan impairment expense (Note 14) 

2008
$M 

25,598 
474 
473 
1,933 
756 
- 
29,234 

12,393 
989 
1,129 
6,024 
- 
792 
21,327 
7,907 

933 
43 

507 
1,320 
546 
309 
(1)
(58)

(9)
(265)
37 
- 
39 
(15)

1,835 
528 
740 
173 
6,662 
14,569 

2007
$M 

20,711 
443 
483 
1,495 
730 
- 
23,862 

8,995 
674 
1,087 
5,506 
- 
564 
16,826 
7,036 

873 
23 

501 
1,228 
555 
138 
9 
30 

65 
(107)
(98)
- 
3 
(15)

1,449 
522 
1,043 
136 
6,355 
13,391 

Group

2006 
$M 

17,304 
333 
287 
1,149 
685 
- 
19,758 

7,385 
475 
947 
3,861 
- 
576 
13,244 
6,514 

783 
17 

497 
1,138 
505 
36 
- 
(15) 

35 
(46) 
(44) 
- 
4 
4 

1,132 
491 
1,113 
122 
5,772 
12,286 

2008 
$M 

21,369 
423 
427 
1,409 
880 
1,077 
25,585 

12,168 
903 
217 
4,241 
1,295 
843 
19,667 
5,918 

860 
43 

413 
959 
504 
272 
(36) 
(33) 

(26) 
73 
44 
1,636 
31 
(14) 

- 
- 
- 
1,060 
5,786 
11,704 

Bank
2007
$M 

16,715 
506 
327 
1,072 
597 
851 
20,068 

8,570 
653 
209 
3,409 
1,400 
675 
14,916 
5,152 

826 
7 

412 
932 
492 
(34)
7 
14 

135 
(25)
(201)
1,879 
3 
(15)

- 
- 
- 
1,090 
5,522 
10,674 

930 
930 

434 
434 

398 
398 

902 
902 

390 
390 

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

100     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 2 Profit (continued) 

Staff Expenses 
Salaries and wages  
Share based compensation 
Superannuation contributions 
Provisions for employee entitlements 
Payroll tax 
Fringe benefits tax 
Other staff expenses 
Total staff expenses 

Occupancy and Equipment Expenses 
Operating lease rentals 
Depreciation: 
Buildings 
Leasehold improvements 
Equipment 
Operating lease assets  
Repairs and maintenance 
Other 
Total occupancy and equipment expenses 

Information Technology Services 
Application, maintenance and development 
Data processing 
Desktop 
Communications  
Amortisation of software assets  
IT equipment depreciation  
Total information technology services 

Other Expenses 
Postage 
Stationery 
Fees and commissions: 

Fees payable on trust and other fiduciary activities 
Other  

Advertising, marketing and loyalty  
Amortisation of other intangible assets (excluding software) 
Non-lending losses 
Other  
Total other expenses 

Investment and restructuring 
Write-down of leasehold improvements 
Write-down of software assets 
Other provisions 
Total investment and restructuring 

Total operating expenses 
Defined benefit superannuation plan income/(expense) 
Profit before income tax  

Net hedging ineffectiveness comprises: 
Gain/(Loss) on fair value hedges: 

Hedging instruments  
Hedged items  

Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness 
Net hedging ineffectiveness  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

2008
$M 

3,097 
106 
14 
90 
162 
32 
160 
3,661 

403 

27 
63 
84 
20 
81 
89 
767 

224 
195 
114 
174 
88 
31 
826 

119 
98 

538 
280 
348 
15 
78 
291 
1,767 

18 
77 
282 
377 

7,398 
14 
6,255 

921 
(970)
(9)
(58)

2007
$M 

2,746 
89 
8 
61 
139 
34 
152 
3,229 

367 

22 
59 
73 
22 
71 
74 
688 

304 
206 
119 
168 
62 
24 
883

109 
104 

402 
289 
326 
8 
97 
292 
1,627 

- 
- 
- 
- 

6,427 
8 
6,538 

285 
(271)
16 
30 

Group 
2006 
$M 

2,419 
39 
8 
66 
123 
34 
134 
2,823 

338 

22 
56 
64 
9 
73 
59 
621 

364 
227 
137 
201 
43 
13 
985 

118 
98 

351 
285 
307 
6 
116 
284 
1,565 

- 
- 
- 
- 

5,994 
(35) 
5,859 

(2,183) 
2,163 
5 
(15) 

2008 
$M 

2,278 
102 
(28) 
72 
129 
28 
108 
2,689 

345 

26 
52 
54 
11 
74 
54 
616 

195 
195 
114 
148 
76 
28 
756 

102 
70 

- 
565 
273 
1 
66 
90 
1,167 

18 
65 
282 
365 

5,593 
14 
5,223 

937 
(971) 
1 
(33) 

Bank
2007
$M 

2,059 
89 
(27)
54 
114 
31 
73 
2,393 

312 

21 
47 
43 
12 
64 
42 
541 

286 
175 
119 
165 
59 
24 
828

94 
77 

3 
495 
259 
- 
91 
101 
1,120 

- 
- 
- 
- 

4,882 
8 
5,410 

268 
(262)
8 
14 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 3 Income from Ordinary Activities 

Banking 
Interest income  
Fees and commissions  
Trading income  
Net gains/(losses) on disposal of available-for-sale investments 
Net (losses)/gains on disposal of non-trading instruments 
Net hedging ineffectiveness 
Net gains/(losses) on other financial instruments: 

Fair value through Income Statement 
Reclassification of net interest on swaps 
Non-trading derivatives 

Dividends  
Net (losses)/gains on sale of property, plant and equipment 
Other income  

Funds Management, Investment contract and Insurance 
contract revenue  
Funds management and investment contract income including 
premiums 
Insurance contract premiums and related income 
Funds management claims and policy holder liability revenue 
Investment income 

Total income  

2008
$M 

29,234 
2,803 
546 
309 
(1)
(58)

(9)
(265)
37 
39 
(15)
173 
32,793 

2,369 
1,373 
519 
- 
4,261 
37,054 

2007
$M 

23,862 
2,625 
555 
138 
9 
30 

65 
(107)
(98)
3 
(15)
136 
27,203 

1,871 
1,117 
- 
2,978 
5,966 
33,169 

Group 
2006 
$M 

19,758 
2,435 
505 
36 
- 
(15) 

35 
(46) 
(44) 
4 
4 
122 
22,794 

1,589 
1,052 
- 
3,129 
5,770 
28,564 

2008 
$M 

25,585 
2,275 
504 
272 
(36) 
(33) 

(26) 
73 
44 
1,667 
(14) 
1,060 
31,371 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
31,371 

Bank
2007
$M 

20,068 
2,177 
492 
(34)
7 
14 

135 
(25)
(201)
1,882 
(15)
1,090 
25,590 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
25,590 

102     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 4 Average Balances and Related Interest 

The  following  table  lists  the  major  categories  of  interest  earning 
assets  and  interest  bearing  liabilities  of  the  Group  together  with 
the  respective  interest  earned  or  paid  and  the  average  interest 
rate  for  each  of  the  years  ended  30  June  2008,  30  June  2007 
and  30  June  2006.  Averages  used  were  predominantly  daily 
averages. Interest is accounted for based on product yield, while 
all  trading  gains  and  losses  are  disclosed  as  Trading  income 
within Other banking income.  

Where  assets  or  liabilities  are  hedged,  the  amounts  are  shown 
net of the hedge, however individual items not separately hedged 
may be affected by movements in exchange rates.  

The  overseas  component  comprises  overseas  branches  of  the 
Bank and overseas domiciled controlled entities. 

Non-accrual  loans  were  included  in  interest  earning  assets 
under Loans, Advances and Other receivables. 

The official cash rate in Australia increased by 100 basis points 
during the year while rates in New Zealand increased by a total 
of 25 basis points. 

During the year the Group reassessed the application of AASB 
132 Financial Instruments: Presentation. As a result, Mortgage 
Interest  Saver  Accounts  and  business  overdraft  set  off 
accounts  are  now  presented  on  a  gross  basis  as  savings 
deposits  and  other  demand  deposits,  respectively,  instead  of 
being  netted  against  loan  balances.  Prior  period  average 
balances have been restated for this change.  

Average Interest Earning 
Assets and Income 
Cash and liquid assets (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Receivables due from other financial 
institutions (1) 
Australia 
Overseas 

Assets at fair value through Income 
Statement – Trading (1) 

Average 
Balance 
$M 

3,930 
4,101 

5,403 
3,700 

Interest

$M 

238 
235 

242 
232 

2008
Average
Rate
% 

Average
Balance
$M 

6. 1 
5. 7 

4. 5 
6. 3 

5,648 
2,608 

3,089 
4,581 

Interest

$M 

322 
161 

170 
273 

2007 
Average 
Rate 
% 

Average 
Balance 
$M 

5. 7 
6. 2 

5. 5 
6. 0 

3,581 
1,442 

3,016 
4,007 

Australia 
Overseas 

20,127 
3,186 

1,388 
245 

6. 9 
7. 7 

15,458 
2,818 

1,075 
210 

7. 0 
7. 5 

12,161 
3,388 

Assets at fair value through Income 
Statement – Other (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Available-for-sale investments (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Loans, advances and other 
receivables (1) (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 
Intragroup loans 

Australia 
Overseas 

Average interest earning assets and 
interest income including intragroup 
Intragroup eliminations 
Total average interest earning 
assets and interest income (3) 
Securitisation home loan assets 

383 
4,813 

6,017 
6,182 

27 
273 

402 
354 

273,124 
54,701 

20,047 
4,463 

- 
8,144 

- 
295 

393,811 
(8,144) 

28,441 
(295)

385,667 
13,427 

28,146 
1,088 

7. 0 
5. 7 

6. 7 
5. 7 

7. 3 
8. 2 

- 
3. 6 

7. 2 
3. 6 

7. 3 
8. 1 

430 
3,013 

4,932 
6,944 

29 
181 

315 
415 

6. 7 
6. 0 

6. 4 
6. 0 

355 
2,707 

5,010 
6,508 

234,022 
48,949 

16,016 
3,686 

6. 8 
7. 5 

206,704 
40,537 

13,527 
3,012 

- 
8,199 

- 
404 

340,691 
(8,199)

23,257 
(404)

332,492 
13,344 

22,853 
1,009 

- 
4. 9 

6. 8 
4. 9 

6. 9 
7. 6 

- 
9,623 

- 
338 

299,039 
(9,623) 

19,331 
(338)

289,416 
10,887 

18,993 
765 

Interest

$M 

221 
66 

145 
188 

725 
262 

22 
140 

349 
336 

2006
Average
Rate
% 

6. 2 
4. 6 

4. 8 
4. 7 

6. 0 
7. 7 

6. 2 
5. 2 

7. 0 
5. 2 

6. 5 
7. 4 

- 
3. 5 

6. 5 
3. 5 

6. 6 
7. 0 

(1) During the current year, certain balances and associated interest amounts were reclassified to ensure consistent classification of amounts across all of the Group’s 

businesses. Prior years have been restated on a consistent basis. 

(2) Comparisons between years are impacted by the re-classification of net swap interest from Net interest Income to Other banking income related to certain economic 

hedges which do not qualify for AIFRS hedge accounting. 

(3) Used for calculating net interest margin. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 4 Average Balances and Related Interest (continued) 

Average Non-Interest Earning Assets 

Bank acceptances 

Australia 
Overseas 

Assets at fair value through Income Statement - Insurance 

Australia 
Overseas 

Property, plant and equipment 

Australia 
Overseas 
Other assets 
Australia 
Overseas 

Provisions for impairment 

Australia 
Overseas 

Total average non-interest earning assets 
Total average assets 
Percentage of total average assets applicable 
to overseas operations (%) 

2008
Average
Balance
$M 

2007 
Average 
Balance 
$M 

2006
Average
Balance
$M 

19,735 
- 

17,896 
2,634 

1,242 
192 

28,182 
8,093 

(1,219)
(111)
76,644 
475,738 

18,779 
- 

19,352 
2,680 

1,075 
165 

19,951 
5,675 

(1,132) 
(96) 
66,449 
412,285 

18,014 
- 

20,529 
3,468 

978 
158 

20,699 
5,113 

(1,144)
(86)
67,729 
368,032 

18. 4 

18. 8 

18. 3 

104     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 4 Average Balances and Related Interest (continued) 

Average Interest Bearing 
Liabilities and Loan Capital and 
Interest Expense 
Time deposits (1) 

Average 
Balance 
$M 

Interest

$M 

5,985 
1,353 

1,468 
324 

2,947 
316 

290 
699 

197 
932 

4,234 
822 

566 
226 

295 
- 

2008
Average
Rate
% 

Average
Balance
$M 

6. 5 
6. 3 

3. 2 
6. 8 

4. 1 
7. 0 

5. 0 
5. 1 

6. 3 
7. 8 

7. 4 
4. 9 

6. 4 
6. 0 

3. 6 
- 

67,186 
18,406 

40,930 
4,703 

62,401 
3,563 

2,628 
9,724 

3,881 
11,312 

57,403 
18,835 

8,357 
1,907 

8,199 
- 

Interest

$M 

4,107 
1,018 

1,016 
313 

2,314 
227 

153 
521 

292 
795 

3,537 
1,075 

410 
154 

404 
- 

2007 
Average 
Rate 
% 

Average 
Balance 
$M 

6. 1 
5. 5 

2. 5 
6. 7 

3. 7 
6. 4 

5. 8 
5. 4 

7. 5 
7. 0 

6. 2 
5. 7 

4. 9 
8. 1 

4. 9 
- 

60,725 
15,732 

33,765 
3,632 

57,229 
3,602 

1,982 
7,649 

2,038 
10,887 

46,315 
16,982 

7,936 
1,244 

9,623 
- 

Interest

$M 

3,533 
932 

603 
222 

1,905 
190 

119 
356 

192 
755 

2,547 
643 

450 
126 

338 
- 

92,297 
21,364 

46,472 
4,759 

71,525 
4,501 

5,748 
13,658 

3,124 
11,893 

57,440 
16,929 

8,781 
3,758 

8,144 
- 

370,393 
(8,144) 

20,654 
(295)

5. 6 
3. 6 

319,435 
(8,199)

16,336 
(404)

5. 1 
4. 9 

279,341 
(9,623) 

12,911 
(338)

362,249 
14,005 

20,359 
968 

5. 6 
6. 9 

311,236 
13,861 

15,932 
894 

5. 1 
6. 4 

269,718 
11,541 

12,573 
671 

Australia 
Overseas 

Savings deposits (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Other demand deposits (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Payables due to other financial 
institutions (1) 
Australia 
Overseas 

Liabilities at fair value through 
Income Statement (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 
Debt issues (1) (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 
Loan capital (1) (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Intragroup borrowings 

Australia 
Overseas 

Average interest bearing liabilities 
and loan capital and interest 
expense including intragroup 
Intragroup eliminations 
Total average interest bearing 
liabilities and loan capital and 
interest expense 
Securitisation debt issues 

Average Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities 

Deposits not bearing interest 

Australia 
Overseas 

Liabilities on Bank acceptances 

Australia 
Overseas 

Insurance policy liabilities 

Australia 
Overseas 
Other liabilities 
Australia 
Overseas 

Total average non-interest bearing liabilities 
Total average liabilities and loan capital 
Shareholders’ equity 
Total average liabilities, loan capital and Shareholders’ equity 
Total average liabilities and Loan Capital applicable to overseas operations (%) 

2008 
Average 
Balance 
$M 

6,132 
1,545 

19,735 
- 

19,185 
2,296 

18,538 
6,647 
74,078 
450,332 
25,406 
475,738 
19. 4 

2007
Average
Balance
$M 

5,896 
1,473 

18,779 
- 

20,100 
2,344 

8,439 
7,399 
64,430 
389,527 
22,758 
412,285 
20. 5 

2006
Average
Rate
% 

5. 8 
5. 9 

1. 8 
6. 1 

3. 3 
5. 3 

6. 0 
4. 7 

9. 4 
6. 9 

5. 5 
3. 8 

5. 7 
10. 1 

3. 5 
- 

4. 6 
3. 5 

4. 7 
5. 8 

2006
Average
Balance
$M 

5,797 
1,170 

18,014 
- 

20,731 
3,040 

11,476 
4,552 
64,780 
346,039 
21,993 
368,032 
19. 8 

(1) During the current year, certain balances and associated interest amounts were reclassified to ensure consistent classification of amounts across all of the Group’s 

businesses. Prior years have been restated on a consistent basis. 

(2) Comparisons between years are impacted by the re-classification of net swap interest from Net interest Income to Other banking income related to certain economic hedges 

which do not qualify for AIFRS hedge accounting. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans, Advances and Other 
Receivables (1) 
Australia 
Overseas 
Total 

Non-lending Interest Earning 
Assets (1) 
Australia 
Overseas 
Total 

Interest Bearing Deposits (1) 
Australia 
Overseas (1) 
Total 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 4 Average Balances and Related Interest (continued) 

Net Interest Margin 

Total interest earning assets 
(excluding securitisation)  
Total interest bearing liabilities 
(excluding securitisation) 
Net interest income & interest 
spread (excluding securitisation) 
Benefit of free funds 
Net interest margin 

Avg Bal 
$M 

Income
$M 

2008
Yield
% 

Avg Bal
$M 

Income
$M 

2007
Yield
% 

Avg Bal 
$M 

Income 
$M 

2006
Yield
% 

385,667 

28,146 

7. 30 

332,492 

22,853 

6. 87 

289,416 

18,993 

6. 56 

362,249 

20,359 

5. 62 

311,236 

15,932 

5. 12 

269,718 

12,573 

4. 66 

7,787 

1. 68 
0. 34 
2. 02 

6,921 

1. 75 
0. 33 
2. 08 

6,420 

1. 90 
0. 32 
2. 22 

Geographical analysis of key categories 

Year Ended 30 June 

Avg Bal 
$M 

Income
$M 

2008
Yield
% 

Avg Bal
$M 

Income
$M 

2007
Yield
% 

Avg Bal 
$M 

Income 
$M 

273,124 
54,701 
327,825 

20,047 
4,463 
24,510 

7. 34 
8. 16 
7. 48 

234,022 
48,949 
282,971 

16,016 
3,686 
19,702 

6. 84 
7. 53 
6. 96 

206,704 
40,537 
247,241 

13,527 
3,012 
16,539 

35,860 
21,982 
57,842 

2,297 
1,339 
3,636 

6. 41 
6. 09 
6. 29 

29,557 
19,964 
49,521 

210,294 
30,624 
240,918 

10,400 
1,993 
12,393 

4. 95 
6. 51 
5. 14 

170,517 
26,672 
197,189 

1,911 
1,240 
3,151 

7,437 
1,558 
8,995 

4,392 
2,545 
6,937 

6. 47 
6. 21 
6. 36 

24,123 
18,052 
42,175 

4. 36 
5. 84 
4. 56 

151,719 
22,966 
174,685 

6. 08 
6. 09 
6. 08 

58,271 
36,762 
95,033 

1,462 
992 
2,454 

6,041 
1,344 
7,385 

3,308 
1,880 
5,188 

Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (1)
Australia 
Overseas (1) 
Total 

75,093 
46,238 
121,331 

5,287 
2,679 
7,966 

7. 04 
5. 79 
6. 57 

72,269 
41,778 
114,047 

(1) During the current year, certain balances and associated interest amounts were reclassified to ensure consistent classification of amounts across all of the Group’s 

businesses. Prior years have been restated on a consistent basis. 

The  overseas  component  comprises  overseas  branches  of  the 
Bank  and  overseas  domiciled  controlled  entities.  Overseas 
intragroup  borrowings  have  been  adjusted  into  the  interest 
spread and margin calculations to more appropriately reflect the 
overseas  cost  of  funds.  Non–accrual  loans  were  included  in 
interest  earning  assets  under  loans,  advances  and  other 
receivables. 

In  calculating  net  interest  margin,  assets,  liabilities,  interest 
income  and  interest  expense  related  to  securitisation  vehicles 
have  been  excluded.  This  has  been  done  to  more  accurately 
reflect the Group’s underlying net margin. 

Change in Net Interest Income 

Due to changes in average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities 
Due to changes in interest margin 
Change in net interest income 

2008 vs 2007 
Increase/(Decrease) 
$M 
1,090 
(224) 
866 

Year Ended
2007 vs 2006 
Increase/(Decrease)
$M 
926 
(425)
501 

106     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

2006
Yield
% 

6. 54 
7. 43 
6. 69 

6. 06 
5. 50 
5. 82 

3. 98 
5. 85 
4. 23 

5. 68 
5. 11 
5. 46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 4 Average Balances and Related Interest (continued) 

Changes in Net Interest Income: 

Volume and Rate Analysis 

Interest Earning Assets 
Cash and liquid assets (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Receivables due from other financial institutions (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Assets at fair value through Income Statement – Trading (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Assets at fair value through Income Statement – Other (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Available-for-sale investments (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Loans, advances and other receivables (1) (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 
Intragroup loans 

Australia 
Overseas 

Changes in interest income including intragroup 
Intragroup eliminations 
Changes in interest income 
Securitisation home loan assets 

Interest Bearing Liabilities and Loan Capital  
Time deposits (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Savings deposits (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Other demand deposits (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Payables due to other financial institutions 

Australia 
Overseas 

Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement (1) 

Australia 
Overseas 
Debt issues (1) (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 
Loan capital (1) (2) 

Australia 
Overseas 

Intragroup borrowings 

Australia 
Overseas 

Changes in interest expense including intragroup 
Intragroup eliminations 
Changes in interest expense 
Changes in net interest income 
Securitisation debt issues 

June 2008 vs June 2007

June 2007 vs June 2006

Volume
$M 

Rate
$M 

Total
$M 

Volume 
$M 

Rate
$M 

Total
$M 

(101)
89 

115 
(54)

323 
28 

(3)
105 

71 
(45)

2,773 
451 

- 
(2)
3,731 
2 
3,768 
7 

1,582 
175 

156 
4 

357 
63 

170 
206 

(52)
43 

3 
(101)

24 
130 

(2)
- 
2,724 
2 
2,739 
1,090 
10 

17 
(15)

(43)
13 

(10)
7 

1 
(13)

16 
(16)

1,258 
326 

- 
(107)
1,453 
107 
1,525 
72 

296 
160 

296 
7 

276 
26 

(33)
(28)

(43)
94 

694 
(152)

132 
(58)

(107)
- 
1,594 
107 
1,688 
(224)
64 

(84)
74 

72 
(41)

313 
35 

(2)
92 

87 
(61)

4,031 
777 

- 
(109)
5,184 
109 
5,293 
79 

1,878 
335 

452 
11 

633 
89 

137 
178 

(95)
137 

697 
(253)

156 
72 

(109)
- 
4,318 
109 
4,427 
866 
74 

123 
63 

4 
31 

213 
(43) 

5 
17 

(5) 
24 

1,829 
629 

- 
(60) 
2,768 
60 
2,894 
179 

385 
153 

153 
68 

182 
(2) 

38 
104 

156 
30 

646 
88 

22 
60 

(60) 
- 
1,952 
60 
2,030 
926 
142 

(22)
32 

21 
54 

137 
(9)

2 
24 

(29)
55 

660 
45 

- 
126 
1,158 
(126)
966 
65 

189 
(67)

260 
23 

227 
39 

(4)
61 

(56)
10 

344 
344 

(62)
(32)

126 
- 
1,473 
(126)
1,329 
(425)
81 

101 
95 

25 
85 

350 
(52)

7 
41 

(34)
79 

2,489 
674 

- 
66 
3,926 
(66)
3,860 
244 

574 
86 

413 
91 

409 
37 

34 
165 

100 
40 

990 
432 

(40)
28 

66 
- 
3,425 
(66)
3,359 
501 
223 

(1) During the current year, certain balances and associated interest amounts were reclassified to ensure consistent classification of amounts across all of the Group’s 

businesses. Prior years have been restated on a consistent basis. 

(2) Comparisons between years are impacted by the reclassification of net swap interest from Net interest Income to Other banking income related to certain economic 

hedges which do not qualify for AIFRS hedge accounting. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 4 Average Balances and Related Interest (continued) 
Changes in Net Interest Income: Volume and Rate Analysis 

Volume  and  rate  variance  for  total  interest  earning  assets  and 
liabilities have  been calculated separately  (rather  than  being  the 
sum of the individual categories). 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

The preceding table shows the movement in interest income and 
expense due to changes in volume and changes in interest rates. 
Volume variances reflect the change in interest from the prior year 
due  to  movement in  the average  balance. Rate variance  reflects 
the  change  in  interest  from  the  prior  year  due  to  changes  in 
interest rates. 

Geographical analysis of key categories 

Australia 
Interest spread (1) 
Benefit of net free liabilities, provisions and equity (2) 
Net interest margin (3) 

Overseas 
Interest spread (1) 
Benefit of net free liabilities, provisions and equity (2) 
Net interest margin (3) 

Group 
Interest spread (1) 
Benefit of net free liabilities, provisions and equity (2) 
Net interest margin (3) 

2008 
% 

1. 79 
0. 27 
2. 06 

1. 11 
0. 57 
1. 68 

1. 68 
0. 34 
2. 02 

2007 
% 

1. 93 
0. 23 
2. 16 

0. 92 
0. 68 
1. 60 

1. 75 
0. 33 
2. 08 

2006
% 

2. 08 
0. 22 
2. 30 

0. 97 
0. 67 
1. 64 

1. 90 
0. 32 
2. 22 

(1) Difference between the average interest rate earned and the average interest rate paid on funds. 

(2) A portion of the Group’s interest earning assets is funded by net interest free liabilities and Shareholders’ equity. The benefit to the Group of these interest free funds is 

the amount it would cost to replace them at the average cost of funds. 

(3) Net interest income divided by average interest earning assets for the year. 

108     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 5 Income Tax Expense  

Profit from ordinary activities before Income Tax 
Retail Banking Services 
Premium Business Services  
Wealth Management  
International Financial Services 
Other  

Prima Facie Income Tax at 30% 
Retail Banking Services 
Premium Business Services  
Wealth Management  
International Financial Services 
Other  

Tax effect of expenses that are non-deductible/income non-
assessable in determining taxable profit: 
Current period 
Taxation offsets and other dividend adjustments 
Tax adjustment referable to policyholder income 
Non–assessable gains  
Tax losses recognised 
Tax losses assumed by the Bank under UIG 1052 
Difference in overseas and offshore banking unit tax rates 
Other 

Prior periods  
Other (1) 
Total income tax expense 

Income Tax Attributable to Profit from ordinary activities 
Retail Banking Services 
Premium Business Services  
Wealth Management  
International Financial Services 
Other  
Corporate tax expense  
Policyholder tax expense 
Total income tax expense 

Effective Tax Rate 
Total – corporate  
Retail Banking Services – corporate 
Premium Business Services – corporate 
Wealth Management – corporate 
International Financial Services – corporate 

Recognised in the Income Statement 
Australia 
Current tax expense 
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense 
Total Australia  
Overseas  
Current tax expenses 
Deferred tax expense 
Total Overseas 
Total income tax expense 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

2008
$M 

2,675 
1,865 
986 
777 
(48)
6,255 

803 
560 
296 
233 
(15)
1,877 

(65)
(81)
- 
(89)
- 
(51)
(36)
(322)

(122)
1,433 

801 
402 
310 
170 
(135)
1,548 
(115)
1,433 

2007
$M 

2,522 
1,905 
1,090 
678 
343 
6,538 

757 
571 
327 
204 
103 
1,962 

(55)
186 
- 
(24)
- 
(43)
35 
99 

(20)
2,041 

756 
463 
275 
150 
131 
1,775 
266 
2,041 

Group 
2006 
$M 

2,252 
1,554 
798 
839 
416 
5,859 

676 
466 
239 
252 
124 
1,757 

(57) 
232 
(43) 
(35) 
- 
(13) 
44 
128 

15 
1,900 

676 
422 
143 
160 
168 
1,569 
331 
1,900 

%

%

% 

24. 3 
29. 9 
21. 6 
27. 9 
22. 1 

28. 3 
30. 0 
24. 3 
33. 3 
22. 2 

28. 4 
30. 0 
27. 2 
26. 1 
21. 1 

$M

$M

$M 

1,522 
(326)
1,196 

127 
110 
237 
1,433 

2,209 
(390)
1,819 

141 
81 
222 
2,041 

1,366 
382 
1,748 

114 
38 
152 
1,900 

2008 
$M 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
5,223 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
1,567 

(479) 
- 
- 
(87) 
(72) 
(37) 
76 
(599) 

(103) 
865 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
865 
- 
865 

% 

16.6 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 

$M 

854 
(22) 
832 

32 
1 
33 
865 

Bank
2007
$M 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
5,410 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
1,623 

(556)
- 
- 
(20)
(85)
(36)
(2)
(699)

9 
933 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
933 
- 
933 

%

17. 2 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 

$M

1,322 
(392)
930 

3 
- 
3 
933 

(1) The 2008 year prior period tax expense has arisen primarily due to the satisfactory resolution of long outstanding tax issues with the tax authorities. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 5  Income Tax Expense (continued) 

The significant temporary differences are as follows: 
Deferred tax assets arising from: 

Provision for employee benefits  
Provisions for impairment on loans, advances and other receivables 
Other provisions not tax deductible until expense incurred  
Recognised value of tax losses carried forward 
Financial instruments 
Other  

Total deferred tax assets 
Set off of tax (1) 
Net deferred tax assets  

Deferred tax liabilities arising from: 

Property asset revaluations 
Lease financing 
Defined benefit superannuation plan surplus 
Intangible assets  
Financial instruments 
Other 

Total deferred tax liabilities 
Set off of tax (1) 
Net deferred tax liabilities (Note 26) 

Deferred tax assets opening balance: 
Movement in temporary differences during the year: 

Provisions for employee benefits  
Provisions for impairment on loans, advances and other receivables 
Other provisions not tax deductible until expense incurred 
Recognised value of tax losses carried forward 
Financial instruments 
Other 

Set off of tax (1) 
Deferred tax assets closing balance 

Deferred tax liabilities opening balance:  
Movements in temporary differences during the year: 

Property asset revaluations 
Lease financing 
Defined benefit superannuation plan surplus 
Intangible assets 
Financial instruments 
Other 

Set off of tax (1) 
Deferred tax liabilities closing balance (Note 26) 

Deferred tax assets not taken to account 
Tax losses and other temporary differences on revenue account 
Tax losses on capital account 
Closing balance  

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

294 
523 
192 
6 
162 
171 
1,348 
(1,272)
76 

59 
287 
461 
24 
437 
270 
1,538 
(1,272)
266 

254 

6 
152 
56 
(2)
(8)
(145)
(237)
76 

908 

4 
(43)
(83)
14 
(45)
(252)
(237)
266 

2008
$M 

35 
- 
35 

288 
371 
136 
8 
170 
316 
1,289 
(1,035)
254 

55 
330 
544 
10 
482 
522 
1,943 
(1,035)
908 

48 

27 
21 
(10)
(1)
(25)
19 
175 
254 

734 

26 
18 
176 
- 
(144)
(77)
175 
908 

2007
$M 

40 
130 
170 

Group 
2006
$M 

261 
350 
146 
9 
195 
297 
1,258 
(1,210) 
48 

29 
312 
368 
10 
626 
599 
1,944 
(1,210) 
734 

651 

- 
(81) 
34 
9 
42 
164 
(771) 
48 

921 

- 
16 
153 
(1) 
217 
199 
(771) 
734 

Group 
2006
$M 

30 
101 
131 

2008 
$M 

268 
476 
175 
6 
113 
54 
1,092 
(1,038) 
54 

59 
105 
461 
- 
378 
54 
1,057 
(1,038) 
19 

25 

6 
150 
68 
(2) 
(43) 
(64) 
(86) 
54 

91 

4 
(5) 
(83) 
- 
88 
10 
(86) 
19 

2008 
$M 

28 
- 
28 

Bank
2007
$M 

262 
326 
107 
8 
156 
118 
977 
(952)
25 

55 
110 
544 
- 
290 
44 
1,043 
(952)
91 

392 

17 
(15)
22 
(1)
94 
(91)
(393)
25 

640 

26 
(34)
176 
- 
(296)
(28)
(393)
91 

Bank
2007
$M 

30 
85 
115 

(1) Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are set  off  where  they relate  to income tax  levied by the same taxation  authority  on either the same taxable  entity  or different 

taxable entities within the same taxable group.  

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

110     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 5  Income Tax Expense (continued) 

Expiration of deferred tax assets not taken to 
account 

At Balance Sheet date carry-forward losses expire as follows: 

From one to two years 
From two to four years 
After four years 

Losses and other temporary differences that do not expire under 
current tax law 
Total 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

2 
4 
22 

7 
35 

3 
9 
25 

133 
170 

Group 

2006 
$M 

2 
14 
30 

85 
131 

Bank

2007
$M 

- 
6 
25 

84 
115 

2008 
$M 

- 
2 
19 

7 
28 

Potential deferred tax assets of the Group arose from: 

Tax Consolidation 

Tax  consolidation  legislation  has  been  enacted  to  allow 
Australian  resident  entities  to  elect  to  consolidate  and  be 
treated  as  single  entities  for  Australian  tax  purposes.  The 
Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  elected  to  be  taxed  as  a 
single entity with effect from 1 July 2002. 

•  Capital losses arising under the tax consolidations systems; 

and 

•  Tax losses and temporary differences in offshore centres.  

These deferred assets have  not been recognised because it is 
not  considered  probable  that  future  taxable  profit  will  be 
available against which they can be realised. 

These potential tax benefits will only be obtained if:  

•  The  company  derives  future  capital  gains  and  assessable 
income of a nature and of an amount sufficient to enable the 
benefit from the losses to be realised; 

•  The  company  continues  to  comply  with  the  conditions  for 
claiming  capital  losses  and  deductions  imposed  by  tax 
legislation; and 

•  No changes in tax legislation adversely affect the company in 

realising the benefit from deductions for the losses. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 6 Dividends  

Ordinary Shares 
Interim ordinary dividend (fully franked) (2008: 113 cents, 2007: 
107 cents, 2006: 94 cents)  
Interim ordinary dividend paid – cash component only 
Interim ordinary dividend paid – dividend reinvestment plan 
Total dividends paid 

Other Equity Instruments 
Dividends paid 
Total dividends provided for, reserved or paid 
Other provision carried 
Dividends proposed and not recognised as a liability (fully 
franked) (2008: 153 cents, 2007: 149 cents, 2006: 130 cents) (1)

Provision for dividends  
Opening balance 
Provisions made during the year 
Provisions used during the year 
Provisions reversed during the year 
Closing balance (Note 27) 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

1,087 
400 
1,487 

48 
1,535 
5 

2,029 

6 
3,425 
(3,426)
- 
5 

862 
518 
1,380 

55 
1,435 
7 

1,939 

6 
3,048 
(3,048)
- 
6 

Group
2006
$M 

992 
219 
1,211 

- 
1,211 
6 

1,668 

14 
2,646 
(2,645)
(9)
6 

2008 
$M 

1,087 
400 
1,487 

- 
1,487 
5 

2,029 

7 
3,425 
(3,427) 
- 
5 

Bank
2007
$M 

862 
518 
1,380 

- 
1,380 
7 

1,939 

6 
3,048 
(3,047)
- 
7 

(1) The 2006 final dividend was satisfied by cash disbursements of $1,368 million and the issue of $300 million of ordinary shares through the Dividend Reinvestment 
Plan “DRP”. The 2007 final dividend was satisfied by cash disbursements of $1,229 million and the issue of $709 million of ordinary shares through the DRP. The 
2008 final dividend is expected to be satisfied by cash disbursements of $1,420 million and the estimated issue of $609 million of ordinary shares through the DRP. 

The  Bank  expects  that  future  tax  payments  will  generate 
sufficient franking credits for the Bank to be able to continue to 
fully  frank  future  dividend  payments.  These  calculations  have 
been based on the taxation law as at 30 June 2008. 

Dividend Franking Account  

After  fully  franking  the  final  dividend  to  be  paid  for  the  year 
ended 30 June 2008, the amount of credits available, at the 30% 
tax  rate  as  at  30  June  2008  to  frank  dividends  for  subsequent 
financial years, is $495 million (2007: $559 million). This figure is 
based  on  the  combined  franking  accounts  of  the  Bank  at  30 
June  2008,  which  have  been  adjusted  for  franking  credits  that 
will arise from the payment of income tax payable on profits for 
the year ended 30 June 2008, franking debits that will arise from 
the  payment  of  dividends  proposed  for  the  year  and  franking 
credits  that  the  Bank  may  be  prevented  from  distributing  in 
subsequent financial periods. 

Dividend History  

Half Year Ended  

31 December 2005 
30 June 2006 
31 December 2006 
30 June 2007 
31 December 2007 
30 June 2008 (4) 

Cents Per 
Share 
94 
130 
107 
149 
113 
153 

Date Paid 
05/04/06 
05/10/06 
05/04/07 
03/10/07 
02/04/08 
- 

Half-year 
(1)

Payout Ratio

Full Year 
(1)

Payout Ratio

Full Year  
Payout Ratio  
(2) 
Cash Basis 

DRP 
Participation
(3)

Rate 

DRP  
Price 

% 
60. 6 
86. 5 
63. 8 
86. 1 
63. 4 
- 

% 
- 
73. 3 
- 
75. 2 
- 
74. 1 

% 
- 
70. 5 
- 
74. 2 
- 
75. 0 

43. 89 
45. 24 
50. 02 
54. 80 
39. 44 
- 

 % 
18. 1 
18. 0 
37. 6 
36. 6 
33. 5 
- 

(1) Dividend Payout Ratio: dividends divided by statutory earnings. 

(2) Payout ratio based on net profit after tax before defined benefit superannuation plan expense, treasury shares valuation adjustment, and hedging and AIFRS 

volatility. Includes the profit on sale of CMG Asia for the financial year ended 30 June 2006. 

(3) DRP Participation Rate: the percentage of total issued share capital participating in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. 

(4) Dividend expected to be paid on 1 October 2008. 

112     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 7 Earnings Per Share 

Earnings per Ordinary Share  
Basic  
Fully diluted  

Reconciliation of earnings used in the calculation of earnings per share 
Profit after income tax 
Less: Other equity instrument dividends 
Less: Minority interests  
Earnings used in calculation of basic earnings per share 
Add: Profit impact of assumed conversions 
Loan capital 
Earnings used in calculation of fully diluted earnings per share 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (net of treasury shares) used in the calculation  
of basic earnings per share 
Effect of dilutive securities – share options and convertible loan capital instruments 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (net of treasury shares) used in the calculation  
of fully diluted earnings per share (1) 

(1) Figures presented in this table have been rounded. 

2008 

2007 

Cents per share 

363. 0 
348. 7 

344. 7 
339. 7 

Group
2006 

308. 2 
303. 1 

$M 

$M 

$M

4,822 
(48) 
(31) 
4,743 

222 
4,965 

2008 
M 

1,307 
118 

4,497 
(55) 
(27) 
4,415 

150 
4,565 

3,959 
- 
(31)
3,928 

100 
4,028 

Number of Shares
2006
M 

2007 
M 

1,281 
62 

1,275 
54 

1,424 

1,344 

1,329 

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net 
profit  for  the  year  attributable  to  ordinary  equity  holders  of  the 
Bank  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares 
outstanding during the year. 

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by  dividing 
net  profit  attributable  to  ordinary  equity  holders  of  the  Bank 
(after  deducting  interest  on  the  convertible  redeemable  loan 
capital  instruments)  by  the  weighted  average  number  of 
ordinary  shares  outstanding  during  the  year  (adjusted  for  the 
effects  of  dilutive  options  and  dilutive  convertible  non-
cumulative redeemable loan capital instruments). 

Note 8 Cash and Liquid Assets 

Australia  
Notes, coins and cash at banks  
Money at short call 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
Bills received and remittances in transit 
Total Australia 

Overseas  
Notes, coins and cash at banks 
Money at short call 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
Total Overseas  
Total cash and liquid assets 

2008
$M 

1,512 
1 
3,227 
101 
4,841 

964 
1,207 
724 
2,895 
7,736 

Group 

2007 
$M 

1,754 
1 
4,164 
65 
5,984 

2,803 
901 
420 
4,124 
10,108 

2008 
$M 

1,298 
- 
3,227 
84 
4,609 

46 
1,034 
1,593 
2,673 
7,282 

Bank 

2007
$M 

1,364 
- 
4,164 
97 
5,625 

13 
797 
966 
1,776 
7,401 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008
$M 

4,880 
4,880 

61 
2,043 
2,104 
6,984 

2008
$M 
21,676 
20,650 
3,266 
45,592 

2008
$M 

565 
1,478 
1,237 
11,673 
1,518 
261 

348 
1,377 
18,457 

823 
92 
1,425 
571 
250 
56 
2 

- 
- 
- 
3,219 
21,676 

Group
2007
$M 

2,809 
2,809 

83 
2,603 
2,686 
5,495 

Group 

2007
$M 
21,469 
23,519 
4,073 
49,061 

Group 

2007
$M 

1,117 
2,777 
4,709 
5,484 
3,604 
550 

- 
770 
19,011 

383 
378 
789 
55 
365 
86 
- 

208 
188 
6 
2,458 
21,469 

2008 
$M 

4,880 
4,880 

3 
1,848 
1,851 
6,731 

2008 
$M 
19,168 
- 
274 
19,442 

2008 
$M 

565 
1,478 
1,237 
11,673 
1,518 
261 

348 
1,377 
18,457 

453 
92 
- 
- 
166 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
711 
19,168 

Bank
2007
$M 

3,283 
3,283 

4 
2,485 
2,489 
5,772 

Bank 

2007
$M 
20,287 
- 
448 
20,735 

Bank 

2007
$M 

1,117 
2,777 
4,709 
5,484 
3,604 
724 

- 
770 
19,185 

336 
377 
- 
- 
365 
24 
- 

- 
- 
- 
1,102 
20,287 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 9 Receivables Due from Other Financial Institutions 

Australia 
Placements with and loans to other banks and financial institutions  
Total Australia 

Overseas  
Deposits with regulatory authorities (1) 
Other placements with and loans to other banks and financial institutions  
Total Overseas  
Total receivables from other financial institutions 

(1) Required by law for the Group to operate in certain regions. 

Note 10 Assets at Fair Value through Income Statement 

Trading  
Insurance  
Other 
Total assets at fair value through Income Statement 

Trading 

Australia 
Market Quoted: 

Australian Public Securities  
Commonwealth and States 
Local and semi-government 

Bills of exchange  
Certificates of deposit 
Medium term notes  
Other securities  
Non-Market Quoted: 
Medium term notes 
Commercial paper 

Total Australia 
Overseas 
Market Quoted: 

Government securities  
Eurobonds  
Certificates of deposit 
Medium term notes 
Floating rate notes 
Commercial paper 
Other securities 
Non-Market Quoted: 
Commercial paper  
Bills of exchange 
Other securities  

Total Overseas 
Total trading assets 

114     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 10 Assets at Fair Value through Income Statement (continued) 

Insurance 

Equity Security Investments: 

Direct  
Indirect  

Total equity security investments 

Debt Security Investments: 

Direct 
Indirect  

Total debt security investments 

Property Investments: 

Direct  
Indirect  

Total property investments 
Other Assets  
Total life insurance investment assets  

Investments
Backing Life 
Risk 
Contracts 

Investments
 Backing Life
 Investment
 Contracts 

Investments 
Backing Life  
Risk  
Contracts 

Investments
 Backing Life
 Investment
 Contracts 

2008
$M 

523 
936 
1,459 

723 
2,335 
3,058 

102 
525 
627 
70 
5,214 

2008
$M 

1,650 
4,919 
6,569 

1,400 
5,361 
6,761 

112 
804 
916 
1,190 
15,436 

2008
$M 

2,173 
5,855 
8,028 

2,123 
7,696 
9,819 

214 
1,329 
1,543 
1,260 
20,650 

2007 
$M 

620 
948 
1,568 

882 
2,865 
3,747 

87 
357 
444 
76 
5,835 

2007
$M 

2,160 
5,332 
7,492 

1,965 
5,569 
7,534 

217 
967 
1,184 
1,474 
17,684 

2007
$M 

2,780 
6,280 
9,060 

2,847 
8,434 
11,281 

304 
1,324 
1,628 
1,550 
23,519 

Direct  investments  refer  to  positions  held  directly  in  the  issuer  of 
the investment. Indirect investments refer to investments that are 
held through unit trusts or similar investment vehicles. 

All  financial  assets  within  the  life  statutory  funds  have  been 
determined  to  back  either  life  insurance  or  life  investment 
contracts. 

Disclosure on Asset Restriction 

Investments  held  in  the  Australian  statutory  funds  may  only  be 
used within the restrictions imposed under the Life Insurance Act 
1995. 

The main restrictions are that assets in a fund may only be used to 
meet  the  liabilities  and  expenses  of  the  fund,  to  acquire 
investments to further the business of the fund, or as distributions 
when solvency and capital adequacy requirements are met. 

Participating  policyholders  can  receive  a  distribution  when 
solvency  requirements  are  met,  whilst  shareholders  can  only 
receive  a  distribution  when  the  higher  levels  of  capital  adequacy 
requirements are met. 

These  investment  assets  held  in  the  statutory  funds  are  not 
available  for  use  by  the  Commonwealth  Bank’s  operating 
businesses. 

The  Group  also  holds  investments  in  the  Colonial  First  State 
Property  Trust  Group  and  Colonial  Mastertrust  Wholesale  funds 
(including Fixed Interest, Australian Shares, International Shares, 
Property  Securities,  Capital  Stable,  Balanced  and  Diversified 
Growth  funds)  through  controlled  life  insurance  entities,  which 
have  been  designated  as  assets  at  fair  value  through  Income 
Statement  instead  of  being  accounted  for  under  the  equity 
accounting method. 

Instead, these investments are brought to account at fair value at 
Balance Sheet date in compliance with the requirements of AASB 
1038: Life Insurance Business. 

Other (1) 

Fair value structured transactions 
Receivables due from financial institutions 
Term loans 
Other lending 
Total other assets at fair value through Income Statement 

2008
$M 
1,980 
318 
948 
20 
3,266 

Group 

2007 
$M 
1,363 
657 
1,984 
69 
4,073 

2008 
$M 
274 
- 
- 
- 
274 

Bank 

2007
$M 
425 
- 
- 
23 
448 

(1) Designated at Fair Value through Income Statement at inception as they are managed by the Group on a fair value basis. 

The change in fair value of loans and receivables designated at fair value through Income Statement due to changes in credit risk for the 
Group is insignificant for the years ended 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities  

Cash flow hedges  

The Group uses interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps 
to  minimise  the  variability  in  cash  flows  of  interest-earning 
assets, interest-bearing liabilities or forecast transactions caused 
by  interest  rate  or  foreign  exchange  fluctuations.  For  the  year 
ended  30  June  2008,  there  has  been  no  material  gain  or  loss 
associated with ineffective portions of cash flow hedges. 

Gains  and  losses  on  derivative  contracts  designated  as  cash 
flow hedges are initially recorded in shareholders’ equity but are 
reclassified  to  current  period  earnings  when  the  hedged  cash 
flows  occur,  as  explained  in  Note  1  (ff)  Derivative  financial 
instruments.  As  at  30  June  2008,  deferred  net  gains  on 
derivative 
flow  hedges 
accumulated  in  shareholders’  equity  were  $486  million  (2007: 
$637 million). The amount recognised in shareholders’ equity at 
30 June 2008 related to cash flows expected to occur within one 
month to approximately 30 years of the Balance Sheet date, with 
the  main  portion  expected  to  occur  within  five  years  (refer  to 
Note 32 Detailed Statement of Changes in Equity). 

instruments  designated  as  cash 

As  at  30  June  2008,  the  fair  value  of  outstanding  derivatives 
designated  as  cash  flow  hedges  was  $1,169  million  (2007: 
$1,280 million) of assets and $711 million (2007: $415 million) of 
liabilities. Amounts reclassified from gains/(losses) on cash flow 
hedging  instruments  recognised  in  equity  to  current  period 
earnings  due  to  discontinuation  of  hedge  accounting  were 
immaterial. 

Net Investment Hedges 

The  Group  uses  forward  foreign  exchange  transactions  to 
minimise  the  Group’s  exposure  to  currency  translation  risk  of 
some  of  its  net  investments  in  foreign  operations.  For  the  year 
ended  30  June  2008  there  has  been  no  material  gain  or  loss 
associated with ineffective portions of net investment hedges. 

Gains and losses on derivative contracts relating to the effective 
portion  of  the  hedge  are  recognised  in  the  Foreign  Currency 
Translation Reserve. Gains and losses accumulated in Foreign 
Currency  Translation  Reserve  are  reclassified  in  current  period 
earnings  when  the  overseas  subsidiary  is  disposed  of  as 
explained in Note 1 (ff) Derivative financial instruments. 

Derivative contracts  

Each  derivative  is  classified  as  held  for  “Trading”,  held  for 
“Hedging”,  or  as  “Other”  derivatives.  Derivatives  classified  as 
“Hedging”  are  derivative  transactions  entered  into  in  order  to 
manage  the  risks  arising  from  non-traded  assets,  liabilities  and 
commitments 
in  Australia  and  offshore  centres.  Other 
derivatives are those held in relation to a portfolio designated at 
fair value through Income Statement. 

Derivatives transacted for hedging purposes 

the  accounting  requirements 

The  Group  enters  into  derivative 
transactions  which  are 
designated and qualify as either fair value or cash flow hedges 
for  recognised  assets  or  liabilities  or  forecast  transactions. 
Forward Foreign Exchange transactions are also designated as 
hedges of currency translation risk of net investments in foreign 
operations.  The  Group  also  enters  into  derivative  transactions 
which  provide  economic  hedges  for  risk  exposures  but  do  not 
for  hedge  accounting 
meet 
treatment.  As  stated 
financial 
instruments, the Group uses Credit Default Swaps (CDSs) and 
equity swaps as economic hedges to manage credit risk in the 
asset  portfolio  and  risks  associated  with  both  the  capital 
investment  in  equities  and  the  related  yield  respectively,  but 
cannot  apply  hedge  accounting  to  such  positions.  Gains  or 
losses  on  these  CDSs  and  equity  swaps  have  therefore  been 
recorded in trading income. 

in  Note  1  (ff)  Derivative 

Derivatives designated and accounted for as hedging 
instruments 

The Group’s accounting policies for derivatives designated and 
accounted  for  as  hedging  instruments  are  explained  in  Note  1 
(ff)  Derivative  financial  instruments  where  terms  used  in  the 
following sections are explained. 

Fair value hedges 

The Group’s fair value hedges principally consist of interest rate 
swaps, cross currency swaps and futures. Fair value hedges are 
used to limit the Group’s exposure to changes in the fair value of 
its fixed-rate interest bearing assets or liabilities that are due to 
interest rate or foreign exchange volatility.  

For the year ended 30 June 2008, the Group recognised a net 
loss  of  $49  million  (2007:  $14  million  net  gain)  (reported  within 
other  operating  income  in  the  Financial  Statements),  which 
represents the ineffective portion of fair value hedges. 

As  at  30  June  2008,  the  fair  value  of  outstanding  derivatives 
designated as fair value hedges was $1,381 million (2007: $463 
million)  of  assets  and  $1,674  million  (2007:  $2,451  million)  of 
liabilities. 

116     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities (continued) 

Derivative Assets and Liabilities 
Held for trading  
Held for hedging 
Other derivatives 
Total derivative assets/(liabilities) 

Derivatives held for trading  
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Futures 
Options purchased and sold 
Total interest rate related contracts 

Credit related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total credit related contracts 

Equity related contracts: 

Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 

Total equity related contracts 

Commodity related contracts: 

Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 
Total commodity related contracts 

Fair Value
Asset
$M 

2008 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

15,233 
2,550 
449 
18,232 

2,962 
4,609 
544 
8,115 

2 
5,869 
- 
256 
6,127 

142 
142 

181 
10 
191 

523 
135 
658 

(16,791)
(2,385)
(365)
(19,541)

(4,367)
(5,183)
(473)
(10,023)

(3)
(5,795)
(9)
(350)
(6,157)

(93)
(93)

(30)
(62)
(92)

(295)
(131)
(426)

Group
2007 

Fair Value 
Asset 
$M 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

10,666 
1,743 
334 
12,743 

(13,230)
(2,866)
(584)
(16,680)

Face Value 

$M 

1,115,684 
121,495 
58,774 
1,295,953 

287,107 
130,962 
57,220 
475,289 

6,956 
433,693 
142,487 
46,036 
629,172 

5,928 
5,928 

381 
- 
381 

2,506 
2,408 
4,914 

2,312 
3,715 
51 
6,078 

1 
3,915 
71 
110 
4,097 

18 
18 

- 
- 
- 

422 
51 
473 

(4,134)
(4,184)
(50)
(8,368)

(1)
(4,129)
(54)
(173)
(4,357)

(17)
(17)

(44)
- 
(44)

(394)
(50)
(444)

Face Value

$M 

1,205,981 
155,095 
65,381 
1,426,457 

228,440 
129,152 
35,610 
393,202 

22,228 
482,920 
238,944 
55,267 
799,359 

6,958 
6,958 

586 
2,839 
3,425 

1,436 
1,601 
3,037 

Total derivative assets/(liabilities) held for 
trading 

1,205,981 

15,233 

(16,791)

1,115,684 

10,666 

(13,230)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities (continued) 

Derivatives designated as fair value hedges 
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total interest rate related contracts 

Equity related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total equity related contracts 

Commodity related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total commodity related contracts 

Face Value

$M 

137 
12,800 
12,937 

22,156 
22,156 

593 
593 

16 
16 

Fair Value
Asset
$M 

2008 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

1 
831 
832 

544 
544 

5 
5 

- 
- 

- 
(871)
(871)

(749)
(749)

(54)
(54)

- 
- 

Face Value

$M 

1,285 
12,041 
13,326 

26,336 
26,336 

292 
292 

1 
1 

Group
2007 

Fair Value 
Asset 
$M 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

74 
300 
374 

83 
83 

6 
6 

- 
- 

(14)
(772)
(786)

(1,657)
(1,657)

(8)
(8)

- 
- 

Total fair value hedges 

35,702 

1,381 

(1,674)

39,955 

463 

(2,451)

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total interest rate related contracts 

1,261 
1,261 

28 
28 

(2)
(2)

2,152 
2,152 

118,132 
118,132 

1,141 
1,141 

(709)
(709)

79,388 
79,388 

369 
369 

911 
911 

Total cash flow hedges 

119,393 

1,169 

(711)

81,540 

1,280 

(40)
(40)

(375)
(375)

(415)

Total derivative assets/(liabilities) held for 
hedging  

155,095 

2,550 

(2,385)

121,495 

1,743 

(2,866)

118     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities (continued) 

Other Derivatives  
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Futures 
Options purchased and sold 
Total interest rate related contracts 

Credit related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total credit related contracts 

Equity related contracts: 

Futures 
Options purchased and sold 

Total equity related contracts 

Commodity related contracts: 

Forward contracts 

Total commodity related contracts 

Identified embedded derivatives 
Total other derivatives 

Total recognised derivative 
assets/(liabilities) 

Face Value

$M 

8,356 
3,071 
12 
11,439 

11,148 
34,329 
7,032 
568 
53,077 

818 
818 

9 
37 
46 

1 
1 

Fair Value
Asset
$M 

2008 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

129 
49 
- 
178 

1 
224 
1 
1 
227 

37 
37 

- 
7 
7 

- 
- 

(17)
(48)
- 
(65)

(2)
(260)
(2)
- 
(264)

(33)
(33)

- 
(3)
(3)

- 
- 

Face Value 

$M 

8,374 
7,834 
164 
16,372 

5,673 
29,802 
5,313 
1,445 
42,233 

- 
- 

- 
21 
21 

- 
- 

Group
2007 

Fair Value 
Asset 
$M 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

77 
98 
2 
177 

1 
155 
1 
- 
157 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

(212)
(186)
(2)
(400)

(1)
(170)
- 
(4)
(175)

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
65,381 

- 
449 

- 
(365)

148 
58,774 

- 
334 

(9)
(584)

1,426,457 

18,232 

(19,541)

1,295,953 

12,743 

(16,680)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities (continued) 

Derivative Assets and Liabilities 
Held for trading  
Held for hedging 
Other derivatives 
Total derivative assets/(liabilities) 

Derivatives held for trading  
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Futures 
Options purchased and sold 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total interest rate related contracts 

Credit related contracts: 

Swaps 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total credit related contracts 

Equity related contracts: 

Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total equity related contracts 

Commodity related contracts: 

Swaps 
Options purchased and sold 
Total commodity related contracts 

Total derivative assets/(liabilities) held for 
trading 

Face Value

$M 

1,227,719 
127,093 
439 
1,355,251 

228,440 
128,317 
35,610 
16,679 
409,046 

22,228 
484,452 
238,944 
55,290 
4,210 
805,124 

6,958 
- 
6,958 

586 
2,839 
129 
3,554 

1,436 
1,601 
3,037 

Fair Value
Asset
$M 

2008 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

16,906 
2,376 
5 
19,287 

2,963 
4,552 
543 
1,605 
9,663 

2 
5,911 
- 
256 
83 
6,252 

142 
- 
142 

160 
10 
22 
192 

523 
134 
657 

(17,189)
(2,177)
(1)
(19,367)

(4,367)
(5,053)
(473)
(392)
(10,285)

(3)
(5,799)
(9)
(350)
(131)
(6,292)

(93)
- 
(93)

(30)
(63)
- 
(93)

(295)
(131)
(426)

Bank
2007 

Fair Value 
Asset 
$M 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

12,522 
1,340 
- 
13,862 

(14,084)
(2,683)
(19)
(16,786)

Face Value

$M 

1,172,891 
90,878 
400 
1,264,169 

287,107 
130,632 
57,220 
39,223 
514,182 

6,956 
433,676 
142,487 
46,036 
16,620 
645,775 

5,928 
173 
6,101 

381 
- 
1,538 
1,919 

2,506 
2,408 
4,914 

2,314 
3,699 
51 
1,736 
7,800 

1 
3,926 
71 
110 
46 
4,154 

18 
- 
18 

- 
- 
77 
77 

422 
51 
473 

(4,134)
(3,958)
(50)
(867)
(9,009)

(1)
(4,167)
(54)
(173)
(115)
(4,510)

(17)
- 
(17)

(44)
- 
(60)
(104)

(394)
(50)
(444)

1,227,719 

16,906 

(17,189)

1,172,891 

12,522 

(14,084)

120     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities (continued) 

Derivatives designated as fair value hedges 
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Forward contracts 
Swaps 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Swaps 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total interest rate related contracts 

Equity related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total equity related contracts 

Commodity related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total commodity related contracts 
Total fair value hedges 

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 
Exchange rate related contracts: 

Swaps 
Derivatives held with controlled entities 

Total exchange rate related contracts 

Interest rate related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total interest rate related contracts 
Total cash flow hedges 

Total derivative assets/(liabilities) held for 
hedging 

Other Derivatives 
Interest rate related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total interest rate related contracts 

Credit related contracts: 

Swaps 

Total credit related contracts 

Identified embedded derivatives 
Total other derivatives 
Total recognised derivative 
assets/(liabilities) 

Face Value

$M 

16 
12,800 
- 
12,816 

18,662 
601 
19,263 

593 
593 

16 
16 
32,688 

35 
570 
605 

93,800 
93,800 
94,405 

Fair Value
Asset
$M 

2008 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

- 
831 
- 
831 

510 
16 
526 

5 
5 

- 
(871)
- 
(871)

(725)
- 
(725)

(54)
(54)

- 
- 
1,362 

- 
- 
(1,650)

4 
- 
4 

1,010 
1,010 
1,014 

- 
(10)
(10)

(517)
(517)
(527)

Face Value 

$M 

13 
11,876 
165 
12,054 

23,651 
484 
24,135 

292 
292 

1 
1 
36,482 

983 
328 
1,311 

53,085 
53,085 
54,396 

Bank
2007 

Fair Value 
Asset 
$M 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

- 
300 
- 
300 

57 
- 
57 

6 
6 

- 
- 
363 

364 
- 
364 

613 
613 
977 

- 
(742)
(31)
(773)

(1,615)
(11)
(1,626)

(8)
(8)

- 
- 
(2,407)

- 
(21)
(21)

(255)
(255)
(276)

127,093 

2,376 

(2,177)

90,878 

1,340 

(2,683)

Face Value

$M 

4 
4 

435 
435 

- 
439 

Fair Value
Asset
$M 

2008 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

- 
- 

5 
5 

- 
5 

(1)
(1)

- 
- 

- 
(1)

Face Value 

$M 

252 
252 

- 
- 

148 
400 

Bank
2007 

Fair Value 
Asset 
$M 

Fair Value
Liability
$M 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(10)
(10)

- 
- 

(9)
(19)

1,355,251 

19,287 

(19,367)

1,264,169 

13,862 

(16,786)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     121 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 12 Available-for-Sale Investments 

Australia 
Market Quoted: 

Australian Public Securities: 

Local and semi-government 
Shares and equity investments 
Medium term notes 
Floating rate notes 
Mortgage backed securities 
Other securities 

Non-Market Quoted: 

Australian Public Securities: 

Local and semi-government 

Medium term notes  
Shares and equity investments 
Mortgage backed securities 
Other securities  

Total Australia  

Overseas 
Market Quoted: 

Government securities 
Shares and equity investments 
Bills of exchange 
Certificates of deposit 
Eurobonds 
Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes 
Other securities 

Non-Market Quoted: 

Government securities  
Floating rate notes  
Other securities  

Total Overseas 
Less: specific provisions for impairment  
Total available-for-sale investments 

2008
$M 

2,981 
203 
1,873 
399 
- 
8 

- 
59 
57 
1,419 
192 
7,191 

167 
33 
- 
2,031 
1,407 
304 
272 
87 

25 
2 
- 
4,328 
(31)
11,488 

Group
2007
$M 

2,376 
41 
524 
605 
1,417 
191 

80 
- 
54 
- 
158 
5,446 

174 
- 
78 
1,763 
161 
365 
967 
436 

36 
66 
181 
4,227 
(1)
9,672 

2008 
$M 

2,905 
201 
1,873 
- 
- 
- 

- 
784 
42 
17,074 
90 
22,969 

53 
1 
- 
2,017 
1,407 
304 
272 
58 

- 
- 
- 
4,112 
(14) 
27,067 

Bank
2007
$M 

2,378 
37 
517 
- 
1,417 
- 

- 
824 
38 
- 
91 
5,302 

51 
- 
78 
1,741 
147 
171 
931 
50 

- 
- 
- 
3,169 
(3)
8,468 

Revaluation of Available-for-sale investments resulted in a gain of $262 million (2007: $28 million) recognised directly in equity. As a 
result  of  sale,  derecognition  or  impairment  of  Available-for-sale  investments,  net  gains  of  $312  million  (2007:  $138  million)  were 
removed from equity and reported in profit and loss for the year. 

122     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 12 Available-for-Sale Investments (continued) 

Australia  
Australian Public Securities: 

Local and semi-government 

Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes 
Mortgage backed securities 
Other securities and equity investments 
Impairment provisions 
Total Australia  

Overseas  
Government securities  
Certificates of deposit  
Eurobonds  
Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes  
Other securities and equity investments  
Impairment provisions 
Total Overseas  
Total available-for-sale investments  

Group
At 30 June 2008 

Amortised 
Cost
$M 

Gross 
Unrealised 
Gains 
$M 

Gross 
Unrealised 
Losses 
$M 

2,980 
1,979 
399 
1,446 
402 
(27)
7,179 

191 
2,056 
1,409 
305 
280 
106 
(4)
4,343 
11,522 

78 
1 
- 
- 
89 
- 
168 

1 
- 
9 
1 
- 
15 
- 
26 
194 

(77) 
(48) 
- 
(27) 
(31) 
- 
(183) 

- 
(25) 
(11) 
(2) 
(6) 
(1) 
- 
(45) 
(228) 

Fair 
Value
$M 

2,981 
1,932 
399 
1,419 
460 
(27)
7,164 

192 
2,031 
1,407 
304 
274 
120 
(4)
4,324 
11,488 

Maturity Distribution and Weighted Average Yield 

Group 
Maturity Period at 30 June 2008 

0 to 3 months  3 to 12 months 
%

$M 

$M

% 

Australia  
Australian Public Securities: 

Local and semi-
government 

Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes  
Mortgage backed securities 
Other securities and equity 
investments 
Impairment provisions 
Total Australia  

Overseas  
Government securities  
Certificates of deposit 
Eurobonds 
Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes  
Other securities and equity 
investments  
Impairment provisions 
Total Overseas  
Total available-for-sale 
investments  

Additional Disclosure 

- 
- 
- 
- 

4 
- 
4 

61 
1,316 
332 
16 
12 

- 
- 
1,737 

1,741 

- 
- 
- 
- 

4. 80 
- 
- 

5. 33 
4. 18 
4. 03 
3. 25 
9. 95 

- 
30 
399 
- 

123 
(21)
531 

19 
684 
716 
188 
59 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
(1)
1,665 

2,196 

- 
8. 23 
7. 64 
- 

7. 00 
- 
- 

7. 17 
3. 82 
6. 36 
7. 23 
4. 78 

- 
- 
- 

- 

1 to 5 years 
%
$M

2,844 
1,758 
- 
- 

4 
- 
4,606 

112 
31 
56 
100 
201 

87 
(3)
584 

7. 65 
7. 89 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

3. 30 
3. 30 
3. 05 
5. 36 
4. 17 

4. 83 
- 
- 

5,190 

- 

593 

5 to 10 years  10 years or more 
% 

$M 

$M

%

Non- 
Maturing 
$M

Total 
$M

137 
144 
- 
- 

7 
- 
288 

- 
- 
303 
- 
2 

- 
- 
305 

7. 37 
7. 68 
- 
- 

3. 00 
- 
- 

- 
- 
4. 00 
- 
2. 20 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
1,419 

- 
- 
1,419 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

1,419 

- 
- 
- 
7. 96 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

322 
(6)
316 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

33 
- 
33 

2,981 
1,932 
399 
1,419 

460 
(27)
7,164 

192 
2,031 
1,407 
304 
274 

120 
(4)
4,324 

349  11,488 

Proceeds at or close to maturity of Available-for-sale investments in 2008 were $31,974 million (2007: $21,139 million). 

Proceeds from sale of Available-for-sale investments in 2008 were $610 million (2007: $1,480 million). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 12 Available-for-Sale Investments (continued) 

Australia  
Australian Public Securities: 

Local and semi-government 

Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes 
Mortgage backed securities 
Other securities and equity investments 
Impairment provisions 
Total Australia  

Overseas  
Government securities  
Bills of exchange 
Certificates of deposit  
Eurobonds  
Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes  
Other securities and equity investments  
Total Overseas  
Total available-for-sale investments  

Maturity Distribution and Weighted Average Yield 

Group
At 30 June 2007 

Amortised 
Cost
$M 

Gross 
Unrealised 
Gains
$M 

Gross 
Unrealised 
Losses 
$M 

2,411 
535 
605 
1,416 
441 
(1)
5,407 

210 
78 
1,764 
164 
366 
1,033 
619 
4,234 
9,641 

81 
1 
- 
1 
4 
- 
87 

- 
- 
- 
1 
- 
1 
- 
2 
89 

(36) 
(12) 
- 
- 
(1) 
- 
(49) 

- 
- 
(1) 
(4) 
(1) 
(1) 
(2) 
(9) 
(58) 

Fair 
Value
$M 

2,456 
524 
605 
1,417 
444 
(1)
5,445 

210 
78 
1,763 
161 
365 
1,033 
617 
4,227 
9,672 

Group 
Maturity Period at 30 June 2007 

0 to 3 months  3 to 12 months 
%

$M 

$M 

% 

150 
- 
5 
- 

95 
- 
250 

138 
- 
1,536 
26 
194 
81 

6. 73 
- 
6. 86 
- 

5. 83 
- 
- 

7. 28 
- 
5. 77 
4. 68 
4. 53 
4. 28 

504 
- 
75 
- 

190 
(1) 
768 

12 
78 
215 
93 
27 
617 

6. 48 
- 
7. 11 
- 

4. 68 
- 
- 

6. 65 
4. 11 
5. 37 
5. 59 
5. 94 
6. 04 

179 
2,154 

4. 43 
- 

349 
1,391 

6. 21 
- 

1 to 5 years 
%
$M

1,603 
363 
388 
- 

36 
- 
2,390 

60 
- 
12 
42 
144 
316 

89 
663 

6. 21 
6. 27 
6. 69 
- 

6. 00 
- 
- 

2. 40 
- 
5. 86 
2. 64 
4. 74 
5. 11 

4. 50 
- 

Australia  
Australian Public Securities: 

Local and semi-
government 

Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes  
Mortgage backed securities 
Other securities and equity 
investments 
Impairment provisions 
Total Australia  

Overseas  
Government securities  
Bills of exchange 
Certificates of deposit 
Eurobonds 
Medium term notes  
Floating rate notes  
Other securities and equity 
investments  
Total Overseas  
Total available-for-sale 
investments  

5 to 10 years  10 years or more 
% 

$M

$M

%

Non- 
Maturing 
$M 

Total 
$M

199 
161 
86 
- 

67 
- 
513 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8 

- 
8 

6. 61 
5. 87 
6. 65 
- 

6. 33 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4. 53 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
51 
1,417 

- 
- 
1,468 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
11 

- 
11 

1,479 

- 
- 
6. 74 
6. 51 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7. 09 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

56 
- 
56 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

2,456 
524 
605 
1,417 

444 
(1)
5,445 

210 
78 
1,763 
161 
365 
1,033 

617 
4,227 

56 

9,672 

2,404 

- 

2,159 

- 

3,053 

- 

521 

124     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 13 Loans, Advances and Other Receivables 

Australia 
Overdrafts (1) 
Housing loans (1) (2) 
Credit card outstandings 
Lease financing  
Bills discounted  
Term loans 
Other lending  
Other securities 
Total Australia  

Overseas 
Overdrafts  
Housing loans  
Credit card outstandings 
Lease financing  
Bills discounted 
Term loans 
Redeemable preference share financing 
Other lending 
Other securities 
Total Overseas 
Gross loans, advances and other receivables  

Less  
Provisions for impairment (Note 14): 

Collective provision 
Individually assessed provisions against loans and advances 

Unearned income: 
Term loans  
Lease financing 

Net loans, advances and other receivables  

2008
$M 

20,047 
186,926 
7,555 
4,239 
5,868 
83,431 
1,076 
13 
309,155 

716 
28,817 
538 
563 
- 
23,916 
1,194 
25 
300 
56,069 
365,224 

(1,346)
(367)

(1,047)
(1,182)
(3,942)
361,282 

Group 
2007 
$M 

16,155 
163,839 
7,185 
4,532 
3,640 
68,577 
1,339 
11 
265,278 

1,605 
28,931 
533 
531 
33 
20,027 
1,194 
183 
303 
53,340 
318,618 

2008 
$M 

20,085 
184,326 
7,555 
1,680 
5,868 
80,664 
1,076 
13 
301,267 

- 
164 
- 
115 
- 
10,587 
- 
- 
- 
10,866 
312,133 

Bank
2007
$M 

16,155 
160,501 
7,185 
1,324 
3,640 
65,777 
989 
11 
255,582 

34 
94 
- 
160 
33 
8,742 
- 
147 
3 
9,213 
264,795 

(1,034) 
(199) 

(1,240) 
(326) 

(907)
(176)

(941) 
(979) 
(3,153) 
315,465 

(491) 
(362) 
(2,419) 
309,714 

(515)
(230)
(1,828)
262,967 

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

(2)  The  Group  has  entered  into  securitisation  transactions  on  residential  mortgage  loans  that  do  not  qualify  for  derecognition.  The  Group  is  entitled  to  any  residual 
income of the securitisation program after all payments due to investors and costs of the program have been met, to this extent the Group retains credit and liquidity 
risk. In addition, derivatives return the interest rate and foreign currency risk to the Group. The carrying value of assets that did not qualify for derecognition for the 
Group were $10,684 million (2007: $13,910 million) and for the Bank were $10,359 million (2007: $13,500 million). The carrying value of liabilities associated with 
non-derecognised assets for the Group were $9,762 million (2007: $14,071 million) and for the Bank were $10,359 million (2007: $13,500 million).  

Finance Leases  
Minimum lease payments receivable: 

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years  

Lease financing 

2008
$M 

1,354 
2,328 
1,120 
4,802 

Group 
2007 
$M 

1,462 
2,583 
1,018 
5,063 

2008 
$M 

532 
868 
395 
1,795 

Bank
2007
$M 

388 
883 
213 
1,484 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     125 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 13 Loans, Advances and Other Receivables (continued) 

Australia 
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial  
Real estate: 
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial 
Total Australia  

Overseas 
Sovereign 
Agriculture 
Bank and other financial  
Real estate:  
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial 
Total Overseas 
Gross loans, advances and other receivables 

Interest Rate Sensitivity of Lending  

Australia  
Overseas  
Total variable interest rates 
Australia  
Overseas 
Total fixed interest rates  
Gross loans, advances and other receivables 

Group
Maturity Period at 30 June 2008

Maturing 1 
Year 
or Less
$M 

Maturing 
Between 1 & 
5 Years
$M 

Maturing 
After 5 Years 
$M 

84 
417 
4,612 

23,535 
735 
9,613 
2,329 
45,074 
86,399 

691 
2,326 
3,312 

4,076 
559 
468 
67 
7,176 
18,675 
105,074 

78,501 
14,042 
92,543 
7,898 
4,633 
12,531 
105,074 

397 
1,375 
3,125 

11,338 
839 
8,826 
3,991 
28,878 
58,769 

329 
1,148 
1,344 

4,151 
14 
40 
192 
3,805 
11,023 
69,792 

44,571 
4,710 
49,281 
14,198 
6,313 
20,511 
69,792 

1,087 
755 
1,180 

152,053 
73 
794 
1,574 
6,471 
163,987 

210 
1,340 
2,087 

20,590 
33 
24 
289 
1,798 
26,371 
190,358 

107,947 
5,514 
113,461 
56,040 
20,857 
76,897 
190,358 

Total 
$M 

1,568 
2,547 
8,917 

186,926 
1,647 
19,233 
7,894 
80,423 
309,155 

1,230 
4,814 
6,743 

28,817 
606 
532 
548 
12,779 
56,069 
365,224 

231,019 
24,266 
255,285 
78,136 
31,803 
109,939 
365,224 

126     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 13 Loans, Advances and Other Receivables (continued) 

Australia 
Sovereign 
Agriculture 
Bank and other financial  
Real estate: 
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Australia  

Overseas 
Sovereign 
Agriculture 
Bank and other financial 
Real estate:  
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial 
Total Overseas 
Gross loans, advances and other receivables 

Interest Rate Sensitivity of Lending  

Australia  
Overseas  
Total variable interest rates  
Australia  
Overseas 
Total fixed interest rates 
Gross loans, advances and other receivables 

Group
Maturity Period at 30 June 2007

Maturing 1 
Year 
or Less
$M 

Maturing 
Between 1 & 
5 Years 
$M 

Maturing 
After 5 Years 
$M 

289 
709 
4,213 

21,633 
693 
9,078 
2,467 
33,598 
72,680 

858 
1,043 
2,978 

3,868 
395 
624 
68 
5,626 
15,460 
88,140 

56,770 
10,022 
66,792 
15,910 
5,438 
21,348 
88,140 

377 
808 
2,016 

11,928 
602 
8,689 
4,106 
22,966 
51,492 

1,121 
1,076 
2,004 

3,592 
76 
31 
165 
2,043 
10,108 
61,600 

36,480 
4,906 
41,386 
15,012 
5,202 
20,214 
61,600 

1,111 
974 
1,665 

130,278 
293 
485 
1,254 
5,046 
141,106 

1,210 
2,032 
1,961 

21,471 
147 
5 
274 
672 
27,772 
168,878 

98,852 
4,273 
103,125 
42,254 
23,499 
65,753 
168,878 

Total 
$M 

1,777 
2,491 
7,894 

163,839 
1,588 
18,252 
7,827 
61,610 
265,278 

3,189 
4,151 
6,943 

28,931 
618 
660 
507 
8,341 
53,340 
318,618 

192,102 
19,201 
211,303 
73,176 
34,139 
107,315 
318,618 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14 Provisions for Impairment  

Provisions for impairment losses 
Collective provisions 
Opening balance 
Total charge against profit and loss for impairment losses 
Net transfer to individually assessed provisions 
Impairment losses recovered  
Adjustments for exchange rate fluctuations and other items 

Impairment losses written off 
Closing balance 

Individually assessed provisions 
Opening balance 
Charge against profit and loss for: 
New and increased provisioning  
Less write-back of provisions no longer required 

Net transfer from collective provision  
Discount unwind to interest income 
Adjustment for exchange rate fluctuations and other items  
Impairment losses 
Closing balance  
Total provisions for loan impairment  
Other credit provisions 
Total provisions for impairment losses 

Coverage Ratios 
Collective provision as a % of gross loans and acceptances 
Collective provisions as a % of risk weighted assets – Basel I 
Collective provisions as a % of risk weighted assets – Basel II 
Individually assessed provisions for impairment as a % of gross 
impaired assets (1)  
Total provisions for impairment as % of gross impaired assets  

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

1,034 
930 
(625)
77 
(22)
1,394 
(48)
1,346 

1,046 
434 
(507)
103 
9 
1,085 
(51)
1,034 

Group
2006
$M 

1,021 
398 
(440)
127 
(7)
1,099 
(53)
1,046 

2008 
$M 

907 
902 
(574) 
68 
(30) 
1,273 
(33) 
1,240 

Bank
2007
$M 

938 
390 
(477)
93 
- 
944 
(37)
907 

199 

171 

191 

176 

157 

658 
(33)
625 
(9)
7 
(455)
367 
1,713 
32 
1,745 

2008
% 

0. 35 
- 
0. 65 

40. 8 
255. 5 

523 
(16)
507 
(6)
(5)
(468)
199 
1,233 
23 
1,256 

2007
% 

0. 31 
0. 42 
- 

23. 8 
298. 3 

468 
(28)
440
(13)
(3)
(444)
171 
1,217 
24 
1,241 

Group 

2006
% 

0. 36 
0. 48 
- 

24. 5 
380. 7 

602 
(28) 
574 
(9) 
10 
(425) 
326 
1,566 
32 
1,598 

2008 
% 

0. 38 
- 
n/a 

40. 1 
269. 5 

490 
(13)
477 
(6)
(3)
(449)
176 
1,083 
23 
1,106 

Bank 

2007
% 

0. 32 
0. 38 
- 

20. 8 
298. 9 

(1) Portfolio provisions of $88 million as at 30 June 2008 (2007: $99 million) to cover unsecured personal loans and credit card lending have been deducted from 

individually assessed provisions to calculate this ratio. These provisions are deducted due to the exclusion of the related assets from gross impaired assets. The 
related asset amounts are instead included in the 90 days or more past due disclosure. Refer note 1 (mm). 

128     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14 Provisions for Impairment (continued) 

Total Loan Impairment Expense 
Comprising: 
Individually assessed provisioning  
New and increased provisioning  
Less provisions no longer required  
Net individually assessed provisions  
Provided from collective provisioning 
Charge to profit and loss 
Collective provisioning  
Direct write-offs  
Recoveries of amounts previously written off 
Movement in collective provision 
Funding of individually assessed provisions  
Charge to profit and loss  

Total charge to profit and loss for loan impairment 
expense 

2008
$M 
930 

658 
(33)
625 
(625)
- 

48 
(77)
334 
625 
930 

930 

2007
$M 
434 

523 
(16)
507 
(507)
- 

51 
(103)
(21)
507 
434 

Group 
2006 
$M 
398 

468 
(28) 
440 
(440) 
- 

53 
(127) 
32 
440 
398 

2008 
$M 
902 

602 
(28) 
574 
(574) 
- 

33 
(68) 
363 
574 
902 

434 

398 

902 

Individually Assessed Provisions for Impairment by Industry Category 

Australia  
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial 
Real estate: 
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Australia 

Overseas  
Sovereign 
Agriculture 
Bank and other financial 
Real estate: 
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Overseas 
Total individually assessed provisions  

2008
$M 

2007 
$M 

2006 
$M 

- 
4 
27 

34 
1 
97 
12 
161 
336 

- 
- 
4 

7 
8 
2 
2 
8 
31 
367 

- 
3 
2 

23 
1 
104 
13 
39 
185 

- 
- 
1 

4 
- 
1 
1 
7 
14 
199 

- 
4 
1 

17 
2 
96 
11 
35 
166 

- 
- 
1 

2 
- 
2 
- 
- 
5 
171 

Bank
2007
$M 
390 

490 
(13)
477 
(477)
- 

37 
(93)
(31)
477 
390 

390 

Group
2005
$M 

- 
16 
1 

3 
7 
63 
13 
41 
144 

- 
- 
1 

11 
- 
1 
- 
- 
13 
157 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14 Provisions for Impairment (continued) 

Loan Impairments Written Off by Industry Category  

Loan Impairments Written Off 
Australia  
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial  
Real estate:  
Mortgage 
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Australia 

Overseas  
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial  
Real estate:  
Mortgage 
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Overseas 
Gross loan impairments written off 

Loan Impairments Recovered  
Australia  
Overseas  
Total loan impairments recovered  
Net loan impairments written off 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

2006 
$M 

Group
2005
$M 

- 
3 
5 

23 
1 
364 
49 
34 
479 

- 
- 
4 

1 
1 
13 
- 
5 
24 
503 

73 
4 
77 
426 

- 
1 
- 

20 
1 
408 
49 
30 
509 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
7 
- 
3 
10 
519 

99 
4 
103 
416 

- 
8 
1 

8 
3 
388 
42 
36 
486 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
7 
- 
4 
11 
497 

122 
5 
127 
370 

- 
1 
3 

8 
3 
280 
26 
63 
384 

- 
- 
- 

6 
- 
- 
- 
1 
7 
391 

76 
5 
81 
310 

130     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14 Provisions for Impairment (continued) 

Loan Impairments Recovered by Industry Category 

Loan Impairments Recovered  
Australia  
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial 
Real estate:  
Mortgage 
Construction 

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Australia 

Overseas  
Sovereign 
Agriculture 
Bank and other financial 
Real estate: 
Mortgage 
Construction 

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Overseas 
Total loan impairments recovered 

2008
$M 

2007 
$M 

2006 
$M 

Group
2005
$M 

- 
- 
- 

1 
1 
61 
5 
5 
73 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
3 
- 
1 
4 
77 

- 
1 
1 

1 
1 
77 
10 
8 
99 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
4 
- 
- 
4 
103 

- 
1 
- 

1 
- 
99 
5 
16 
122 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
5 
- 
- 
5 
127 

- 
1 
3 

1 
- 
59 
5 
7 
76 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
4 
- 
1 
5 
81 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     131 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management 

Credit  Risk  Management  is  one  of  the  key  inputs  into  the 
Group’s  Integrated  Risk  Management  framework.  The  Group 
maintains a robust system of controls and processes to optimise 
the Group’s credit risk-taking activities. 

Credit risk is the potential of loss arising from failure for a debtor 
or  counterparty  to  meet  their  contractual  obligations.  It  arises 
primarily  from  lending  activities,  the  provision  of  guarantees 
including letters of credit and commitments to lend, investments 
in  bonds  and  notes,  financial  markets  transactions  and  other 
associated activities. In the insurance business, credit risk arises 
from investment in bonds and notes, loans, and from reliance on 
reinsurance. 

The Group applies the following elements for effective credit risk 
practice in its day-to-day business activities: 

•  Credit Risk Management Principles and Portfolio Standards; 

and 

•  Credit Risk Measurement. 

These portfolios are managed on a delinquency band approach 
(e.g.  actions  taken  when  loan  payments  are  greater  than  30 
days  past  due  differ  from  actions  when  payments  are  greater 
than  60  days  past  due)  and  are  reviewed  by  the  relevant 
Business  Credit  Support  and  Monitoring  Unit.  Commercial 
lending up to $1 million is reviewed as part of the Client Quality 
Assurance process and overview is provided by the independent 
Portfolio Quality Assurance unit. Facilities in the Retail segment 
become classified for remedial management by centralised units 
based on delinquency band. 

(ii) Credit Risk Rated 

This segment comprises commercial exposures, including bank 
and  government  exposures.  Each  exposure  with  commercial 
content  exceeding  $50,000  is  assigned  an  internal  Credit  Risk 
Rating (CRR). The CRR is normally assessed by reference to a 
matrix where the risk of default and the risk of loss in the event 
of  default  combine  to  determine  a  CRR  grade.  The  CRR  is 
designed to: 

•  Aid in assessing changes to the client quality of the Group's 

Credit Risk Management Principles and Portfolio Standards 

credit portfolio; 

The Risk Committee of the Board operates under a Charter by 
which  it  oversees  the  Group’s  credit  risk  management  policies 
and portfolio standards. These are designed to achieve portfolio 
outcomes  that  are  consistent  with  the  Group’s  risk/return 
expectations. The Committee usually meets every two months, 
and more often if required. 

The  Group  has  clearly  defined  credit  policies  for  the  approval 
and management of credit risk. Formal credit standards apply to 
all  credit  risks,  with  Specific  Portfolio  Standards  applying  to  all 
major  lending  areas.  These  incorporate  income/repayment 
capacity, acceptable terms and security and loan documentation 
tests. 

The Group uses a Risk Committee approved diversified portfolio 
approach  for  the  management  of  credit  risk  comprised  of  the 
following: 

•  A  large  credit  policy  for  aggregate  exposures  to  individual, 

commercial and industrial client groups; 

•  A  system  of  industry  limits  and  targets  for  exposures  by 

industry; and 

•  A system of country limits for geographic exposures. 

The  Group  assesses  the  integrity  and  ability  of  debtors  or 
counterparties  to  meet  their  contracted  financial  obligations  for 
repayment.  Collateral  security,  in  the  form  of  real  estate  or  a 
floating charge over assets, is generally taken for business credit 
except for major government, bank and corporate counterparties 
of  externally  risk  rated  and  strong  financial  standing.  Longer 
term consumer finance (e.g. housing loans) is generally secured 
against real estate while short term revolving consumer credit is 
generally not secured by formal collateral. 

While  the  Group  applies  policies,  standards  and  procedures  in 
governing the credit process, the management of credit risk also 
relies on the application of judgement and the exercise of good 
faith  and  due  care  of  relevant  staff  within  their  delegated 
authority. 

A  centralised  exposure  management  system  is  used  to  record 
all  significant  credit  risks  borne  by  the  Group.  The  credit  risk 
portfolio has two major segments: 

(i) Retail  

This  segment  has  sub-segments  covering  housing  loan,  credit 
card,  personal  loan  facilities,  some  leasing  products  and  most 
secured commercial lending up to $1 million.  

132     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

• 

Influence decisions on approval, management and pricing of 
individual credit facilities; and  

•  Provide  the  basis  for  reporting  details  of  the  Group's  credit 
portfolio  to  the  Australian  Prudential  Regulatory  Authority 
(APRA). 

CRR exposures are generally reviewed on an individual basis, at 
least annually, although small transactions may be managed on 
a behavioural basis after their initial rating at origination. 

CRR fall within the following categories: 

1.  ‘Pass’  –  Internal  CRR  of  1-6,  or  if  not  individually  credit  risk 
rated, less than 30 days past due. These credit facilities qualify 
for  approval  of  new  or 
increased  exposure  on  normal 
commercial terms; and 

2. ‘Troublesome or Impaired Assets (TIAs)’ – Internal CRR of 7-
9  or,  if  not  individually  credit  risk  rated,  30  days  or  more  past 
due. These credit facilities are not eligible for new or increases in 
exposure unless it will protect or improve the Group’s position by 
maximising recovery prospects or to facilitate rehabilitation. 

For  the  purpose  of  determining  an  impaired  CRR,  default  is 
defined as any one of the following: 

•  A contractual payment is overdue by 90 days or more; 

•  An approved overdraft limit has been exceeded for 90 days 

or more; 

•  A credit officer becomes aware that the client will not be able 
to  meet  future  repayments  or  service  alternative  acceptable 
repayment  arrangements  e.g.  the  client  has  been  declared 
bankrupt; 

•  A  credit  officer  has  determined  that  full  recovery  of  both 
principal and interest is unlikely. This may be the case even if 
all the terms of the client's credit facilities are currently being 
met; and 

•  A  credit  obligation  is  sold  at  a  material  credit  related 

economic loss. 

The Portfolio Quality Assurance unit reviews credit portfolios and 
receives reports covering business unit compliance with policies, 
portfolio  standards,  application  of  credit  risk  ratings  and  other 
key  practices  and  policies  on  a  regular  basis.  The  Portfolio 
Quality Assurance unit reports its findings to the Board Audit and 
Risk Committees as appropriate. 

 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Auto  Decisioning  for  the  approval  of  credit  risk  exposures  is 
used  for  eligible  business  and  consumer  applications.  Auto 
Decisioning  uses  a  scorecard  approach  whereby 
the 
performance  of  historical  applications  is  supplemented  by 
information  from  a  credit  reference  bureau  and/or  from  the 
Group’s existing knowledge of a customer’s behaviour. 

For  credit  risk  exposures  greater  than  $2  million  or  decisioned 
outside  of  the  scorecard  approach,  a  PD  calculator  or  Expert 
Judgement is used.  

Expert  Judgement  is  used  where  the  complexity  of  the 
transaction  and/or  the  debtor  is  such  that  it  is  inappropriate  to 
rely  completely  on  a  statistical  model.  Ratings  by  Moody’s  or 
Standard  and  Poor’s  may  be  used  as  inputs  into  the  Expert 
Judgement assessment. 

tools  are  available 

Where 
to  support  a  more  objective 
determination  of  PD,  the  CRR  may  be  calculated  using  a 
formula approved by the Group Chief Risk Officer incorporating 
numeric  representations  of  PD  and  LGD.  These  numeric 
representations must be identified with the appropriate, internally 
defined, alphabetic PD and LGD ratings. 

(ii) Unexpected Loss 

In  addition  to  expected  loss,  a  more  stressed  loss  amount  is 
calculated.  This  unexpected  loss  estimate  directly  affects  the 
calculation  of 
internal  economic  capital 
requirements  (refer  note  35,  Capital  Adequacy,  for  information 
relating to Regulatory and Economic Capital). 

regulatory  and 

In  addition  to  the  credit  risk  management  processes  used  to 
manage  exposures  to  credit  risk  in  the  credit  portfolio,  the 
internal  ratings  process  also  assists  management  in  assessing 
impairment and provisioning of financial assets (refer Note 16). 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management (continued) 

Credit Risk Measurement  

The measurement of credit risk uses analytical tools to calculate 
both  (i)  expected  and  (ii)  unexpected  loss  probabilities  for  the 
credit portfolio. 

(i) Expected Loss 

The Expected Loss (EL) is the product of: 

•  Probability of Default (PD); 

•  Exposure at Default (EAD); and, 

•  Loss Given Default (LGD) that would likely be experienced in 

the event of a write-off. 

For  Credit  Risk  Rated  facilities,  ELs  are  allocated  within  CRR 
bands. All ratings are reviewed at least annually or as specified 
by the Group Chief Risk Officer. 

The  PD,  expressed  as  a  percentage,  is  the  estimate  of  the 
probability that a client will default within the next twelve months. 
It  reflects  a  client's  ability  to  generate  sufficient  cash  flows  into 
the future to meet the terms of all its credit obligations with the 
Group. When assessing a client's PD, all relevant and material 
information  is  considered.  The  same  PD  is  applied  to  all  credit 
facilities provided to a client.  

EAD,  expressed  as  a  percentage  of  the  facility  limit,  is  the 
proportion  of  a  facility  that  may  be  outstanding  in  the  event  of 
default.  For  committed  facilities  such  as  fully  drawn  loans  and 
advances  this  will  generally  be  the  higher  of  the  limit  or 
outstanding balance. For uncommitted facilities this will generally 
be the outstanding balance only. 

LGD, expressed as a percentage, is the estimated proportion of 
a facility likely to be lost in the event of default. LGD is impacted 
by: 

•  Type and level of any collateral held; 

•  Liquidity and volatility of collateral; and 

•  Carrying costs (effectively the costs of providing a facility that 
is  not  generating  an  interest  return)  and  management 
expenses (realisation costs). 

Various  risks  are  considered  when  calculating  PD,  EAD  and 
LGD.  Considerations  include  the  potential  for  default  by  a 
borrower  due  to  economic,  management,  industry  and  other 
risks and the mitigating benefits of any collateral.  

Where it is considered appropriate, the Group has policies and 
procedures  in  place  setting  out  the  circumstances  where 
acceptable  and  appropriate  collateral  is  to  be  taken  to  mitigate 
credit risk, including valuation parameters, review frequency and 
independence  of  valuation.  In  some  instances,  such  as  certain 
types  of  consumer  loans  (e.g.  credit  cards),  a  client’s  facilities 
may not be secured by formal collateral. 

Main collateral types include: 

•  Residential mortgages; 

•  Charges  over  other  properties  (including  Commercial  and 

Broad-acre); 

•  Cash (usually in the form of a charge over a Term Deposit); 

•  Guarantees  by  company  directors  supporting  commercial 

lending;  

•  A  floating  charge  over  a  company’s  assets,  including  stock 

and work in progress; and 

•  A charge over stock or scrip. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     133 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management (continued) 
Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk by Industry and Asset Class before Collateral Held or Other Credit Enhancements 

Sover-
eign
$M 

Agricul-
ture 
$M 

Bank
& Other
Financial
$M 

Real
Estate
Mortgage
$M 

Real
Estate
Constr-
uction
$M 

Asset
Financing
$M 

Other 
Comm & 
Indust. 
$M 

Personal
$M 

Group 
At 30 June 2008

Other 
$M 

Total
$M 

- 

- 

2,043 
4,096 
- 
204 

2,981 

1,568 
8 
20 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
15 

4,841 

4,880 

12,910 
3,527 
295 
13,560 

- 

1,419 

- 

- 

- 
313 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
24 
- 
5 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

3,504 
10,716 
- 
2,555 

2,764 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

4,841 

4,880 

18,457 
18,676 
295 
16,339 

7,164 

2,547 
2,764 
32 

8,917 
485 
1,018 

186,926 
- 
2,338 

1,647 
533 
21 

19,233 
- 
240 

7,894 
- 
99 

80,423 
14,488 
1,405 

- 
- 
10,647 

309,155 
18,278 
15,820 

10,920 

5,358 

51,852 

189,577 

2,230 

19,473 

7,993  115,855 

10,647 

413,905 

- 

- 

823 
394 
1,069 
54 

- 

- 

- 
- 
33 
19 

2,895 

2,104 

1,425 
1,070 
1,204 
1,213 

225 

- 

2,031 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

1,230 
- 
23 

4,814 
- 
89 

6,743 
- 
125 

28,817 
- 
535 

3,818 

4,955 

18,810 

29,352 

- 

- 

- 
- 
40 
- 

- 

606 
- 
11 

657 

- 

- 

- 
- 
29 
- 

- 

532 
- 
10 

571 

2,706 
85,253 
10,698 
512,562 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

2,895 

2,104 

3,219 
1,974 
2,971 
1,893 

4,324 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

971 
510 
596 
607 

2,068 

548 
- 
10 

12,779 
- 
433 

- 
- 
924 

56,069 
- 
2,160 

558 

17,964 

924 

77,609 

96 
12,051 
275 
90,031 
602,593 

Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets 
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Overseas 
Total gross credit risk 

(1) In most cases the credit risk of insurance assets is borne by policyholders. However, on certain insurance contracts the Group retains exposure to credit risk. 

(2) Other assets predominantly comprises assets which do not give rise to credit exposure, including intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and defined benefit 

superannuation plan surplus, which are shown in “Other” for the purpose of reconciling to the Balance Sheet. 

134     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management (continued) 
Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk by Industry and Asset Class before Collateral Held or Other Credit Enhancements 

Sover-
eign 
$M 

Agricul-
ture 
$M 

Bank
& Other
Financial
$M 

Real
Estate
Mortgage
$M 

Real
Estate
Constru-
ction
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Other 
Comm & 
Indust. 
$M 

Personal
$M 

Group 
At 30 June 2007

Other
$M 

Total
$M 

- 

- 

3,894 
4,300 
- 
170 

2,456 

1,777 
11 
28 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

2,491 
2,155 
39 

5,984 

2,809 

10,193 
3,888 
423 
8,494 

1,417 

7,894 
441 
960 

- 

- 

- 
374 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
33 
- 
14 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

4,924 
12,225 
- 
296 

1,572 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

5,984 

2,809 

19,011 
20,820 
423 
8,974 

5,445 

163,839 
- 
2,575 

1,588 
571 
25 

18,252 
- 
287 

7,827 
- 
123 

61,610 
15,543 
968 

- 
- 
10,745 

265,278 
18,721 
15,750 

12,636 

4,685 

42,503 

166,788 

2,231 

18,539 

7,950 

97,138 

10,745 

363,215 

2,281 
72,167 
12,842 
450,505 

- 

- 

383 
487 
244 
50 

210 

- 

- 

- 
- 
365 
- 

4,124 

2,686 

977 
1,641 
2,369 
1,541 

- 

1,841 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

3,189 
- 
63 

4,151 
- 
82 

6,943 
- 
137 

28,931 
- 
571 

4,626 

4,598 

22,259 

29,502 

- 

- 

- 
- 
67 
- 

- 

618 
- 
12 

697 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

660 
- 
13 

673 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

507 
- 
10 

- 

- 

1,098 
571 
605 
2,178 

2,176 

8,341 
- 
1,236 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

4,124 

2,686 

2,458 
2,699 
3,650 
3,769 

4,227 

- 
- 
1,018 

53,340 
- 
3,142 

517 

16,205 

1,018 

80,095 

570 
13,264 
598 
94,527 
545,032 

Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets 
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Overseas 
Total gross credit risk 

(1) In most cases the credit risk of insurance assets is borne by policyholders. However, on certain insurance contracts the Group retains exposure to credit risk. 

(2) Other assets predominantly comprises assets which do not give rise to credit exposure, including intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and defined benefit 

superannuation plan surplus, which are shown in “Other” for the purpose of reconciling to the Balance Sheet. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     135 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management (continued) 
Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk by Industry and Asset Class before Collateral Held or Other Credit Enhancements 

Sover-
eign
$M 

Agricul-
ture 
$M 

Bank
& Other
Financial
$M 

Real
Estate
Mortgage
$M 

Real
Estate
Constru-
ction
$M 

Asset
Financing
$M 

Other 
Comm & 
Indust. 
$M 

Personal
$M 

Bank
At 30 June 2008

Other 
$M 

Total
$M 

- 

- 

2,043 
- 
- 
204 

2,905 

1,568 
8 
16 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
15 

4,609 

4,880 

12,910 
- 
274 
13,560 

- 

1,419 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
5 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

3,504 
- 
- 
1,996 

18,635 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

4,609 

4,880 

18,457 
- 
274 
15,780 

22,959 

2,546 
2,764 
26 

8,917 
485 
29,173 

184,326 
- 
1,907 

1,646 
533 
17 

19,183 
- 
198 

2,897 
- 
30 

80,184 
14,488 
1,231 

- 
- 
6,159 

301,267 
18,278 
38,757 

6,744 

5,351 

76,227 

186,233 

2,201 

19,381 

2,927  120,038 

6,159 

425,261 

- 

- 

453 
- 
- 
49 

54 

40 
- 
1 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

50 
- 
1 

2,673 

1,851 

- 
- 
- 
679 

2,017 

5,401 
- 
9,297 

597 

51 

21,918 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

164 
- 
4 

168 

245 
- 
7 

252 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

42 
- 
1 

43 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

3,707 
85,253 
10,698 
524,919 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

2,673 

1,851 

711 
- 
- 
3,507 

4,108 

- 
- 
23 

10,866 
- 
9,469 

- 

- 

258 
- 
- 
2,779 

2,037 

4,924 
- 
135 

10,133 

23 

33,185 

- 
5,617 
108 
38,910 
563,829 

Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets 
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Overseas 
Total gross credit risk 

(1) In most cases the credit risk of insurance assets is borne by policyholders. However, on certain insurance contracts the Group retains exposure to credit risk. 

(2) Other assets predominantly comprises assets which do not give rise to credit exposure, including intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and defined benefit 

superannuation plan surplus, which are shown in “Other” for the purpose of reconciling to the Balance Sheet. 

136     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management (continued) 
Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk by Industry and Asset Class before Collateral Held or Other Credit Enhancements 

Sover-
eign 
$M 

Agricul-
ture 
$M 

Bank
& Other
Financial
$M 

Real
Estate
Mortgage
$M 

Real
Estate
Constru-
ction
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Other 
Comm & 
Indust. 
$M 

Personal
$M 

Bank
At 30 June 2007

Other
$M 

Total
$M 

- 

- 

3,894 
- 
- 
170 

2,379 

1,769 
11 
26 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

5,625 

3,283 

10,193 
- 
424 
8,494 

1,417 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
14 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

5,098 
- 
- 
2,174 

1,503 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

5,625 

3,283 

19,185 
- 
424 
10,852 

5,299 

2,487 
2,155 
36 

7,894 
441 
28,805 

160,501 
- 
2,329 

1,587 
571 
23 

18,237 
- 
265 

4,810 
- 
70 

58,297 
15,543 
846 

- 
- 
6,078 

255,582 
18,721 
38,478 

8,249 

4,678 

66,576 

162,830 

2,195 

18,502 

4,880 

83,461 

6,078 

357,449 

- 

- 

336 
- 
- 
32 

51 

48 
- 
5 

472 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

1,776 

2,489 

- 
- 
- 
959 

1,820 

4,199 
- 
10,070 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

94 
- 
9 

21,313 

103 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

211 
- 
21 

232 

106 
- 
10 

116 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

4,334 
72,122 
12,842 
446,747 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

1,776 

2,489 

1,102 
- 
24 
3,010 

3,169 

- 
- 
33 

9,213 
- 
10,599 

- 

- 

766 
- 
24 
2,019 

1,298 

4,555 
- 
451 

9,113 

33 

31,382 

568 
6,160 
375 
38,485 
485,232 

Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets 
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Australia 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to on balance 
sheet assets: 
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions  
Assets at fair value through 
Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance (1) 
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale 
investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables 
Bank acceptances 
Other assets (2) 
Total on balance sheet 
Overseas 
Credit risk exposures 
relating to off balance 
sheet items: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments 
Other commitments 
Total Overseas 
Total gross credit risk 

(1) In most cases the credit risk of insurance assets is borne by policyholders. However, on certain insurance contracts the Group retains exposure to credit risk. 

(2) Other assets predominantly comprises assets which do not give rise to credit exposure, including intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and defined benefit 

superannuation plan surplus, which are shown in “Other” for the purpose of reconciling to the Balance Sheet. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     137 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 15 Credit Risk Management (continued) 
Credit Portfolio Loans and Advances by Industry 

The  following  table  sets  out  the  distribution  of  the  Group’s  loans,  advances  and  other  receivables  (excluding  bank  acceptances)  by 
industry. 

Industry  
Australia 
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial 
Real estate:  
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Sovereign  
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial 
Real estate:  
Mortgage  
Construction  

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Overseas 
Gross loans, advances and other receivables 

Provisions for Loan Impairment and unearned income 
Net loans, advances and other receivables  

2008 
$M 

1,568 
2,547 
8,917 

186,926 
1,647 
19,233 
7,894 
80,423 
309,155 

1,230 
4,814 
6,743 

28,817 
606 
532 
548 
12,779 
56,069 
365,224 

Group
2007
$M 

1,777 
2,491 
7,894 

163,839 
1,588 
18,252 
7,827 
61,610 
265,278 

3,189 
4,151 
6,943 

28,931 
618 
660 
507 
8,341 
53,340 
318,618 

(3,942) 
361,282 

(3,153)
315,465 

Large Exposures  

Concentrations of exposure to any debtor or counterparty group 
are  controlled  by  a  large  credit  exposure  policy.  All  exposures 
outside the policy are approved by the Board Risk Committee. 

The  following  table  shows  the  aggregated  number  of  the 
Group’s  counterparty  Corporate  and 
Industrial  exposures 
(including  direct  and  contingent  exposures)  which  individually 
were  greater  then  5%  of  the  Group’s  capital  resources  (Tier 
One and Tier Two capital): 

2008
Number 
1 
- 

2007 
Number 
- 
- 

Group
2006
Number 
- 
- 

Derivative financial instruments expose the Group to credit risk 
where there is a positive fair value current. In the case of credit 
derivatives, the Group is also exposed to or protected from the 
risk  of  default  of  the  underlying  entity  referenced  by  the 
derivative.  For  further  information  regarding  derivatives  see 
Notes 11, 42 and 49. 

The  Group also  nets its credit exposure through the  operation 
of  certain  consumer  and  corporate  facilities  that  allow  on 
balance  sheet  netting  for  credit  management  purposes.  As  at 
30  June  2008  these  facilities  reduced  the  credit  risk  of  the 
Group by approximately $20 billion (2007: $16 billion). 

5% to less than 10% of Group’s capital resources 
10% to less than 15% of Group’s capital resources 

The  Group  has  a  good  quality  and  well  diversified  credit 
portfolio,  with  51.2%  of  the  gross  loans  and  advances  in 
domestic  mortgage  loans  and  a  further  7.9%  in  overseas 
mortgage  loans  primarily  in  New  Zealand.  Overseas  loans 
account for 15.4% of loans and advances at $56.1 billion.  

The Group restricts its exposure to credit losses by entering into 
master  netting  arrangements  with  counterparties  with  which  it 
undertakes  a  significant  volume  of  transactions.  Master  netting 
arrangements  do  not  generally  result  in  an  offset  of  Balance 
Sheet assets and liabilities as transactions are usually settled on 
a gross basis.  

However,  the  credit  risk  associated  with  favourable  contacts  is 
reduced by a master netting arrangement to the extent that if an 
event  of  default  occurs,  all  amounts  with  the  counterparty  are 
terminated  and  settled  on  a  net  basis.  As  at  30  June  2008, 
master  netting  arrangements  reduced  the  credit  risk  of  the 
Group by approximately $6.5 billion (2007: $4.8 billion). 

138     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 16 Asset Quality 

Impaired Assets 

The  Group  administers  its  credit  exposure  to  the  Credit  Risk 
Rated  and  Retail  segments,  as  discussed  in  Note  15,  Credit 
Risk Management. 

Credit  Risk  Rated  portfolios  are  assessed  at  least  at  each 
Balance  Sheet  date  for  objective  evidence  that  the  financial 
asset or portfolio of assets is impaired.  

Impaired  financial  assets  in  the  Retail  segment  are  those 
facilities  that  are  not  well  secured  and  past  due  180  days  or 
more.  

The  Group  applies  APRA’s  prudential  standards  in  classifying 
impaired assets into three categories, comprising:  

(a) Non-Performing: 

•  Any credit risk facility against which an individually assessed 

provision for impairment has been raised; 

•  Any credit risk facility maintained on a cash basis because of 
significant  deterioration  in  the  financial  position  of  the 
borrower; and 

•  Any  credit  risk  facility  where  loss  of  principal  or  interest  is 

anticipated. 

(b) Restructured Facilities: 

Credit risk facilities on which the original contractual terms have 
been  modified  due  to  financial  difficulties  of  the  borrower. 
Interest  on  these  facilities  is  taken  to  profit  and  loss.  Failure  to 
comply  fully  with  the  modified  terms  will  result  in  immediate 
reclassification to non-performing. 

Distribution of loans and advances by credit quality 

Gross loans and advances  
Australia  

Neither past due nor impaired 
Past due but not impaired 
Impaired 

Total Australia 

Overseas 

Neither past due nor impaired 
Past due but not impaired 
Impaired 

Total Overseas 
Total gross loans and advances 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

(c) Assets Acquired through Security Enforcement: 

•  Other Real Estate Owned, comprising real estate where the 
Group  assumed  ownership  or  foreclosed  in  settlement  of  a 
debt; 

•  Other  Assets  Acquired  through  Securities  Enforcement, 
comprising  assets  other  than  real  estate  where  the  Group 
has  assumed  ownership  or  foreclosed  in  settlement  of  a 
debt; and 

•  Other  real  estate  owned  and  other  assets  acquired  through 
security  enforcement  are  sold  through  the  Group’s  existing 
disposal processes. These processes are generally expected 
to take no longer than six months. 

The Group does not manage credit risk based solely on arrears 
categorisation, but also uses the Credit Risk Rating principles as 
described in Note 15 Credit Risk Management. 

Provisions for Impairment 

Provisions  for  impairment  of  financial  assets  are  raised  where 
there  is  objective  evidence  of  impairment  and  at  an  amount 
adequate to cover assessed credit related losses. Credit losses 
arise primarily from loans but also from other credit instruments 
such as bank acceptances, contingent liabilities, guarantees and 
other financial instruments and assets acquired through security 
enforcement. 

For further information about the accounting policy for provisions 
for impairment see Note 1 (n). 

2008
$M 

302,156 
6,379 
620 
309,155 

53,440 
2,566 
63 
56,069 
365,224 

Group
2007
$M 

259,158 
5,722 
398 
265,278 

51,291 
2,026 
23 
53,340 
318,618 

2008 
$M 

294,578 
6,096 
593 
301,267 

10,838 
28 
- 
10,866 
312,133 

Bank
2007
$M 

249,725 
5,487 
370 
255,582 

9,206 
7 
- 
9,213 
264,795 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 
The  segmentation  of  Loans  and  Advances  for  the  retail  and  risk-rated  portfolios  into  investment,  pass  and  weak  (including  default 
grades) excluding those past due or impaired, is based on the mapping of Probability of Default (PD) to Standard and Poor’s ratings, 
reflecting a client’s ability to meet their credit obligations. In particular, retail PD pools have been aligned to the Group’s risk-rated PD 
grades which are consistent with rating agency views of credit quality segmentation. 

Investment grade is representative of lower assessed default probabilities with other classifications reflecting progressively higher default 
risk. No consideration is given to Loss Given Default (LGD), the impact of any recoveries or the potential benefit of mortgage insurance. 

Loans and Advances which were neither 
past due nor impaired 

Housing
Loans
$M 

Other
Personal
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial 
Industrial 
$M 

Group
2008 

Total
$M 

203,772 
90,434 
7,950 
302,156 

25,855 
24,786 
2,799 
53,440 

147,377 
31,696 
3,583 
182,656 

8,733 
15,736 
2,434 
26,903 

2,575 
13,583 
2,200 
18,358 

56 
181 
- 
237 

- 
7,500 
- 
7,500 

- 
528 
- 
528 

53,820 
37,655 
2,167 
93,642 

17,066 
8,341 
365 
25,772 

Credit Grading 
Australia 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Australia 

Overseas (1) 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which were neither past 
due nor impaired 

209,559 

18,595 

8,028 

119,414 

355,596 

(1) For New Zealand Housing Loans, PDs reflect Reserve Bank of New Zealand requirements resulting in higher PDs on average and lower grading. 

Credit Grading 
Australia 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Australia 

Overseas (1) 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which 
were neither past due nor impaired 

Housing
Loans
$M 

Other
Personal
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial 
Industrial 
$M 

135,379 
21,163 
3,754 
160,296 

5,518 
19,701 
2,317 
27,536 

2,545 
13,148 
1,638 
17,331 

76 
315 
- 
391 

- 
7,475 
- 
7,475 

- 
490 
1 
491 

43,444 
29,727 
885 
74,056 

16,223 
6,422 
228 
22,873 

Group
2007 

Total
$M 

181,368 
71,513 
6,277 
259,158 

21,817 
26,928 
2,546 
51,291 

187,832 

17,722 

7,966 

96,929 

310,449 

(1) For New Zealand Housing Loans, PDs reflect Reserve Bank of New Zealand requirements resulting in higher PDs on average and lower grading. 

140     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Loans and Advances which were neither 
past due nor impaired 

Housing
Loans
$M 

Other
Personal
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial
Industrial
$M 

Credit Grading 
Australia 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which 
were neither past due nor impaired 

Credit Grading 
Australia 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Investment 
Pass 
Weak 
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which 
were neither past due nor impaired 

Bank
2008 

Total
$M 

199,200 
87,346 
8,032 
294,578 

9,058 
1,713 
67 
10,838 

142,993 
33,419 
3,666 
180,078 

2,539 
13,567 
2,202 
18,308 

- 
136 
- 
136 

- 
42 
- 
42 

- 
2,791 
- 
2,791 

- 
- 
- 
- 

53,668 
37,569 
2,164 
93,401 

9,058 
1,535 
67 
10,660 

180,214 

18,350 

2,791 

104,061 

305,416 

Housing
Loans
$M 

Other
Personal
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial
Industrial
$M 

132,622 
20,706 
3,645 
156,973 

2,514 
13,157 
1,645 
17,316 

- 
87 
- 
87 

- 
106 
- 
106 

- 
4,707 
- 
4,707 

- 
- 
- 
- 

41,649 
28,248 
832 
70,729 

7,812 
1,189 
12 
9,013 

Bank
2007 

Total
$M 

176,785 
66,818 
6,122 
249,725 

7,812 
1,382 
12 
9,206 

157,060 

17,422 

4,707 

79,742 

258,931 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Loans and Advances which were past due 
but not impaired (1) 

Housing 
Loans
$M 

Other 
Personal (2)
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial 
Industrial 
$M 

2,147 
822 
359 
455 
330 
4,113 

1,529 
212 
74 
42 
19 
1,876 

530 
147 
74 
99 
9 
859 

216 
45 
16 
10 
6 
293 

219 
73 
26 
20 
1 
339 

14 
4 
1 
1 
- 
20 

806 
113 
74 
50 
25 
1,068 

281 
33 
18 
23 
22 
377 

Group
2008 

Total
$M 

3,702 
1,155 
533 
624 
365 
6,379 

2,040 
294 
109 
76 
47 
2,566 

Australia  
Past due 1-29 days  
Past due 30-59 days  
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due 90-179 days  
Past due 180 days or more 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Past due 1-29 days  
Past due 30-59 days  
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due date 90-179 days  
Past due 180 days or more  
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which 
were past due but not impaired 

5,989 

1,152 

359 

1,445 

8,945 

(1) Collateral held against past due Housing Loans receivables comprises residential and other real estate with an estimated fair value of at least the amounts shown. 
Other Personal receivables are generally unsecured. It has not been practicable to determine the fair value of collateral held against past due Asset Financing and 
Other Commercial/ Industrial receivables. 

(2) Personal loans, credit cards and other personal financing balances are generally unsecured and written off at 180 days past due unless agreements have been made 

with the debtor. 

142     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Loans and Advances which were past due 
but not impaired (1) 

Housing
Loans
$M 

Other 
Personal (2)
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial
Industrial
$M 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

1,824 
653 
293 
305 
285 
3,360 

1,099 
179 
55 
40 
10 
1,383 

558 
137 
82 
128 
13 
918 

201 
39 
10 
11 
6 
267 

218 
55 
26 
16 
2 
317 

12 
2 
1 
1 
- 
16 

789 
134 
86 
55 
63 
1,127 

282 
26 
17 
20 
15 
360 

Group
2007 

Total
$M 

3,389 
979 
487 
504 
363 
5,722 

1,594 
246 
83 
72 
31 
2,026 

Australia 
Past due 1-29 days  
Past due 30-59 days  
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due 90-179 days  
Past due 180 days or more 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Past due 1-29 days  
Past due 30-59 days  
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due date 90-179 days  
Past due 180 days or more  
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which 
were past due but not impaired 

4,743 

1,185 

333 

1,487 

7,748 

(1) Collateral held against past due Housing Loans receivables comprises residential and other real estate with an estimated fair value of at least the amounts shown. 
Other Personal receivables are generally unsecured. It has not been practicable to determine the fair value of collateral held against past due Asset Financing and 
Other Commercial/ Industrial receivables. 

(2) Personal loans, credit cards and other personal financing balances are generally unsecured and written off at 180 days past due unless agreements have been made 

with the debtor. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     143 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Loans and Advances which were past due but 
not impaired (1) 

Housing 
Loans
$M 

Other 
Personal (2)
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial 
Industrial 
$M 

Australia 
Past due 1-29 days  
Past due 30-59 days  
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due 90-179 days  
Past due 180 days or more 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Past due 1-29 days 
Past due 30-59 days 
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due 90-179 days 
Past due 180 days or more 
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which were past due but 
not impaired 

2,128 
820 
358 
455 
330 
4,091 

20 
6 
1 
1 
- 
28 

530 
147 
74 
99 
9 
859 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

39 
16 
6 
10 
7 
78 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

806 
113 
74 
50 
25 
1,068 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Bank
2008 

Total
$M 

3,503 
1,096 
512 
614 
371 
6,096 

20 
6 
1 
1 
- 
28 

4,119 

859 

78 

1,068 

6,124 

(1) Collateral held against past due Housing Loans receivables comprises residential and other real estate with an estimated fair value of at least the amounts shown. Other 
Personal receivables are generally unsecured. It has not been practicable to determine the fair value of collateral held against past due Asset Financing and Other 
Commercial/ Industrial receivables. 

(2) Personal loans, credit cards and other personal financing balances are generally unsecured and written off at 180 days past due unless agreements have been made 

with the debtor. 

Loans and Advances which were past due but 
not impaired (1) 
Australia 
Past due 1-29 days 
Past due 30-59 days 
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due 90-179 days 
Past due 180 days or more 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Past due 1-29 days 
Past due 30-59 days 
Past due 60-89 days 
Past due 90-179 days 
Past due 180 days or more 
Total Overseas 
Total loans and advances which were past due but 
not impaired 

Housing
Loans
$M 

Other
Personal (2)
$M 

Asset 
Financing 
$M 

Commercial 
Industrial 
$M 

1,812 
651 
292 
305 
286 
3,346 

7 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7 

558 
137 
82 
128 
13 
918 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

47 
21 
12 
13 
3 
96 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

789 
134 
86 
55 
63 
1,127 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Bank
2007 

Total
$M 

3,206 
943 
472 
501 
365 
5,487 

7 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7 

3,353 

918 

96 

1,127 

5,494 

(1) Collateral held against past due Housing Loans receivables comprises residential and other real estate with an estimated fair value of at least the amounts shown. Other 
Personal receivables are generally unsecured. It has not been practicable to determine the fair value of collateral held against past due Asset Financing and Other 
Commercial/ Industrial receivables. 

(2) Personal loans, credit cards and other personal financing balances are generally unsecured and written off at 180 days past due unless agreements have been made 

with the debtor. 

144     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Impaired Financial Assets  

Impaired Asset Ratios 
Gross impaired assets as a % of gross loans and acceptances 
Net impaired assets as % of: 

Gross loans and acceptances 
Total Shareholders’ equity 

Financial assets individually assessed as impaired 

2008
% 

0. 18 

0. 08 
1. 21 

2007
% 

0. 13 

0. 07 
0. 91 

2006 
% 

0. 11 

0. 06 
0. 73 

Australia 
Loans and other receivables: 

Housing loans  
Other personal (1) 
Asset financing 
Other commercial and industrial  

Financial assets individually assessed as impaired-
Australia 

Overseas 
Loans and other receivables: 

Housing loans  
Other personal 
Asset financing 
Other commercial and industrial  

Financial assets individually assessed as impaired-
Overseas 
Total financial assets individually assessed as impaired 

Gross
Impaired
Assets
$M 

Individually
Assessed
Provisions
$M 

2008 

Net
Impaired
Assets
$M 

Gross 
Impaired 
Assets 
$M 

Individually
Assessed
Provisions
$M 

157 
14 
55 
394 

620 

37 
2 
1 
23 

63 
683 

34 
97 
12 
193 

336 

7 
2 
2 
20 

31 
367 

123 
(83)
43 
201 

284 

30 
- 
(1)
3 

32 
316 

182 
3 
35 
178 

398 

12 
2 
1 
8 

23 
421 

23 
104 
13 
45 

185 

4 
1 
1 
8 

14 
199 

Group 

2005
% 

0. 16 

0. 09 
0. 97 

Group
2007 

Net
Impaired
Assets
$M 

159 
(101)
22 
133 

213 

8 
1 
- 
- 

9 
222 

(1) Portfolio provisions of $88 million at 30 June 2008 (2007: $99 million) to cover unsecured personal loans and credit card lending are included in the individually 

assessed provisions. However, the related assets are not included in impaired assets. The related asset amounts are instead included in the 90 days or more past 
due disclosure. Refer Note 1 (mm). 

Australia 
Loans and other receivables: 

Housing  
Other personal (1) 
Asset financing 
Other commercial and industrial  

Financial assets individually assessed as impaired-
Australia 

Overseas 
Loans and other receivables: 

Housing  
Other personal 
Asset financing 
Other commercial and industrial  

Financial assets individually assessed as impaired-
Overseas 
Total financial assets individually assessed as impaired 

Gross
Impaired 
Assets
$M 

Individually
Assessed
Provisions
$M 

2008 

Net 
Impaired 
Assets
$M 

Gross 
Impaired  
Assets 
$M 

Individually
Assessed
Provisions
$M 

Bank
2007 

Net 
Impaired 
Assets
$M 

157 
14 
28 
394 

593 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
593 

34 
97 
3 
192 

326 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
326 

123 
(83)
25 
202 

267 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
267 

182 
3 
7 
178 

370 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
370 

23 
104 
4 
45 

176 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
176 

159 
(101)
3 
133 

194 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
194 

(1) Portfolio provisions of $88 million at 30 June 2008 (2007: $99 million) to cover unsecured personal loans and credit card lending are included in the individually 

assessed provisions. However, the related assets are not included in impaired assets. The related asset amounts are instead included in the 90 days or more past 
due disclosure. Refer Note 1 (mm). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Impaired Assets by classification 

Australia  
Non-Performing loans: 

Gross balances 
Less provisions for impairment 
Net non-performing loans 

Restructured loans: 
Gross balances  
Less provisions 
Net restructured loans  

Assets Acquired Through Security Enforcement: 

Gross balances  
Less provisions for impairment  
Net assets acquired through security enforcement 

Net Australia impaired assets 

Overseas  
Non-Performing loans: 
Gross balances  
Less provisions for impairment 
Net non-performing loans 

Restructured loans: 
Gross balances  
Less provisions for impairment 
Net restructured loans  

Assets Acquired Through Security Enforcement: 

Gross balances  
Less provisions for impairment 
Net assets acquired through security enforcement 

Net Overseas impaired assets  

2008
$M 

2007 
$M 

2006 
$M 

620 
(336)
284 

398 
(185) 
213 

312 
(166) 
146 

Group
2005
$M 

362 
(144)
218 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
284 

63 
(31)
32 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
32 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
213 

23 
(14) 
9 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
9 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
146 

14 
(5) 
9 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
9 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
218 

14 
(13)
1 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
1 

Total net impaired assets  

316 

222 

155 

219 

Non-Performing Loans by Size of Loan 
Less than $1 million  
$1 million to $10 million  
Greater than $10 million  
Total 

Australia
2008
$M 

Overseas
2008
$M 

Total
2008
$M 

Australia 
2007 
$M 

Overseas 
2007 
$M 

189 
175 
256 
620 

39 
24 
- 
63 

228 
199 
256 
683 

194 
151 
53 
398 

14 
9 
- 
23 

Group 

Total
2007
$M 

208 
160 
53 
421 

146     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 

Movement in Impaired Asset Balances 

Gross Impaired Assets  

Gross impaired assets – opening balance  
New and increased  
Balances written off  
Returned to performing or repaid 
Gross impaired assets – closing balance  

Impaired Assets by Industry and Status 

Industry 

Australia 
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial  
Real estate:  
Mortgage 
Construction 

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial  
Real estate:  
Mortgage 
Construction 

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Overseas 
Gross balances  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

2008
$M 
421 
1,104 
(470)
(372)
683 

2007 
$M 
326 
928 
(482) 
(351) 
421 

2006
$M 
395 
745 
(450)
(364)
326 

Impaired
Assets
$M 

Individually
Assessed
Provisions
$M 

Total Risk
$M 

Write-offs 
$M 

Recoveries
$M 

1,568 
2,547 
8,917 

186,926 
1,647 
19,233 
7,894 
80,423 
309,155 

1,230 
4,814 
6,743 

28,817 
606 
532 
548 
12,779 
56,069 
365,224 

- 
15 
58 

157 
11 
14 
55 
310 
620 

- 
1 
4 

37 
3 
2 
1 
15 
63 
683 

- 
4 
27 

34 
1 
97 
12 
161 
336 

- 
- 
4 

7 
8 
2 
2 
8 
31 
367 

- 
3 
5 

23 
1 
364 
49 
34 
479 

- 
- 
4 

1 
1 
13 
- 
5 
24 
503 

- 
- 
- 

(1)
(1)
(61)
(5)
(5)
(73)

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(3)
- 
(1)
(4)
(77)

Group
2005
$M 
363 
769 
(350)
(387)
395 

Group
2008 

Net
Write-offs
$M 

- 
3 
5 

22 
- 
303 
44 
29 
406 

- 
- 
4 

1 
1 
10 
- 
4 
20 
426 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 16 Asset Quality (continued) 
Impaired Assets by Industry and Status 

Industry 

Australia 
Sovereign  
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial  
Real estate:  
Mortgage  
Construction 

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Sovereign 
Agriculture  
Bank and other financial 
Real estate:  
Mortgage 
Construction 

Personal  
Asset financing  
Other commercial and industrial  
Total Overseas 
Gross balances  

Impaired 
Assets 
$M 

Individually
Assessed
Provisions
$M 

Total Risk
$M 

Write-offs 
$M 

Recoveries 
$M 

Group
2007 

Net 
Write-offs 
$M 

1,777 
2,491 
7,894 

163,839 
1,588 
18,252 
7,827 
61,610 
265,278 

3,189 
4,151 
6,943 

28,931 
618 
660 
507 
8,341 
53,340 
318,618 

- 
5 
2 

182 
8 
3 
35 
163 
398 

- 
- 
- 

12 
- 
2 
1 
8 
23 
421 

- 
3 
2 

23 
1 
104 
13 
39 
185 

- 
- 
1 

4 
- 
1 
1 
7 
14 
199 

- 
1 
- 

20 
1 
408 
49 
30 
509 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
7 
- 
3 
10 
519 

- 
(1) 
(1) 

(1) 
(1) 
(77) 
(10) 
(8) 
(99) 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(4) 
- 
- 
(4) 
(103) 

- 
- 
(1)

19 
- 
331 
39 
22 
410 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
3 
- 
3 
6 
416 

148     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 17 Shares in and Loans to Controlled Entities 

Shares in controlled entities  
Loans to controlled entities (1) 
Total shares in and loans to controlled entities 

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b).  

A list of the Group’s controlled entities is provided in Note 44 Controlled Entities. 

2008 
$M 
23,676 
13,796 
37,472 

Bank
2007
$M 
23,311 
14,285 
37,596 

Note 18 Investment Property 

Investment Property  

2008
$M 
- 

Group 
2007 
$M 
- 

2008 
$M 
- 

Bank
2007
$M 
- 

Investment property which backs liabilities paying a return linked directly to the property’s fair value is measured at fair value through 
profit  and  loss.  The  fair  value  is  based  on  valuations  performed  by  an  independent  valuer  who  holds  a  recognised  and  relevant 
professional qualification and has recent experience in the location and category of the investment property being valued. 

Amounts recognised in profit and loss relating to investment property 

Rental income (1) 
Net gains or losses from fair value adjustments (1) 
Direct operating expenses (2) 
Total 

(1) This income is disclosed as part of Other operating income – Other in Note 2. 

(2) This expense is disclosed as part of Other operating income – Other in Note 2. 

Investment Property (reconciliation) 

Opening balance  
Net gains or losses from fair value adjustments 
Assets reclassified to Assets held for sale 
Closing balance  

2008 
$M 
- 
- 
- 
- 

2008 
$M 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Group
2007
$M 
15 
23 
(2)
36 

Group
2007
$M 
258 
23 
(281)
- 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     149 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 19 Property, Plant and Equipment 

Land and Buildings  
Land  

At 30 June 2008 valuation 
At 30 June 2007 valuation 
Closing balance 

Buildings 

At 30 June 2008 valuation  
At 30 June 2007 valuation 
Closing balance  

Total land and buildings  

Leasehold Improvements  

At cost  
Provision for depreciation  
Investment and restructuring 
Closing balance  

Equipment  
At cost 
Provision for depreciation  
Closing balance  

Assets under Lease  

At cost 
Provision for depreciation  
Closing balance  

Total property, plant and equipment (1) 

(1) Assets held for sale are separately disclosed in Note 22. 

2008
$M 

258 
- 
258 

341 
- 
341 
599 

941 
(475)
(18)
448 

936 
(578)
358 

290 
(55)
235 
1,640 

Group
2007
$M 

- 
215 
215 

- 
361 
361 
576 

822 
(441)
- 
381 

891 
(565)
326 

189 
(36)
153 
1,436 

2008 
$M 

232 
- 
232 

312 
- 
312 
544 

819 
(424) 
(18) 
377 

663 
(381) 
282 

152 
(19) 
133 
1,336 

Bank
2007
$M 

- 
193 
193 

- 
333 
333 
526 

691 
(387)
- 
304 

606 
(366)
240 

51 
(9)
42 
1,112 

Land and buildings are carried at fair value based on independent valuations performed in 2008, refer Note 1 (s). Under the cost model 
these assets would have been recognised at the carrying amount outlined in the table below. 

Carrying Amount of Land and Buildings under the Cost Model: 

Land 
Buildings 

Total land and buildings 

2008
$M 

117 
244 
361 

Group
2007
$M 

115 
245 
360 

2008 
$M 

108 
229 
337 

Bank
2007
$M 

109 
229 
338 

150     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 19 Property, Plant and Equipment (continued) 
Reconciliation of movements in the carrying amount of Property, Plant and Equipment 

Reconciliation  

Land  
Opening balance  
Acquisitions attributed to business combinations 
Disposals/transfers to Assets held for sale 
Disposals 
Net revaluations  
Foreign currency translation adjustment 
Closing balance  

Buildings 
Opening balance 
Acquisitions  
Acquisitions attributed to business combinations 
Disposals/transfers to Assets held for sale 
Disposals 
Net revaluations  
Depreciation  
Foreign currency translation adjustment 
Closing balance  

Leasehold Improvements  
Opening balance  
Acquisitions  
Disposals  
Net revaluations 
Depreciation  
Investment and restructuring 
Foreign currency translation adjustment 
Closing balance  

Equipment  
Opening balance 
Acquisitions  
Disposals/transfers  
Depreciation  
Foreign currency translation adjustment 
Closing balance  

Assets Under Lease 
Opening balance  
Acquisitions 
Disposals/transfers 
Depreciation  
Closing balance  

2008
$M 

Group 
2007 
$M 

2008 
$M 

Bank
2007
$M 

215 
7 
- 
(2)
41 
(3)
258 

361 
35 
2 
- 
(7)
(19)
(27)
(4)
341 

381 
170 
(6)
(2)
(63)
(18)
(14)
448 

326 
174 
(17)
(115)
(10)
358 

153 
103 
(1)
(20)
235 

199 
- 
(9) 
(3) 
26 
2 
215 

288 
52 
- 
(11) 
(2) 
53 
(22) 
3 
361 

316 
122 
(4) 
- 
(59) 
- 
6 
381 

289 
139 
(12) 
(97) 
7 
326 

221 
1 
(47) 
(22) 
153 

193 
- 
- 
(1) 
40 
- 
232 

333 
33 
- 
- 
(6) 
(21) 
(26) 
(1) 
312 

304 
150 
(7) 
- 
(52) 
(18) 
- 
377 

240 
135 
(11) 
(82) 
- 
282 

42 
103 
(1) 
(11) 
133 

182 
- 
(9)
(3)
24 
(1)
193 

263 
51 
- 
(11)
(1)
51 
(21)
1 
333 

271 
83 
(3)
- 
(47)
- 
- 
304 

210 
107 
(9)
(67)
(1)
240 

100 
1 
(47)
(12)
42 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     151 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 20 Intangible Assets 

Intangible Assets 
Goodwill  
Computer software costs 
Management fee rights 
Other  
Total intangible assets 

Goodwill 
Purchased goodwill – Colonial 
Purchased goodwill – other 
Total goodwill 

Computer Software Costs 
Cost  
Accumulated amortisation  
Investment and restructuring  
Total computer software costs 

Management Fee Rights (1) 
Cost 
Total management fee rights  

Other  
Cost  
Accumulated amortisation 
Total other  

Goodwill (reconciliation) 
Opening balance  
Additions 
Disposal 
Impairment  
Closing balance  

Computer Software Costs (reconciliation) 
Opening balance  
Additions:  

From purchases 
From internal development  

Amortisation  
Investment and restructuring write-down 
Closing balance  

Management Fee Rights (reconciliation) 
Opening balance 
Closing balance 

Other (reconciliation) 
Opening balance  
Additions:  

From acquisitions  

Disposals 
Amortisation  
Closing balance  

2008
$M 

7,484 
353 
311 
110 
8,258 

6,705 
779 
7,484 

629 
(199)
(77)
353 

311 
311 

159 
(49)
110 

7,163 
323 
(2)
- 
7,484 

297 

90 
131 
(88)
(77)
353 

311 
311 

64 

64 
(3)
(15)
110 

Group
2007
$M 

7,163 
297 
311 
64 
7,835 

6,705 
458 
7,163 

420 
(123)
- 
297 

311 
311 

85 
(21)
64 

7,200 
3 
- 
(40)
7,163 

229 

20 
110 
(62)
- 
297 

311 
311 

69 

3 
- 
(8)
64 

2008 
$M 

2,522 
304 
- 
- 
2,826 

2,229 
293 
2,522 

560 
(191) 
(65) 
304 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

2,522 
- 
- 
- 
2,522 

262 

89 
94 
(76) 
(65) 
304 

- 
- 

4 

- 
(3) 
(1) 
- 

Bank
2007
$M 

2,522 
262 
- 
4 
2,788 

2,229 
293 
2,522 

377 
(115)
- 
262 

- 
- 

4 
- 
4 

2,522 
- 
- 
- 
2,522 

212 

19 
90 
(59)
- 
262 

- 
- 

4 

- 
- 
- 
4 

(1)  Management  fee  rights  have  an  indefinite  useful  life  under  the  contractual  terms  of  the  management  agreements  and  are  subject  to  an  annual  valuation  for 

impairment testing purposes. No impairment was required as a result of this valuation. 

152     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 20 Intangible Assets (continued) 
Segment Allocation of Goodwill 

Segment 
Retail Banking Services (1) 
Premium Business Services  
Wealth Management (2) 
International Financial Services  
Total  

2008 
$M 
4,149 
297 
2,358 
680 
7,484 

Group
2007
$M 
4,149 
- 
2,361 
653 
7,163 

(1) The allocation to Retail Banking Services includes goodwill related to the acquisitions of Colonial, State Bank of Victoria and 25% of ASB Bank. 

(2) The allocation to Wealth Management principally relates to the goodwill on acquisition of Colonial. 

Impairment Tests for Goodwill and Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives 

To  assess  whether  goodwill  is  impaired,  the  carrying  amount  of  a  cash  generating  unit  is  compared  to  the  recoverable  amount, 
determined  based  on  net  selling  price  less  costs  to  sell,  using  an  earnings  multiple  applicable  to  that  type  of  business,  or  actuarial 
assessment. 

Australian 
Retail 
Banking 
$M 
4,149 

Australian
Premium
Business
$M 
297 

Funds
Management
(Excluding
Property)
$M 
2,149 

Funds
Management
(Property)
$M 
78 

Australian 
Life 
Insurance 
$M 
131 

New Zealand 
Banking 
$M  
238 

New Zealand
Life
Insurance
$M 
442 

Carrying amount of goodwill 

Group 
At 30 June 2008 

Key Assumptions Used in Selling Price less Cost to Sell Calculations 

Earnings  multiples  relating  to  the  Group’s  Banking  (Retail 
Banking Services, Premium Business Services and International 
Financial  Services)  and  Australian  Life  Insurance  and  Funds 
Management  cash-generating  units  are  sourced  from  publicly 
available  data  associated  with  valuations  performed  on  recent 
businesses  displaying  similar  characteristics  to  those  cash-
generating units, and are applied to current earnings. 

The New Zealand Life Insurance cash-generating unit is valued 
via an actuarial assessment. 

The  key  assumptions  used  when  completing  the  actuarial 
assessment  include  new  business  multiples,  discount  rates, 
investment market returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency and 
expense inflation. These have been determined by reference to 
historical  company  and 
industry  experience  and  publicly 
available data. 

Note 21 Other Assets 

Accrued interest receivable  
Defined benefit superannuation plan surplus  
Accrued fees/reimbursements receivable  
Securities sold not delivered  
Intragroup current tax receivable  
Current tax assets 
Other 
Total other assets  

Note 

43 

2008
$M 
1,904 
1,536 
985 
766 
- 
50 
1,251 
6,492 

Group 
2007 
$M 
2,091 
1,813 
832 
1,144 
- 
122 
1,155 
7,157 

2008 
$M 
2,067 
1,536 
387 
325 
419 
- 
635 
5,369 

Bank
2007
$M 
1,893 
1,813 
581 
632 
352 
- 
1,515 
6,786 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     153 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 22 Assets Held for Sale 

Available-for-sale investments (1) 
Loans, advances and other receivables (1) 
Investment property (2) 
Property, plant and equipment 
Total assets held for sale 

2008
$M 
406 
191 
- 
11 
608 

Group
2007
$M 
765 
306 
281 
22 
1,374 

2008 
$M 
262 
139 
- 
11 
412 

Bank
2007
$M 
- 
- 
- 
21 
21 

(1) During the year ended 30 June 2007 the Group purchased, through Colonial First State, a 32% stake in AWG plc. The stake was acquired through the purchase of 

preference shares and Eurobonds that on acquisition were classified as Assets held for sale ($1.3 billion) based on the Group’s intention to dispose of its holding into 
Australian and European based infrastructure funds within the next 12 months. Since acquisition the Group has sold down ($1.0 billion) worth of AWG related 
Eurobonds and preference shares.  

(1) During the year ended 30 June 2008 the Group purchased, through Colonial First State, a 50% stake in ENW Ltd. The stake was acquired through the purchase of 

preference shares and Eurobonds that on acquisition were classified as Assets held for sale ($616 million) based on the Group’s intention to dispose of its holding into 
Australian and European based infrastructure funds within the next 12 months. Since acquisition the Group has sold down ($200 million) worth of ENW related 
Eurobonds and preference shares.  

(1) Until sold, the Eurobonds are being measured on the same basis as Loans, advances and other receivables, while the preference shares are being measured on the 

same basis as Available-for-sale investments. 

(2) This investment property is measured in accordance with the Group’s policy for investment property backing liabilities that pay a return linked directly to its fair value. 

Note 23 Deposits and Other Public Borrowings 

Australia  
Certificates of deposit 
Term deposits  
On demand and short term deposits (1) 
Deposits not bearing interest  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  
Total Australia 

Overseas  
Certificates of deposit 
Term deposits  
On demand and short term deposits  
Deposits not bearing interest 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  
Total Overseas 
Total deposits and other public borrowings 

2008
$M 

36,981 
71,637 
117,712 
6,142 
1,462 
233,934 

4,139 
15,687 
8,351 
1,468 
127 
29,772 
263,706 

Group
2007
$M 

20,165 
50,888 
109,680 
6,662 
3,323 
190,718 

903 
16,416 
9,183 
1,818 
30 
28,350 
219,068 

2008 
$M 

36,981 
70,858 
118,270 
6,194 
1,462 
233,765 

4,139 
2,679 
159 
2 
127 
7,106 
240,871 

Bank
2007
$M 

20,165 
49,454 
109,656 
6,660 
3,323 
189,258 

903 
4,245 
94 
30 
100 
5,372 
194,630 

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

Maturity Distribution of Certificates of Deposit and Time Deposits 

Australia  
Certificates of deposit (1) 
Time deposits 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Certificates of deposit (1) 
Time deposits 
Total Overseas 
Total certificates of deposit and time deposits 

Maturing
Three Months
or Less
$M 

Maturing
Between Three
& Six Months
$M 

Maturing
Between Six &
Twelve Months
$M 

Maturing 
After 
Twelve Months 
$M 

28,656 
36,704 
65,360 

4,108 
5,816 
9,924 
75,284 

5,938 
12,253 
18,191 

- 
4,235 
4,235 
22,426 

733 
21,391 
22,124 

31 
4,587 
4,618 
26,742 

1,654 
1,289 
2,943 

- 
1,049 
1,049 
3,992 

Group
At 30 June 2008 

Total
$M 

36,981 
71,637 
108,618 

4,139 
15,687 
19,826 
128,444 

(1) All certificates of deposit issued by the Bank are for amounts greater than $100,000. 

154     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 24 Payables due to Other Financial Institutions 

Australia  
Overseas 
Total payables due to other financial institutions  

2008
$M 
4,390 
13,282 
17,672 

Note 25 Liabilities at Fair Value through Income Statement  

Deposits and other borrowings (1) 
Debt instruments (1) (2) 
Trading liabilities 
Total liabilities at fair value through Income Statement 

2008
$M 
4,586 
9,047 
1,893 
15,526 

Group 
2007 
$M 
4,208 
10,178 
14,386 

Group 
2007 
$M 
6,687 
5,744 
3,965 
16,396 

2008 
$M 
4,391 
13,234 
17,625 

2008 
$M 
- 
1,037 
1,893 
2,930 

Bank
2007
$M 
4,210 
10,112 
14,322 

Bank
2007
$M 
- 
241 
4,965 
5,206 

(1) Designated at Fair Value through Income Statement at inception as they are managed by the Group on a fair value basis. Designating these liabilities at Fair Value 

through Income Statement has also eliminated an accounting mismatch created by measuring assets and liabilities on a different basis. 

(2) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

The change in fair value due to credit risk for the Group is $22 million and for the Bank is $15 million, which has been calculated by 
determining the changes in credit spread implicit in the fair value of the instruments issued. In 2007 the amount was insignificant as 
reflected in the Group’s and Bank’s credit ratings. 

The increment on top of the carrying amount that would be contractually required to be paid at maturity to the holders of these financial 
liabilities for the Group is $326 million (2007: $139 million) and for the Bank is $59 million (2007: $65 million). 

Note 26 Income Tax Liability  

Australia  
Current tax liability  
Deferred tax liability (Note 5) 
Total Australia 

Overseas 
Current tax liability 
Deferred tax liability (Note 5) 
Total Overseas 
Total income tax liability  

2008
$M 

696 
- 
696 

72 
266 
338 
1,034 

Group 
2007 
$M 

866 
556 
1,422 

16 
352 
368 
1,790 

2008 
$M 

707 
17 
724 

1 
2 
3 
727 

Bank
2007
$M 

797 
90 
887 

3 
1 
4 
891 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     155 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 27 Other Provisions 

Provision for: 
Long service leave  
Annual leave  
Other employee entitlements 
Restructuring costs 
General insurance claims  
Self insurance/non-lending losses  
Dividends 
Other  
Total other provisions  

Reconciliation 

Restructuring costs: 
Opening balance 
Additional provisions  
Amounts utilised during the year 
Closing balance  

General insurance claims: 
Opening balance 
Additional provisions  
Amounts utilised during the year 
Closing balance  

Self insurance/non-lending losses: 
Opening balance 
Additional provisions  
Amounts utilised during the year 
Closing balance  

Other: 
Opening balance 
Additional provisions  
Amounts utilised during the year 
Closing balance  

Note 

6 

2008
$M 

299 
205 
69 
284 
117 
64 
5 
131 
1,174 

2008
$M 

26 
282 
(24)
284 

94 
80 
(57)
117 

83 
9 
(28)
64 

107 
83 
(59)
131 

Group
2007
$M 

281 
186 
95 
26 
94 
83 
6 
107 
878 

Group
2007
$M 

37 
15 
(26)
26 

85 
56 
(47)
94 

90 
25 
(32)
83 

71 
66 
(30)
107 

2008 
$M 

292 
185 
66 
284 
- 
64 
5 
87 
983 

2008 
$M 

26 
282 
(24) 
284 

- 
- 
- 
- 

82 
10 
(28) 
64 

99 
37 
(49) 
87 

Bank
2007
$M 

267 
163 
90 
26 
- 
82 
7 
99 
734 

Bank
2007
$M 

37 
15 
(26)
26 

- 
- 
- 
- 

87 
25 
(30)
82 

60 
63 
(24)
99 

Provision Commentary 

Restructuring costs 

Provisions are for amounts expected to be utilised in the short to 
medium term. 

During the current year the Group has recognised a provision for 
Investment and restructuring of $282 million relating to the cost 
of  implementation  of  Core  Banking  Modernisation  and  other 
investment and restructuring. Related asset write-downs of $95 
million,  including  Computer  Software  write  offs  of  $77  million 
have also been recognised.  

General Insurance Claims 

This  provision  is  to  cover  future  claims  on  general  insurance 
contracts that have been incurred but not reported. 

Self Insurance and Non-Lending Losses 

This provision covers certain non-transferred insurance risk and 
non-lending  losses.  The  self  insurance  provision  is  reassessed 
annually in consultation with actuarial advice. 

156     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 28 Debt Issues (1) 

Short term debt issues  
Long term debt issues  
Total debt issues  

Short Term Debt Issues  
AUD Promissory Notes 
AUD Bank Bills 
AUD Commercial Paper 
USD Commercial Paper 
EUR Commercial Paper 
Other Currency Commercial Paper 
Long Term Debt Issues with less than one year to maturity 
Total short term debt issues 

Long Term Debt Issues 
USD Medium Term Notes 
AUD Medium Term Notes 
NZD Medium Term Notes 
JPY Medium Term Notes  
GBP Medium Term Notes  
EUR Medium Term Notes 
Other Currencies Medium Term Notes 
Offshore Loans (all JPY) 
Eurobonds 
Total long term debt issues 

Maturity Distribution of Debt Issues  
Less than three months  
Between three months to 12 months 
Between one year and five years 
Greater than five years 
Total debt issues 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

2008
$M 
35,877 
49,940 
85,817 

- 
- 
1,024 
14,116 
622 
416 
19,699 
35,877 

19,065 
9,332 
438 
6,463 
3,482 
6,478 
3,630 
152 
900 
49,940 

21,757 
14,120 
35,234 
14,706 
85,817 

Group 
2007 
$M 
28,607 
59,918 
88,525 

523 
505 
2,828 
7,793 
1,581 
4 
15,373 
28,607 

30,675 
10,918 
161 
3,062 
3,544 
6,670 
3,839 
148 
901 
59,918 

10,178 
18,429 
36,205 
23,713 
88,525 

2008 
$M 
16,208 
39,570 
55,778 

- 
- 
265 
1,861 
622 
416 
13,044 
16,208 

16,101 
3,991 
54 
6,347 
3,482 
4,913 
3,630 
152 
900 
39,570 

6,664 
9,544 
26,459 
13,111 
55,778 

Bank
2007
$M 
10,288 
37,472 
47,760 

- 
- 
459 
173 
1,581 
4 
8,071 
10,288 

20,403 
3,629 
161 
3,062 
2,477 
4,146 
2,545 
148 
901 
37,472 

4,767 
5,521 
23,546 
13,926 
47,760 

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

The  Bank’s  debt  issues  include  a  Euro  Medium  Term  Note 
program  under  which  it  may  issue  notes  up  to  an  aggregate 
amount outstanding of USD 50 billion. The Bank also has a U.S. 
Medium Term Note program under which it may issue notes up 
to  an  aggregate  amount  outstanding  of  USD  15  billion.  Notes 
issued  under  debt  programs  are  both  fixed  and  variable  rate. 
Interest rate risk associated with the notes is incorporated within 
the Bank’s interest rate risk framework. 

Subsequent  to  30  June  2008,  notable  debt  issuances  of  the 
Bank under these specified programs include: 

•  USD medium term notes: between one and five years – USD 

495 million (AUD 513 million);  

•  BRL medium term notes: between one and five years – BRL 

16 million (AUD 10 million); 

•  EUR medium term notes: between one and five years – EUR 
300 million (AUD 491 million); greater than five years – EUR 
50 million (AUD 82 million); 

•  JPY medium term notes: between one and five years – JPY 
14  billion  (AUD  137  million);  greater  than  five  years  –  JPY 
500 million (AUD 5 million); 

•  NZD  medium  term  notes:  between  one  and  five  years  – 

NZD 180 million (AUD 143 million); and 

•  ZAR  medium  term  notes:  between  one  and  five  years  – 

ZAR 15 million (AUD 2 million). 

Where  any  debt  issue  is  booked  in  an  offshore  branch  or 
subsidiary,  the  amounts  have  first  been  converted  into  the 
functional currency of the branch at a branch defined exchange 
rate, before being converted into the AUD equivalent. 

Where proceeds have been employed in currencies other than 
that  of  the  ultimate  repayment  liability,  swaps  or  other  risk 
management arrangements have been entered into. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     157 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 28 Debt Issues (continued) 

Short Term Borrowings  

The following table analyses the Group’s short term borrowings for the financial years ended 30 June 2008, 2007 and 2006. 

USD Commercial Paper  
Outstanding at period end (1)  
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end (2) 
Approximate average amount outstanding (2)  
Approximate weighted average rate on: 

Average amount outstanding  
Outstanding at period end 

EUR Commercial Paper 
Outstanding at period end (1) 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end (2) 
Approximate average amount outstanding (2)  
Approximate weighted average rate on:  

Average amount outstanding 
Outstanding at period end 

AUD Commercial Paper 
Outstanding at period end (1)  
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end (2)  
Approximate average amount outstanding (2) 
Approximate weighted average rate on: 

Average amount outstanding  
Outstanding at period end 

Other Currency Commercial Paper 
Outstanding at period end (1) 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end (2) 
Approximate average amount outstanding (2)  
Approximate weighted average rate on:  

Average amount outstanding 
Outstanding at period end 

2008 

2007 

Group
2006 

(AUD Millions, except where indicated)

14,116 
14,693 
11,000 

4. 2% 
2. 6% 

622 
1,589 
885 

4. 4% 
4. 3% 

1,024 
2,588 
1,430 

7. 0% 
7. 9% 

416 
1,525 
827 

4. 7% 
7. 0% 

7,793 
10,438 
7,953 

5. 3% 
5. 3% 

1,581 
1,581 
940 

4. 2% 
4. 7% 

3,955 
9,619 
7,413 

6. 3% 
6. 4% 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

6,861 
13,717 
9,754 

4. 4% 
5. 2% 

4,248 
4,441 
3,177 

4. 4% 
5. 2% 

1,592 
2,665 
1,880 

6. 3% 
6. 4% 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

(1) The amount outstanding at period end is measured at amortised cost. 

(2)  The  maximum  and  average  amounts  over  the  period  are  reported  on  a  face  value  basis  because  the  carrying  values  of  these  amounts  are  not  available.  Any 

differences between face value and carrying value would not be material given the short term nature of the borrowings. 

Exchange Rates Utilised (End of day, Sydney time) 

AUD 1.00 =  

Currency 

USD 
EUR 
GBP 
JPY 
NZD 
HKD 
CAD 
CHF 
ILS 
SGD 

As At 
30 June 
2008 
0. 9656 
0. 6113 
0. 4841 
102. 070 
1. 2631 
7. 5323 
0. 9734 
0. 9821 
3. 2298 
1. 3145 

As At
30 June
2007 
0. 8497 
0. 6319 
0. 4241 
104. 889 
1. 102 
6. 6426 
0. 8987 
1. 0470 
3. 6054 
1. 3023 

158     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

•  The CDBL’s liabilities continue to remain guaranteed by the 

Commonwealth of Australia; and 

•  CDBL  ceased  to  write  new  business  or  incur  additional 
liabilities  from  1  July  1996.  From  that  date,  new  business 
that  would  have  previously  been  written  by  CDBL  is  being 
written by the rural arm of the Bank. 

The due payment of all monies payable by CDBL to a person 
other than the Commonwealth of Australia is guaranteed by the 
Commonwealth  of  Australia  under  Section  117  of 
the 
Commonwealth Banks Act 1959 (as amended). This guarantee 
will continue to be provided by the Commonwealth of Australia 
whilst  quarantined  assets  are  held.  The  value  of  the  liabilities 
under the guarantee will diminish as quarantined assets reach 
maturity and are repaid. 

State Bank of NSW (also known as Colonial State Bank) 

The  enabling legislation for the sale of the  State Bank of  New 
South  Wales  Limited  (SBNSW),  the  State  Bank  (Privatisation) 
Act 1994 – Section 12 and the State Bank (Corporatisation) Act 
1989 – Section 12 (as amended), provides in general terms for 
a guarantee by the NSW Government in respect of all funding 
liabilities  and  off-balance  sheet  products  (other  than  demand 
deposits)  incurred  or  issued  prior  to  31  December  1997  by 
SBNSW  until  maturity  and  a  guarantee  for  demand  deposits 
accepted  by  SBNSW  up  to  31  December  1997.  Other 
obligations  incurred  before  31  December  1994  are  also 
guaranteed  to  their  maturity.  On  4  June  2001  Commonwealth 
Bank  of  Australia  became  the  successor  in  law  to  SBNSW 
pursuant to the Financial Sector Transfer of Business Act 1999. 
The NSW Government guarantee of the liabilities and products 
as described above continues unchanged by the succession. 

Note 28 Debt Issues (continued) 

Guarantee Arrangements 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia 

The  due  payment  of  all  monies  payable  by  the  Bank  was 
guaranteed  by  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia  under  section 
117 of the Commonwealth Banks Act 1959 (as amended) at 30 
June  1996.  This  guarantee  has  been  progressively phased  out 
following 
the  Commonwealth  of  Australia’s 
shareholding in the Bank on 19 July 1996. 

the  sale  of 

transitional  arrangements 

The 
the 
Commonwealth  of  Australia’s  guarantee  are  contained  in  the 
Commonwealth Bank Sale Act 1995. 

for  phasing  out 

In relation to the Commonwealth of Australia’s guarantee of the 
Bank’s liabilities, transitional arrangements provided that: 

•  All demand deposits and term deposits were guaranteed for 
a period of three years from 19 July 1996, with term deposits 
outstanding  at  the  end  of  that  three  year  period  being 
guaranteed until maturity; and 

•  All other amounts payable under a contract that was entered 
into,  or  under  an  instrument  executed,  issued,  endorsed  or 
accepted by the Bank at 19 July 1996 will be guaranteed until 
their maturity. 

Accordingly,  demand  deposits  are  no  longer  guaranteed.  Term 
deposits  outstanding  at  19  July  1999  remain  guaranteed  until 
maturity. The run-off of the Government guarantee has no effect 
on the Bank’s access to deposit markets. 

Commonwealth Development Bank 

On 24 July 1996, the Commonwealth of Australia sold its 8.1% 
shareholding  in  the  Commonwealth  Development  Bank  of 
Australia Limited (CDBL) to the Bank for $12.5 million. 

Under the arrangements relating to the purchase by the Bank of 
the Commonwealth of Australia’s shareholding in the CDBL: 

•  All lending assets as at 30 June 1996 have been quarantined 
in  CDBL,  consistent  with  the  charter  terms  on  which  they 
were written; 

Note 29 Managed Funds Units on Issue 

Managed Funds Units on Issue 

2008
$M 
1,109 

Group 
2007 
$M 
310 

2008 
$M 
- 

Bank
2007
$M 
- 

Managed  funds  units  on  issue  represents  the  liability  to  minority  interest  unit  holders  in  funds  which  have  been  consolidated  by  the 
Group.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     159 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 30 Bills Payable and Other Liabilities 

Bills payable  
Accrued interest payable  
Accrued fees and other items payable  
Defined benefit superannuation plan deficit  
Securities purchased not delivered  
Other liabilities  
Total bills payable and other liabilities 

Note 31 Loan Capital (1) 

Note 

43 

2008
$M 
884 
2,397 
1,426 
65 
1,018 
1,734 
7,524 

Group
2007
$M 
978 
1,949 
1,794 
29 
1,519 
1,077 
7,346 

Group

Currency 
Amount (M) 

Footnotes 

USD 38 
USD 64 
USD 100 
USD 550 
AUD 750 
AUD 1,166 
AUD 1,465 
USD 700 

FRN 
FRN 
FRN 
TPS 
PERLS II 
PERLS III 
PERLS IV 
TPS 

Tier One Loan Capital 
Exchangeable  
Exchangeable 
Undated 
Undated  
Undated  
Undated  
Undated 
Undated  
Total Tier One loan 
capital 
Tier Two Loan Capital 
AUD denominated 
USD denominated 
JPY denominated 
GBP denominated 
NZD denominated 
EUR denominated 
CAD denominated 
Total Tier Two loan capital 
Fair value hedge adjustments 
Total loan capital 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

(12) 

(13) 

(14) 

(14) 

(14) 

2008
$M 

39 
66 
104 
569 
749 
1,151 
1,447 
- 

4,125 

2,098 
2,439 
732 
307 
726 
490 
614 
7,406 
28 
11,559 

2007
$M 

44 
84 
118 
647 
747 
1,147 
- 
- 

2,787 

2,098 
2,770 
710 
350 
500 
474 
333 
7,235 
(22)
10,000 

2008 
$M 
653 
2,161 
773 
65 
533 
2,116 
6,301 

2008 
$M 

39 
66 
104 
569 
749 
1,151 
1,447 
718 

4,843 

2,098 
2,439 
732 
307 
277 
490 
614 
6,957 
(180) 
11,620 

Bank
2007
$M 
800 
1,710 
1,322 
29 
981 
1,524 
6,366 

Bank
2007
$M 

44 
84 
118 
647 
747 
1,147 
- 
815 

3,602 

2,098 
2,770 
710 
350 
318 
474 
333 
7,053 
(233)
10,422 

(1) Effective yield adjustments have been included in the carrying values of the issues. Prior year comparatives have been restated on the same basis. 

160     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 
(2) USD 300 million undated Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) issued 
11 July 1988 exchangeable into dated FRNs. 

Outstanding notes at 30 June 2008 were: 

Undated:   

                 USD 37.5 million 

(3)  USD  400  million  undated  FRNs  issued  22  February  1989 
exchangeable into dated FRNs.  

Outstanding notes at 30 June 2008 were: 

Due February 2011:   

USD 64 million 

(4) USD 100 million undated capital notes issued on 15 October 
1986.  

The  Bank  has  entered  into  separate  agreements  with  the 
Commonwealth of Australia relating to each of the above issues 
(the “Agreements”) which qualify the issues as Tier One capital.  

The  Agreements  provide  that,  upon  the  occurrence  of  certain 
events listed below, the Bank may issue either fully paid ordinary 
shares to the Commonwealth of Australia or (with the consent of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Australia)  rights  to  all  shareholders  to 
subscribe for fully paid ordinary shares up to an amount equal to 
the  outstanding  principal  value  of  the  relevant  note  issue  or 
issues plus any interest paid in respect of the notes for the most 
recent  financial  year  and  accrued  interest.  The  issue  price  of 
such  shares  will  be  determined  by  reference  to  the  prevailing 
market price for the Bank’s shares. 

Any one or more of the following events may trigger the issue of 
shares to the Commonwealth of Australia or a rights issue: 

•  A  relevant  event  of  default  (discussed  below)  occurs  in 
respect of a note issue and the Trustee of the relevant notes 
gives notice to the Bank that the notes are immediately due 
and payable; 

•  The most recent audited annual Financial Statements of the 

Group show a loss (as defined in the Agreements); 

•  The  Bank  does  not  declare  a  dividend  in  respect  of  its 

ordinary shares; 

•  The Bank, if required by the Commonwealth of Australia and 
subject to the agreement of the APRA, exercises its option to 
redeem a note issue; or 

• 

In respect of Undated FRNs which have been exchanged to 
Dated FRNs, the Dated FRNs mature. 

Any payment made by the Commonwealth of Australia pursuant 
to  its  guarantee  in  respect  of  the  relevant  notes  will  trigger  the 
issue of shares to the Commonwealth of Australia to the value of 
such payment. 

The  relevant  events  of  default  differ  depending  on  the  relevant 
Agreement. In summary, they cover events such as failure of the 
Bank  to  meet  its  monetary  obligation  in  respect  of  the  relevant 
notes;  the  insolvency  of  the  Bank;  any  law  being  passed  to 
dissolve  the  Bank  or  the  Bank  ceasing  to  carry  on  general 
Banking  business  in  Australia;  and  the  Commonwealth  of 
Australia ceasing to guarantee the relevant notes. In relation to 
Dated  FRNs  which  have  matured  to  date,  the  Bank  and  the 
Commonwealth  agreed  to  amend  the  relevant  Agreement  to 
reflect that the Commonwealth of Australia was not called upon 
to subscribe for fully paid ordinary shares up to an amount equal 
to the principal value of the maturing FRNs.  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

(5) TPS 2003 

Each  trust  preferred  security  represents  a  beneficial  ownership 
interest  in  the  assets  of  CBA  Capital  Trust.  The  sole  assets  of 
CBA Capital Trust are the funding preferred securities issued by 
CBA  Funding  Trust,  which  represent  preferred  beneficial 
ownership interests in  the assets of CBA  Funding  Trust, and a 
limited  CBA  guarantee.  The  securities  qualify  as  innovative 
residual Tier One capital of the Bank. 

CBA Funding Trust applied all of the proceeds from the sale of 
the  funding  preferred  securities  to  purchase  the  convertible 
notes from the Bank’s New Zealand Branch. 

The  trust  preferred  securities  provide  for  a  semi-annual  cash 
distribution  in  arrears  at  the  annual  rate  of  5.805%.  The 
distributions on the trust preferred securities are non-cumulative. 
CBA  Capital  Trust’s  ability  to  pay  distributions  on  the  trust 
preferred  securities  is  ultimately  dependent  upon  the  ability  of 
CBA to make interest payments on the convertible notes. 

The Bank’s New Zealand branch will make interest payments on 
the convertible notes only if and when declared by the Board of 
Directors of CBA. The Board of Directors is not permitted, unless 
approved by APRA, to declare interest. 

If  interest  is  not  paid  on  the  convertible  notes  on  an  interest 
payment date, holders will not receive a distribution on the trust 
preferred securities and, unless at the time of the non-payment 
the  Bank  is  prevented  by  applicable  law  from  issuing  the  CBA 
preference  shares,  convertible  notes  will  automatically  convert 
into  CBA  preference  shares,  which  will  result  in  mandatory 
redemption of trust preferred securities for American Depository 
Shares (“ADS”). 

No  later  than  35  business  days  prior  period  to  June  30,  2015, 
holders  may  deliver  a  notice  to  CBA  requiring  it  to  exchange 
each trust preferred security for CBA ordinary shares. The Bank 
may satisfy the obligation to deliver ordinary shares in exchange 
for  the  trust  preferred  securities  by  either  delivering  the 
applicable  number  of  ordinary  shares  or  by  arranging  for  the 
sale  of  the  trust  preferred  securities  at  par  and  delivering  the 
proceeds  to  the  holder.  Subject  to  the  approval  of  APRA, 
holders  may  exchange  trust  preferred  securities  for  the  Bank’s 
ordinary shares earlier than June 30, 2015 if, prior to that date, a 
takeover bid or scheme of arrangement in relation to a takeover 
has occurred. 

If CBA Capital Trust is liquidated, dissolved or wound up and its 
assets  are  distributed,  for  each  trust  preferred  security  owned, 
the holder is entitled to receive the stated liquidation amount of 
U.S. $1,000, plus the accrued but unpaid distribution for the then 
current  distribution  period.  Holders  may  not  receive  the  full 
amount  payable  on  liquidation  if  CBA  Capital  Trust  does  not 
have enough funds. 

The  trustees  of  CBA  Capital  Trust  can  elect  to  dissolve  CBA 
Capital Trust and distribute the funding preferred securities if at 
any time certain changes in tax law or other tax-related events or 
the specified changes in U.S. investment Company law occur. 

Neither  the  trust  preferred  securities  nor  the  funding  preferred 
securities can be redeemed at the option of their holders. Other 
than  in  connection  with  an  acceleration  of  the  principal  of  the 
convertible  notes  upon  the  occurrence  of  an  event  of  default, 
neither  the  trust  preferred  securities  nor  the  funding  preferred 
securities are repayable in cash unless the Bank’s New Zealand 
branch,  at  its  sole  option,  redeems  the  convertible  notes.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     161 

 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 

The  Bank’s  New  Zealand  branch  may  redeem  the  convertible 
notes  for  cash:  before  30  June  2015,  in  whole,  but  not  in  part, 
and only if the specified changes in tax law or other tax-related 
events, the specified changes in U.S. investment Company law 
and‚  changes  in  the  "Tier  One''  regulatory  capital  treatment  of 
the convertible notes, or certain corporate transactions involving 
a  takeover  bid  or  a  scheme  of  arrangement  in  relation  to  a 
takeover  described  in  this  offering  memorandum  occur;  and  at 
any  time  on  or  after  30  June  2015.  The  Bank’s  New  Zealand 
branch  must  first  obtain  the  approval  of  APRA  to  redeem  the 
convertible notes for cash. 

CBA guarantees: 

•  Semi-annual distributions on the funding preferred securities 
by  CBA  Funding  Trust  to  CBA  Capital  Trust  to  the  extent 
CBA Funding Trust has funds available for distribution;  

•  Semi-annual distributions on the trust preferred securities by 
CBA Capital Trust to the extent CBA Capital Trust has funds 
available for distribution; 

•  The  redemption  amount  due  to  CBA  Capital  Trust  if  CBA 
Funding  Trust  is  obligated  to  redeem  the  funding  preferred 
securities for cash and to the extent CBA Funding Trust has 
funds available for payment; 

•  The redemption amount due if CBA Capital Trust is obligated 
to  redeem  the  trust  preferred  securities  for  cash  and  to  the 
extent CBA Capital Trust has funds available for payment; 

•  The delivery of ADSs to CBA Capital Trust by CBA Funding 
Trust  if  CBA  Funding  Trust  is  obligated  to  redeem  the 
funding  preferred  securities  for  ADSs  and  to  the  extent  that 
CBA Funding Trust has ADSs available for that redemption; 

•  The  delivery  of  ADSs  by  CBA  Capital  Trust  if  CBA  Capital 
Trust is obligated to redeem the trust preferred securities for 
ADSs  and  to  the  extent  that  CBA  Capital  Trust  has  ADSs 
available for that redemption; 

•  The  delivery  of  funding  preferred  securities  by  CBA  Capital 
Trust upon dissolution of CBA Capital Trust as a result of a 
tax event or an event giving rise to a more than insubstantial 
risk  that  CBA  Capital  Trust  is  or  will  be  considered  an 
investment  Company  which  is  required  to  be  registered 
under the Investment Company Act; 

•  The  payment  of  the  liquidation  amount  of  the  funding 
preferred securities if CBA Funding Trust is liquidated, to the 
extent  that  CBA  Funding  Trust  has  funds  available  after 
payment of its creditors; and 

•  The liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities if CBA 
Capital  Trust  is  liquidated,  to  the  extent  that  CBA  Capital 
Trust has funds available after payment of its creditors. 

The  CBA  guarantee  does  not  cover  the  non-payment  of 
distributions on the funding preferred securities to the extent that 
CBA  Funding  Trust  does  not  have  sufficient  funds  available  to 
pay distributions on the funding preferred securities. 

Trust preferred securities have limited voting rights. 

Trust preferred securities have the right to bring a direct action 
against the Bank if: 

•  The Bank’s New Zealand branch does not pay interest on or 
the redemption price of the convertible notes to CBA Funding 
Trust in accordance with their terms;  

•  The  Bank’s  New  Zealand  branch  does  not  deliver  ADSs 
representing  CBA  preference  shares  to  CBA  Funding  Trust 
in accordance with the terms of the convertible notes;  

162     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

•  The  Bank  does  not  perform  its  obligations  under  its 
guarantees with respect to the trust preferred securities and 
the funding preferred securities; or 

•  The  Bank  does  not  deliver  cash  or  ordinary  shares  on  30 

June 2015. 

(6) PERLS II 

On  6  January  2004  a  wholly  owned  entity  of  the  Bank, 
Commonwealth  Managed  Investments  Limited  as  Responsible 
Entity  of  the  PERLS  II  Trust  (“CMIL”)  issued  $750  million  of 
Perpetual  Exchangeable  Resettable  Listed  Securities  (“PERLS 
II”).  These  securities  qualify  as  innovative  residual  Tier  One 
capital  of  the  Bank.  These  securities  are  units  in  a  registered 
managed  investments  scheme,  perpetual  in  nature,  offering  a 
non-cumulative  floating  rate  distribution  payable  quarterly.  The 
Distributions paid to PERLS II Holders are sourced from interest 
paid  on  the  Convertible  Notes  issued  by  the  Bank  (through  its 
New Zealand Branch) to CMIL. 

The Distribution Rate is a floating rate calculated as the Bank Bill 
Swap Rate plus  a margin of 0.95% multiplied by  (1- Australian 
corporate tax rate). 

The Bank expects Distributions to be fully franked. If CMIL gives 
notice  that  a  Distribution  in  any  Distribution  Period  will  not  be 
fully  franked,  PERLS  II  Holders  may  elect  to  exchange  their 
PERLS II on the next Distribution Date. 

If any Distribution is not paid in full within 20 Business Days after 
a Distribution Date, the Bank must not pay any interest, declare 
or pay any dividend or distribution from the income or capital of 
the  Bank,  return  any  capital  or  undertake  any  Buy-backs, 
redemptions  or  repurchases  in  relation  to  any  securities  of  the 
Bank that rank equally for interest payments or distributions with, 
or junior to, any Capital Securities of the Bank that rank equally 
with PERLS II unless and until either: 

•  Four consecutive Distributions are paid in full; 

•  The Bank (with the approval of APRA) and CMIL have paid 
PERLS  II  Holders  an  amount  or  amounts  (in  aggregate) 
equal to their full distribution entitlements for four consecutive 
Distribution Periods; or 

•  PERLS  II  Holders  pass  a  Special  Resolution  approving  the 
payment,  dividend,  distribution,  capital  return,  Buy-back, 
redemption or repurchase. 

The first Rollover Date will be 15 March 2009. On this date and 
each subsequent Rollover Date, the Bank can reset some of the 
terms of its Convertible Notes including the Margin over BBSW. 

PERLS  II  Holders  may  request  that  their  PERLS  II  be 
exchanged on the Rollover Date. PERLS II Holders who do not 
request  exchange  will  be  deemed  to  have  accepted  the  new 
terms offered. 

In  addition  to  exchange  on  a  rollover  date,  PERLS  II  Holders 
may request that each PERLS II be exchanged: 

•  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Event; or 

• 

If CMIL gives notice that a Distribution will not be fully franked 
for any Distribution Period. 

On  exchange,  at  the  Bank’s  election,  PERLS  II  Holders  will 
receive for their PERLS II, one or a combination of the following 
alternatives: 

•  The  number  of  Ordinary  Shares  determined  as  set  out 

below; or 

•  $200 cash (subject to APRA approval). 

Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 

The Bank, subject to APRA approval, may exchange some or all 
of the PERLS II, at its election, for Ordinary Shares or $200 cash 
for each PERLS II: 

(i) On a Rollover Date; 

(ii) If a Regulatory Event or Tax Event occurs; 

(iii) If the Responsible Entity is removed or retires as responsible 
entity of the Trust and the Bank has not given its consent to the 
change of the responsible entity; 

(iv)  If  PERLS  II  Holders  requisition  a  meeting  to  approve  an 
amendment  to  the  Constitution  or  to  remove  the  Responsible 
Entity  as  responsible  entity  of  the  Trust  and  the  Bank  has  not 
given its consent to such amendment or change of responsible 
entity; 

(v) If the ability of the Responsible Entity to redeem PERLS II is 
impaired or removed; or 

(vi)  If  the  aggregate  Face  Value  of  PERLS  II  is  less  than  $50 
million. 

PERLS II will automatically exchange for Ordinary Shares if: 

•  A Default Event occurs; or 

•  An APRA Event occurs. 

PERLS  II  Holders  will  be  entitled  to  vote  at  any  meeting  of 
Unitholders  of  the  Trust. PERLS II do  not  have  voting rights at 
any meeting of the Bank. 

(7) PERLS III 

On  6  April  2006  a  wholly  owned  entity  of  the  Bank  (Preferred 
Capital  Limited) 
issued  $1,166  million  of  Perpetual 
Exchangeable  Repurchaseable  Listed  Shares  (PERLS  III). 
PERLS III are preference shares in a special purpose Company, 
(the ordinary shares of which are held by the Bank), perpetual in 
nature,  offering  a  non-cumulative  floating  rate  distribution 
payable quarterly. The shares qualify as innovative residual Tier 
One capital of the Bank.  

The  Dividends  paid  to  PERLS  III  Holders  will  be  primarily 
sourced  from  interest  paid  on  the  Convertible  Notes  issued  by 
CBA  NZ  to  PCL.  The  payment  of  interest  on  the  underlying 
Convertible  Notes  and  Dividends  on  PERLS  III  are  not 
guaranteed and are subject to a number of conditions including 
the availability of profits and the Board (of the Bank in relation to 
Convertible  Note  interest,  or  of  PCL  in  relation  to  PERLS  III 
Dividends) resolving to make the payment. 

The Dividend Rate is a floating rate calculated for each Dividend 
Period  as  the  sum  of  the  Margin  per  annum  plus  the  Market 
Rate  per  annum  multiplied  by  (One  –  Tax  Rate).  The  Initial 
Margin  is  1.05%  over  Bank  Bill  Swap  Rate  and  the  Step-up 
Margin, effective from the “Step-up Date” on 6 April 2016, is the 
Initial Margin plus 1.00% per annum. 

If each PERLS III Holder is not paid a dividend in full within 20 
Business  Days  of  the  Dividend  Payment  Date,  the  Bank  is 
prevented from paying any interest, dividends or distributions, or 
undertaking  certain  other  transactions,  in  relation  to  any 
securities  of  the  Bank  that  rank  for  interest  payments  or 
distributions  equally  with,  or  junior  to,  the  Convertible  Notes  or 
Bank  PERLS  III  Preference  Shares.  This  Dividend  Stopper 
applies until an amount in aggregate equal to the full dividend on 
PERLS III for four consecutive dividend periods has been paid to 
PERLS III Holders. 

PERLS  III  will  automatically  exchange  for  Bank  PERLS  III 
Preference Shares: 

•  On a failure by PCL to pay a Dividend; 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

•  At any time at the Bank’s discretion; or 

•  10 Business Days before the Conversion Date 

Subject to APRA approval, PCL may elect to exchange PERLS 
III for the Conversion Number of Bank Ordinary Shares or $200 
cash for each PERLS III:  

•  On the Step-up Date or any Dividend Payment Date after the 

Step-up Date; or 

• 

If a Regulatory Event or Tax Event occurs 

PERLS III will automatically exchange for Bank Ordinary Shares 
if: 

•  An APRA Event occurs; 

•  A Default Event occurs; or 

•  A Change of Control Event occurs. 

PERLS  III  will  be  automatically  exchanged  for  Bank  PERLS  III 
Preference  Shares  no  later  than  10  Business  Days  prior  to  6 
April 2046 (if they have not been exchanged before that date).  

Holders  are  not  entitled  to  request  exchange  or  redemption  of 
PERLS III or Bank PERLS III Preference Shares.  

Holders of PERLS III are entitled to vote at a general meeting of 
PCL on certain issues. PERLS III holders have no rights at any 
meeting of the Bank. 

(8) PERLS IV 

On  12  July  2007  the  Bank  issued  $1,465  million  of  Perpetual 
Exchangeable Resalable Listed Securities (PERLS IV). PERLS 
IV are stapled securities comprising an unsecured subordinated 
note  issued  by  the  Bank’s  New  York  branch  and  a  convertible 
preference  share  issued  by  the  Bank.  These  securities  are 
perpetual  in  nature,  offer  a  non-cumulative  floating  distribution 
rate  payable  quarterly,  and  qualify  as  non-innovative  residual 
Tier One capital of the Bank.  

The payment of interest on the underlying convertible notes and 
dividends on PERLS IV are not guaranteed and are subject to a 
number of conditions including the availability of profits and the 
ability of the Board to stop payments. 

The  distribution  rate  is  a  floating  rate  calculated  for  each 
distribution  period  as  the  sum  of  the  Bank  Bill  Swap  Rate  plus 
1.05% per annum, multiplied by (1 – Tax Rate). 

Distributions  paid  to  holders  will  be  interest  on  notes  until  an 
Assignment Event, and dividends on preference shares after the 
Assignment  Event.  Upon  an  Assignment  Event,  the  notes  are 
de-stapled from the preference shares and are assigned to the 
Bank and investors continue to hold preference shares.  

If  distributions  on  PERLS  IV  are  not  paid  in  full  within  20 
business  days  of  the  payment  date,  an  Assignment  Event  will 
occur  and  the  Bank  is  prevented  from  paying  any  interest, 
dividends or distributions in relation to any securities of the Bank 
that  rank  equally  with  or  junior  to  the  preference  shares.  This 
“dividend stopper” applies until:  

•  A  Special  Resolution  of  Holders  authorising  the  payment, 
capital  return,  buy-back,  redemption  or  repurchase 
is 
approved, and APRA does not otherwise object; 

•  An Optional Dividend of an amount in aggregate equal to the 
four  consecutive 

unpaid  amount 
Distribution Periods has been paid to Holders; 

the  preceding 

for 

•  Four  consecutive  Dividends  scheduled  to  be  payable  on 

PERLS IV thereafter have been paid in full; or 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     163 

 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 

•  All PERLS IV have been exchanged. 

PERLS IV are expected to be exchanged for cash or converted 
into ordinary shares of the Bank on 31 October 2012. However, 
exchange may not occur if certain conditions are not met. On 31 
October 2012; 

•  The  Bank  may  arrange  a  resale  by  requiring  all  Holders  to 
sell their PERLS IV to a third party for $200 (the face value); 

• 

• 

• 

If the Bank does not arrange a resale, an Assignment Event 
will occur and PERLS IV will convert into a variable number 
of  ordinary  shares  of  the  Bank  subject  to  some  conditions 
relating to the ordinary share price at the time; 

If these conversion conditions are not satisfied on that date, 
then  the  conversion  date  moves  to  the  next  distribution 
payment date on which they are satisfied; and 

In  certain  circumstances,  where  the  conversion  conditions 
are  not  satisfied,  the  Bank  may  (subject  to  APRA’s  prior 
approval) elect to repurchase all PERLS IV for $200 each. 

The  Bank  may,  subject  to  APRA’s  prior  approval,  elect  to 
exchange all PERLS IV for cash and/or ordinary shares if any of 
the following occurs:  

•  Tax Event; 

•  Regulatory Event; and  

•  Non-Operating Holding Company (NOHC) Event.  

The Bank’s ability to convert PERLS IV on the occurrence of any 
of  these  events  is  subject  to  same  conversion  conditions  as 
mentioned above. 

If a change of control event occurs, Holders will receive cash for 
all of their PERLS IV (subject to APRA’s approval). 

Holders  are  not  entitled  to  request  exchange  or  redemption  of 
PERLS IV.  

Holders of PERLS IV have no right to vote at any meeting of the 
Bank except in the following specific circumstances: 

•  during  a  period  during  which  a  Dividend  (or  part  of  a 
Dividend) in respect of the Preference Shares is in arrears; 

•  on a proposal to reduce the Bank’s share capital; 

•  on  a  proposal  that  affects  rights  attached  to  Preference 

Shares; 

•  on  a  resolution  to  approve  the  terms  of  a  buy-back 

agreement; 

•  on a proposal to wind up the Bank; 

•  on  a  proposal  for  the  disposal  of  the  whole  of  the  Bank’s 

property, business and undertaking; and 

•  during the winding-up of the Bank. 

(9) TPS 2006 

On  15  March  2006  a  wholly  owned  entity  of  the  Bank  issued 
USD 700 million (AUD 942 million) of perpetual non-call 10 year 
trust preferred securities into U.S. Capital Markets.  

Each  trust  preferred  security  represents  a  preferred  beneficial 
ownership  interest  in  the  assets  of  CBA  Capital  Trust  II.  The 
trust  preferred  securities  are  guaranteed  by  CBA.  The  trust 
preferred  securities  form  part  of  the  Bank’s  innovative  residual 
Tier One capital. 

164     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

CBA  Capital  Trust  II  is  a  statutory  trust  established  under 
Delaware  law  that  exists  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  the  trust 
preferred  securities,  acquiring  and  holding  the  subordinated 
notes  issued  by  a  CBA  NZ  subsidiary,  the  subordinated  notes 
guarantee and the CBA preference shares. 

Cash  distributions  on  the  trust  preferred  securities  are  at  the 
fixed  rate  of  6.024%  payable  semi-annually  to  15  March  2016. 
Cash distributions on the trust preferred securities will accrue at 
the rate of LIBOR plus 1.740% per annum payable quarterly in 
arrears after that date. 

Cash distributions on the trust preferred securities will be limited 
to  the  interest  CBA  NZ  Subsidiary  pays  on  the  subordinated 
notes, payments in respect of interest on the subordinated notes 
by CBA NZ Branch as guarantor under the subordinated notes 
guarantee and, after 15 March 2016, the dividends CBA pays on 
the  CBA  preference  shares.  Payments  in  respect  of  cash 
distributions will be guaranteed on a subordinated basis by CBA, 
as guarantor, but only to extent CBA Capital Trust II has funds 
sufficient for the payment. 

There  are  restrictions  on  CBA  NZ  Subsidiary’s  ability  to  make 
payments on the subordinated notes, CBA NZ Branch’s ability to 
make  payments  on  the  CBA  NZ  Branch  notes  and  the 
subordinated  notes  guarantee  and  CBA’s  ability  to  make 
payments  on  the  CBA  preference  shares.  Distributions  on  the 
trust preferred securities are not cumulative. 

Failure  to  pay  in  full  a  distribution  within  21  business  days  will 
result in the distribution to holders of one CBA preference share 
for  each  trust  preferred  security  held  in  redemption  of  the  trust 
preferred securities. 

If CBA Capital Trust II is liquidated, dissolved or wound up and 
its  assets  are  distributed,  for  each  trust  preferred  security, 
holders  are  entitled  to  receive  the  stated  liquidation  amount  of 
USD 1,000, plus the accrued but unpaid distribution for the then 
current  distribution  payment  period,  after  it  has  paid  liabilities  it 
owes to its creditors. 

The trust preferred securities are subject to redemption for cash, 
qualifying Tier One securities or CBA preference shares if CBA 
redeems or varies the terms of the CBA preference shares. The 
trust  preferred  securities  are  also  subject  to  redemption  if  any 
other Assignment Event occurs. 

If  the  CBA  preference  shares  are  redeemed  for  qualifying  Tier 
One  securities  or  the  terms  thereof  are  varied,  holders  will 
receive  one  CBA  preference  share  or  USD  1,000  liquidation 
amount  or  similar  amount  of  qualifying  Tier  One  securities  for 
each trust preferred security held. 

Holders  of  trust  preferred securities generally  will  not  have any 
voting rights except in limited circumstances.  

The  holders  of  a  majority  in  liquidation  amount  of  the  trust 
preferred securities, acting together as a single class, however, 
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting 
any proceeding for any remedy available to the property trustee 
of  CBA  Capital  Trust  II  or  direct  the  exercise  of  any  trust  or 
power conferred upon the property trustee of CBA Capital Trust 
II, as holder of the subordinated notes and the CBA preference 
shares. 

Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 

Trust preferred securities holders have the right to bring a direct 
action against: 

•  CBA NZ Subsidiary if CBA NZ Subsidiary does not pay when 
due,  interest  on  the  subordinated  notes  or  certain  other 
amounts  payable  under  the  subordinated  notes  to  CBA 
Capital Trust II in accordance with their terms; 

•  The Bank if it does not perform its obligations under the trust 

guarantee; and 

•  CBA  NZ  Branch  or  the  Bank  if  CBA  NZ  Branch  does  not 
the  subordinated  notes 

perform 
guarantee or under the CBA NZ Branch notes. 

its  obligations  under 

The Bank will guarantee the trust preferred securities: 

•  Cash  distributions  on  the  trust  preferred  securities  by  CBA 
Capital  Trust  II  to  holders  of  trust  preferred  securities  on 
distribution payment dates, to the extent CBA Capital Trust II 
has funds available for distribution; 

•  The  cash  redemption  amount  due  to  holders  of  trust 
preferred  securities  if  CBA  Capital  Trust  II  is  obligated  to 
redeem  the  trust  preferred  securities  for  cash,  to  the  extent 
CBA Capital Trust II has funds available for distribution; 

•  The delivery of CBA preference shares or qualifying Tier One 
securities  to  holders  of  trust  preferred  securities  if  CBA 
Capital  Trust  II  is  obligated  to  redeem  the  trust  preferred 
securities  for  CBA  preference  shares  or  qualifying  Tier  One 
securities, to the extent CBA Capital Trust II has or is entitled 
to receive such securities available for distribution; and 

•  The payment of the liquidation amount of the trust preferred 
securities  if  CBA  Capital  Trust  II  is  liquidated,  to  the  extent 
that CBA Capital Trust II has funds available for distribution. 

trust  guarantee  does  not  cover 

The 
to  pay 
distributions or make other payments or distributions on the trust 
preferred securities to the extent that CBA Capital Trust II does 
not  have  sufficient  funds  available  to  pay  distributions  or  make 
other payments or deliveries on the trust preferred securities. 

failure 

the 

Upon  the  occurrence  of  an  Assignment  Event,  with  respect  to 
the  subordinated  notes  comprising  a  part  of  the  units  CBA 
Capital Trust II holds to which such Assignment Event applies: 

•  The subordinated notes will detach from the CBA preference 
shares  that  are  part  of  those  units  and  automatically  be 
transferred to CBA; 

• 

• 

If  the  Assignment  Event  is  the  cash  redemption  of  CBA 
preference shares, upon receipt, CBA Capital Trust II will pay 
to  the  holders  of  the  trust  preferred  securities  called  for 
redemption  the  cash  redemption  price  for  those  CBA 
preference  shares  and  the  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  on 
the subordinated notes that were part of the units with those 
CBA preference shares; and 

If the Assignment Event is not the cash redemption of CBA 
preference  shares,  CBA  Capital  Trust  II  will  deliver  to  all 
holders of trust preferred securities in redemption thereof one 
CBA  preference  share  for  each  USD  1,000  liquidation 
preference of trust preferred securities to be redeemed or, if 
qualifying  Tier  One  securities  are  delivered,  USD  1,000 
liquidation  amount  or  similar  amount  of  qualifying  Tier  One 
securities  for  each  USD  1,000  liquidation  amount  of  trust 
preferred securities to be redeemed, and the CBA preference 
shares  or  qualifying  Tier  One  securities  will  accrue  non-
cumulative  dividends  or  similar  amounts  at  the  rate  of 
6.024% per annum to but excluding March 15, 2016 and at 
the rate of LIBOR plus 1.740% per annum thereafter. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

If the Bank is liquidated, holders of CBA preference shares will 
be  entitled  to  receive  an  amount  equal  to  a  liquidation 
preference  out  of  surplus  assets  of  USD  1,000  per  CBA 
preference share plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the then 
current  dividend  payment  period  plus  any  other  dividends  or 
other  amounts  to  which  the  holder  is  entitled  under  the 
Constitution. 

Subject to APRA’s prior approval, prior to the occurrence of an 
Assignment Event that applies to all of the subordinated notes, 
the Bank may pay an optional dividend on the CBA preference 
shares if CBA NZ Subsidiary or CBA NZ Branch, as guarantor, 
has failed to pay in full interest on the subordinated notes or the 
Bank has failed to pay in full dividends on the CBA preference 
shares  on  any  interest  payment  date  and/or  dividend  payment 
date. 

On  or  after  15  March  2016,  the  Bank  may  redeem  the  CBA 
preference  shares  for  cash,  in  whole  or  in  part,  on  any  date 
selected  by  us  at  a  redemption  price  equal  to  USD  1,000  per 
share  plus  any  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  for  the  then 
current dividend payment period, if any. 

Prior  to  15  March  2016,  the  Bank  may  redeem  the  CBA 
preference  shares  for  cash,  vary  the  terms  of  the  CBA 
preference  shares  or  redeem  the  CBA  preference  shares  for 
qualifying  Tier  One  securities,  in  whole  but  not  in  part,  on  any 
date selected by the Bank: 

• 

• 

If the CBA preference shares are held by CBA Capital Trust 
II,  upon  the  occurrence  of  a  trust  preferred  securities  tax 
event, an adverse tax event, an investment Company event 
or a regulatory event; or 

If  the  CBA  preference  shares  are  not  held  by  CBA  Capital 
Trust  II,  upon  the  occurrence  of  a  preference  share 
withholding  tax  event,  an  adverse  tax  event  or  a  regulatory 
event. 

Holders  of  CBA  preference  shares  will  be  entitled  to  vote 
together with the holders of our ordinary shares on the basis of 
one vote for each CBA preference share: 

•  During a period in which a dividend (or part of a dividend) in 

respect of the CBA preference shares is in arrears; 

•  On a proposal to reduce share capital;  

•  On  a  proposal  that  affects  rights  attached  to  the  CBA 

preference shares; 

•  On  a  resolution  to  approve  the  terms  of  a  Buy-back 

agreement; 

•  On  a  proposal  for  the  disposal  of  the  whole  of  the  Group’s 

property, business and undertaking; and 

•  On  a  proposal  to  wind  up  and  during  the  winding  up  of  the 

Group. 

The  rights  attached  to  the  CBA  preference  shares  may  not  be 
changed except with any required regulatory approvals and with 
the consent in writing of the holders of at least 75% of the CBA 
preference shares. 

the 
CBA  NZ  Subsidiary  may  not  make  payments  on 
subordinated  notes,  CBA  NZ  Branch  may  not  make  payments 
on  the  subordinated  notes  guarantee  or  the  CBA  NZ  Branch 
notes and CBA may not make payments on the CBA preference 
shares if an APRA condition exists; if a CBA stopper resolution 
has  been  passed  and  not  been  rescinded  or  if  CBA  NZ 
Subsidiary,  CBA  NZ  branch  or  CBA,  as  the  case  may  be,  is 
prohibited from making such a payment by instruments or other 
obligations of CBA. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     165 

(10) AUD denominated Tier Two Loan Capital issuances 

•  AUD  275  million  extendible 

floating  rate  note 

issued 

December 1989, due December 2014; 

The  Bank  has  entered  into  a  separate  agreement  with  the 
Commonwealth  of  Australia  relating  to  the  above  issue  (the 
“Agreement”) which qualifies the issue as Tier Two capital. The 
Agreement  provides  for  the  Bank  to  issue  either  fully  paid 
ordinary  shares  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia  or  (with  the 
consent  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia)  rights  to  all 
shareholders to subscribe for fully paid ordinary shares up to an 
amount equal to the outstanding principal value of the note issue 
plus any interest paid in respect of the notes for the most recent 
financial  year  and  accrued  interest.  The  issue  price  will  be 
determined  by  reference  to  the  prevailing  market  price  for  the 
Bank’s shares. 

Any one or more of the following events will trigger the issue of 
shares to the Commonwealth of Australia or a rights issue:  

•  A relevant event of default occurs in respect of the note issue 
and, where applicable, the Trustee of the notes gives notice 
of such to the Bank; 

•  The Bank, if required by the Commonwealth of Australia and 
subject to the agreement of the APRA, exercises its option to 
redeem such issue; or  

•  Any  payment  made  by  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia 
pursuant  to  its  guarantee  in  respect  of  the  issue  will  trigger 
the issue of shares to the Commonwealth of Australia to the 
value of such payment. 

Original  issue  size  was  $300  million;  $25  million  matured  in 
December 2004. 

•  AUD  25  million  subordinated  FRN,  issued  April  1999,  due 

April 2029. 

•  AUD  130  million  subordinated  notes  comprised  as  follows: 
AUD  10  million  fixed  rate  notes  issued  12  December  1995, 
matured  12  December  2005.  AUD  110  million  floating  rate 
notes  issued  12  December  1995,  matured  12  December 
2005. AUD five million fixed rate notes issued 17 December 
1996, matured 12 December 2005. AUD five million floating 
rate notes issued 17 December 1996, matured 12 December 
2005. 

•  AUD 500 million subordinated notes, issued February 2004, 
due  February  2014;  split  into  AUD  300  million  fixed  rate 
notes and AUD 200 million floating rate notes. 

•  AUD  300  million  subordinated  floating  rate  notes,  issued 

February 2005, due February 2015. 

•  AUD  300  million  subordinated  floating  rate  notes,  issued 

November 2005, due November 2015. 

•  AUD  200  million  subordinated  floating  rate  notes,  issued 

September 2006, due September 2016. 

•  AUD 500 million subordinated notes, issued May 2007, due 
May  2017;  split  into  AUD  150  million  fixed  rate  notes  and 
AUD 350 million floating rate notes. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 

If  distributions,  interest  or  dividends  are  not  paid  in  full  on  a 
payment date; the redemption price is not paid or securities are 
not delivered in full on a redemption date for the trust preferred 
securities or the CBA preference shares, then the Bank may not 
pay  any  interest;  declare  or  pay  any  dividends  or  distributions 
from  the  income  or  capital  of  CBA,  or  return  any  capital  or 
undertake  any  buy-backs,  redemptions  or  repurchases  of 
existing  capital  securities  or  any  securities,  or  instruments  of 
CBA  that  by  their  terms  rank  or  are  expressed  to  rank  equally 
with  or  junior  to  the  CBA  NZ  Branch  notes  or  the  CBA 
preference  shares  for  payment  of  interest,  dividends  or  similar 
amounts unless and until, 

• 

• 

• 

In  the case  of  any  non-payment of distributions on the  trust 
preferred  securities  on  any  distribution  payment  date,  on  or 
within 21 business days after any distribution payment date, 
CBA Capital Trust II or CBA, as guarantor, has paid in full to 
the holders of the trust  preferred  securities  any distributions 
owing in respect of that distribution payment date through the 
date of actual payment in full; 

In  the  case  of  any  non-payment  of  a  dividend  on  the  CBA 
preference shares on any dividend payment date, CBA has 
paid  (A)  that  dividend  in  full  on  or  within  21  business  days 
after  that  dividend  payment  date,  (B)  an  optional  dividend 
equal to the unpaid amount of scheduled dividends for the 12 
consecutive  calendar  months  prior  to  the  payment  of  such 
dividend  or  (C)  dividends  on  the  CBA  preference  shares  in 
full on each dividend payment date during a 12 consecutive 
month period; 

interest  on 

the  case  of  any  non-payment  of 

In 
the 
subordinated notes on any interest payment date, (A) on or 
within  21  business  days  after  any  interest  payment  date,  (i) 
CBA  NZ  Subsidiary  or  CBA  NZ  Branch,  as  guarantor,  has 
paid  in  full  to  the  holders  of  the  subordinated  notes  any 
interest  and  other  amounts  owing  in  respect  of  that  interest 
payment date (excluding defaulted note interest) through the 
date of actual payment in full or (ii) with the prior approval of 
APRA,  CBA  has  paid  in  full  to  holders  of  the  subordinated 
notes  an  assignment  prevention  optional  dividend  in  an 
amount equal to such interest and any other amounts, or (B) 
CBA has paid dividends on the CBA preference shares in full 
on  each  dividend  payment  date  during  a  12  consecutive 
month period; and 

• 

In  the  case  of  any  non-payment  of  the  redemption  price  or 
non-delivery  of  the  securities  payable  or  deliverable  with 
respect  to  CBA  preference  shares  or  the  trust  preferred 
securities,  such  redemption  price  or  securities  have  been 
paid or delivered in full, as applicable. 

then  there  are  restrictions  on  the  Bank  paying  any  interest  on 
equal ranking or junior securities. 

166     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 31 Loan Capital (continued) 
(11) USD denominated Tier Two Loan Capital issuances 

(13) GBP denominated Tier Two Loan Capital issuances 

•  GBP  200  million  subordinated  EMTN,  issued  March  1996, 

•  USD 300 million subordinated notes, issued June 2000, due 

matured December 2007. 

June 2010. 

•  GBP 150 million subordinated EMTN, issued June 2003, due 

•  USD  400  million  subordinated  EMTN,  issued  June  1996, 

December 2023. 

matured July 2006. 

(14) Other currencies Tier Two Loan Capital issuances 

•  USD  350  million  subordinated  fixed  rate  note,  issued  June 

•  EUR  300  million  subordinated  EMTN,  issued  March  2005, 

2003, due June 2018. 

due March 2015. 

•  USD  500  million  subordinated  EMTN  issued  June  2004 
(USD  250 million)  and August  2004  (USD  250 million),  due 
August 2014. 

•  USD  100  million  subordinated  EMTN,  issued  March  2005, 
due  March  2025.  Partial  redemption  of  USD  39.5  million  in 
September 2005. 

•  CAD 300 million subordinated notes, issued November 2005, 

due November 2015. 

•  CAD  300  million  subordinated  notes,  issued  October  2007, 

due October 2017. 

•  NZD 350 million subordinated notes, issued May 2005, due 

April 2015. 

•  USD 200 million subordinated notes, issued June 2006, due 

•  NZD 183 million subordinated notes issued June 2006, due 

July 2016. 

June 2016. 

•  USD  300  million  subordinated  floating  rate  notes,  issued 

September 2006, due September 2016. 

•  USD  650  million  subordinated  floating  rate  notes,  issued 

December 2007, due December 2016. 

(12) JPY denominated Tier Two Loan Capital issuances 

•  JPY  20  billion  perpetual  subordinated  EMTN, 

issued 

February 1999. 

•  JPY 30 billion subordinated EMTN, issued October 1995 due 

October 2015. 

•  JPY  10  billion  subordinated  EMTN,  issued  May  2004,  due 

May 2034. 

•  JPY  10  billion  subordinated  notes,  issued  November  2005, 

due November 2015. 

•  JPY  5  billion  subordinated  loan,  issued  March  2006,  due 

March 2018. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     167 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 32 Detailed Statements of Changes in Equity 

Equity Reconciliations 
Ordinary Share Capital 
Opening balance 
Issue of shares 
Dividend reinvestment plan 
Exercise of executive options under employee share ownership schemes 
(Purchase)/sale and vesting of treasury shares (1) 
Closing balance 

Other Equity Instruments 
Opening balance 
Closing balance 

Retained Profits 
Opening balance 
Loyalty program adjustment 
Restated opening balance 
Actuarial (losses)/gains from defined benefit superannuation plans 
Realised gains and dividend income on treasury shares held within the Group’s 
life insurance statutory funds (1) 
Operating profit attributable to Equity holders of the Bank 

Total available for appropriation 
Transfers (to)/from general reserve 
Transfers from general reserve for credit losses 
Interim dividend – cash component (2) 
Interim dividend – dividend reinvestment plan 
Final dividend – cash component 
Final dividend – dividend reinvestment plan 
Other dividends 
Closing balance 

2008
$M 

14,483 
141 
1,109 
3 
(9)
15,727 

939 
939 

6,367 
(5)
6,362 
(240)

26 
4,791 

10,939 
(85)
350 
(1,087)
(400)
(1,229)
(709)
(32)
7,747 

Group 

2007
$M 

13,505 
- 
818 
19 
141 
14,483 

939 
939 

4,487 
- 
4,487 
414 

45 
4,470 

9,416 
54 
- 
(862)
(518)
(1,368)
(300)
(55)
6,367 

2008 
$M 

14,691 
141 
1,109 
3 
(17) 
15,927 

1,895 
1,895 

6,315 
(5) 
6,310 
(240) 

- 
4,358 

10,428 
- 
350 
(1,087) 
(400) 
(1,229) 
(709) 
- 
7,353 

Bank 

2007
$M 

13,766 
- 
818 
19 
88 
14,691 

1,895 
1,895 

4,472 
- 
4,472 
414 

- 
4,477 

9,363 
- 
- 
(862)
(518)
(1,368)
(300)
- 
6,315 

(1) Relates to movement in treasury shares held within life insurance statutory funds and the employee share scheme trust. 
(2) Includes $98 million of shares purchased on-market to partly satisfy the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. 

168     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 32 Detailed Statements of Changes in Equity (continued) 

Reserves 
General Reserve 
Opening balance 
Appropriation from/(to) retained profits 
Closing balance 
Capital Reserve 
Opening balance 
Revaluation surplus on sale of property  
Closing balance 
Asset Revaluation Reserve 
Opening balance 
Revaluation of properties 
Transfers on sale of properties 
Tax on revaluation of properties 
Closing balance 
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve 
Opening balance 
Currency translation adjustments of foreign operations 
Currency translation on net investment hedge 
Tax on translation adjustments 
Tax on net investment hedge movement 
Closing balance 
Cash Flow Hedge Reserve 
Opening balance 
Gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments: 

Recognised in equity 
Transferred to Income Statement 

Interest income  
Interest expense  

Tax on cash flow hedging instruments 
Closing balance 
Employee Compensation Reserve 
Opening balance 
Current period movement 
Closing balance 
General Reserve for Credit Losses (1) 
Opening balance 
Transfer to retained profits 
Closing balance 
Available-for-Sale Investments Reserve 
Opening balance 
Net gains and losses on revaluation of available-for-sale investments 
Net gains and losses on available-for-sale investments transferred to Income 
Statement on disposal 
Tax on available-for-sale investments 
Closing balance 
Total reserves 

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Equity holders of the Bank 
Shareholders’ equity attributable to minority interests 
Total Shareholders’ equity 

2008
$M 

1,167 
85 
1,252 

287 
6 
293 

185 
20 
(6)
(4)
195 

(200)
(555)
(93)
23 
30 
(795)

440 

422 

88 
(661)
52 
341 

(51)
12 
(39)

350 
(350)
- 

(35)
262 

Group 
2007 
$M 

1,221 
(54) 
1,167 

285 
2 
287 

131 
79 
(2) 
(23) 
185 

(241) 
54 
- 
(13) 
- 
(200) 

59 

429 

67 
53 
(168) 
440 

34 
(85) 
(51) 

350 
- 
350 

65 
28 

2008
$M 

570 
- 
570 

1,538 
6 
1,544 

157 
19 
(6)
(4)
166 

(126)
(103)
- 
1 
- 
(228)

211 

426 

86 
(404)
(27)
292 

(51)
12 
(39)

350 
(350)
- 

(27)
240 

Bank
2007
$M 

570 
- 
570 

1,536 
2 
1,538 

107 
75 
(2)
(23)
157 

(6)
(119)
- 
(1)
- 
(126)

6 

125 

88 
79 
(87)
211 

34 
(85)
(51)

350 
- 
350 

60 
18 

(312)
44 
(41)
1,206 

25,619 
518 
26,137 

(138) 
10 
(35) 
2,143 

23,932 
512 
24,444 

(272)
7 
(52)
2,253 

27,428 
- 
27,428 

(119)
14 
(27)
2,622 

25,523 
- 
25,523 

(1) The Group was previously required to maintain a Prudential General Reserve for Credit Losses (“GRCL”), however, as this is no longer required it has been returned to 

Retained Profits. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     169 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 32 Detailed Statements of Changes in Equity (continued) 

The following table shows the gross amount of deferred gains/(losses) in relation to cash flow hedges. 

Cash Flow Hedges – Deferred Gains/(Losses) 

Within 6 months 
Within 6 months – 1 year  
Within 1 – 2 years 
Within 2 – 5 years 
After 5 years  
Net deferred gains 

Within 6 months 
Within 6 months – 1 year  
Within 1 – 2 years 
Within 2 – 5 years 
After 5 years  
Net deferred gains/(losses) 

Exchange Rate
Related Contracts 

Interest Rate
Related Contracts 

2008
$M 
59 
- 
- 
- 
1 
60 

2007
$M 
39 
- 
- 
- 
- 
39 

2008
$M 
43 
30 
72 
137 
144 
426 

2007
$M 
10 
228 
123 
199 
38 
598 

Exchange Rate
Related Contracts 

Interest Rate
Related Contracts 

2008
$M 
34 
- 
- 
- 
(8)
26 

2007
$M 
(4)
- 
- 
- 
(13)
(17)

2008
$M 
31 
16 
65 
132 
142 
386 

2007
$M 
2 
200 
59 
22 
36 
319 

Group
Total 

2007
$M 
49 
228 
123 
199 
38 
637 

Bank
Total 

2007
$M 
(2)
200 
59 
22 
23 
302 

2008 
$M 
102 
30 
72 
137 
145 
486 

2008 
$M 
65 
16 
65 
132 
134 
412 

170     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 33 Share Capital 

Issued and Paid Up Ordinary Capital 

Ordinary Share Capital 
Opening balance (excluding Treasury Shares deduction) 
Dividend reinvestment plan: Final dividend prior year 
Dividend reinvestment plan: Interim dividend  
Share Issue – IWL acquisition 
Exercise of executive options under employee share ownership schemes 
Closing balance (excluding Treasury Shares deduction) 
Less: Treasury Shares  
Closing balance  

Shares on Issue 
Opening balance (excluding Treasury Shares deduction)  
Dividend reinvestment plan issues:  

2005/2006 Final dividend fully paid ordinary shares at $45.24 
2006/2007 Interim dividend fully paid ordinary shares at $50.02 
2006/2007 Final dividend fully paid ordinary shares at $54.80 
2007/2008 Interim dividend fully paid ordinary shares at $39.44 

Share Issue – IWL acquisition 
Exercise of executive options under employee share ownership schemes  
Closing balance (excluding Treasury Shares deduction) 
Less: Treasury Shares 
Closing balance  

Terms and Conditions of Ordinary Share Capital  

2008
$M 

14,738 
709 
400 
141 
3 
15,991 
(264)
15,727 

Group 
2007 
$M 

13,901 
300 
518 
- 
19 
14,738 
(255) 
14,483 

2008
$M 

14,738 
709 
400 
141 
3 
15,991 
(64)
15,927 

Bank
2007
$M 

13,901 
300 
518 
- 
19 
14,738 
(47)
14,691 

Shares

Shares 

Shares

Shares

1,300,583,376  1,282,904,909  1,300,583,376  1,282,904,909 

- 
- 
12,938,969 
10,156,101 
2,327,431 
125,000 

6,638,553 
10,343,514 
- 
- 
- 
696,400 

6,638,553 
10,343,514 
- 
- 
- 
696,400 
1,326,130,877  1,300,583,376  1,326,130,877  1,300,583,376 
(1,198,015)
1,318,142,864  1,292,971,632  1,324,343,431  1,299,385,361 

- 
- 
12,938,969 
10,156,101 
2,327,431 
125,000 

(7,611,744) 

(7,988,013)

(1,787,446)

Ordinary  shares  have  the  right  to  receive  dividends  as  declared  and  in  the  event  of  winding  up  the  Company,  to  participate  in  the 
proceeds from sale of surplus assets in proportion to the number of and amounts paid up on shares held.  

A shareholder has one vote on a show of hands and one vote for each fully paid share on a poll. A shareholder may be present at a 
general meeting in person or by proxy or attorney, and if a body corporate, it may also authorise a representative. 

Other Equity Instruments 

Other equity instruments issued and paid up 

2008
$M 
939 

Group 
2007 
$M 
939 

2008
$M 
1,895 

Bank
2007
$M 
1,895 

Shares 
700,000 

Shares 
700,000 

Shares 
1,400,000 

Shares 
1,400,000 

Trust Preferred Securities 2006 

On  15  March  2006  the  Bank  issued  USD  700  million  ($947  million)  of  trust  preferred  securities  into  the  U.S.  capital  markets.  These 
securities offer a non-cumulative fixed rate of distribution of 6.024% per annum payable semi-annually. These securities qualify as Tier 
One Capital of the Bank. A related instrument was issued by the Bank to a subsidiary for $956 million and eliminates on consolidation. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     171 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 33 Share Capital (continued) 

Changes Since 2007 

Dividends 

The Directors have declared a fully franked final dividend of 153 
cents  per  share  amounting  to  $2,029  million.  The  dividend  will 
be payable on 1 October 2008 to shareholders on the register at 
5pm on 22 August 2008.  

The  Board  determines  the  dividends  per  share  based  on  net 
profit after tax (“cash basis”) per share, having regard to a range 
of factors including: 

•  Current and expected rates of business growth and the mix 

of business; 

As a  result  of the Group’s long  term incentive  arrangements in 
2007, the ERP has ceased to operate.  

To strengthen the alignment between Shareholder interests and 

executives who previously participated in the ERP, one third of 

their  short  term  incentive  payments  will  be  deferred  into  Bank 

shares  for  three  years  under  the  Leadership  Incentive  Share 

Plan (LISP). The first deferral commenced on 1 July 2007. The 

LISP arrangement is governed by the Rules of the EPP.  

From 1 July 2007 the CEO and Group Executives received long 

term  incentives  under  the  new  Group  Leadership  Share  Plan 

•  Capital  needs  to  support  economic,  regulatory  and  credit 

(GLSP). The GLSP provides participants with the opportunity to 

ratings requirements; 

•  The rate of return on assets;  

• 

Investments  and/or  divestments 
development; 

share in a pool of performance rights at the end of the three year 

measurement  period  subject  to  satisfaction  of  performance 

to  support  business 

hurdles. 

Employee Share Acquisition Plan (“ESAP”) 

The ESAP was introduced in 1996 and provides employees with 
the opportunity to receive up to $1,000 worth of free shares each 
year  if  the  Group  meets  the  required  performance  target.  The 
performance target is growth in annual profit of the greater of 5% 
or  the  consumer  price  index  (CPI  change)  plus  2%.  Whenever 
annual profit growth exceeds CPI change, the Board may use its 
discretion  in  determining  whether  any  grant  of  shares  will  be 
made. 

Under  ESAP,  shares  granted  are  restricted  for  sale  for  three 
years  or  until  such  time  as  the  participating  employee  ceases 
employment  with  the  Group,  whichever  is  earlier.  Shares 
granted  under  the  ESAP  receive  full  dividend  entitlements, 
voting  rights  and  there  are  no  forfeiture  or  vesting  conditions 
attached to the shares granted. 

Effective  from  1  July  2002,  shares  granted  under  ESAP  offers 
have been expensed through the profit and loss. On 29 August 
2007,  455,094  shares  were  granted 
to  25,283  eligible 
employees in respect of the 2007 ESAP grant. 

The  Issue  Price  for  the  offer  is  equal  to  the  volume  weighted 
average of the prices at which the CBA shares were traded on 
the ASX during the 5 trading day period up to and including the 
grant date. For the 2007 grant, this was $54.78. 

The  Group  has  determined  to  modify  the  allocation  to  each 
eligible employee in respect of the 2008 grant. The grant value 
will be differentiated based on individual performance ratings for 
the 2008 financial year for eligible employees. Accordingly, it is 
estimated that $12 million worth of shares will be purchased on-
market at the prevailing market price. 

•  Competitors comparison and market expectation; and 

•  Earnings per share growth. 

Dividends paid since the end of the previous financial 
year: 

As declared in  the 31 December  2007 Profit Announcement, a 
fully franked interim dividend of 113 cents per share amounting 
to  $1,487  million  was  paid  on  2  April  2008.  The  payment 
comprised cash disbursements of $989 million with $498 million 
the  Dividend 
being 
Reinvestment Plan, of which $98 million of shares were provided 
by an on-market purchase. 

reinvested  by  participants 

through 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

The  Bank  expects  to  issue  around  $609  million  of  shares  in 
respect of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan for the final dividend 
for the 2008 financial year.  

Record date 

The register closed for determination of dividend entitlement and 
for participation in the dividend reinvestment plan at 5pm on 22 
August 2008 at Link Market Services Limited, Locked Bag A14, 
Sydney South, 1235. 

Ex-dividend Date 

The ex-dividend date was 18 August 2008.  

Employee Share Plans 

The  Group  had  the  following  employee  share  plans  in  place 
during the year ended 30 June 2008: 

•  Commonwealth  Bank  Employee  Share  Acquisition  Plan 

(“ESAP”); 

•  Commonwealth Bank Equity Participation Plan (“EPP”); 

•  Commonwealth  Bank  Group  Leadership  Share  Plan 

(“GLSP”); 

•  Commonwealth Bank Equity Reward Plan (“ERP”); and 

•  Commonwealth  Bank  Non-Executive  Directors  Share  Plan 

(“NEDSP”). 

The current ESAP and ERP arrangements were each approved 
by Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) on 26 
October 2000. The GLSP was approved by Shareholders at the 
AGM  on  7  November  2007.  Shareholders’  consent  was  not 
required for either the EPP or NEDSP but details were included 
in the Explanatory Memorandum to the 2000 meeting to ensure 
Shareholders were fully informed. 

172     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

Notes to the Financial Statements  

The  participant  may  also  direct  the  Trustee  on  how  the  voting 
rights  attached  to  the  shares  are  to  be  exercised  during  the 
vesting period. Where participating employees do not satisfy the 
vesting conditions, shares and dividend rights are forfeited. 

Shares  acquired  under  the  EPP  are  expensed.  In  the  current 
year, $17 million was expensed to reflect the cost of allocations 
under  the  Plan.  This  current  year  expense  is  higher  than  last 
year’s due to the inclusion of the LISP grant since July 2007. 

All shares acquired by employees under the EPP are purchased 
on-market  at  the  current  market  price.  A  total  number  of 
9,008,053 shares have been acquired under the EPP since the 
plan commenced in 2001. 

For a limited number of executives a cash-based LISP replicator 
scheme is operated by way of grants of Performance Units – the 
Leadership  Incentive  (Performance  Unit)  Plan  (“LIPUP”).  A 
Performance  Unit  is  a  monetary  unit  with  a  value  linked  to  the 
share price of Commonwealth Bank shares. Performance Units 
granted under LIPUP are subject to the same vesting conditions 
as the LISP. On meeting the vesting condition, a cash payment 
is made to  executives, the value of  which is determined based 
on  the  Group’s  share  price  upon  vesting  plus  an  accrued 
dividend value.  

A  total  of  $0.7  million  for  the  LIPUP  has  been  expensed  in 
respect of the year ended 30 June 2008. 

Note 33 Share Capital (continued) 

Equity Participation Plan (“EPP”)  

The EPP comprises a voluntary and a mandatory component. 

The  voluntary  component  facilitates  the  voluntary  sacrifice  of 
both fixed remuneration and annual short term incentives (STI) 
to  be  applied  in  the  acquisition  of  shares.  The  sacrifice  of  one 
third  of  STI  payments  for  executives  under  the  Leadership 
Incentive  Plan  (“LISP”)  forms  the  mandatory  part  of  the  EPP. 
The LISP was introduced on 1 July 2007.  

Under  the  voluntary  component  of  the  EPP,  shares  purchased 
are  restricted  for  sale  for  two  years  or  when  a  participating 
employee  ceases  employment  with  the  Group,  whichever  is 
earlier. Shares purchased under the voluntary component of the 
EPP carry full dividend entitlements, voting rights and there are 
no forfeiture or vesting conditions attached to the shares. 

Under the mandatory component of the EPP, fully paid ordinary 
shares  are  purchased  and  held  in  trust  until  such  time  as  the 
vesting  conditions  have  been  met.  The  vesting  condition 
attached to the shares specifies that participants must generally 
remain  employees  of  the  Group  until  the  vesting  date.  Shares 
previously granted under the mandatory component of the EPP 
remain subject to their vesting conditions. 

Each  participant  in  the  mandatory  component  of  the  EPP  for 
whom shares are held by the Trustee on their behalf has a right 
to  receive  dividends.  Once  the  shares  vest,  dividends  which 
have  accrued  in  the  trust  during  the  vesting  period  are  paid  to 
participants. 

Details of purchases under the EPP from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 were as follows: 

Allotment Date 
20 August 2007 
3 September 2007 
7 September 2007 
4 March 2008 

Participants 
60 
81 
298 
74 

Shares Purchased 
8,279 
57,488 
652,055 
19,284 

Average Purchase Price 
$52.81 
$55.19 
$55.06 
$39.85 

The movement in shares purchased under the mandatory component of the EPP has been as follows: 

Details of Movements  
Shares held under the Plan at the beginning of year (no.) 
Shares allocated during year (no.) 
Shares vested during year (no.) 
Shares forfeited during year (no.) 
Shares held under the Plan at end of year (no.) 

July 07 – June 08 
63,444 
652,055 
(21,148) 
(80,322) 
614,029 

July 06 – June 07 
823,084 
- 
(759,640)
-
63,444 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     173 

 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 33 Share Capital (continued) 

Group Leadership Share Plan (GLSP) 

Effective  1  July  2007,  the  GLSP  is  the  Group’s  long  term 
incentive plan for the CEO and Group Executives. 

Under the GLSP, participants will share in a pool that may vest 
at  the  end  of  the  three  year  performance  period  subject  to 
satisfaction of the performance conditions.  

For grants made in 2007/08, participants will share in a pool to 
the  value  of  2.2%  of  the  growth  in  the  Group’s  Net  Profit  after 
Capital  Charge  (PACC),  capped  at  a  maximum  pool  of  $34 
million  subject  to  performance  against  both  of  the  following 
performance hurdles: 

•  The  Group’s  NPAT  growth  over  the  three  year  period  must 
be  above  the  average  of  NPAT  growth  of  the  peer  group 
(ANZ, NAB, St George and Westpac); and 

•  The Group’s customer satisfaction relative to the peer group. 

The current GLSP grant is measured from 1 July 2007 and may 
vest depending on performance to 1 July 2010. 

In order to determine the Group’s level of achievement against 
the customer satisfaction performance hurdle, scores are taken 
for  both  the  Group  and  the  peer  group  from  independent 
external  surveys.  A  ranking  is  then  determined  and  a  vesting 
scale applied. 

If the Bank’s NPAT is below the average of the peer group, then 
nothing  will vest  regardless of the  Bank’s customer  satisfaction 
ranking. 

The  GLSP  will  provide  reward  shares  to  the  participants  if  and 
when grants vest. The number of reward shares to vest will be 
determined by the value of the pool that vests at the end of the 
performance  period  and  the  share  price  at  the  end  of  the 
relevant  performance  period.  As  the  GLSP  commenced  on  1 
July 2007, no share grants have been made in 2007/08. 

A total of $3.7 million has been expensed in respect of the year 
ended 30 June 2008. 

Further  details  of  the  GLSP  are  available  in  the  Remuneration 
Report. 

Equity Reward Plan (ERP) 

The  ERP  was  the  Group’s  previous  long  term  incentive 
arrangement  for  executives,  which has since been  replaced  by 
the GLSP and LISP arrangements. No grants were made under 
the ERP during the 2008 financial year. The last allocation under 
the ERP and ERPUP was made in July 2006. These shares are 
due to be tested for vesting in July 2009. No further grants will 
be  made  under  the  ERP.  The  Board  envisaged  that  up  to  a 
maximum of 500 employees would participate each year in the 
ERP. 

Previous  grants  under  the  ERP  were  in  two  parts,  comprising 
grants  of  options,  where  recipients  pay  a  set  exercise  price  to 
convert  each  option  to  one  CBA  share  once  the  option  has 
vested, and grants of shares, where no exercise price is payable 
for  participants  to  receive  CBA  shares  upon  vesting.  Since 
2001/02,  no  options  have  been  issued  under  the  ERP.  From 
2002/03, Reward Shares have only been issued under this plan. 

The  exercise  of  previously  granted  options  and  the  vesting  of 
employee legal title to the shares are conditional on the Group 
achieving  a  prescribed  performance  hurdle.  The  ERP 
performance  hurdle  is  based  on  relative  Total  Shareholder 
Return  (TSR)  with 
the  Group’s  TSR  performance  being 
measured  against  a  comparator  group  of  companies.  TSR  is 
calculated  by  combining  the  reinvestment  of  dividends  and 
share price movements over the period.  

174     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

For Reward Shares granted from 2002/03 to 2005/06 inclusive, 
a tiered vesting scale was applied so that 50% of the allocated 
shares  vest  if  the  Group’s  TSR  return  is  equal  to  the  50th 
percentile, 75% vest at the 67th percentile and 100% when the 
Group’s return is in the top quartile. The minimum vesting period 
is  three  years.  There  are  then  four  retesting  opportunities  until 
the  maximum  five  year  vesting  period  concludes.  All  unvested 
Reward Shares remaining in the Plan at the end of the vesting 
period  are  forfeited.  Employees  who  exit  the  Group  before  the 
grant vests forfeit their allocation.  

Where  the  performance  rating  is  at  least  at  the  50th  percentile 
on  the  third  anniversary  of  the  grant,  the  shares  will  vest  at  a 
time  nominated  by  the  executive,  within  the  trading  windows, 
over the next two years. The vesting percentage will be at least 
that  achieved  on  the  third  anniversary  of  the  grant  and  the 
executive  will  be  able  to  delay  vesting  until  a  subsequent  half 
yearly  window  prior  to  the  fifth  anniversary  of  the  grant.  The 
vesting percentage will be calculated by reference  to the rating 
at that time. 

Where  the  rating  is  below  the  50th  percentile  on  the  third 
anniversary  of  grant,  the  shares  can  still  vest  if  the  rating 
reaches the 50th percentile prior to the fifth anniversary, but the 
maximum vesting will be 50%. 

For  Reward  Shares  granted  in  2006/07  a  straight  line  vesting 
scale is applied, with 50% vesting at the 51st percentile, through 
to  100%  vesting  at  the  75th  percentile.  The  minimum  vesting 
period  for  these  grants  is  three  years.  Further  retesting  is 
restricted to one occasion, 12 months after initial testing, giving a 
maximum  vesting  period  of  four  years.  All  unvested  Reward 
Shares remaining in the Plan at the end of the vesting period are 
forfeited. Employees who exit the Group before the grant vests 
forfeit their allocation.  

During  the  vesting  period,  Reward  Shares  are  held  in  Trust. 
Each participant on behalf of whom Reward Shares are held by 
the Trustee has a right to receive dividends. If the shares vest, 
dividends are paid in relation to those accrued during the vesting 
period.  The  participant may  also direct  the  Trustee  on  how  the 
voting  rights  attached  to  the  shares  are  to  be  exercised  during 
the vesting period. 

Reward  Shares  acquired  under  the  share  component  of  the 
ERP are purchased on-market at the current market price. In the 
current  year,  a  total  of  $13  million  has  been  expensed.  The 
current year expense is lower than last year’s due the inclusion 
last  year  of  an  additional  cost  of  $12  million  incurred  from  the 
modification  to  the  performance  hurdle  of  the  Plan  in  2005/06. 
The  fair  value  of  shares  allocated  under  the  ERP  is  expensed 
over three to five years, reflecting the expected vesting period.  

(Performance  Unit)  Plan 

For a limited number of executives a cash-based ERP replicator 
scheme is operated by way of grants of Performance Units – the 
(ERPUP).  A 
Equity  Reward 
Performance  Unit  is  a  monetary  unit  with  a  value  linked  to  the 
share  price  of  Commonwealth  Bank  shares.  Performance  Unit 
grants  are  subject  to  the  same  vesting  conditions  as  the  ERP. 
On  meeting  the  vesting  condition,  a  cash  payment  is  made  to 
executives  the  value  of  which  is  determined  based  on  the 
Group’s share price on vesting plus an accrued dividend value.  

A  total  of  $11  million  for  the  ERPUP  has  been  expensed  in 
respect  of  the  year  ended  30  June  2008.  The  current  year 
expense  is  lower  than  last  year’s  due  to  the  inclusion  of  an 
additional  cost  last  year  of  $18.7  million  incurred  from  the 
modification to the Plan in 2007.  

Executive options issued up to September 2001 have not been 
recorded as an expense by the Group.  

Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 33 Share Capital (continued) 
Details of movements in ERP options and shares are as follows: 

Options – Details of Movements 

Year of Grant 
Exercise Price (1) (2) 

July 2007 – June 2008 
(4)

(3)

July 2006 – June 2007
(4)

(3)

2001 
$30.12 

2000 
$26.97 

2001 
$30.12 

2000 
$26.97 

Held by participants at the start of the year (no.) 
Granted during year (no.) 
Exercised during year (no.) 
Lapsed during year (no.) 
Outstanding at the end of year (no.) 
Total consideration paid due to exercises to date of report (5) 

97,500 
- 
- 
- 
97,500 
- 

426,600 
- 
(112,500) 
- 
314,100 
$3,388,500 

137,500 
- 
(40,000) 
- 
97,500 
$1,078,800 

753,500 
- 
(326,900)
- 
426,600 
$9,846,228 

(1) The Exercise Price is the market value at the commencement date. Market value is defined as the weighted average of the prices at which shares were traded on the 

ASX during the one week period before the commencement date. This is the average exercise price. 

(2) The premium adjustment (based on the actual difference between the dividend and bond yields at the date of vesting) was nil. 

(3) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 31 March 2004 and options may be exercised up to 13 September 2010. 

(4) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 3 October 2004 and options may be exercised up to 3 September 2011. 

(5) No amount is unpaid in respect of the shares issued upon exercise of options during the above period. 

Reward Shares – Details of Movements 

Year of Grant -Total Reward Shares 
Held by participants at the start of year (no.) 
Allocated during year (no.) (1) 
Vested during year (no.) 
Lapsed during year (no.) 
Outstanding at the end of year (no.) 

(4)

2004 
297,395 
282,645 
(540,290)
(39,750)
- 

July 2007 – June 2008 
(6)

(5)

2005 
411,937 
- 
- 
(66,363)
345,574 

2006 
440,854 
- 
- 
(66,090)
374,764 

(2)

2002 
241,850 
- 
(219,500)
(22,350)
- 

(3)

2003 
348,650 
321,150 
(639,300) 
(30,500) 
- 

(4)

2004 
423,685 
- 
- 
(126,290) 
297,395 

2005 
522,748 
13,117 
- 
(123,928)
411,937 

2006 

- 
505,574 
- 
(64,720)
440,854 

July 2006 – June 2007 
(6)

(5)

(1) The total number of shares allocated during the year represents the number of shares allocated and may not represent the total number that may vest at a later date. 
The Group purchases 50% of the maximum number of shares a participant may receive. Additional shares are purchased if required to fulfil the Group’s obligations to 
vest shares in participants once the performance of the ERP grant is known. 

(2) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 2 October 2006 when 50% of the maximum allocation of this grant vested. 

(3) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 3 October 2006 when 100% of the maximum allocation of this grant vested. 

(4) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 23 September 2007 when 100% of the maximum allocation of this grant vested. 

(5) This grant will be tested for vesting on 15 July 2008. If performance is below the 75th percentile, retests will be conducted each six months until 15 July 2010. 

(6) This grant will be tested for vesting on 14 July 2009. If performance is below the 75th percentile, one retest will be conducted 12 months later on 15 July 2010. 

Non-Executive Directors Share Plan (NEDSP) 

The  NEDSP  provides  for  the  acquisition  of  shares  by  Non-
Executive  Directors  through  the  mandatory  sacrifice  of  20%  of 
their  annual  fees  (paid  on  a  quarterly  basis).  Shares  purchased 
are restricted for sale for 10 years or when the Director leaves the 
Board, whichever is earlier. In addition, Non-Executive Directors 
can voluntarily elect to sacrifice up to a further 80% of their fees 
for the acquisition of shares. 

Shares are purchased on-market at the current market price and 
a total of 70,763 shares have been purchased under the NEDSP 
since  the  plan  commenced  in  2001.  Since  March  2005,  shares 
are acquired under the plan on a six monthly basis. 

Shares acquired under the plan receive full dividend entitlements 
and voting rights and there are no forfeiture or vesting conditions 
attached to the shares granted under the NEDSP. 

For the current year, $527,811 was expensed through the profit 
and  loss  reflecting  shares  purchased  and  allocated  under  the 
NEDSP. 

Grants made under the NEDSP from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 

Period  
1 January to 30 June 2008 
1 July to 31 December 2007 

Total Fees Sacrificed 
$279,896 
$247,915 

Participants 
11 
9 

Shares Purchased   Average Purchase Price 
$52.81 
$39.85 

5,298 
6,223 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     175 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 33 Share Capital (continued) 
Executive Option Plan (EOP) 

This plan was discontinued in 2000/01. 

Under the EOP, the Bank granted options to purchase fully paid 
ordinary  shares  to  those  key  executives  who,  being  able  by 
virtue of their responsibility, experience and skill to influence the 
generation of shareholder wealth, were declared by the Board of 
Directors to be eligible to participate in the Plan. Non-Executive 
Directors were not eligible to participate in the Plan. 

Options  cannot  be  exercised  before  each  respective  exercise 
period  and  the  ability  to  exercise  is  conditional  on  the  Group 
achieving a prescribed performance hurdle. The option plan did 
not  grant  rights  to  the  option  holders  to  participate  in  a  share 
issue of any other body corporate. 

The performance hurdle is the same TSR comparator hurdle as 
outlined above for the Equity Reward Plan (ERP) grants prior to 
2002/03. 

The  EOP  was  discontinued  in  2000/2001  and  no  options  have 
been  granted  under  the  plan  since  the  last  grant  in  September 
2000.  The  performance  hurdles  for  the  August  1999  grant  and 
the September 2000 grant were met in 2004.  

Under the Group’s EOP and ERP an option holder generally has 
no right to participate in any new issue of securities of the Group 
or of  a  related  body  corporate as a  result  of holding  the option. 
The only exception is when there is a pro rata issue of shares to 
the  Group’s  Shareholders  by  way  of  a  bonus  issue  involving 
capitalisation  (other  than  in  place  of  dividends  or  by  way  of 
dividend reinvestment). In this case an option holder is entitled to 
receive  additional  shares  upon  exercise  of  the  options  of  the 
number  of  bonus  shares  that  the  option  holder  would  have 
received  if  the  options  had  been  exercised  and  shares  issued 
prior to the bonus issue. 

Details of movements for in EOP options are as follows: 

Options – Details of Movements 

Year of Grant 
Exercise Price (1) (2) 

July 2007 – June 2008 
(4)

2000 
$26.97 

July 2006 – June 2007 
(4)
(3)

1999 
$23.84 

2000 
$26.97 

Held by participants at the start of year (no.)  
Granted during year (no.) 
Exercised during year (no.) 
Lapsed during year (no.) 
Outstanding at the end of year (no.) 
Total consideration paid due to exercises to date of report (5) 

36,900 
- 
(12,500)
- 
24,400 
$337,125 

190,600 
- 
(165,600) 
(25,000) 
- 
$3,947,904 

225,800 
- 
(163,900)
(25,000)
36,900 
$4,420,383 

(1) The Exercise Price is the market value at the commencement date. Market value is defined as the weighted average of the prices at which shares were traded on 

the ASX during the one week period before the commencement date. This is the average exercise price. 

(2) The premium adjustment (based on the actual difference between the dividend and bond yields at the date of vesting) was nil. 

(3) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 28 February 2004 and options may be exercised up to 24 August 2009. 

(4) Performance hurdle was satisfied on 31 March 2004 and options may be exercised up to 13 September 2010. 

(5) No amount is unpaid in respect of the shares issued upon exercise of options during the above period. 

176     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 34 Minority Interests  

Controlled entities: 
Share capital (1) 
Total minority interests  

2008 
$M 

518 
518 

Group
2007
$M 

512 
512 

(1) Comprises predominantly New Zealand Perpetual Preference Shares - $505 million. On 10 December 2002, ASB Capital Limited, a New Zealand subsidiary, issued 
NZD 200 million (AUD 182 million) of perpetual preference shares. Such shares are non-redeemable and carry limited voting rights. Dividends are payable quarterly 
and are non-cumulative. On 22 December 2004, ASB Capital No.2 Ltd, a New Zealand subsidiary, issued NZD 350 million (AUD 323 million) of perpetual preference 
shares. Such shares are non-redeemable and carry limited voting rights. Dividends are payable quarterly and are non-cumulative. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     177 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 35 Capital Adequacy  

Regulatory Capital  

The Bank is an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (“ADI”) and 
is  subject  to  regulation  by  the  Australian  Prudential  Regulation 
Authority (“APRA”) under the authority of the Banking Act 1959. 
APRA  has  set  minimum  regulatory  capital  requirements  for 
banks that are consistent with the International Convergence of 
Capital  Measurement  and  Capital  Standards:  A  Revised 
Framework  (“Basel  II”)  issued  by  the  Basel  Committee  on 
(“The  Basel  Committee”).  These 
Banking  Supervision 
requirements  define  what  is  acceptable  as  capital  and  provide 
for methods of measuring the risks incurred by the Bank.  

The  regulatory  capital  requirements  are  measured  for  the 
Extended  Licence  Entity  Group  (known  as  “Level  One” 
comprising the Bank and APRA approved subsidiaries) and for 
the  Bank  and  all  of  its  banking  subsidiaries  (known  as  “Level 
Two” or the “Group”).  

All  entities  which  are consolidated  for accounting  purposes are 
included  within  the  Group capital  adequacy calculations except 
for;  

•  The insurance and funds management operations; and  

•  The entities through which securitisation of Bank assets are 

conducted. 

Regulatory capital is divided into Tier One and Tier Two Capital. 
Tier One Capital primarily consists of Shareholders’ Equity plus 
other capital instruments acceptable to APRA, less goodwill and 
other  prescribed  deductions.  Tier  Two  Capital  is  comprised 
primarily  of  hybrid  and  debt  instruments  acceptable  to  APRA 
less any prescribed deductions. Total Capital is the aggregate of 
Tier One and Tier Two Capital. 

The tangible component of the investment in the insurance and 
funds  management  operations  are  deducted  from  capital,  50% 
from Tier One and 50% from Tier Two. 

Capital adequacy is measured by means of a risk based capital 
ratio.  The  capital  ratios  reflect  capital  (Tier  One,  Tier  Two  or 
Total  Capital)  as  a  percentage  of  total  Risk  Weighted  Assets 
(“RWA”). RWA represents an allocation of risks associated with 
the Group’s assets and other related exposures. 

its  capital 

the 
The  Group  actively  manages 
requirements  of  various  stakeholders 
rating 
agencies and shareholders). This is achieved by optimising the 
mix  of  capital  while  maintaining  adequate  capital  ratios 
throughout the financial year.  

to  balance 

(regulators, 

The  Group  has  a  range  of  instruments  and  methodologies 
available  to  effectively  manage  capital  including  share  issues 
and buybacks, dividend and dividend reinvestment plan policies, 
hybrid capital raising and dated and undated subordinated debt 
issues. All major capital related initiatives require approval of the 
Board. 

The Group’s capital position is monitored on a continuous basis 
and reported monthly to senior management. Three year capital 
forecasts  are  undertaken  on  a  quarterly  basis  and  a  detailed 
capital and strategy plan is presented to the Board annually. 

During  the  2007  and  2008  financial  years  the  Group  complied 
with  APRA’s  prescribed  minimum  capital  requirements  at  all 
times.

178     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

The Bank is required to inform APRA immediately of any breach 
or  potential  breach  of 
the  minimum  capital  adequacy 
requirements,  including  details  of  remedial  action  taken  or 
planned to be taken.  

The  Group’s  capital  ratios  throughout  the  2007  and  2008 
Financial  Years  were  in  compliance  with  both  APRA  minimum 
capital adequacy requirements (Tier One Capital 4% and Total 
Capital 8%) and the Board approved target ranges of Tier One 
Capital 6.5 to 7% and Total Capital 10 to 12%). 

The  Total  Capital  target  range  was  amended  in  2008  from  a 
range of 9 to 11% to a range of 10 to 12% in order to align with 
the Bank’s strategy to apply for U.S. Financial Holding Company 
(FHC)  status.  FHC  status  requires  the  Bank  to  maintain 
minimum Tier One Capital of 6% and Total Capital at 10% at all 
times. 

Economic Capital 

The  Group uses  an  “Economic Capital” model to drive delivery 
of  “shareholder-value-added”  (“SVA”)  results.  Measures  are 
applied to link the cost of the Bank’s physical capital to the profit 
required 
turn 
from  different  business  segments.  This 
facilitates: 

in 

•  Pricing of products based on appropriate charges for use of 

capital; and  

• 

Internal  measurement  of  performance  on  a  risk  adjusted 
basis. 

Economic  Capital  provides  an  estimate  of  capital  required  to 
cover  the  financial  impact  of  unlikely  events,  at  a  level  of 
confidence  consistent  with  the  Board’s  target  debt  rating.  As 
such,  the  level  of  Economic  Capital  and  physical  capital  is 
aligned to the Board’s overall risk appetite.  

The Group calculates Economic Capital in accordance with the 
following key principles: 

•  Consistent  application 

to  all  material  risk 

types  and 

businesses across the Group; 

•  Measurement  of  potential  financial  impacts  over  a  time 
period  reflecting  elimination  of  the  risk  under  assumed 
adverse conditions; 

•  Use  of  a  confidence  level  aligned  with  the  Group’s  target 

debt rating; and 

•  Aggregation of Economic Capital by individual risk type. 

Economic  Capital  provides  a  tool  for  evaluating  which  of  the 
Group’s products and businesses provide the best return relative 
to  the  credit,  market,  operational,  strategic  business,  insurance 
and other  risks  taken in achieving that  return.  These risk types 
are defined in the Basel II Capital Framework, and influence the 
level of capital held by the Bank.  

SVA  is  maximised  through  the  use  of  two  measures  of  risk-
adjusted  performance  –  known  as  Profit  After  Capital  Charge 
(PACC) and Return on Target Equity (ROTE) – which are used 
internally to measure business performance. These measures of 
profit and return reflect the amount of Economic Capital used in 
achieving these outcomes. 

Business  Unit  segments  are  required  to  achieve  minimum 
returns  on  their  allocated  risk-based  capital  equal  to  a  uniform 
“Cost of Capital” which is set from time to time based on market 
conditions. 

The development of Economic Capital measures and the use of 
risk adjusted return metrics within Business Unit segments is an 
evolving area both within the Group and across the industry. 

 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 36 Financial Reporting by Segments 

Description of segments  

The  principal  activities  of  the  Group  are  carried  out  in  the 
business segments shown below. These segments are based on 
the types of products and services provided to customers. 

The  primary  sources  of  revenue  are  interest  and  fee  income 
(Retail  Banking  Services,  Premium  Business  Services  and 
International  Financial  Services)  and  insurance  premium  and 
funds management income (Wealth Management).  

Business Segment Information 

Income Statement 

Interest income 
Insurance premium and related revenue 
Other income 
Total revenue 

Equity accounted earnings 
Revenue from external customers 
Revenue from other operating segments  
Interest expense 

Segment result before income tax 
Income tax expense 
Segment result after income tax 
Minority interests 
Segment result after income tax and minority 
interests 
Less: Non-Cash items (1) 
Net profit after tax (“cash basis”) (1) 

Non–Cash Expenses 
Intangible asset amortisation 
Loan impairment expense 
Depreciation 
Defined benefit superannuation plan 
(income)/expense 
Investment & restructuring 
Other  

Retail 
Banking
Services
$M 
14,651 
- 
1,257 
15,908 

Premium 
Business 
Services
$M 
9,204 
- 
1,965 
11,169 

Wealth 
Management
$M 
- 
994 
2,840 
3,834 

International 
Financial 
Services  
$M 
4,061 
379 
458 
4,898 

- 
15,896 
12 
5,306 

2,675 
(801)
1,874 
- 

1,874 
(30)
1,904 

19 
331 
19 

- 
41 
28 

- 
10,622 
547 
6,701 

1,865 
(402)
1,463 
- 

1,463 
(17)
1,480 

53 
426 
45 

3 
22 
17 

60 
3,774 
- 
87 

986 
(186)
800 
- 

800 
60 
740 

- 
- 
4 

- 
- 
11 

32 
4,773 
93 
3,081 

777 
(179) 
598 
(2) 

596 
7 
589 

12 
43 
39 

- 
14 
6 

Group
Year Ended 30 June 2008 

Other
$M 
1,318 
- 
(73)
1,245 

- 
1,897 
(652)
6,152 

(48)
135 
87 
(29)

58 
38 
20 

19 
130 
118 

(17)
300 
28 

Total
$M 
29,234 
1,373 
6,447 
37,054 

92 
36,962 
- 
21,327 

6,255 
(1,433)
4,822 
(31)

4,791 
58 
4,733 

103 
930 
225 

(14)
377 
90 

Balance Sheet  

Total assets 
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment, intangibles 
and other non–current assets 
Investments in associates 
Total liabilities 

200,289 

173,370 

24,318 

51,634 

37,961 

487,572 

15 
- 
122,332 

547 
17 
166,386 

8 
724 
20,857 

71 
165 
42,750 

321 
- 
109,110 

962 
906 
461,435 

(1) Business segments are managed on the basis of Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) which is defined by management as net profit after tax and minority 

interested, before the gain on Visa Initial Public Offering, Provisions for investment and restructuring, defined benefit superannuation plan (income)/expense, treasury 
shares valuation adjustment and unrealised gains and losses related to hedging and AIFRS volatility. Management use “cash basis” performance and it provides the 
basis for the determination of the Bank’s dividends. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     179 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 36 Financial Reporting by Segments (continued) 

Business Segment Information 

Income Statement 

Interest income 
Insurance premium and related revenue 
Other income 
Total revenue 

Equity accounted earnings 
Revenue from external customers 
Revenue from other operating segments  
Interest expense 

Segment result before income tax 
Income tax expense 
Segment result after income tax 
Minority interests 
Segment result after income tax and minority 
interests 
Less: Non-Cash items (1) 
Net profit after tax (“cash basis”) (1) 

Non–Cash Expenses 
Intangible asset amortisation 
Loan impairment expense 
Depreciation 
Defined benefit superannuation plan 
(income)/expense 
Other 

Retail 
Banking
Services
$M 
12,007 
- 
1,291 
13,298 

Premium 
Business 
Services
$M 
7,230 
- 
1,744 
8,974 

Wealth 
Management
$M 
- 
830 
4,590 
5,420 

International 
Financial 
Services  
$M 
3,425 
279 
677 
4,381 

- 
13,279 
19 
3,890 

2,522 
(756)
1,766 
- 

1,766 
- 
1,766 

14 
349 
20 

- 
26 

1 
8,650 
323 
5,200 

1,905 
(463)
1,442 
- 

1,442 
(3)
1,445 

35 
75 
33 

5 
14 

16 
5,384 
20 
33 

1,090 
(538)
552 
- 

552 
(75)
627 

- 
- 
4 

- 
49 

36 
4,404 
(59) 
2,617 

678 
(153) 
525 
- 

525 
47 
478 

8 
20 
39 

- 
3 

Group
Year Ended 30 June 2007

Other 
$M 
1,200 
8 
(112) 
1,096 

- 
1,399 
(303) 
5,086 

343 
(131) 
212 
(27) 

185 
(26) 
211 

13 
(10) 
104 

(13) 
9 

Total
$M 
23,862 
1,117 
8,190 
33,169 

53 
33,116 
- 
16,826 

6,538 
(2,041)
4,497 
(27)

4,470 
(57)
4,527 

70 
434 
200 

(8)
101 

Balance Sheet  
Total assets (2) 
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment, intangibles 
and other non–current assets 
Investments in associates 
Total liabilities (2) 

174,261 

159,424 

27,553 

52,591 

26,328 

440,157 

45 
- 
103,958 

139 
1 
172,754 

6 
691 
22,732 

89 
143 
43,801 

171 
1 
72,468 

450 
836 
415,713 

(1) Business segments are managed on the basis of Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) which is defined by management as net profit after tax and minority 

interested, before the gain on Visa Initial Public Offering, Provisions for investment and restructuring, defined benefit superannuation plan income/expense, treasury 
shares valuation adjustment and unrealised gains and losses related to hedging and AIFRS volatility. Management use “cash basis” performance and it provides the 
basis for the determination of the Bank’s dividends. 

(2) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

180     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 36 Financial Reporting by Segments (continued) 

Business Segment Information 

Income Statement 

Interest income 
Insurance premium and related revenue 
Other income 
Total revenue 

Equity accounted earnings 
Revenue from external customers 
Revenue from other operating segments  
Interest expense 

Segment result before income tax  
Income tax expense 
Segment result after income tax 
Minority interests 
Segment result after income tax and minority 
interests 
Less: Non-Cash items (1) 
Net profit after tax (“cash basis”) (1) 

Non–Cash Expenses 
Intangible asset amortisation 
Loan impairment expense 
Depreciation 
Defined benefit superannuation plan expense 
Other  

Balance Sheet  
Total assets (2) 
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment, 
intangibles and other non–current assets 
Investments in associates  
Total liabilities (2) 

Retail 
Banking
Services
$M 
10,404 
- 
1,189 
11,593 

Premium 
Business 
Services
$M 
5,581 
- 
1,512 
7,093 

Wealth 
Management
$M 
- 
739 
4,144 
4,883 

International 
Financial 
Services  
$M 
2,948 
284 
945 
4,177 

- 
11,599 
(6)
2,352 

2,252 
(676)
1,576 
- 

1,576 
- 
1,576 

13 
354 
13 
- 
24 

2 
6,435 
656 
4,625 

1,554 
(422)
1,132 
- 

1,132 
(6)
1,138 

12 
68 
16 
7 
13 

2 
4,858 
23 
26 

798 
(394)
404 
- 

404 
(100)
504 

- 
- 
7 
- 
8 

1 
4,190 
(14) 
2,192 

839 
(241) 
598 
- 

598 
8 
590 

7 
22 
33 
- 
4 

Group
Year Ended 30 June 2006

Other
$M 
825 
29 
(36)
818 

2 
1,475 
(659)
4,049 

416 
(167)
249 
(31)

218 
(60)
278 

17 
(46)
95 
28 
17 

Total
$M 
19,758 
1,052 
7,754 
28,564 

7 
28,557 
- 
13,244 

5,859 
(1,900)
3,959 
(31)

3,928 
(158)
4,086 

49 
398 
164 
35 
66 

157,302 

134,229 

27,549 

40,926 

22,844 

382,850 

40 
- 
78,320 

227 
3 
151,257 

113 
72 
23,605 

46 
102 
33,658 

186 
13 
74,667 

612 
190 
361,507 

(1) Business segments are managed on the basis of Net profit after income tax (“cash basis”) which is defined by management as net profit after tax and minority 

interested, before the gain on Visa Initial Public Offering, Provisions for investment and restructuring, defined benefit superannuation plan income/expense, treasury 
shares valuation adjustment and unrealised gains and losses related to hedging and AIFRS volatility. Management use “cash basis” performance and it provides the 
basis for the determination of the Bank’s dividends. 

(2) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

Geographical Information 

Financial Performance & position 

Revenue 
Australia 
New Zealand 
Other locations (1) 

Non-Current Assets 
Australia 
New Zealand 
Other locations (1) 

Group
Year Ended 30 June 

2008
$M 

29,131 
4,922 
3,001 
37,054 

9,929 
1,129 
265 
11,323 

% 

78. 6 
13. 3 
8. 1 
100. 0 

87. 7 
10. 0 
2. 3 
100. 0 

2007
$M 

26,350 
4,517 
2,302 
33,169 

9,260 
1,133 
496 
10,889 

% 

79. 5 
13. 6 
6. 9 
100. 0 

85. 0 
10. 4 
4. 6 
100. 0 

2006
$M 

22,802 
4,021 
1,741 
28,564 

8,169 
771 
360 
9,300 

% 

79. 8 
14. 1 
6. 1 
100. 0 

87. 8 
8. 3 
3. 9 
100. 0 

(1) Other locations were: United Kingdom, United States of America, Japan, Singapore, Malta, Hong Kong, Grand Cayman, Fiji, Indonesia, China and Vietnam.  

The geographical information represents the location in which the transaction was booked. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     181 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 37 Life Insurance Business 

The following information is provided to disclose the statutory life 
insurance  business 
the  Group 
Financial  Statements  and 
the  underlying  methods  and 
assumptions used in their calculations. 

transactions  contained 

in 

All  financial  assets  within  the  life  statutory  funds  have  been 
determined  to  support  either  life  insurance  or  life  investment 
contracts.  Also  refer  to  Note  1  (hh).  The  insurance  segment 
result  is  prepared  on  a  business  segment  basis,  refer  to  Note 
36. 

Life Insurance 
Contracts 

Life Investment 
Contracts 

Summarised Income Statement  

Premium and related revenue  
Outward reinsurance premiums expense  
Claims expense  
Reinsurance recoveries  
Investment revenue (excluding investments in 
subsidiaries): 

Equity securities  
Debt securities  
Property 
Other  

Increase/(decrease) in contract liabilities  
Operating income 

Acquisition expenses 
Maintenance expenses 
Management expenses 
Other expense 
Net profit before income tax  
Income tax (benefit)/expense attributable to 
operating profit  
Net profit after income tax 

Sources of Life Insurance Net Profit  
The net profit after income tax is represented 
by: 
Emergence of planned profit margins  
Difference between actual and planned 
experience 
Effects of changes to underlying assumptions 
Reversal of previously recognised losses or loss 
recognition on Groups of related products  
Investment earnings on assets in excess of 
policyholder liabilities 
Other movements  
Net profit after income tax  

Life insurance premiums received and 
receivable 
Life insurance claims paid and payable 

2008
$M 
1,412 
(234)
(865)
173 

(246)
227 
(37)
81 
198 
709 

190 
240 
14 
39 
226 

(13)
239 

2007
$M 
1,182 
(207)
(786)
145 

418 
147
70 
52 
(133)
888 

158 
235 
16 
9 
470 

174 
296 

190 

178 

2 
3 

- 

25 
19 
239 

- 
- 

41 
(5)

(2)

78 
6 
296 

- 
- 

2008
$M 
292 
- 
(1)
- 

(852)
419 
(108)
(102)
574 
222 

21 
138 
7 
53 
3 

(48)
51 

98 

(57)
- 

- 

10 
- 
51 

- 
- 

2007
$M 
257 
- 
- 
- 

1,323 
444 
324 
294 
(2,111)
531 

22 
197 
8 
58 
246 

205 
41 

87 

(53)
- 

- 

8 
(1)
41 

- 
- 

2008 
$M 
1,704 
(234) 
(866) 
173 

(1,098) 
646 
(145) 
(21) 
772 
931 

211 
378 
21 
92 
229 

(61) 
290 

288 

(55) 
3 

- 

35 
19 
290 

Group 

2007
$M 
1,439 
(207)
(786)
145 

1,741 
591 
394 
346 
(2,244)
1,419 

180 
432 
24 
67 
716 

379 
337 

265 

(12)
(5)

(2)

86 
5 
337 

2,664 
3,068 

2,749 
5,306 

The disclosure of the components of operating profit after income tax expense are required to be separated between policyholders’ 
and  shareholders’  interests.  As  policyholder  profits  are  an  expense  of  the  Group  and  not  attributable  to  shareholders,  no  such 
disclosure is required. 

182     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 37 Life Insurance Business (continued) 

Reconciliation of Movements in Policy 
Liabilities 

Contract policy liabilities  
Gross policy liabilities opening balance 
Net (decrease)/increase in contract liabilities 
reflected in the summarised Income Statement 
Contract contributions recognised in policy 
liabilities 
Contract withdrawals recognised in policy 
liabilities 
Non-cash movements 
FX translation adjustment 
Gross policy liabilities closing balance 

Liabilities ceded under reinsurance 
Opening balance 
Decrease/(increase) in reinsurance assets 
reflected in the summarised Income Statement 
Closing balance 

Net policy liabilities at 30 June 
Expected to be realised within 12 months 
Expected to be realised in more than 12 
months 
Total net insurance policy liabilities 

Life Insurance
Contracts 

Life Investment  
Contracts 

2008
$M 

2007
$M 

2008
$M 

2007 
$M 

2008 
$M 

Group 

2007
$M 

4,801 

4,589 

16,970 

17,784 

21,771 

22,373 

(198)

7 

(131)
(216)
(141)
4,122 

(158)

13 
(145)

504 

3,473 
3,977 

142 

188 

(202)
- 
84 
4,801 

(148)

(10)
(158)

(574)

1,050 

(2,940)
10 
(143)
14,373 

- 

- 
- 

2,112 

1,291 

(4,338) 
- 
121 
16,970 

- 

- 
- 

(772) 

2,254 

1,057 

1,479 

(3,071) 
(206) 
(284) 
18,495 

(158) 

13 
(145) 

(4,540)
- 
205 
21,771 

(148)

(10)
(158)

415 

2,352 

3,182 

2,856 

3,597 

4,228 
4,643 

12,021 
14,373 

13,788 
16,970 

15,494 
18,350 

18,016 
21,613 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     183 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 37 Life Insurance Business (continued) 

Sensitivity Analysis 

The  Group  conducts  sensitivity  analyses 
the 
exposure to risk of changes in the key underlying variables such 
as interest rate, equity prices, mortality, morbidity and inflation. 

to  quantify 

The valuations included in the reported results and the Group’s 
best estimate of future performance are calculated using certain 
assumptions about these variables. 

The movement in any key variable will impact the performance 
and net assets of the Group and as such represents a risk. 

Variable 

Expense risk 

Interest rate risk 

Mortality rates 

Morbidity rates 

Discontinuance 

Market Risk  

Impact of movement in underlying variable 

An increase in the level or inflationary growth of expenses over assumed levels will decrease 
profit and shareholders’ equity. 

The  impact  of  changes  in  interest  rates  on  profit  and  shareholders’  equity  depends  on  the 
relative profiles and matching of assets and liabilities. The Group is exposed to changes in 
interest rates on fixed interest assets backing shareholders’ equity. 

For  insurance  contracts  that  pay  a  death  benefit,  higher  rates  of  mortality  will  increase  the 
claims  cost  and  therefore  reduce  both  profit  and  shareholders’  equity.  For  lifetime  annuity 
contracts, lower mortality rates will increase the duration of annuity payments and therefore 
reduce both profit and shareholders’ equity. 

The cost of health-related claims depends on both the incidence of policyholders becoming ill 
and the duration of the illness. Higher than expected incidence and duration will increase the 
claims costs, reducing profit and shareholders’ equity. 

The impact of the discontinuance rate  assumption depends on a  range of factors including 
the type of contract, the surrender value basis (where applicable) and the duration inforce. An 
increase in discontinuance rates will usually reduce profit and shareholders’ equity 

For contracts where benefit payments depend on the value of underlying assets, market risk 
is borne by policyholders. However, as the Group derives fee income based on the value of 
the underlying funds, a fall in market value will reduce fees, profit and shareholders’ equity. 
The Group is exposed to market risk on assets backing shareholders’ equity. 

The  table  below  shows  the  sensitivity  of  insurance  contract  liabilities  (gross  and  net  of  reinsurance),  current  year  profits  and 
shareholders’  equity  to  changes  in  assumptions  on  key  variables.  The  sensitivity  of  the  insurance  contract  liability  to  changes  in 
assumptions will be dependent on whether the product is (or remains) in loss recognition after the assumptions change and whether 
the change is made to an economic assumption. The Group’s sensitivity to changes in market risk (including interest rates) is shown in 
Note 42, Risk Management. 

Result of change in assumptions (1) 
Mortality and morbidity on lump sum products – 10% 
increase in total costs 
Annuitant mortality – 20% increase in rate of future mortality 
improvement 
Morbidity on Income Protection – 10% increase in total cost 
Expenses – 10% increase in maintenance expenses 
assumption 

(1) Represents impact of Australia only. 

Gross (before reinsurance)

Net (after reinsurance) 

Profit/(loss)
2008
$M 

Policy 
Liabilities
2008
$M 

Profit/(loss)
2008
$M 

Policy 
Liabilities 
2008 
$M 

Shareholders’
Equity
2008
$M 

(14. 3)

(9. 1)
(9. 3)

(0. 4)

20. 4 

13. 0 
13. 3 

0. 6 

(8. 8)

(9. 1)
(6. 7)

(0. 4)

12. 6 

13. 0 
9. 5 

0. 6 

(8. 8)

(9. 1)
(6. 7)

(0. 4)

184     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 37 Life Insurance Business (continued) 

Life Insurance Contract Liabilities  

Life Investment Contract Liabilities  

Investment  contracts  include  unit  linked  contracts  and  term 
certain annuities. They consist of a financial instrument, which is 
measured  at  fair  value,    and  a  management  services  element. 
For unit linked contracts, the resulting liability to policyholders is 
closely  linked  to  the  performance  and  the  value  of  the  assets 
(after  tax)  that  support  those  liabilities.  The  fair  value  of  such 
liabilities  is  the  same  as  the  fair  value  of  those  assets,  after 
allowing for tax. 

Appropriately qualified actuaries have been appointed for each 
life  insurance  entity  and  they  have  reviewed  and  satisfied 
themselves as to the accuracy of the contract liabilities included 
in this financial report, including compliance with the regulations 
of  the  Life  Insurance  Act  (Life  Act)  1995  where  appropriate. 
Details are set out in the various statutory returns of these life 
insurance entities. 

Components of Life Insurance Contract Liabilities 
Future policy benefits (1) 
Future bonuses  
Future expenses 
Future shareholder profit margins 
Future shareholder tax on profit margins 
Future charges for acquisition expenses  
Balance of future premiums 
Provisions for bonuses not allocated to participating policyholders 
Total net life insurance contract liabilities  

(1) Including bonuses credited to policyholders in prior years. 

Life Insurance Contracts 

2008 
$M 
7,235 
1,182 
2,472 
1,611 
284 
(581) 
(8,330) 
104 
3,977 

2007
$M 
6,962 
1,301 
2,216 
1,430 
225 
(507)
(7,096)
112 
4,643 

Taxation 

Actuarial Methods and Assumptions  

Taxation  has  been  allowed  for  in  the  determination  of  policy 
liabilities in accordance with the relevant legislation applicable in 
each market.  

Insurance  contract  policy  liabilities  have  been  calculated  in 
accordance with AASB 1038 (Life Insurance Contracts) and the 
Margin  on  Services  (“MoS”)  methodology  as  set  out  in 
Prudential  Standard  LPS  1.04  –  Valuation  of  Policy  Liabilities 
(“LPS 1.04”) issued by APRA. The principal methods and profit 
carriers used for particular product groups were as follows: 

Product Type  
Individual  
Conventional  
Investment account  
Lump sum risk 
Income stream risk 
Lifetime annuities 

Group  
Investment account  
Lump sum risk 
Income stream risk 

Method 

Projection  
Projection 
Projection 
Projection 
Projection 

Profit Carrier  

Bonuses or expected claim payment  
Bonuses or funds under management  
Premiums/expected claim payment  
Expected claim payments  
Annuity payments 

Projection 
Accumulation/Projection 
Accumulation/Projection 

Bonuses or funds under management  
Expected claim payments  
Expected claim payments 

The  “Projection  Method”  measures  the  present  values  of 
estimated  future  policy  cash  flows  to  calculate  policy  liabilities. 
income, 
The  policy  cash 
premiums, expenses, redemptions and benefit payments. 

incorporate 

investment 

flows 

Bonuses are amounts added, at the discretion of the life insurer, 
to  the  benefits  currently  payable  under  Participating  Business. 
Under the Life Act, bonuses are a distribution to policyholders of 
profits  and  may  take  a  number  of  forms  including  reversionary 
bonuses, interest credits and terminal bonuses (payable on the 
termination of the policy). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     185 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 37 Life Insurance Business (continued) 
Actuarial Assumptions 

Set out below is a summary of the material assumptions used in the calculation of policy liabilities. 

Discount Rates 

Discount  rates  are  used  to  discount  future  cash  flows  in  the 
determination  of  policy  liabilities.  Where  insurance  contract 
benefits are linked to the performance of the underlying assets, 
the discount rates are based on the expected earnings rate on 
the assets held (Traditional and Investment Account contracts). 
For  all  other  insurance  contracts,  the  discount  rates  are  based 
on risk free rates of return. Allowance is made for taxation where 
relevant and for the nature and term of the liabilities. 

Class of Business (1) 

Traditional – ordinary business (after tax)  
Traditional – superannuation business (after tax)  

Annuity – term and lifetime (exempt from tax)  
Term insurance – (before tax) 
Income protection business (before tax)  
Investment account – ordinary (after tax) 
Investment account – superannuation (after tax) 
Investment account – annuities (exempt from tax) 

The  following  table  shows  the  applicable  rates  for  the  major 
classes  of  business  in  Australia  and  New  Zealand.  The 
changes  relate  to  changes  in  long  term  earnings  rates  and 
asset mix. 

June 2008 
Rate Range % 
4. 52 – 6. 74 

5. 48 – 8. 24 
6. 31 – 8. 17 
6. 44 – 7. 25 
6. 44 – 7. 25 
4. 79 – 5. 35 
5. 83 – 6. 52 
6. 79 – 7. 53 

June 2007
Rate Range % 
4. 38 – 6. 34 
5. 32 – 7. 75 

6. 52 – 7. 09 
6. 25 – 6. 46 
6. 25 – 6. 46 
4. 55 
5. 53 
6. 46 

(1) For New Zealand, investment earning rates assumed were 3.9% to 5.6% net of tax. 

Bonuses 

Taxation 

The  taxation  basis  and  rates  assumed  vary  by  market  and 
product  type.  There  has  been  no  significant  change  to  the 
taxation basis. 

Voluntary Discontinuance 

Discontinuance rates are based on recent company and industry 
experience  and  vary  by  market,  product,  age  and  duration 
inforce. Overall discontinuance rates have been reduced. 

Surrender Values 

Current  surrender  value  bases  are  assumed  to  apply  in  the 
future. There have been no significant changes to these bases. 

Mortality and Morbidity 

Rates vary by sex, age, product type and smoker status. Rates 
are  based  on  standard  mortality  tables  applicable  to  each 
market  e.g.  IA95-97  in  Australia  for  risk,  IM/IF80  for  annuities, 
adjusted for recent Company experience where appropriate.  

There has been no significant change to mortality assumptions. 
Claim  termination  assumptions  on  disability  income  business 
have  been  reduced  and  incidence  assumptions  on  trauma 
business have been increased to reflect recent experience. 

The valuation assumes that the long term supportable bonuses 
will  be  paid,  which  is  in  line  with  company  bonus  philosophy. 
Favourable  investment  performance  over  recent  years  has  led 
to increases in long term supportable bonus rates. 

Maintenance Expenses 

The maintenance expenses are based on an internal analysis of 
experience  and  are  assumed  to  increase  in  line  with  inflation 
each year and to be sufficient to cover the cost of servicing the 
business in the coming year after adjusting for one-off expenses.  

To be consistent with other legal entities within the Group, from 
1 July 2008, Group overheads will no longer be allocated to the 
life  company  and  accordingly,  no  allowance 
for  Group 
overheads 
the  expense  assumptions.  For 
participating  businesses,  expenses  continue  on  the  previous 
charging basis  with  adjustments for  actual  experience, and are 
inflation  each  year. 
assumed 
Maintenance expenses have increased on some products. 

line  with 

increase 

included 

to 

in 

in 

is 

Investment Management Expenses 

Investment  management  expense  assumptions  vary  by  asset 
classes  and  are  based  on  investment  fees  as  set  out  in  Fund 
Management  Agreements.  There  has  been  no  significant 
change to overall investment fees. 

Inflation 

The  inflation  assumption  is  consistent  with  the  investment 
earning assumptions. 

Benefit Indexation 

The  indexation  rates  are  based  on  an  analysis  of  past 
experience  and  estimated  long  term  inflation  and  vary  by 
business  and  product  type.  There  have  been  no  significant 
changes to these assumptions. 

186     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 37 Life Insurance Business (continued) 

Impact of changes in assumptions 

The following table shows that the impacts of changes in assumptions from 30 June 2007 to 30 June 2008 in respect of life insurance 
contracts: 

Assumption change (1) 

Base results (2008 results using 2007 non-economic assumptions) 
Mortality and morbidity 
Discontinuance rates 
Maintenance expenses 
Other assumption changes 
Total future profit margins/life insurance contract  

(1) Relates to Australian profit assumptions only  

The policy liabilities for life insurance contracts are calculated in 
a  way  that  allows  for  the  systematic  release  of  planned  profit 
margins as services are provided to policyholders and premiums 
are  received.  Where  sufficient  planned  margins  exist,  this 
method  allows  for  the  absorption  of  changes  to  assumptions 
(excluding  the  discount  rate)  into  the  future  profit  margin, 
resulting  in  no  change  to  the  contract  liability  in  the  current 
period.  Where  the  assumption  changes  result  in  the  level  of 
planned profit margins being exhausted, the resulting losses are 
recognised during the year via a change in the contract liability.  

Where  a  change  is  made  to  the  discount  rate  or  related 
economic assumptions, the impact is not absorbed into planned 
profit  margins  and  the  level  of  contract  liability  will  change. 
These  outcomes  of  the  Margin  on  Services  methodology  are 
reflected in the above table.  

Changes in 
future profit 
margins $M 
880 
(67) 
95 
4 
(1) 
911 

Changes in 
life insurance 
contract 
liabilities $M 
3,040 
- 
- 
(2)
- 
3,038 

Impact of changes in assumptions 

Assumption  changes  on  Australian  business  increased  profit 
margins  by  $31  million  (from  $880  million  to  $911  million). 
Changes to future claims assumptions on risk business reduced 
margins by $67 million, mainly from: increases to trauma claims 
assumptions,  reductions  in  disability  income  claims  recovery 
assumptions  and  increases  to  masterfund  claims  assumptions. 
Reductions in discontinuance assumptions (mainly on retail risk 
business)  increased  future  profit  margins  by  $95  million. 
Increases  to  maintenance  expense  assumptions  reduced  profit 
margins  but  were  broadly  offset  by  the  impact  of  removing 
Group overheads from future expense assumptions. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     187 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 37 Life Insurance Business (continued) 

Risk Management Policies and Procedures 

The  financial  condition  and  operating  results  of  the  Life 
Insurance  Business  in  the  Group  are  affected  by  a  number  of 
key financial and non-financial risks. The objectives and policies 
in respect of managing these risks are set out below. 

There are two risk types that are considered to be unique to life 
insurance businesses. These are the risks that the incidence of 
mortality  (death)  and  morbidity  (illness  and  injury)  claims  are 
higher than assumed when pricing life insurance policies, or are 
greater  than  the  best  estimate  assumptions  used  to  determine 
the policy liabilities of the business. 

Insurance risk may arise through reassessment of the incidence 
of claims, the trend of future claims and the effect of unforeseen 
diseases or epidemics. In addition, in the case of morbidity, the 
time to recovery may be longer than assumed.  

identify  potential 

Insurance risk is controlled by ensuring underwriting standards 
adequately 
in 
accordance  with  policy  wordings,  retaining  the  right  to  amend 
premiums  on  risk  policies  where  appropriate  and  through  the 
use  of  reinsurance.  The  experience  of  the  Group’s  Life 
Insurance Business is reviewed annually. 

risk,  managing  claims 

Terms and Conditions of Insurance Contracts 

The  nature  of  the  terms  of  the  insurance  contracts  written  is 
such that  certain  external variables can be identified on  which 
related  cash  flows  for  claim  payments  depend.  The  tables 
below provide an overview of the key variables upon which the 
related cash flows are dependent. 

Nature of compensation for 
claims  

Benefits, defined by the insurance 
contracts, are determined by the 
contract. They are not directly 
affected by the performance of 
underlying assets or the 
performance of the contracts as a 
whole. 

Key variables that affect the 
timing and uncertainty of 
future cash flows 

Mortality 
Morbidity 
Discontinuance rates 
Expenses 

Benefits arising from the 
discretionary participation feature 
are based on the performance of a 
specified pool of contracts or a 
specified type of contract. 

Market earnings rates 
Mortality 
Discontinuance rates 
Expenses 

Managed Assets and Fiduciary Activities 

Arrangements  are  in  place  to  ensure  that  asset  management 
and  other 
fiduciary  activities  of  controlled  entities  are 
independent of the life insurance funds and other activities of the 
Group. 

Disaggregated Information 

in  Australia  and  overseas.  Under 

Life  insurance  business  is  conducted  through  a  number  of  life 
insurance  entities 
the 
Australian  Life  Insurance  Act  1995,  life  insurance  business  is 
conducted  within  one  or  more  separate  statutory  funds,  which 
are  distinguished  from  each  other  and  from  the  shareholders’ 
funds.  The  Financial  Statements  of  Australian  life  insurers 
prepared in accordance with AASB 1038 (and which are lodged 
with 
regulators)  show  all  major 
components of the Financial Statements disaggregated between 
the  various  life  insurance  statutory  funds  and  their  shareholder 
funds  and  as  well  as  between  investment  linked  business  and 
those relating to non-investment linked businesses. 

relevant  Australian 

the 

Type of Contract 

Detail of contract workings  

Non-participating life insurance 
contracts with guaranteed terms 
(Term Life, Trauma, Disability and 
Lifetime Annuities) 

Guaranteed benefits paid on death, 
ill health or survival that are fixed 
and not at the discretion of the 
issuer. 

Life insurance contracts with 
discretionary participating benefits 
(e.g. endowment and whole of life)  

These policies include a clearly 
defined initial guaranteed sum 
assured which is payable on death 
or maturity. The guaranteed 
amount is increased throughout the 
duration of the policy by the 
addition of regular annual bonuses 
which, once added, are not 
removed. Bonuses are also added 
on some products at maturity.  

Solvency 

Australian Life Insurers 

to  support  solvency 

Australian life insurers are required to hold prudential reserves in 
excess  of  the  amount  of  policy  liabilities.  These  reserves  are 
required 
requirements  and  provide 
protection against adverse experience. Prudential Standard LPS 
2.04  –  “Solvency  Standard”  prescribes  a  minimum  solvency 
requirement and the minimum level of assets required to be held 
in each statutory fund. All controlled Australian insurance entities 
complied  with  the  solvency  requirements  of  LPS  2.04.  Further 
information  is  available  from  the  individual  statutory  returns  of 
subsidiary life insurers.  

Overseas Life Insurers 

Overseas  life  insurance  subsidiaries  were  required  to  hold 
reserves  in  excess  of  policy  liabilities  in  accordance  with  local 
Acts  and  prudential  rules.  Each  of  the  overseas  subsidiaries 
complied  with 
is 
local  requirements.  Further 
available  from  the  individual  statutory  returns  of  subsidiary  life 
insurers. 

information 

188     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 38 Remuneration of Auditors  

a) Audit services 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Related practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Ernst & Young Australian firm 
Related practice of Ernst & Young Australian firm 
Other Auditors  

Total remuneration for audit services 

b) Non-audit services  
Audit related services 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Related practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Ernst & Young Australian firm 
Related practice of Ernst & Young Australian firm 
Total remuneration for audit related services  

Taxation services 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Related practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Total remuneration for tax related services 

Advisory 

Related practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm 
Ernst & Young Australian firm 
Related practice of Ernst & Young Australian firm 
Total remuneration for advisory services 
Total remuneration for non-audit services 
Total remuneration for audit and non-audit services 

2008
$’000 

9,711 
4,330 
- 
- 
- 
14,041 

3,066 
695 
- 
- 
3,761 

909 
1,102 
2,011 

123 
- 
- 
123 
5,895 
19,936 

Group 
2007 
$’000 

- 
- 
10,179 
2,189 
90 
12,458 

- 
- 
1,750 
770 
2,520 

- 
- 
- 

- 
239 
17 
256 
2,776 
15,234 

2008 
$’000 

7,111 
571 
- 
- 
- 
7,682 

2,544 
28 
- 
- 
2,572 

909 
440 
1,349 

38 
- 
- 
38 
3,959 
11,641 

Bank
2007
$’000 

- 
- 
8,652 
1,861 
- 
10,513 

- 
- 
- 
16 
16 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
16 
10,529 

(1) An additional amount of $5,877,085 was paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers (2007: $4,948,000 paid to Ernst & Young) by way of fees for entities not consolidated into 

the Financial Statements. Of this amount $4,527,545 (2007: $4,532,000) relates to statutory audits. 

All  other  fees  principally  include  transaction  support  services 
related  to  potential  and  actual  acquisition  and  disposition 
transactions  and  advice  regarding  implementation  of  revised 
compliance and regulatory requirements. 

The  Audit  Committee  has  considered  the  non-audit  services 
provided  by  PricewaterhouseCoopers  and  is  satisfied  that  the 
services  and  the  level  of  fees  are  compatible  with  maintaining 
auditors’ independence. All such services were approved by the 
Audit  Committee  in  accordance  with  pre-approved  policies  and 
procedures. 

Audit  related  fees  principally  include  audit  of  the  Group’s  U.S. 
disclosures  for  U.S.  investors,  services  in  relation  to  regulatory 
requirements  and  other  services  that  only  the  external  auditor 
can  provide,  as  well  as  investigations  and  reviews  of  internal 
control systems and financial or regulatory information.  

Note 39 Commitments for Capital Expenditure Not Provided for 

Not later than one year  
Total commitments for capital expenditure not provided for  

2008
$M 
45 
45 

Group 
2007 
$M 
34 
34 

2008 
$M 
41 
41 

Bank
2007
$M 
27 
27 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     189 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 40 Lease Commitments – Property, Plant and Equipment 

Commitments in respect of non-cancellable operating lease agreements due: 

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years 

Total lease commitments – property, plant and equipment 

2008
$M 

347 
850 
419 
1,616 

Group
2007
$M 

313 
778 
264 
1,355 

2008 
$M 

314 
756 
357 
1,427 

2008 
$M 

2 
3 
2 
7 

Bank
2007
$M 

284 
697 
236 
1,217 

Group 

2007
$M 

2 
3 
3 
8 

The  Group  as  lessee  has  no  purchase  options  over  premises 
occupied. In a small number of cases, the Group as lessee has 
a right of first refusal if the premises are to be sold. 

There are no restrictions imposed on the Group’s lease of space 
other 
lease 
forming  part  of 
arrangements for each specific premise. 

the  negotiated 

those 

than 

Group’s share of lease commitments of associated entities due: 

No later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years 

Total lease commitments – property, plant and equipment 

Lease Arrangements 

Leases  entered  into  by  the  Group  are  for  the  purpose  of 
accommodating the business needs. Leases may be over retail, 
commercial,  industrial  and  residential  premises  and  reflect  the 
needs  of  the  occupying  business  and  market  conditions.  All 
leases  are  negotiated  using  either 
internal  or  external 
professional property resources acting for the Group. 

Rental  payments  are  determined  in  terms  of  relevant  lease 
requirements, usually reflecting market rentals.  

190     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 41 Contingent Liabilities, Assets and Commitments  
The Group is involved in a range of transactions that give rise to 
contingent  and/or  future  liabilities  which  are  distinct  from 
transactions  and  other  events  that  result  in  the  recognition  of 
liabilities. These transactions meet the financing requirements of 
customers  and  include  endorsed  bills  of  exchange,  letters  of 
credit,  guarantees  and  commitments  to  provide  credit.  For 
further details on these items refer Note 1 (gg). 

These  transactions  combine  varying  levels  of  credit,  interest 
rate,  foreign  exchange  and  liquidity  risk.  In  accordance  with 
Bank policy, exposure to any of these transactions is not carried 
at  a  level  that  would  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the 
financial condition of the Bank and its controlled entities. 

Details of contingent liabilities and off-balance sheet business are: 

Credit risk related instruments (1) 
Guarantees 
Standby letters of credit 
Bill endorsements 
Documentary letters of credit 
Performance related contingents 
Commitments to provide credit 
Other commitments 
Total credit risk related instruments 

Face Value  

2008
$M 

2007 
$M 

2,802 
142 
61 
53 
1,870 
97,304 
8,846 
111,078 

2,851 
335 
84 
87 
2,046 
85,431 
10,888 
101,722 

Group
Credit Equivalent 

2008 
$M 

2,802 
142 
61 
53 
1,870 
83,499 
672 
89,099 

2007
$M 

2,851 
335 
84 
17 
1,023 
16,888 
960 
22,158 

(1) Differences between 2008 and 2007 credit equivalent amounts relate to adopting Basel II advanced internal ratings based approach for credit risk (previously 

calculated in accordance with Basel I). See below for more detail. 

Guarantees represent unconditional undertakings by the Group 
to support the obligations of its customers to third parties. 

Standby letters of credit are undertakings by the Group to pay, 
against production of documents, an obligation in the event of a 
default by a customer. 

Bill  endorsements  relate  to  bills  of  exchange  that  have  been 
endorsed  by  the  Group  and  represent  liabilities  in  the  event  of 
default by the acceptor and the drawer of the bill. 

Documentary letters of credit represent an undertaking to pay or 
accept  drafts  drawn  by  an  overseas  supplier  of  goods  against 
production  of  documents  in  the  event  of  payment  default  by  a 
customer. 

Performance  related  contingents  involve  undertakings  by  the 
Group to pay third parties if a customer fails to fulfil a contractual 
non-monetary obligation. 

Commitments to provide credit include all obligations on the part 
of the Group to provide credit facilities. These credit facilities are 
both fixed and variable. 

Fixed rate or fixed spread commitments extended to customers 
that  allow  net  settlement  of  the  change  in  the  value  of  the 
commitment  are  written  options  and  are  recorded  at  fair  value 
(Refer to Note 11 Derivative Assets and Liabilities). 

Other  commitments  include  the  Group’s  obligations  under  sale 
and  repurchase  agreements,  outright  forward  purchases  and 
forward deposits and underwriting facilities. Other commitments 
also include obligations not otherwise disclosed above to extend 
credit, that are irrevocable because they cannot be withdrawn at 
the discretion of the Bank without the risk of incurring significant 
penalty or expense. In addition commitments to purchase or sell 
loans are included in other commitments. 

transactions  are  categorised  and  credit  equivalents 
The 
risk  based 
calculated  under  APRA  guidelines 
measurement  of  capital  adequacy.  The  credit  equivalent 
amounts are a measure of the potential loss to the Group in the 
event of non-performance by the counterparty. 

the 

for 

Under  Basel  I  the  credit  equivalent  exposure  from  direct  credit 
substitutes  (guarantees,  standby  letters  of  credit  and  bill 
endorsements) is the face value of the transaction, whereas the 
credit  equivalent  exposure  to  documentary  letters  of  credit  and 
performance related contingents is 20% and 50% respectively of 
the face value. The exposure to commitments to provide credit is 
calculated by applying given credit conversion factors to the face 
value  to  reflect  the  duration,  nature  and  certainty  of  the 
contractual  undertaking  to  provide  the  facility.  The  amounts 
reflected assume that the amounts may be fully advanced. The 
contractual  amount  of  these  instruments  is  the  maximum 
amount at  risk if  the customer  fails to  meet its obligations.  The 
risk is similar to the risk involved in extending loan facilities. 

Under the Basel II advanced internal ratings approach for credit 
risk,  the  credit  equivalent  amount  is  the  face  value  of  the 
transaction,  on  the  basis  that  at  default  the  exposure  is  the 
amount fully advanced. Only where approved by APRA may an 
exposure  less  than  the  fully  advanced  amount  be  used  as  the 
credit equivalent exposure. 

As the potential loss depends on counterparty performance, the 
Group  utilises  the  same  credit  policies  and  assessment  criteria 
for off-balance sheet business as for on-balance sheet business 
and  if  deemed  necessary,  collateral  is  obtained  based  on 
management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. If an event 
has  occurred  that  gives  rise  to  a  present  obligation  and  it  is 
probable a loss will eventuate then provisions are raised. 

Contingent Assets  

The  credit  risk  related  contingent  liabilities  of  $111,078  million 
represent 
(2007:  $101,722  million)  detailed  above  also 
contingent assets of the Group, which may in the normal course 
convert to loans and other assets of the Group. 

Litigation 

Neither the Bank nor any of its controlled entities are engaged in 
any litigation or claim which is likely to have a materially adverse 
effect on the business, financial condition or operating results of 
the  Bank  or  any  of  its  controlled  entities.  Where  some  loss  is 
probable and can be reliably estimated an appropriate provision 
has been made. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     191 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 41 Contingent Liabilities, Assets and Commitments (continued) 

Fiduciary Activities 

The Group and its associated entities conduct investment management and other fiduciary activities as responsible entity, trustee, 
custodian or manager for numerous investment funds and trusts, including superannuation and approved deposit funds, wholesale 
and retail trusts.  

The amounts of funds concerned that are not reported in the Group’s Balance Sheet are as follows: 

2008 
$M 

2007
$M 

133,980 
20,632 
8,959 
10,389 
173,960 

115,954 
20,036 
11,349 
9,918 
157,257 

In  2005,  the  Bank  entered  into  lease  agreements  for  a  fully 
refurbished  existing  building  at  150  George  Street  Parramatta, 
with  Perpetual  Nominees  Limited  (as  a  custodian  for  the 
Colonial  First  State  Commercial  Property  Trust)  and  a  newly 
constructed  building  at  101  George  Street  Parramatta,  with 
Commonwealth  Custodial  Services  Limited,  relating  to  the 
provision  of  accommodation.  Both  buildings  have  an  average 
lease term of 10 years.  

In  2000,  the  Bank  entered  into  a  long  term  agreement  with 
TCNZ Australia Pty Ltd for the provision of telecommunications 
services. This agreement is due to expire in February 2009.  

Failure to Settle Risk 

The  Bank  is  subject  to  a  credit  risk  exposure  in  the  event  that 
another  financial  institution  fails  to  settle  for  its  payments 
clearing  activities,  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  and 
procedures  of  the  following  clearing  systems  of  the  Australian 
Payments  Clearing  Association  Limited:  The  Australian  Paper 
Clearing  System  (“Clearing  Stream  One”),  The  Bulk  Electronic 
Clearing  System  (“Clearing  Stream  Two”),  The  Consumer 
Electronic  Clearing  System  ("Clearing  Stream  Three")  and  the 
High  Value  Clearing  System  (“Clearing  Stream  Four”,  only  if 
operating  in  “bypass  mode”).  This  credit  risk  exposure  is 
unquantifiable  in  advance,  but  is  well  understood,  and  is 
extinguished upon settlement at 9am each business day. 

Service Agreements 

The  maximum  contingent  liability  for  termination  benefits  in 
respect  of  service  agreements  with  the  Chief  Executive  Officer 
and other Group Key Management Personnel at 30 June 2008 
was $13.6 million (2007: $5.1 million). 

Funds Under Administration  
Australia  
United Kingdom 
New Zealand  
Asia 
Total 

Certain  entities  within  the  Group  act  as  responsible  entity  or 
investment  schemes 
trustee  of  virtually  all  managed 
(“schemes”),  wholesale  and  retail  trusts  (“trusts”)  managed  by 
the  Group  in  Australia,  the  United  Kingdom  and  New  Zealand. 
The  above  Funds  Under  Administration  do  not  include  on 
balance sheet investments and policyholder liabilities held in the 
statutory funds of the life insurance business (refer to Note 10) 
where  an  entity  within  the  Group  may  act  as  a  trustee.  Where 
entities  within  the  Group  act  as  responsible  entity  of  managed 
investment  schemes,  obligations  may  exist  under  the  relevant 
constitutions whereby upon request from a scheme member, the 
responsible  entity  has  an  obligation  to  redeem  units  from  the 
assets  of  those  schemes.  Liabilities  are  incurred  by  these 
entities in their capacity as responsible  entity or  trustee.  Rights 
of  Indemnity  are  held  against  the  schemes  and  trusts  whose 
assets exceeded their liabilities at 30 June 2008. The Bank does 
not  provide  a  general  guarantee  of  the  performance  or 
obligations of its subsidiaries. 

Long Term Contracts 

In  April  2008,  the  Bank  signed  agreements  with  SAP  Australia 
Pty Limited and Accenture Australia Limited for its Core Banking 
Modernisation. 

In December 2007, the Bank entered into separate agreements 
with each of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, HCL Technologies 
Ltd  and  IBM  Australia  Ltd  for  the  provision  of  application 
software  related  services.  As  part  of  entering  into  these 
contracts, the Bank terminated certain parts of the previous long 
term  agreement  with  EDS  (Australia)  Pty  Ltd  relating  to 
application  software  services.  The  remaining  parts  of  the 
contract  with  EDS  (Australia)  Pty  Ltd  -  related  to  mainframe, 
midrange,  end  user  technology  and  cards-related  services  - 
continue until 2012. 

In  November  2007,  the  Bank  signed  a  lease  agreement  with 
DPT  Operator  Pty  Ltd  and  DPPT  Operator  Pty  Ltd  for 
accommodating  5,000  employees.  The  lease  term  for  Darling 
Park Tower 1 at 201 Sussex Street is for a term of 12 years. 

In  July  2006,  the  Bank  entered  into  a  lease  agreement  with 
Colonial First State Property Limited as trustee for both the Site 
6 Homebush Bay Trust, and for the Site 7 Homebush Bay Trust 
relating to the provision of accommodation. The development is 
a campus style multi-building facility at Sydney Olympic Park to 
accommodate  around  3,500  employees.  The  average  lease 
term is 12 years. 

192     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 41 Contingent Liabilities, Assets and Commitments (continued) 

Collateral 

The Group has entered into a range of transactions with counterparties which require lodgement of collateral subject to agreed market 
valuation movement thresholds. Where these thresholds are exceeded, the Group may be required to either pledge assets to, or be 
entiled to receive pledged assets from, the counterparty to secure these transactions. The assets pledged or received are primarily in 
the form of cash and bonds.  

The  Group  has  the  right  to  sell,  repledge,  or  otherwise  use  collateral  received  from  the  pledgor,  including  any  equity  or  right  of 
redemption by the pledgor. 

Collateral held  

Cash 
Assets at fair value through Income Statement 
Collateral held 

No securities have been repledged. 

2008
$M 
1,055 
2,532 
3,587 

Group 
2007 
$M 
379 
3,649 
4,028 

2008 
$M 
1,031 
2,017 
3,048 

Bank
2007
$M 
379 
3,271 
3,650 

The Group has secured liabilities of $4,143 million (2007: $5,516 million). The table below sets out the assets pledged to secure these 
liabilities. 

Assets pledged  

Cash 
Assets at fair value through Income Statement (1) 
Assets pledged 

2008
$M 
40 
2,035 
2,075 

Group 

2007 
$M 
2,069 
3,537 
5,606 

2008 
$M 
40 
2,027 
2,067 

Bank 

2007
$M 
2,069 
3,525 
5,594 

Thereof can be repledged or resold by counterparty 

1,435 

3,525 

1,427 

3,525 

(1) These balances include assets sold under repurchase agreements. The liabilities related to these repurchase agreements are disclosed in Note 23 Deposits and 

Other Public Borrowings. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     193 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Risk  

Credit risk is the potential of loss arising from failure of a debtor 
or  counterparty  to  meet  their  contractual  obligations.  It  arises 
primarily in the Group’s banking business from lending activities, 
the  provision  of  guarantees  including  letters  of  credit  and 
commitments  to  lend,  investment  in  bonds  and  notes,  financial 
markets  transactions  and  other  associated  activities.  In  the 
insurance business, credit risk arises from investment in bonds 
and notes, loans, and from reliance on reinsurance. 

The  Group  has  clearly  defined  policies,  procedures  and 
standards  (approved  and  governed  by  the  Risk  Committee  of 
the Board) for the approval and management of credit risk.  

The measurement of credit risk is based on an internal credit risk 
rating system, which uses analytical tools to estimate expected 
and unexpected loss for the credit portfolio.  

This includes consideration of the probability of default (PD), the 
exposure at default (EAD) and the loss given default (LGD). 

Various  risks  are  considered  when  calculating  PD,  EAD  and 
LGD.  Considerations  include  the  potential  for  default  by  a 
borrower due to economic, management, industry, economic or 
other risks and include the mitigating benefits of collateral.  

The  Group  provides  for  credit  impairment  whenever  there  is 
objective  evidence  that  impairment  exists  and  in  amounts 
adequate to cover assessed credit related losses. Credit losses 
arise primarily from loans but also from other credit instruments 
such as bank acceptances, contingent liabilities, guarantees and 
other financial instruments and assets acquired through security 
enforcement. 

Further information on the Group’s credit risk management and 
measurement is included in Note 15, Credit Risk Management. 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 42 Risk Management 

Risk Management  

The  Risk  Committee  of  the  Board  oversees  credit,  market 
(traded  and  non-traded),  funding  and  liquidity,  operational  and 
strategic business, business continuity, compliance and security 
risks  assumed  by  the  Group  in  the  course  of  carrying  on  its 
business. Further information of the role and function of the Risk 
Committee is discussed in the Corporate Governance section of 
this report. 

The  Group  has  in  place  an  integrated  risk  management 
framework to identify, assess, manage and report risks and risk 
adjusted  returns  on  a  consistent  and  reliable  basis.  This 
framework requires each Business Unit to manage the outcome 
of  its  risk-taking  activities,  and  enjoy  the  resulting  risk  adjusted 
returns.  Risk  management  professionals  employed  in  each 
Business  Unit  measure  risks  and  provide  advice  on  what  risks 
might be taken for better returns. These risk professionals report 
to the Group Chief Risk Officer, who in turn reports to the CEO 
and has direct reporting requirements to the Risk Committee of 
the Board. 

Independent  review  of  the  risk  management  framework  is 
carried out through Group Audit. 

Basel II 

On  10  December  2007,  the  Group  was  one  of  the  first  major 
banking groups in Australia to gain approval from the Australian 
Prudential  Regulation  Authority  (APRA)  to  use  the  advanced 
internal ratings-based approach for credit risk and the advanced 
measurement approach for operational  risk  for  the  purposes  of 
assessing  risk  weighted  assets  and  regulatory  capital.  These 
approvals took effect from 1 January 2008. 

APRA  gave  approval  to  the  Group  to  use  an  internal  model 
approach  for  assessing  capital  required  for  interest  rate  risk  in 
the  banking  book  on  30  June  2008.  This  approval  took  effect 
from 1 July 2008. 

The  measurement  of  market  risk  for  traded  assets  remains 
unchanged from the original Basel I approach. 

Further  detail  on  the  Group’s  assessment  of  regulatory  capital 
required under the new Basel II framework is discussed in Note 
35 Capital Adequacy. 

APRA  has  requested  that  the  Group  defer  the  release  of  its 
Basel II Pillar 3 disclosures until the last quarter of 2008, when 
the other major Australian banks release their disclosures, to aid 
in comparative analysis. 

The following sections describe the components of the Group’s 
integrated risk management framework. 

194     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Traded and Non-traded Market Risk 

For the purposes of market risk management, the Group makes 
a  distinction  between  traded  and  non-traded  market  risks. 
Traded  market  risks  arise  from  the  Group’s  trading  book 
activities  within  the  PBS,  Institutional  Banking  and  Global 
Markets business.  

The  predominant  non-traded  market  risk  is  interest  rate  risk  in 
the  Bank’s  balance  sheet.  Other  non-traded  market  risks  are 
liquidity risk, funding risk, structural foreign exchange risk arising 
from  capital  investments  in  offshore  operations,  non-traded 
equity price risk, market risk arising from the insurance business, 
and  residual  value  risk.  These  risks  are  considered  separately 
below.  

Market Risk Measurement 

The Group uses Value-at-Risk (VaR) as one of the measures of 
traded and non-traded market risk. VaR measures potential loss 
using  historically  observed  market  volatility  and  correlation 
between  different  markets.  The  measured  VaR  for  traded 
market  risk  uses  two  years  of  daily  market  movements.  The 
same  approach  is  used  to  measure  VaR  for  non-traded  risk 
based on 6 years of daily movements.  

VaR  is  modelled  at  a  97.5%  confidence  level  over  a  1-day 
holding  period  for  trading  book  positions  and  over  a  20-day 
holding period for banking book interest rate risk and insurance 
business market risk. 

Because VaR is not an estimate of the maximum economic loss 
that the Group could experience from an extreme market event, 
management  uses  stress  testing  to  measure  the  potential  for 
economic  loss  at  significantly  higher  confidence  levels  than 
97.5%. Management then uses these results in decisions made 
to manage the economic impact on market risk positions. 

The  following  table  provides  a  summary  of  VaR,  where 
applicable, for all market risks across the Group. 

Total Market Risk 
VaR (1-day 97.5% 
confidence) 

Traded Market Risk 
Non-Traded Interest 
Rate Risk 
Structural FX Risk (1) 
Non-Traded Equity 
Price Risk (1) 
Non-Traded Insurance 
Market Risk 
Residual Value Risk (1)
Defined Benefit 
Superannuation Risk (1)

Average 
VaR 
June 
2008 
$M 

Average 
VaR  
Dec 
2007 
$M 

Average 
VaR 
June
2007
$M 

Average 
VaR 
Dec
 2006
$M 

10. 85 

9. 12 

7. 98 

10. 33 

28. 50 
n/a 

15. 65 
n/a 

17. 20 
n/a 

10. 38 
n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

9. 30 
n/a 

8. 45 
n/a 

8. 44 
n/a 

8. 77 
n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

(1) Certain types of risk exposure are not suitable for VaR measurement. 

Traded Market Risk 

The Group trades and distributes financial markets products and 
provides risk management services to clients on a global basis. 

The objectives of the Group’s financial markets activities are to: 

•  Provide 

risk  management  products  and  services 

to 

customers; 

•  Efficiently assist in managing the Group’s own market risks; 

and 

•  Conduct  profitable  trading  within  a  controlled  framework, 
leveraging off the Group’s market presence and expertise. 

The Group maintains access to markets by quoting bid and offer 
prices  with  other  market  makers  and  carries  an  inventory  of 
treasury,  capital  market  and  risk  management  instruments, 
including a broad range of securities and derivatives. 

interest 

The  Group  is  a  participant  in  all  major  markets  across  foreign 
exchange  and 
rate  products,  debt,  equity  and 
commodities  products  as  required  to  provide  treasury,  capital 
markets  and 
institutional, 
risk  management  services 
corporate, middle market and retail customers.  

to 

Income is earned from spreads achieved through market making 
and  from  taking  market  risk.  All  trading  positions  are  valued  at 
fair value and taken to profit and loss on a mark to market basis. 
Market liquidity risk is controlled by concentrating trading activity 
in highly liquid markets. 

Trading  assets  at  fair  value  through  Income  Statement  are 
detailed  in  Note  10.  Trading  liabilities  at  fair  value  through 
Income  Statement  are  in  Note  25.  Note  2  details  the  income 
contribution  of  trading  activities  to  the  income  of  the  Group. 
Traded market  risk is  managed  under  a  market  risk policy  and 
limit  structure  approved  by  the  Risk  Committee  of  the  Board. 
Risk is monitored by an independent Market Risk Management 
function.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     195 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

The  following  table  provides  a  summary  of  VaR  for  the  trading 
book  of  the  Group.  The  VaR  for  ASB  is  shown  separately;  all 
other data relates to the Bank and is split by risk type. 

The  figures  in  the  following  table  represent  the  potential 
unfavourable change to the Bank’s net interest earnings during 
the  year  based  on  a  100  basis  point  parallel  rate  shock 
(increase) and the expected unfavourable net change in price of 
assets and liabilities held for purposes other than trading. 

Traded Market 
Risk VaR (1-day 
97.5% 
confidence) 
Risk Type 
Interest rate risk 
Exchange rate risk 
Implied volatility risk 
Equities risk 
Commodities risk 
Credit spread risk (1) 
Diversification 
benefit (1) 
Total general 
market risk 
Undiversified risk (1) 
ASB Bank 
Total  

Average 
VaR 
June 
2008 
$M 

Average 
VaR  
Dec 
2007 
$M 

Average 
VaR 
June 
2007 
$M 

Average 
VaR 
Dec
 2006
$M 

3. 88 
1. 34 
1. 04 
0. 45 
0. 92 
4. 65 

3. 92 
0. 99 
0. 86 
0. 35 
0. 74 
4. 00 

3. 61 
0. 78 
0. 69 
0. 15 
0. 65 
4. 22 

3. 08 
0. 54 
0. 57 
0. 14 
0. 71 
- 

(5. 62) 

(4. 80) 

(4. 17) 

(1. 73)

6. 66 
3. 08 
1. 11 
10. 85 

6. 06 
2. 33 
0. 73 
9. 12 

5. 93 
1. 60  
0. 45 
7. 98 

3. 31 
6. 75 
0. 27 
10. 33 

(1) In the half year to 30 June 2007, the Group implemented a new methodology 
for the measurement of credit spread VaR. The new methodology now captures 
the diversification benefit between credit spread risk and other risk types. Prior 
periods’ credit spread risk are reported in undiversified risk. 

Non-Traded Market Risk 

Non-traded  market  risk  activities  are  governed  by  the  Group 
market  risk  framework  approved  by  the  Risk  Committee  of  the 
Board.  Implementation  of  the  policy,  procedures  and  limits  for 
the  Bank  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Group  Executive  of  the 
associated Business Unit with senior management oversight by 
the  Group’s  Asset  and  Liability  Committee. 
Independent 
management of the non-traded market risk activities of offshore 
banking subsidiaries is delegated to the CEO of each entity with 
oversight by the local Asset and Liability Committee. 

Interest Rate Risk in the Balance Sheet 

Interest  rate  risk  in  the  Bank’s  Balance  Sheet  is  the  risk  of 
adverse  changes  in  expected  net  interest  earnings  in  current 
and future years from changes in interest rates on mismatched 
assets  and  liabilities  in  the  banking  book.  The  objective  is  to 
manage interest rate risk to achieve stable and sustainable net 
interest earnings in the long term. 

The Group measures and manages Balance Sheet interest rate 
risk in two ways: 

(a) Next 12 months’ earnings 

The  risk  to  net  interest  earnings  over  the  next  12  months  from 
changes in interest rates is measured on a monthly basis. Risk 
is measured assuming an instantaneous 100 basis point parallel 
movement  in  interest  rates  across  the  yield  curve.  Potential 
variations  in  net  interest  earnings  are  measured  using  a 
simulation model that takes into account the projected change in 
Balance  Sheet  asset  and  liability  levels  and  mix.  Assets  and 
liabilities with pricing directly based on market rates are repriced 
based on the full extent of the rate shock that is applied. Risk on 
the other assets  and liabilities (those priced at the discretion of 
the  Group)  are  measured  by  taking  into  account  both  the 
manner in which the products have repriced in the past as well 
as  the  expected  change  in  price  based  on  the  current 
competitive market environment. 

196     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

Net Interest 
Earnings At Risk 
Average monthly 
exposure 

High monthly 
exposure 

Low monthly 
exposure 

  30/06/08
$M 
28. 1 
15. 6 
70. 0 
24. 3 
0. 4 
3. 9 

AUD 
NZD 
AUD 
NZD 
AUD 
NZD 

31/12/07 
$M 
45. 0 
6. 9 
57. 5 
12. 9 
29. 0 
3. 1 

30/06/07 
$M 
67. 7 
4. 4 
101. 3 
6. 1 
44. 0 
1. 9 

31/12/06
$M 
75. 4 
6. 7 
122. 1 
8. 2 
27. 6 
5. 0 

(b) Economic Value  

A 20-day 97.5% VaR measure is used to capture the economic 
impact of adverse changes in interest rates on all banking book 
assets  and  liabilities.  This  analysis  measures  the  potential 
change  in  the  net  present  value  of  cash  flows  of  assets  and 
liabilities.  Cash  flows  for  fixed  rate  products  are  included  on  a 
contractual  basis,  after  adjustment  for  forecast  prepayment 
activities.  Cash  flows  for  products  repriced  at  the  discretion  of 
the Group are based on the expected repricing characteristics of 
those products.  

The figures in the following table represent the net present value 
of  the  expected  change  in  the  Group’s  future  earnings  in  all 
future  periods  for  the  remaining  term  of  all  existing  assets  and 
liabilities. 

Non-Traded 
Interest Rate VaR 
(20 day 97.5% 
confidence) (1) (2) 

Average 
VaR 
June 
2008 
$M 

Average 
VaR  
Dec  
2007  
$M 

Average 
VaR  
June 
2007 
$M 

Average 
VaR 
Dec 
2006
 $M 

AUD Interest rate risk
NZD Interest rate risk

123. 6 
3. 8 

65. 8 
4. 2 

74. 2 
2. 7 

43. 9 
2. 5 

(1) ASB data (expressed in NZD) is for the month end date. 

(2) VaR is only for entities that have material risk exposure. 

Structural Foreign Exchange Risk 

Foreign exchange risk is the risk to earnings and value caused 
by  a  change  in  foreign  exchange  rates.  Structural,  Balance 
Sheet,  foreign  exchange  risk  is  managed  in  accordance  with 
principles  approved  by  the  Risk  Committee  of  the  Board. 
Hedging strategies are based on the source of the funds and the 
expected  life  of  the  investments.  The  Group  principally  hedges 
Balance  Sheet  foreign  exchange  risks  except  for  long  term 
investments in offshore branches and subsidiaries. The Group’s 
only  significant  structural  foreign  exchange  exposure  is  within 
ASB. 

Non-traded Equity Price Risk 

The Group retains non-traded equity price risk through strategic 
investments  and  business  development  activities  in  divisions 
including  PBS,  IFS  and  Wealth  Management.  This  activity  is 
subject  to  governance  arrangements  approved  by  the  Risk 
Committee of the Board, and is monitored on a centralised basis 
within  the  Market  Risk  Management  function.  The  impact  of  a 
10% change in fair value on the total non-traded equity price risk 
exposure at 30 June 2008 is $180 million. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Residual Value Risk 

rail,  aircraft,  marine 

The Group takes residual value risk on assets such as industrial 
and  mining  equipment, 
technology, 
healthcare  and  other  equipment.  A  residual  value  guarantee 
exposes  the  business  to  the  movement  in  second  hand  asset 
prices.  The  residual  value  risk  within  the  Group  is  controlled 
through  a  risk  management  framework  approved  by  the  Risk 
Committee  of  the  Board.  The  framework  includes  asset, 
geographic  and  maturity  concentration  limits  and  stress  testing 
independent  Market  Risk 
the 
which 
Management function.  

is  performed  by 

Market Risk in Insurance Businesses 

A  significant  component  of  the  Group's  non-traded  market  risk 

activities  result  from  the  holding  of  assets  related  to  the 

insurance business.  

All financial assets within the life statutory funds directly support 

either the Group's life insurance or life investment contracts. The 

Group retains market risk on contracts with guaranteed liabilities. 

The  Group  manages  this  risk  by  the  monthly  monitoring  and 

rebalancing  of  assets  to  contract  liabilities.  A  small  portion  of 

financial  assets  held  within  the  insurance  business  relate  to 

shareholder  funds;  the  majority  of  these  are  debt  securities  for 

which  the  interest  rate  risk  is  included  within  the  Group's 

measurement of interest rate risk. 

In addition, market risk in the life insurance business arises from 

mismatches  between  assets  and  liabilities.  Guaranteed  returns 

are offered on some classes of policy. These liabilities may not 

be easily hedged through matching assets. Wherever possible, 

the  Group  segregates  policyholders’  funds  from  Shareholders’ 

funds  and  sets  investment  mandates  that  are  appropriate  for 

each.  

Market risk arises when market movements reduce funds under 

administration  and  resulting  fee  income  on  investment-linked 

policies.  Market  risk  also  arises  on  returns  obtained  from 

investing life company Shareholders’ capital.  

As  at  30  June  2008,  Shareholders’  funds  in  the  life  insurance 
business  are  invested  78%  in  income  assets  (cash  and  fixed 
interest)  and  22%  in  growth  assets  (shares  and  property)  with 
the  asset  mix  varying  from  company  to  company.  Policyholder 
funds are invested to meet the objectives of the policies in force. 

The ability to match asset characteristics with policy obligations 
may be constrained by a number of factors including regulatory 
constraints,  the  lack  of  suitable  investments  as  well  as  by  the 
nature of the policy liabilities themselves. 

A 
for 
large  proportion  of  policyholders’  assets  are  held 
investment linked policies where the policyholder takes the risk 
of falls in the market value of the assets.  

A smaller proportion of policyholders’ assets are held to support 
policies  where  life  companies  have  guaranteed  either  the 
principal 
investment  return  (“guaranteed 
policies’”)  where  investment  mandates  for  these  classes  of 
policies emphasise lower volatility assets such as cash and fixed 
interest.  

invested  or 

the 

As at 30 June 2008, if credit spreads were to widen by 50 basis 
points,  the  impact  on  the  Australian  life  insurance  business 
would have been a loss of approximately $24 million before tax. 

Liquidity  risk  is  not  a  significant  issue  in  life  insurance 
companies.  The  life  insurance  companies  in  the  Group  hold 
substantial  investments  in  highly  liquid  assets  such  as  listed 
shares,  government  bonds  and  bank  deposits.  Furthermore, 
processing  time  for  claims  and  redemptions  enables  each 
company to forecast and manage its liquidity needs. 

Further  information  on  the  insurance  business  can  be  found  in 
Note 37, Life Insurance Business. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     197 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

The  following  table  represents  the  Group’s  contractual  interest 
rate sensitivity for repricing mismatches as at 30 June 2008 and 
corresponding weighted average effective interest rates. The net 
mismatch  represents  the  net  value  of  assets,  liabilities  and  off-
balance  sheet  instruments  that  may  be  repriced  in  the  time 
periods shown. 

All  assets  and  liabilities  are  shown  according  to  contractual 
repricing dates. Options are shown in the mismatch report using 
the delta equivalents of the option face values. 

Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity 

Australia  
Assets  
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions 
Assets at fair value through Income 
Statement: 
Trading  
Insurance  
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables  
Bank acceptances of customers  
Property, plant and equipment  
Investment in associates 
Intangible assets  
Deferred tax assets 
Other assets  
Assets held for sale 
Total assets  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public 
borrowings  
Payables due to other financial 
institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through 
Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities 
Bank acceptances  
Current tax liabilities 
Other provisions  
Insurance policy liabilities  
Debt issues  
Managed funds units on issue 
Bills payable and other liabilities 

Loan capital 
Total liabilities  

Shareholders’ equity 
Share capital and other equity 
Minority interests 
Total Shareholders’ equity  

Derivatives 

Net mismatch 
Cumulative mismatch 

Balance 
Sheet 
Total 
$M 

0 to 1 
month 
$M 

1 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 6 
months
$M 

6 to 12 
months
$M 

1 to 5 
years 
$M 

Over 5 
years  
$M 

Not 
Interest 
Bearing 
$M 

Weighted 
Average 
Rate
% 

Repricing Period at 30 June 2008 

4,841 

4,042 

- 

4,880 

4,097 

461 

18,457 
18,676 
295 
16,339 
7,164 

305,475 
18,278 
1,449 
906 
7,618 
33 
5,402 
412 
410,225 

18,210 
1,503 
274 
- 
2,131 

215,054 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
245,311 

70 
1,301 
- 
- 
466 

14,716 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
17,014 

- 

91 

- 
42 
- 
- 
412 

7,660 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8,205 

- 

- 

37 
465 
- 
- 
- 

15,069 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
15,571 

- 

- 

- 

- 

799 

6. 74 

231 

3. 90 

112 
2,961 
21 
- 
3,584 

50,434 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
57,112 

28 
2,769 
- 
- 
251 

3,801 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
140 
6,989 

- 
9,635 
- 
16,339 
320 

(1,259) 
18,278 
1,449 
906 
7,618 
33 
5,402 
272 
60,023 

7. 81 
7. 86 
7. 98 
- 
8. 85 

7. 83 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10. 00 
(3) 

233,934 

162,993 

38,687 

15,268 

7,817 

3,005 

22 

6,142 

6. 81 

4,390 

4,146 

240 

- 

4 

- 

- 

- 

5. 33 

2,915 
16,893 
18,278 
696 
1,129 
16,594 
67,119 
1,109 
6,532 
369,589 
9,085 
378,674 

24,542 
1 
24,543 

(2) 

(2) 
(2) 

1,871 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
22,722 
- 
- 
191,732 
2,261 
193,993 

15 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
12,559 
- 
- 
51,501 
3,970 
55,471 

18 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,266 
- 
- 
19,552 
- 
19,552 

56 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
5,195 
- 
- 
13,072 
300 
13,372 

698 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
20,969 
- 
- 
24,672 
1,385 
26,057 

257 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
1,408 
- 
- 
1,687 
1,169 
2,856 

- 
16,893 
18,278 
696 
1,129 
16,594(1) 
- 
1,109 
6,532 
67,373 
- 
67,373 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

24,542 
1 
24,543 

(22,559) 

(4,501)

7,999 

17,976 

2,251 

(1,166) 

- 

28,759 
28,759 

(42,958)
(14,199)

(3,348)
(17,547)

20,175 
2,628 

33,306 
35,934 

2,967 
38,901 

(31,893) 
7,008 

6. 86 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
5. 92 
- 
- 

5. 95 
(3) 

- 
- 

(3) 

(3) 
(3) 

(1) Technically, the insurance policy liabilities are not interest bearing, but the amount of the liability may change in line with changes in interest rates, particularly with 

investment linked policies. 

(2) No Balance Sheet amount applicable. 

(3) No rate applicable. 

198     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity 

Repricing Period at 30 June 2008 

Balance 
Sheet 
Total 
$M 

0 to 1 
month
$M 

1 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 6 
months
$M 

6 to 12 
months
$M 

1 to 5 
years  
$M 

Over 5 
years  
$M 

Not 
Interest 
Bearing
$M 

Weighted 
Average 
Rate
% 

Overseas  
Assets  
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions 
Assets at fair value through Income 
Statement: 
Trading  
Insurance  
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale investments  
Loans, advances and other 
receivables  
Property, plant and equipment  
Intangible assets  
Deferred tax assets 
Other assets  
Assets held for sale 
Total assets  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public 
borrowings  
Payables due to other financial 
institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through 
Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities 
Current tax liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Other provisions  
Insurance policy liabilities  
Debt issues  
Bills payable and other liabilities 

Loan capital 
Total liabilities  

Shareholders’ equity 
Share capital and other equity 
Minority interests 
Total Shareholders’ equity  

Derivatives 

Net mismatch 
Cumulative mismatch 

12,611 
2,648 
72 
266 
45 
1,901 
18,698 
992 
80,287 
2,474 
82,761 

1,077 
517 
1,594 

(2) 

(2) 
(2) 

2,895 

2,764 

40 

- 

2,104 

1,249 

467 

216 

3,219 
1,974 
2,971 
1,893 
4,324 

55,807 
191 
640 
43 
1,090 
196 
77,347 

569 
644 
1,079 
- 
1,061 

15,312 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
22,678 

1,676 
12 
793 
- 
165 

7,485 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10,638 

166 
17 
87 
- 
1,269 

5,655 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7,410 

3 

47 

5 
5 
291 
- 
1,226 

6,610 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8,187 

- 

- 

667 
25 
701 
- 
567 

19,667 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
21,627 

- 

- 

88 

4. 19 

125 

3. 55 

134 
167 
- 
- 
3 

1,165 
- 
- 
- 
- 
51 
1,520 

2 
1,104 
20 
1,893 
33 

(87)
191 
640 
43 
1,090 
145 
5,287 

7. 80 
3. 41 
5. 28 
- 
4. 34 

8. 16 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10. 00 
(3) 

29,772 

16,057 

5,713 

3,353 

2,487 

676 

18 

1,468 

5. 85 

13,282 

11,226 

1,740 

315 

1 

- 

- 

3. 00 

1,635 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,436 
- 
35,354 
1,442 
36,796 

4,218 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
9,723 
- 
21,394 
- 
21,394 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

2,768 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
1,031 
- 
7,467 
- 
7,467 

- 
- 
- 

1,262 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
858 
- 
4,608 
- 
4,608 

- 
- 
- 

2,712 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
498 
- 
3,886 
455 
4,341 

- 
- 
- 

- 

16 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
152 
- 
186 
577 
763 

- 
2,648 
72 
266 
45 
1,901(1)
- 
992 
7,392 
- 
7,392 

- 
- 
- 

1,077 
517 
1,594 

6. 34 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
3. 69 
- 

7. 98 
(3) 

- 
- 

(3) 

(3) 
(3) 

2,662 

13,353 

(1,604)

(599)

(13,543) 

(269) 

- 

(11,456)
(11,456)

2,597 
(8,859)

(1,661)
(10,520)

2,980 
(7,540)

3,743 
(3,797) 

488 
(3,309) 

(3,699)
(7,008)

(1) Technically, the insurance policy liabilities are not interest bearing, but the amount of the liability may change in line with changes in interest rates, particularly with 

investment linked policies. 

(2) No Balance Sheet amount applicable. 

(3) No rate applicable. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     199 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity (4)

Repricing Period at 30 June 2007 

Balance 
Sheet 
Total 
$M 

0 to 1 
month 
$M 

1 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 6 
months
$M 

6 to 12 
months
$M 

1 to 5 
years 
$M 

Over 5 
years  
$M 

Not 
Interest 
Bearing 
$M 

Weighted 
Average 
Rate
% 

Australia  
Assets  
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions 
Assets at fair value through Income 
Statement: 
Trading  
Insurance  
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale investments 
Loans, advances and other 
receivables  
Bank acceptances of customers  
Property, plant and equipment  
Investment in associates 
Intangible assets  
Deferred tax assets 
Other assets  
Assets held for sale 
Total assets  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public 
borrowings  
Payables due to other financial 
institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through 
Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities 
Bank acceptances  
Current tax liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Other provisions  
Insurance policy liabilities  
Debt issues  
Managed funds units on issue 
Bills payable and other liabilities 

Loan capital 
Total liabilities  

Shareholders’ equity 
Share capital and other equity 
Minority interests 
Total Shareholders’ equity  

Derivatives 

Net mismatch 
Cumulative mismatch 

5,984 

5,173 

2 

2,809 

2,375 

288 

19,011 
20,820 
423 
8,974 
5,445 

262,251 
18,721 
1,229 
836 
7,254 
146 
5,982 
303 
360,188 

18,935 
- 
401 
- 
569 

170,149 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
197,602 

50 
2,801 
- 
- 
392 

15,785 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
19,318 

- 

33 

- 
112 
- 
- 
348 

6,930 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7,423 

- 

- 

- 
169 
- 
- 
392 

14,298 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
14,859 

- 

- 

- 

- 

809 

5. 44 

113 

4. 78 

- 
3,403 
22 
- 
2,273 

52,217 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
57,915 

- 
3,492 
- 
- 
683 

3,813 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7,988 

26 
10,843 
- 
8,974 
788 

(941) 
18,721 
1,229 
836 
7,254 
146 
5,982 
303 
55,083 

5. 64 
6. 94 
6. 42 
- 
6. 44 

7. 43 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(3) 

190,718 

131,732 

23,700 

14,529 

11,927 

1,644 

524 

6,662 

5. 71 

4,208 

3,681 

120 

111 

296 

- 

- 

- 

5. 59 

4,133 
13,140 
18,721 
866 
556 
842 
19,079 
70,944 
310 
7,295 
330,812 
9,195 
340,007 

23,536 
7 
23,543 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

3,856 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
11,357 
- 
- 
150,626 
525 
151,151 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
20,771 
- 
- 
44,591 
3,892 
48,483 

68 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
5,304 
- 
- 
20,012 
119 
20,131 

37 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,818 
- 
- 
19,078 
- 
19,078 

150 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
18,503 
- 
- 
20,297 
1,307 
21,604 

22 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8,191 
- 
- 
8,737 
3,352 
12,089 

- 
13,140 
18,721 
866 
556 
842 
19,079(1) 
- 
310 
7,295 
67,471 
- 
67,471 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

23,536 
7 
23,543 

13,671 

(7,646)

(14,440)

12,238 

(3,331)

(492) 

- 

60,122 
60,122 

(36,811)
23,311 

(27,148)
(3,837)

8,019 
4,182 

32,980 
37,162 

(4,593) 
32,569 

(35,931) 
(3,362) 

6. 21 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6. 33 
- 
- 

5. 88 
(3) 

- 
- 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(1) Technically, the insurance policy liabilities are not interest bearing, but the amount of the liability may change in line with changes in interest rates, particularly with 

investment linked policies. 

(2) No Balance Sheet amount applicable. 

(3) No rate applicable. 

(4) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

200     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity (4)

Repricing Period at 30 June 2007 

Balance 
Sheet 
Total 
$M 

0 to 1 
month
$M 

1 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 6 
months
$M 

6 to 12 
months
$M 

1 to 5 
years  
$M 

Over 5 
years  
$M 

Overseas  
Assets  
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other 
financial institutions 
Assets at fair value through Income 
Statement: 
Trading  
Insurance  
Other  

Derivative assets  
Available-for-sale investments  
Loans, advances and other 
receivables  
Property, plant and equipment  
Investment in associates 
Intangible assets  
Deferred tax assets 
Other assets  
Assets held for sale 
Total assets  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public 
borrowings  
Payables due to other financial 
institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through 
Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities 
Current tax liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Other provisions  
Insurance policy liabilities  
Debt issues  
Bills payable and other liabilities 

Loan capital 
Total liabilities  

Shareholders’ equity 
Share capital and other equity 
Minority interests 
Total Shareholders’ equity  

Derivatives 

Net mismatch 
Cumulative mismatch 

4,124 

3,681 

2,686 

734 

358 

979 

2,458 
2,699 
3,650 
3,769 
4,227 

53,214 
207 
- 
581 
108 
1,175 
1,071 
79,969 

390 
1,043 
426 
- 
480 

16,674 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
23,428 

1,296 
1 
2,520 
- 
2,025 

6,842 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
14,021 

41 

82 

153 
1 
74 
- 
714 

3,893 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,958 

8 

- 

132 
- 
333 
- 
580 

5,348 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,401 

- 

- 

367 
26 
253 
- 
417 

19,583 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
20,646 

28,350 

16,174 

4,126 

2,992 

2,307 

933 

10,178 

7,895 

1,292 

572 

419 

- 

95 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
872 
- 
25,036 
- 
25,036 

6,262 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,260 
- 
17,940 
- 
17,940 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

1,577 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
1,297 
- 
6,438 
- 
6,438 

- 
- 
- 

1,199 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7,872 
- 
11,797 
- 
11,797 

- 
- 
- 

3,120 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
1,280 
- 
5,333 
182 
5,515 

- 
- 
- 

12,263 
3,540 
16 
352 
36 
2,534 
17,581 
51 
74,901 
805 
75,706 

396 
505 
901 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

Not 
Interest 
Bearing
$M 

Weighted 
Average 
Rate
% 

36 

6. 96 

865 

5. 21 

- 
1,556 
21 
3,769 
3 

(93)
207 
- 
581 
108 
1,175 
765 
8,993 

7. 58 
2. 33 
7. 50 
- 
5. 39 

7. 96 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10. 00 
(3) 

1,818 

6. 51 

- 

4. 75 

- 
3,540 
16 
352 
36 
2,534(1) 
- 
51 
8,347 
- 
8,347 

396 
505 
901 

5. 69 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
5. 30 
- 

5. 73 
(3) 

- 
- 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

- 

26 

120 
72 
23 
- 
8 

967 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
306 
1,522 

- 

- 

10 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10 
623 
633 

- 
- 
- 

(1,857)

19,777 

32 

(2,668)

(16,801) 

1,517 

(3,465)
(3,465)

15,858 
12,393 

(1,448)
10,945 

(8,064)
2,881 

(1,670) 
1,211 

2,406 
3,617 

(255)
3,362 

(1) Technically, the insurance policy liabilities are not interest bearing, but the amount of the liability may change in line with changes in interest rates, particularly with 

investment linked policies. 

(2) No Balance Sheet amount applicable. 

(3) No rate applicable. 

(4) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Liquidity and Funding Risk 

Overview  

Balance  Sheet  liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  of  being  unable  to  meet 
financial  obligations  as  they  fall  due.  The  Group  manages 
liquidity requirements by currency and by geographical location 
of  its  operations.  Subsidiaries  are  also  included  in  the  Group’s 
liquidity policy framework. 

Funding  risk  is  the  risk  of  over-reliance  on  a  funding  source  to 
the  extent  that  a  change  in  that  funding  source  could  increase 
overall  funding  costs  or  cause  difficulty  in  raising  funds.  The 
funding  requirements  are  integrated  into  the  Group’s  liquidity 
and funding policy with its aim to ensure the Group has a stable 
diversified funding base without over-reliance on any one market 
sector. 

The  Group’s  liquidity  and  funding  policies  are  designed  to 
ensure it will meet its obligations as and when they fall due, by 
ensuring it is able to borrow funds on an unsecured basis, or has 
sufficient quality assets to borrow against on a secured basis, or 
has  sufficient  quality  liquid  assets  to  sell  to  raise  immediate 
funds without adversely affecting the Group’s net asset value.  

The  Group’s  funding  policies  and  risk  management  framework 
complement the Group’s liquidity policies by ensuring an optimal 
liability  structure  to  finance  the  Group’s  businesses.  The  long 
term  stability  and  security  of  the  Group’s  funding  is  also 
designed  to  protect  its  liquidity  position  in  the  event  of  a  crisis 
specific to the Group. 

The Group’s liquidity policies are designed to ensure it maintains 
sufficient  cash  balances  and  liquid  asset  holdings  to  meet  its 
obligations to customers, in both ordinary market conditions and 
during periods of extreme stress. These policies are intended to 
protect  the  value  of  the  Group’s  operations  during  periods  of 
unfavourable market conditions, such as have been experienced 
since August 2007. 

The Group’s funding policies are designed to achieve diversified 
sources of funding by product, term, maturity date, investor type, 
investor  location,  jurisdiction,  currency  and  concentration,  on  a 
cost-effective  basis.  This  objective  applies  to  the  Group’s 
wholesale and retail funding activities. The Group’s retail funding 
base formed approximately 57% of its total funding requirements 
as at 30 June 2008. 

The  Risk  Management  Framework  for  Liquidity  and 
Funding 

The  Group’s  liquidity  and  funding  policies  are  approved  by  the 
Board  and  agreed  with  the  Australian  Prudential  Regulation 
Authority  (“APRA”).  The  Group  has  an  Asset  and  Liability 
Committee  whose  charter  includes  reviewing  the  management 
of  assets  and  liabilities,  reviewing  liquidity  and  funding  policies 
and  strategies, as  well as  regularly  monitoring compliance  with 
those  policies  across  the  Group.  The  Group  Treasury  division 
manages 
in 
accordance with the Group’s liquidity policy, including monitoring 
and  satisfying  the  liquidity  needs  of  the  Group  and  its 
subsidiaries.  

funding  positions 

liquidity  and 

the  Group’s 

Larger  domestic  subsidiaries,  such  as  CBFC  Limited  and 
subsidiaries  within  the  Colonial  Group,  also  apply  their  own 
liquidity and funding methods to address their specific needs.  

The  Group’s  New  Zealand  banking  subsidiary,  ASB  Bank 
Limited (“ASB”), manages its own domestic liquidity and funding 
needs  in  accordance  with  its  own  liquidity  policies  and  the 
policies of the Group. ASB’s liquidity policy is also overseen by 
the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.  

202     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

The  Group  also  has  relatively  small  banking  subsidiaries  in 
Indonesia  and  Fiji  that  manage  their  liquidity  and  funding  on  a 
similar basis.  

The Group’s Financial Services and Risk Management divisions 
provide prudential oversight of the Group’s liquidity and funding 
risk  and  manage  the  Group’s  relationship  with  prudential 
regulators. 

Liquidity and Funding Policies and Management 

The Group’s liquidity and funding policies provide that: 

•  Balance  sheet  assets  that  cannot  be  liquidated  quickly  are 
funded with deposits or term borrowings that meet minimum 
maturity requirements with appropriate liquidity buffers; 

•  Short and long term wholesale funding limits are established 
and  reviewed  regularly  based  on  surveys  and  analysis  of 
market capacity; 

•  A minimum level of assets are retained in highly liquid form; 

•  The  level  of  liquid  assets  complies  with  crisis  scenario 
assumptions  related  to  “worst  case”  wholesale  and  retail 
market  conditions;  is  adequate  to  meet  known  funding 
obligations over certain timeframes; and are allocated across 
Australian dollar and foreign currency denominated securities 
in accordance with specific calculations; 

•  Certain levels of liquid assets are held to provide for the risk 
of  the  Group’s  committed  but  un-drawn  lending  obligations 
being  drawn  by  customers,  as  calculated  based  on  draw 
down estimates and forecasts; and 

•  The  Group  maintains  certain 

levels  of 

liquid  assets 
categories within its liquid assets portfolio. The first category 
includes  negotiable  certificates  of  deposit  of  Australian 
banks,  bank  bills,  Commonwealth  of  Australia  Government 
and Australian state and semi-government bonds and supra-
national  bonds  eligible for  repurchase by the  Reserve Bank 
of Australia (“RBA”) at any time. The second category is AAA 
and  A-1+  rated  Australian  residential  mortgage  backed 
securities that meet certain minimum requirements. 

At  30  June  2008  around  98%  of  the  Group’s  Australian  dollar 
liquid assets qualified for repurchase by the RBA at any time. 

The Group’s key liquidity tools include: 

•  A liquidity management model similar to a “cash flow ladder” 
or “maturity gap analysis”, that allows forecasting of liquidity 
needs on a daily basis; 

•  An  additional  liquidity  management  model  that  implements 
the  agreed  prudential  liquidity  policies.  This  model  is 
calibrated  with  a  series  of  “worst  case”  liquidity  crisis 
scenarios,  incorporating  both  systemic  and  “name”  crisis 
assumptions,  such  that  the  Group  will  have  sufficient  liquid 
assets  available  to  ensure  it  meets  all  of  its  obligations  as 
and when they fall due; 

•  The  RBA’s  repurchase  agreement  facilities  provide  the 
Group  with  the  ability  to  borrow  funds  on  a  secured  basis, 
even when normal funding markets are unavailable; and 

•  The  Group’s  various  short  term  funding  programmes  are 
supplemented by the Interbank Deposit Agreement between 
the four major Australian banks. This agreement is similar to 
a  standby  liquidity  facility  that  allows  the  Group  to  access 
funding in various crisis circumstances. 

Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Recent Market Environment 

Although  the  cost  of  liquidity  and  funding  has  increased 
significantly  since  July  2007  due  to  unfavourable  market 
conditions,  the  Group’s  liquidity  and  funding  policies  have 
remained  unchanged  throughout  this  period,  as  they  have 
proven to be effective. 

The  Group  has  managed  its  liquidity  to  avoid  concentrations 
such  as  dependence  on  single  sources  of  funding  and  has 
taken  advantage  of  its  diversified  funding  base  and  significant 
funding capacity in the global unsecured debt markets. 

In  October  2007,  the  RBA  expanded  the  range  of  eligible 
securities to include highly rated Australian residential mortgage 
backed  securitisation  utilising  its  own  prime  mortgages  that 
could provide up to $12.25 billion of additional funding from the 
RBA should markets significantly deteriorate.  

Details  of  the  Group’s  regulatory  capital  position  and  capital 
management  activities  are  disclosed  in  Note  35  Capital 
Adequacy. 

Liquidity and Funding Risk (continued) 

The Group’s key funding tools include: 

• 
• 

• 

Its consumer, small business and institutional deposit base; 

transaction  accounts, 

Its  consumer  retail  funding  base  includes  a  wide  range  of 
term 
retail 
deposits  and  retirement  style  accounts 
individual 
consumers; and 

investment  accounts, 

for 

international  and  domestic 

funding 
Its  wholesale 
programmes which includes its: Australian dollar Negotiable 
Certificates  of  Deposit  programme;  Transferable  Certificate 
of  Deposit  programme;  Australian  dollar  bank  bill 
programme;  Australian,  U.S.  and  Euro  Commercial  Paper 
programmes; U.S. Extendible Notes programme; Australian 
dollar  domestic  borrowing  programme;  U.S.  Medium  Term 
Note Programme; Euro Medium Term Note Programme and 
its Medallion “Regulation AB” securitisation programme. 

The  chart  below  illustrates  the  liquidity  profile  of  the  Group’s 
outstanding  wholesale  debt  liabilities  at  30  June  2008,  broken 
down by type of debt instrument and maturity. 

n
o

i
l
l
i

b
$

25

20

15

10

5

-

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019+

Financial Year

Domestic Offshore

Securitisation

Structured

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     203 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Maturity Analysis of Monetary Liabilities  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public borrowings (1) 
Payables to other financial institutions  
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities (2) 
Bank acceptances  
Insurance policy liabilities 
Debt issues and loan capital  
Managed funds units on issue 
Other monetary liabilities 
Total monetary liabilities 

At call
$M 

135,763 
1,893 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
747 
138,403 

0 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 12 
months
$M 

76,884 
15,436 
7,990 
16,909 
18,041 
- 
24,008 
- 
2,170 
161,438 

50,896 
419 
4,271 
159 
237 
- 
16,794 
- 
1,199 
73,975 

1 to 5 
years 
$M 

4,537 
- 
2,834 
3,746 
- 
- 
43,924 
- 
506 
55,547 

Group
Maturity Period At 30 June 2008 

Over 5 
years 
$M 

Not 
Specified 
$M 

62 
- 
1,984 
2,927 
- 
- 
33,533 
- 
- 
38,506 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
18,495 
- 
1,109 
542 
20,146 

Total
$M 

268,142 
17,748 
17,079 
23,741 
18,278 
18,495 
118,259 
1,109 
5,164 
488,015 

(1) Includes substantial “core” deposits that are contractually at call customer savings and cheque accounts. Historical experience is that such accounts provide a stable 
source of long term funding for the Bank. Also refer to Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity table. 

(2)  Gross  payable  amounts  on  cross  currency  swaps  have  been  reported  in  derivative  liabilities.  The Group  has  corresponding  receivables  on  these  cross  currency 
swaps that have not been reported, in accordance with the requirements of AASB 7 Financial Instruments Disclosures. The terms of the cross currency swap agreement
entered into by the Group allow for net settlement in the event of certain specific circumstances including default of the counter parties. 

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public borrowings (1) 
Payables to other financial institutions  
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities (2) 
Bank acceptances  
Insurance policy liabilities 
Debt issues and loan capital  
Managed funds units on issue 
Other monetary liabilities 
Total monetary liabilities 

At call
$M 

132,180 
2,855 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
642 
135,677 

0 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 12 
months
$M 

56,338 
10,049 
8,436 
14,770 
18,413 
- 
11,778 
- 
3,774 
123,558 

30,357 
1,623 
3,806 
2,012 
308 
- 
22,365 
- 
296 
60,767 

1 to 5 
years 
$M 

3,622 
- 
3,011 
4,629 
- 
- 
50,560 
- 
208 
62,030 

Group
Maturity Period At 30 June 2007 

Over 5 
years 
$M 

Not 
Specified 
$M 

68 
- 
2,191 
2,327 
- 
- 
39,886 
- 
- 
44,472 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
21,613 
- 
310 
995 
22,918 

Total
$M 

222,565 
14,527 
17,444 
23,738 
18,721 
21,613 
124,589 
310 
5,915 
449,422 

(1) Includes substantial “core” deposits that are contractually at call customer savings and cheque accounts. Historical experience is that such accounts provide a stable 

source of long term funding for the Bank. Also refer to Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity table. 

(2) Gross payable amounts on cross currency swaps have been reported in derivative liabilities. The Group has corresponding receivables on these cross currency 
swaps that have not been reported, in accordance with the requirements of AASB 7 Financial Instruments Disclosures. The terms of the cross currency swap 
agreement entered into by the Group allow for net settlement in the event of certain specific circumstances including default of the counter parties.  

204     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 42 Risk Management (continued) 

Maturity Analysis of Monetary Liabilities 

Amounts shown in the tables below are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows for the remaining contractual maturities.  

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public borrowings (1)  
Payables to other financial institutions  
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities (2) 
Bank acceptances  
Debt issues and loan capital  
Due to controlled entities 
Other monetary liabilities 
Total monetary liabilities 

At call
$M 

126,725 
1,845 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
48 
128,618 

0 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 12 
months
$M 

72,993 
15,436 
221 
17,243 
18,041 
8,718 
25,981 
2,513 
161,146 

41,533 
419 
176 
150 
237 
11,650 
7,642 
1,055 
62,862 

1 to 5 
years 
$M 

3,126 
- 
1,912 
3,708 
- 
33,688 
23,366 
407 
66,207 

Bank
Maturity Period At 30 June 2008 

Over 5 
years 
$M 

Not 
Specified
$M 

62 
- 
1,975 
2,927 
- 
34,224 
1,508 
- 
40,696 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
256 
256 

Total
$M 

244,439 
17,700 
4,284 
24,028 
18,278 
88,280 
58,497 
4,279 
459,785 

(1) Includes substantial “core” deposits that are contractually at call customer savings and cheque accounts. Historical experience is that such accounts provide a stable 
source of long term funding for the Bank. Also refer to Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity table. 

(2) Gross payable amounts on cross currency swaps have been reported in derivative liabilities. The Group has corresponding receivables on these cross currency swaps 
that have not been reported, in accordance with the requirements of AASB 7 Financial Instruments Disclosures. The terms of the cross currency swap agreement entered
into by the Group allow for net settlement in the event of certain specific circumstances including default of the counter parties. 

Liabilities  
Deposits and other public borrowings (1)  
Payables to other financial institutions  
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement  
Derivative liabilities (2)  
Bank acceptances  
Debt issues and loan capital 
Due to controlled entities 
Other monetary liabilities 
Total monetary liabilities 

At call
$M 

121,087 
2,790 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
102 
123,979 

0 to 3 
months
$M 

3 to 12 
months
$M 

49,256 
10,050 
1,189 
14,101 
18,413 
6,637 
18,668 
3,909 
122,223 

24,330 
1,623 
608 
342 
308 
8,105 
9,432 
250 
44,998 

1 to 5 
years 
$M 

2,773 
- 
2,377 
2,137 
- 
35,416 
19,292 
163 
62,158 

Bank
Maturity Period At 30 June 2007 

Over 5 
years 
$M 

Not 
Specified
$M 

48 
- 
2,179 
2,327 
- 
25,614 
3,229 
- 
33,397 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
741 
741 

Total
$M 

197,494 
14,463 
6,353 
18,907 
18,721 
75,772 
50,621 
5,165 
387,496 

(1) Includes substantial “core” deposits that are contractually at call customer savings and cheque accounts. Historical experience is that such accounts provide a stable 

source of long term funding for the Bank. Also refer to Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity table. 

(2) Gross payable amounts on cross currency swaps have been reported in derivative liabilities. The Group has corresponding receivables on these cross currency swaps 
that have not been reported, in accordance with the requirements of AASB 7 Financial Instruments Disclosures. The terms of the cross currency swap agreement 
entered into by the Group allow for net settlement in the event of certain specific circumstances including default of the counter parties.  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     205 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 43 Retirement Benefit Obligations 

Name of Plan 

Officers’ Superannuation Fund 
(“OSF”) 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia 
(UK) Staff Benefits Scheme 
(“CBA(UK)SBS”) 

Type  
Defined Benefits (1) and  
Accumulation  

Defined Benefits (1) and  
Accumulation 

Form of Benefit  
Indexed pension and  
lump sum 

Indexed pension and  
lump sum 

Date of Last Actuarial 
Assessment of the Fund 

30 June 2006 

1 July 2005 (2) 

(1) The defined benefit formulae are generally comprised of final superannuation salary, or final average superannuation salary, and service. 

(2) An actuarial assessment of the CBA(UK)SBS at 30 June 2007 is currently in progress. 

the 
rates.  These 

An  actuarial  assessment  of  the  CBA(UK)SBS,  as  at  1  July 
2005, revealed a deficit of GBP 32 million (AUD 66 million at the 
30 June 2008 exchange rate). Following from this assessment, 
fund  actuary’s 
to  contribute  at 
the  Bank  agreed 
recommended  contribution 
included 
rates 
amounts 
future  accruals  of  defined  benefits 
(contributions estimated at AUD 3 million per annum at the 30 
June 2008 exchange rate) and additional contributions of GBP 
3.24  million  per  annum  (AUD  7  million  per  annum  at  the  30 
June 2008 exchange rate) payable over 14 years to finance the 
fund deficit. An actuarial assessment of the CBA(UK)SBS at 30 
June 2007 is currently in progress. 

finance 

to 

Contributions 

Entities of the Group contribute to the plans listed in the above 
table in accordance with the Trust Deeds following the receipt of 
actuarial advice. 

With  the  exception  of  contributions  corresponding  to  salary 
sacrifice  benefits,  the  Bank  ceased  contributions  to  the  OSF 
from 8 July 1994. Further, the Bank ceased contributions to the 
OSF relating to salary sacrifice benefits from 1 July 1997. 

An actuarial assessment of the OSF, as at 30 June 2006, was 
completed during the year ended 30 June 2007. In line with the 
actuarial  advice  contained  in  the  assessment,  the  Bank  does 
not  intend  to  make  contributions  to  the  OSF  until  further 
consideration of the next actuarial assessment of the OSF as at 
30 June 2009. 

206     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 43 Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued) 

Defined Benefit Superannuation Plans 

The amounts reported in the Balance Sheet are reconciled as follows: 

Present value of funded obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
Total pension assets as at 30 June 
Present value of unfunded obligations 
Unrecognised past service cost  
Unrecognised actuarial gains/(losses) 
Asset/(liability) in Balance Sheet as at 30 June 
Amounts in the Balance Sheet: 

Liabilities (Note 30) 
Assets (Note 21) 

Net asset 

The amounts recognised in the Income Statement 
are as follows: 
Current service cost 
Interest cost 
Expected return on plan assets 
Past service cost 
Employer financed benefits within Accumulation 
Division 
Gains/(losses) on curtailment and settlements 
Actuarial gains/(losses) recognised in Income 
Statement  
Total included in defined benefit superannuation 
plan expense 
Actual return on plan assets 

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit 
obligation are as follows: 

Opening defined benefit obligation 
Current service cost 
Interest cost 
Member contributions 
Actuarial gains/(losses) 
(Losses)/gains on curtailments 
Liabilities extinguished on settlements 
Liabilities assumed in a business combination 
Benefits paid 
Exchange differences on foreign plans 
Closing defined benefit obligation 

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as 
follows: 

Opening fair value of plan assets 
Expected return 
Experience (losses)/gains 
Assets distributed on settlements 
Total contributions 
Assets acquired in a business combination 
Exchange differences on foreign plans 
Benefits and expenses paid 
Employer financial benefits within Accumulation 
Division 
Closing fair value of plan assets 

2008
$M 
(2,892)
4,428 
1,536 
- 
- 
- 
1,536 

- 
1,536 
1,536 

(26)
(194)
400 
- 

(163)
- 

- 

17 
(120)

(3,094)
(24)
(194)
(13)
226 
- 
- 
- 
207 
- 
(2,892)

4,907 
400 
(520)
- 
13 
- 
- 
(209)

(163)
4,428 

OSF 

2007
$M 
(3,094)
4,907 
1,813 
- 
- 
- 
1,813 

- 
1,813 
1,813 

(30)
(188)
368 
- 

(137)
- 

- 

13 
650 

(3,388)
(27)
(188)
(13)
290 
- 
- 
- 
232 
- 
(3,094)

4,616 
368 
282 
- 
13 
- 
- 
(235)

(137)
4,907 

CBA(UK)SBS 

2007 
$M 
(401) 
372 
(29) 
- 
- 
- 
(29) 

(29) 
- 
(29) 

(5) 
(21) 
21 
- 

- 
- 

- 

(5) 
19 

(430) 
(5) 
(21) 
- 
22 
- 
- 
- 
15 
18 
(401) 

365 
21 
(2) 
- 
18 
- 
(15) 
(15) 

- 
372 

2008
$M 
(386)
321 
(65)
- 
- 
- 
(65)

(65)
- 
(65)

(3)
(20)
20 
- 

- 
- 

- 

(3)
(1)

(401)
(3)
(20)
- 
(26)
- 
- 
- 
14 
50 
(386)

372 
20 
(21)
- 
10 
- 
(46)
(14)

- 
321 

2008 
$M 
(3,278) 
4,749 
1,471 
- 
- 
- 
1,471 

(65) 
1,536 
1,471 

(29) 
(214) 
420 
- 

(163) 
- 

- 

14 
(121) 

(3,495) 
(27) 
(214) 
(13) 
200 
- 
- 
- 
221 
50 
(3,278) 

5,279 
420 
(541) 
- 
23 
- 
(46) 
(223) 

(163) 
4,749 

Total 

2007
$M 
(3,495)
5,279 
1,784 
- 
- 
- 
1,784 

(29)
1,813 
1,784 

(35)
(209)
389 
- 

(137)
- 

- 

8 
669 

(3,818)
(32)
(209)
(13)
312 
- 
- 
- 
247 
18 
(3,495) 

4,981 
389 
280 
- 
31 
- 
(15)
(250)

(137)
5,279 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     207 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 43 Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued) 
Defined Benefit Superannuation Plans (continued) 

Experience (losses)/gains on plan liabilities 
Experience (losses)/gains on plan assets 
Gains/(losses) from changes in actuarial 
assumptions 
Total net actuarial (losses)/gains  

2008
$M 
134 
(520)

92 
(294)

OSF 

2007
$M 
31 
282 

259 
572 

CBA(UK)SBS 

2007
$M 
(3)
(2)

25 
20 

2008
$M 
6 
(21)

(32)
(47)

2008 
$M 
140 
(541) 

60 
(341) 

Total 

2007
$M 
28 
280 

284 
592 

Actuarial gains and losses represent experience adjustments on plan assets and liabilities as well as adjustments arising from changes 
in  actuarial  assumptions.  Total net  actuarial  gains  recognised in  equity  from  commencement of  AIFRS to  30 June 2008  were  $950 
million. 

Economic Assumptions 

The above calculations were based on the following economic assumptions: 
Discount rate at 30 June (gross of tax) 
Expected return on plan assets at 30 June  
Expected rate salary increases at 30 June (per annum) (1) 

2008
% 

6. 50 
8. 75 
4. 50 

OSF 

2007
% 

6. 30 
8. 50 
4. 75 

CBA(UK)SBS 

2007
% 

5. 80 
6. 30 
4. 30 

2008 
% 

6. 20 
6. 50 
4. 90 

(1) For the OSF, additional age related allowances were made for the expected salary increases from future promotions. At 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2008, these 

assumptions were broadly between 1.6% and 2.6% per annum for full-time employees and 1.0% per annum for part time employees. 

The  return  on  asset  assumption  for  the  OSF  is  determined  as 
the weighted average of the long term expected returns of each 
asset  class  where  the  weighting  is  the  benchmark  asset 
allocations of the assets backing the defined benefit risks. The 
long term expected returns of each asset class are determined 
following receipt of actuarial advice. The discount rate (gross of 
tax)  assumption  for  the  OSF  is  based  on  the  yield  on  10  year 
Australian government securities. 

Expected Life Expectancies for Pensioners 

Male pensioners currently aged 60 
Male pensioners currently aged 65 
Female pensioners currently aged 60 
Female pensioners currently aged 65 

Further, the proportion of the retiring members of the main OSF 
defined benefit division electing to take pensions instead of lump 
sums may materially impact the defined benefit obligations.  
Of these retiring members 30% were assumed to take pension 
benefits, increasing to 50% in 2020. 
Australian  and  UK  legislation  requires  that  superannuation 
(pension)  benefits  be  provided  through  trusts.  These  trusts 
(including their investments) are managed by trustees who are 
legally  independent  of  the  employer.  The  investment  objective 
of the OSF (the Bank’s major superannuation (pension) plan) is 
“to maximise the long term rate of return subject to net returns 
over  rolling  five  year  periods  exceeding  the  growth  in  Average 
Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings 80% of the time”. 

In  addition  to  financial  assumptions,  the  mortality  assumptions 
for  pensioners  can  materially  impact  the  defined  benefit 
obligations. These assumptions are age related and allowances 
are made for future improvement in mortality. The expected life 
expectancies for pensioners are set out below: 

2008
Years 
30. 4 
25. 6 
33. 8 
28. 7 

OSF 

2007
Years 
30. 2 
25. 4 
33. 6 
28. 5 

CBA(UK)SBS 

2007
Years 
23. 2 
18. 7 
26. 2 
21. 6 

2008 
Years 
26. 8 
22. 0 
29. 7 
24. 9 

To  meet  this  investment  objective,  the  OSF  Trustee  invests  a 
large part of the OSF’s assets in growth assets, such as shares 
and  property.  These  assets  have  historically  earned  higher 
rates  of  return  than  other  assets,  but  they  also  carry  higher 
risks,  especially  in  the  short  term.  To  manage  these  risks,  the 
Trustee  has  adopted  a  strategy  of  spreading  the  OSF’s 
investments  over  a  number  of  asset  classes  and  investment 
managers. 

As  at  30  June  2008,  the  benchmark  asset  allocations  and 
actual  asset  allocations  for  the  assets  backing  the  defined 
benefit portion of the OSF are as follows: 

Asset Allocations 

Australian Equities  
Overseas Equities 
Real Estate  
Fixed Interest Securities 
Cash  
Other (1) 

Benchmark Allocation 
% 
27. 5 
21. 0 
15. 0 
25. 5 
5. 0 
6. 0 

Actual Allocation
% 
27. 6 
17. 4 
18. 9 
25. 8 
3. 2 
7. 1 

(1)  These  are  assets  which  are  not  included  in  the  traditional  asset  classes  of  equities,  fixed  interest  securities,  real  estate  and  cash.  They  include  infrastructure 

investments as well as high yield and emerging market debt. 

The value of the OSF’s equity holding in the Group as at 30 June 2008 was $77 million (2007: $105 million). Amounts on deposit with 
the Bank at 30 June 2008 totalled $26 million (2007: $23 million). Other financial instruments with the Group at 30 June 2008 totalled 
$13 million (2007: nil). 

208     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 44 Controlled Entities  

Entity Name  

Australia 
(a) Banking  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia 
Controlled Entities: 
CBA Investments Limited  
Luca Limited Partnership 

CBCL Australia Limited 
CBFC Limited  
Collateral Leasing Pty Limited 
Commonwealth Securities Limited  
Homepath Pty Limited  
Sparad (No. 24) Pty Limited  
Colonial Finance Limited  
PERLS III Trust (formally Preferred Capital Limited) 
PERLS II Trust  
Fringe Pty Ltd  
Lily Pty Ltd 
Greenwood Lending Pty Ltd 
Series 2001-IG Medallion Trust 
Series 2002-IG Medallion Trust 
Medallion Trust Series 2003-1G 
Medallion Trust Series 2004-1G 
Medallion Trust Series 2005-1G 
Medallion Trust Series 2005-2G 
Hemisphere Lane Pty Ltd 
Medallion Trust Series 2006 1G 
Medallion Trust Series 2007 4P 
Medallion Trust Series 2007 5P 
Medallion Trust Series 2007-1G 
SHIELD Series 50 
GT Operating No.2 Pty Limited 
Crystal Avenue Pty Limited 
GT Funding No6 Ltd Partnership 
GT Operating No4 Pty Ltd 
Securitisation Advisory Services Pty Ltd 
Prime Investment Entity Limited 
MIS Funding No1 Pty Limited 
IWL Limited 
CBFC Leasing Pty Limited 
Share Investments Pty Limited 
Loft No 3 Pty Ltd 
eCommlegal Pty Ltd 
Harboard Beach Pty Ltd 
Copacabana Beach Pty Ltd 
SHIELD Series 21 
Padang Pty Ltd 
M-Land Pty Ltd 
Group Treasury Services NZ Limited 
GT Investments No 3 Pty Ltd 
Medallion Trust Series 2008-1R 

Notes to the Financial Statements  

Extent of Beneficial 
Interest if not 100% 

Incorporated in 

99.9% 

Australia 

Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     209 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 44 Controlled Entities (continued) 

Entity Name  

(b) Insurance and Funds Management  
Commonwealth Insurance Limited  
Colonial Holding Company Limited  
Commonwealth Insurance Holdings Limited  
Commonwealth Managed Investments Limited  
Colonial AFS Services Pty Limited  
Colonial First State Group Limited  
Colonial First State Investments Limited  
Avanteos Pty Limited  
Avanteos Investments Ltd 
Colonial First State Property Limited  
Colonial First State Property Retail Trust 
Jacques Martin Administration and Consulting Pty Limited 
Colonial First State Property Management Pty Ltd 
Commonwealth Financial Planning Limited 
Financial Wisdom Limited 
First State Investment Managers (Asia) Limited 
Colonial First State Asset Management (Australia) Limited  
CFS Managed Property Limited 

Extent of Beneficial 
Interest if not 100% 

Incorporated in 

Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 

210     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 44 Controlled Entities (continued) 

Entity Name  

New Zealand 
(a) Banking  
ASB Holdings Limited  
ASB Bank Limited 

CBA Funding (NZ) Limited  
ASB Capital No. 2 Limited 
ASB Capital Limited 

CBA USD Funding Limited  
CBA NZ Holding Limited 

(b) Insurance and Funds Management 
ASB Group (Life) Limited 
Sovereign Group Limited 

Sovereign Limited 

Colonial First State Investments (NZ) Limited 

Kiwi Income Properties Limited 
Kiwi Property Management Limited 

Other Overseas 
(a) Banking  
CBA Asia Limited  
CTB Australia Limited  
PT Bank Commonwealth  
National Bank of Fiji Limited  
CBA (Delaware) Finance Incorporated  
CBA Capital Trust 1  
CBA Funding Trust 1  
CBA Capital Trust II 
CBA (Europe) Finance Limited  

Pontoon (Funding) PLC 
Burdekin Investments Limited 

Pavillion and Park Limited  
Newport Limited 
CommInternational Limited  

CommCapital S.a.r.l 

CommBank Europe Limited 
CommBank Management Consulting (Asia) Co Ltd 
CommTrading Limited 
Watermark Limited 
D Compartment ABI Lux Co 

(b) Insurance and Funds Management 
CMG Asia Life Holdings Limited 
Colonial Fiji Life Limited  
Colonial First State (UK) Holdings Limited  
First State (HK) LLC 
First State Investment Holdings (Singapore) Ltd 
First State Investments (Cayman) Limited 
PT Astra CMG Life 
FS Investments (Bermuda) Ltd 

Notes to the Financial Statements  

Extent of Beneficial 
Interest if not 100% 

Incorporated in 

New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 

New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 
New Zealand 

Singapore 
Hong Kong 
Indonesia 
Fiji 
Delaware USA 
Delaware USA 
Delaware USA 
Delaware USA 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
Cayman Islands 
United Kingdom 
Malta 
Malta 
Luxembourg 
Malta 
Hong Kong 
Malta 
Hong Kong 
Luxembourg 

Bermuda 
Fiji 
United Kingdom 
United States 
Singapore 
Cayman Islands 
Indonesia 
Bermuda 

97% 

80% 

Non-operating and minor operating controlled entities and investment vehicles holding policyholder assets are excluded from the above 
list. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     211 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 45 Investments in Associated Entities and Joint Ventures 

Acadian Asset Management (Australia) Limited 
CMG CH China Funds Management Limited 
Equion Health (Barts) Limited 
Equigroup Pty Limited 
Sandalwood Pte Ltd 
China Life CMG Life Assurance Company Limited 
First State Cinda Fund Management Company 
Limited  
Healthcare Support (Newcastle) Limited 
International Private Equity Real Estate Fund 
AMTD Group Company Limited  
452 Capital Pty Limited  
Bank of Hangzhou Co. Ltd. (1)  
CFS Retail Property Trust (2) 
Commonwealth Property Office Fund (3) 
Total 

(1) Formerly Hangzhou City Commercial Bank Co. Limited. 

2008
$M 
2 
1 
1 
15 
1 
11 

13 
1 
5 
1 
44 
164 
438 
209 
906 

2007
$M 
- 
1 
1 
- 
- 
11 

6 
- 
- 
1 
44 
143 
437 
192 
836 

Extent of 
Ownership 
Interest %  Principal Activities 

Country of 
Incorporation 

Balance
Date 

Group 

50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
49 

46 
40 
33 
30 
30 
19. 9 
9. 7 
9. 8 

Investment Management  Australia 
Investment Management  Australia 
Financial Services 
Leasing 
Property Management 
Life Insurance 

  30 Jun 
  31 Mar 
United Kingdom    31 Dec 
  30 Jun 
Australia 
  31 Dec 
Singapore 
  31 Dec 
China 

Funds Management 
Financial Services 
Funds Management 
Financial Services 
Investment Management  Australia 
Commercial Banking 
Funds Management 
Funds Management 

China 
  31 Dec 
United Kingdom    31 Dec 
  30 Jun 
Australia 
  31 Dec 
Virgin Islands 
  30 Jun 
  31 Dec 
  30 Jun 
  30 Jun 

China 
Australia 
Australia 

(2) The value for CFS Retail Property Trust based on published quoted prices as at 30 June 2008 is $407 million (2007: $472 million). 

(3) The value for Commonwealth Property Office Fund based on published quoted prices as at 30 June 2008 is $196 million (2007: $242 million). 

Share of Associates’ profits/(losses) 
Operating profits/(losses) before income tax 
Income tax expense 
Operating profits/(losses) after income tax 

Carrying amount of investments in associated entities 

Financial Information of Associates 
Assets 
Liabilities 
Revenues 
Expenses 

Financial Information of Joint Ventures 
Assets 
Liabilities 
Revenues 
Expenses 

2008 
$M 

98 
(6) 
92 

Group 

2007
$M 

70 
(17)
53 

906 

836 

2008 
$M 

25,610 
17,967 
2,213 
1,436 

2008 
$M 

359 
63 
231 
78 

Group 

2007
$M 

17,936 
13,163 
1,753 
1,162 

Group 

2007
$M 

118 
85 
53 
57 

Note 46 Director and Executive Disclosures 

Details of the Directors’ and Specified Executives’ remuneration, interests in long term incentive plans, shares, options and loans are 
included in the Remuneration Report of the Directors’ Report. The Company has applied the exemption under AASB 124 Related Party 
Disclosures which exempts listed companies from providing remuneration disclosures in relation to their key management personnel in 
their Annual Financial Reports. These remuneration disclosures are provided in the Remuneration Report of the Directors’ Report on 
pages 56 to 76 and are designated as audited. 

212     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 46 Director and Executive Disclosures (continued) 

Key Management Personnel Compensation 

Short Term Benefits 
Post-employment Benefits 
Share-based Payments 
Termination benefits 
Long term benefits 

Note 47 Related Party Disclosures 

2008
$M 
28 
1 
9 
1 
- 
39 

Group 

2007 
$M 
21 
6 
10 
- 
- 
37 

2008 
$M 
28 
1 
9 
1 
- 
39 

Bank 

2007
$M 
21 
6 
10 
- 
- 
37 

The Group is controlled by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the ultimate parent, which is incorporated in Australia.  

A number of banking transactions are entered into with related parties in the normal course of business.  

These include loans, deposits and foreign currency transactions, upon which some fees and commissions may be earned. The table 
below indicates the values of such transactions for the financial year ended 30 June 2008. 

Group 

Interest and dividend income 
Interest expense 
Fees and commissions for services provided 
Fees and commissions for services received 

Loans, advances and equity contributions  
Other assets 

Deposits  
Derivative liabilities 
Other liabilities 

Bank 

Interest and dividend income 
Interest expense 
Fees and commissions for services provided 
Fees and commissions for services received 

Available-for-sale securities 
Loans, advances and equity contributions  
Derivative assets 
Other assets 

Deposits  
Derivative liabilities 
Debt issues and loan capital 
Other liabilities 

For the Year Ended and as at 30 June 2008 

Associates 
$M 
86 
3 
87 
74 

111 
31 

31 
283 
1 

Joint 
Ventures 
$M 
6 
- 
10 
- 

387 
8 

- 
- 
6 

Total
$M 
92 
3 
97 
74 

498 
39 

31 
283 
7 

For the Year Ended and as at 30 June 2008 

Subsidiaries
$M 
3,110 
2,974 
755 
333 

Associates 
$M 
76 
2 
5 
72 

Joint 
Ventures 
$M 
6 
- 
9 
- 

16,380 
37,472 
1,724 
1,884 

54,711 
528 
3,501 
1,221 

- 
110 
- 
- 

31 
283 
- 
1 

- 
380 
- 
8 

- 
- 
- 
6 

Total
$M 
3,192 
2,976 
769 
405 

16,380 
37,962 
1,724 
1,892 

54,742 
811 
3,501 
1,228 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     213 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 47 Related Party Disclosures (continued) 

Group 

Interest and dividend income 
Interest expense 
Fees and commissions for services provided 
Fees and commissions for services received 

Loans, advances and equity contributions  
Other assets 

Deposits  
Derivative liabilities 
Other liabilities 

Bank 

Interest and dividend income 
Interest expense 
Fees and commissions for services provided 
Fees and commissions for services received 

Available-for-sale securities 
Loans, advances and equity contributions  
Derivative assets 
Other assets 

Deposits  
Derivative liabilities 
Debt issues and loan capital 
Other liabilities 

For the Year Ended and as at 30 June 2007 

Associates
$M 
120 
1 
93 
116 

Joint 
Ventures 
$M 
- 
- 
7 
- 

217 
- 

18 
- 
- 

12 
- 

2 
- 
- 

Total
$M 
120 
1 
100 
116 

229 
- 

20 
- 
- 

For the Year Ended and as at 30 June 2007 

Subsidiaries
$M 
2,777 
2,607 
764 
274 

Associates
$M 
65 
1 
17 
5 

Joint 
Ventures 
$M 
- 
- 
- 
- 

824 
37,512 
1,859 
1,483 

48,286 
837 
3,336 
2,316 

- 
319 
- 
- 

18 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

Total
$M 
2,842 
2,608 
781 
279 

824 
37,831 
1,859 
1,483 

48,304 
837 
3,336 
2,316 

Details of controlled entities are disclosed in Note 44. 

The Bank’s aggregate investment in and loans to controlled entities are disclosed in Note 17. 

Amounts due to controlled entities are disclosed in the Balance Sheet of the Bank. 

Details of amounts paid to or received from related parties, in the form of dividends or interest, are set out in Note 2. 

All transactions between Group entities are eliminated on consolidation. 

214     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 47 Related Party Disclosures (continued) 

Equity Holdings of Key Management Personnel 

Shareholdings 

All shares were acquired by Directors on normal terms and conditions or through the Non-Executive Directors’ Share Plan. 

Shares awarded under the Equity Reward Plan and the mandatory component of the Equity Participation Plan are registered in the 
name of the Trustee. For further details of the Non-Executive Directors’ Share Plan, previous Equity Reward Plan, previous Executive 
Option Plan and Equity Participation Plan refer to Note 33 Share Capital. 

Details of shareholdings of Key Management Personnel (or close family members or entities controlled, jointly controlled, or significantly 
influenced by them, or any entity over which any of the aforementioned hold significant voting power) are as follows: 

Shares held by Directors  

Name 
Directors 
J M Schubert 
R J Norris 

J A Anderson 
R J Clairs 
C R Galbraith 
J S Hemstritch 
S C H Kay 
F D Ryan 
D J Turner 
H H Young 
W G Kent (3) 
F J Swan (3) 

Total For Directors 

Class 

Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 

Balance 
1 July 2007  

Acquired/Granted as
Remuneration 

(1)

On Exercise of 
Options 

Net Change  

(2)

Other 

24,418 
10,000 
191,238 
10,000 
17,886 
11,404 
15,565 
5,901 
9,196 
301 
20,000 
17,070 
8,181 
149,922 
191,238 

2,890 
- 
- 
773 
1,014 
992 
926 
1,036 
1,146 
940 
866 
441 
497 
11,521 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
792 
- 
658 
- 
2,100 
5,000 
- 
1,131 
1,689 
- 
11,370 
- 

Balance 
30 June 2008  

27,308 
10,000 
191,238 
11,565 
18,900 
13,054 
16,491 
9,037 
15,342 
1,241 
21,997 
19,200 
8,678 
172,813 
191,238 

(1) For Non-Executive Directors, represents shares acquired under NEDSP on 20 August 2007 and 4 March 2008 by mandatory sacrifice of fees. All shares acquired 
through NEDSP are subject to a 10 year trading restriction (shares will be tradeable earlier if the Director leaves the Board). For Mr Norris this represents Reward 
Shares granted under the ERP subject to performance hurdles. For the ERP, the first possible date for meeting the performance hurdle is 14 July 2009 with the last 
possible date for vesting being 14 July 2010. See Note 33 to the Financial Statements for further details on the NEDSP and ERP. 

(2) “Net Change Other” incorporates changes resulting from purchases and sales during the year. 

(3) Mr Kent and Mr Swan retired at the 2007 Annual General Meeting on 7 November 2007. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     215 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 47 Related Party Disclosures (continued) 

Shares held by Key Management Personnel 

Name 
Executives 
B J Chapman 

D Cohen (4) 

D P Craig 

S I Grimshaw 

M R Harte 

G L Mackrell 

R M McEwan 

J K O’Sullivan (5) 

G A Petersen 

A Toevs (6) 

Class (1) 

Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Deferred Shares 

Other Executives 
W Negus 

Total for Key 
Management 
Personnel 

Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Ordinary 
Reward Shares 
Deferred Shares 

Balance  
1 July 2007 

Acquired/Granted
as  
Remuneration 

On Exercise of 
Options 

Reward 
Shares 
(2)

Vested 

Net Change  

(3)

Other 

- 
17,046 
- 
- 
- 
22,728 
29,999 
105,140 
- 
14,318 
39,808 
80,018 
- 
- 
45,767 
69,770 
14,652 
64,780 
- 
- 
- 

3,680 
40,500 
133,906 
414,300 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
37,784 

- 
- 
- 
- 
37,784 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(37,500)
- 
- 
- 
(28,130)
- 
- 
- 
(25,940)
- 
(19,500)
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
(111,070)
- 

450 
- 
- 
- 
6,000 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,388 
- 
- 
- 
25,940 
(43,830) 
(1,287) 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
33,491 
(43,830) 
- 

Balance  
30 June 2008 

450 
17,046 
- 
- 
6,000 
22,728 
29,999 
67,640 
- 
14,318 
42,196 
51,888 
- 
- 
71,707 
- 
13,365 
45,280 
- 
- 
37,784 

3,680 
40,500 
167,397 
259,400 
37,784 

(1) Reward Shares represents shares granted under the Equity Reward Plan (ERP) and are subject to a performance hurdle. The last possible date for vesting is 14 

July 2010. See Note 33 to the Financial Statements for further details on the ERP. 

(2) Reward Shares become ordinary shares upon vesting. 

(3) “Net Change Other” incorporates changes resulting from purchases, sales and forfeitures during the year.  

(4) Mr Cohen commenced employment on 16 June 2008. 

(5) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

(6) Mr Toevs commenced employment on 23 June 2008. 

216     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 47 Related Party Disclosures (continued) 

Loans to Key Management Personnel 

All loans to Key Management Personnel (or close family members or entities controlled, jointly controlled or significantly influenced by 
them  or  any  entity  over  which  any  of  the  aforementioned  hold  significant  voting  power)  have  been  provided  on  an  arms-length 
commercial basis including the term of the loan, security required and the interest rate (which may be fixed or variable). 

Total Loans to Key Management Personnel  

Year Ended 
30 June 

Balance
1 July
$000s 

Interest
Charged
$000s 

Interest Not
Charged
$000s 

Write-off 

$000s 

Balance 
30 June 
$000s 

Number in
Group at
30 June 

1 
1 

9 
6 

10 
7 

1 
1 

11 
8 

Highest
Balance
in Period
$000s 

3,181 

2,852 
936 
215 
100 
3,544 
647 
748 
3,874 
2,702 

Directors 

Executives  

Total for Key 
Management 
Personnel 

Other Executives 

Total 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

2008 
2007 

3,648 
464 

6,103 
9,178 

9,751 
9,642 

1,442 
554 

11,193 
10,196 

258 
21 

781 
425 

1,039 
446 

68 
35 

1,107 
481 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

2,795 
464 

12,369 
5,965 

15,164 
6,429 

1,335 
443 

16,499 
6,872 

Individual Loans above $100,000 to Key Management Personnel  

Balance
1 July 2007
$000s 

Interest
Charged
$000s 

Interest Not
Charged
$000s 

Write-off 

$000s 

Balance 
30 June 2008 
$000s 

Directors 
R J Norris (1) 
Executives 
B J Chapman (1)  
D Cohen 
D P Craig 
S I Grimshaw 
M R Harte 
G L Mackrell 
R M McEwan (1) 
J K O’Sullivan (2) 
G A Petersen 
Total for Key  
Management Personnel 
Other Executives 
W Negus 
Total for Other Executives 
Total for Key Management 
Personnel & Other Executives 

3,648 

- 
936 
- 
- 
- 
647 
279 
3,599 
642 

9,751 

1,442 
1,442 

258 

153 
75 
5 
- 
218 
1 
39 
200 
90 

1,039 

68 
68 

11,193 

1,107 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

2,795 

2,679 
936 
213 
50 
3,394 
647 
460 
3,013 
977 

15,164 

18,799 

1,335 
1,335 

1,845 
1,845 

16,499 

20,644 

(1) Balance declared in NZD for Mr Norris, Ms Chapman and Mr McEwan. Exchange rates are taken from Forex as at 30 June 2008 for interest charged, 30 June 2008 

balances and highest balance in period. The exchange rate as at 30 June 2007 has been used for the 1 July 2007 balances. 

(2) Mr O’Sullivan ceased employment on 31 January 2008. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     217 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 48 Notes to the Statements of Cash Flows 
Note 48(a) Reconciliation of Net Profit after Income Tax to Net Cash Provided by/(used in) Operating Activities (1) 

Net profit after income tax 
Net decrease/(increase) in interest receivable 
Increase in interest payable 
Net decrease/(increase) in assets at fair value through Income 
Statement (excluding life insurance) 
Net (gain)/loss on sale of investments 
Net (gain)/loss on sale of controlled entities and associates 
Net (increase)/decrease in derivative assets  
Net loss/(gain) on sale property plant and equipment 
Net (gain) on sale of Visa Initial Public Offering 
Loan impairment expense 
Depreciation and amortisation (including asset write downs) 
(Decrease)/increase in liabilities at fair value through Income 
Statement (excluding life insurance)  
Increase/(decrease) in derivative liabilities 
Increase/(decrease) in other provisions 
Increase/(decrease) in income taxes payable 
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income taxes payable 
Decrease/(increase) in deferred tax assets 
(Increase)/decrease in accrued fees/reimbursements receivable 
(Decrease)/increase in accrued fees and other items payable  
Increase/(decrease) in life insurance contract policy liabilities  
(Decrease)/increase in cash flow hedge reserve 
Dividend received from controlled entities 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities arising from cash flow 
movements  
Other 
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities 

2008
$M 
4,822 
187 
449 

196 
(1)
- 
(5,459)
15 
(127)
930 
423 

(884)
4,622 
296 
29 
(643)
178 
(153)
(575)
184 
(150)
- 

(6,124)
(290)
(2,075)

2007
$M 
4,497 
(745)
362 

(7,272)
- 
- 
(3,068)
16 
- 
434 
270 

5,799 
5,860 
57 
297 
175 
(272)
(163)
386 
(1,460)
547 
- 

(560)
481 
5,641 

Group 

2006 
$M 
3,959 
(99) 
784 

(53) 
- 
(163) 
128 
(4) 
- 
398 
213 

1,870 
(445) 
(92) 
(455) 
182 
184 
(88) 
133 
(1,211) 
31 
- 

(3,954) 
(156) 
1,162 

Year Ended 30 June 
Bank 

2008 
$M 
4,358 
(174) 
451 

1,324 
1 
- 
(5,654) 
14 
(111) 
902 
330 

(2,286) 
4,149 
250 
(111) 
(72) 
(97) 
193 
(1,011) 
(10) 
106 
(1,667) 

2007
$M 
4,477 
(564)
303 

(6,038)
- 
- 
(3,923)
13 
- 
390 
205 

3,016 
5,831
43 
364 
175 
(408)
(196)
265 
10 
295 
(1,881)

(11,062) 
(118) 
(10,295) 

(15,008)
53 
(12,578)

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

Note 48(b) Reconciliation of Cash 

For the purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, cash includes cash, money at short call, at call deposits with other financial institutions 
and settlement account balances with other banks.  

Notes, coins and cash at banks 
Other short term liquid assets 
Receivables due from other financial institutions – at call (1) 
Payables due to other financial institutions – at call (1) 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

2008
$M 
2,476 
1,309 
3,357 
(4,877)
2,265 

2007
$M 
4,557 
967 
4,607 
(6,047)
4,084 

Group 

2006 
$M 
1,703 
491 
4,657 
(4,813) 
2,038 

Year Ended 30 June 

2008 
$M 
1,344 
1,118 
2,672 
(4,797) 
337 

Bank 

2007
$M 
1,377 
894 
3,837 
(5,980)
128 

(1) At call includes certain receivables and payables due from and to financial institutions within three months. 

218     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 48 Notes to the Statements of Cash Flows (continued) 

Note 48(c) Disposal of Controlled Entities 

Fair value of net tangible assets disposed 
Cash and liquid assets 
Assets at fair value through Income Statement: 

Insurance  
Other assets 
Life Insurance policy liabilities  
Bills payable and other liabilities 
Profit on sale 
Cash consideration received 
Less cash and cash equivalents disposed 
Net cash inflow on disposal 

2008 
$M 

2007 
$M 

- 

- 
1 
- 
- 
1 
2 
- 
2 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

2006
$M 

55 

2,297 
148 
(1,996)
(41)
145 
608 
(55)
553 

Note 48(d) Non-cash Financing and Investing Activities 

Shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan for 2008 amounted to $1,109 million (2007: $818 million). 

Note 48(e) Acquisition of Controlled Entities 

Fair value of net assets acquired 
Cash and liquid assets 
Minority interests 
Goodwill (including discount on acquisition) 
Other intangible assets 
Loans, advances and other receivables 
Investments 
Other assets 
Payables due to other financial institutions 
Deposits and other public borrowings 
Other liabilities 
Cash consideration paid 
Less cash and cash equivalents acquired 

Less: Non-cash consideration 
Net cash outflow on acquisition 

Carrying value
at acquisition
2008
$M 

2008 
$M 

2007 
$M 

2006
$M 

24 
- 
50 
4 
241 
112 
11 
(130)
(202)
(11)

24 
- 
316 
64 
241 
112 
11 
(130) 
(202) 
(30) 
406 
(24) 
382 
(141) 
241 

- 
4 
3 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7 
- 
7 
- 
7 

- 
126 
7 
122 
- 
- 
167 
- 
- 
(8)
414 
- 
414 
- 
414 

Details of equity instruments issued as part of business combinations 
Number of equity instruments issued 
Fair value of equity issued ($) 

2008 

2007 

2006 

2,327,431 
140,952,360 

- 
- 

- 
- 

The above information relates to acquisitions that took place during the financial year and were considered individually immaterial. On 
26 July 2007, PT Commonwealth Bank acquired 83% of Arta Niaga Kencana (ANK) Bank in Indonesia. The merger was completed on 
31  December  2007  and  thereafter  the  Group  owned  97%  of  the  merged  entities.  On  27  November  2007,  the  Group  completed  the 
100% acquisition of IWL Limited, an online broking business. 

The profit of IWL Limited since acquisition for the year ended 30 June 2008 was $0.4 million and for the full year was also $0.4 million. 
The revenue of IWL Limited for the full year was $102.1 million. ANK is now accounted for as part of the International Financial Services 
segment. As a result revenues and profits are unavailable at the individual entity level.  

Note 48(f) Financing Facilities  

Standby funding lines are considered immaterial. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     219 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 49 Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

49(a) Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial 
Liabilities 

the 

These  amounts  represent  estimates  of  the  fair  values  of  the 
Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities at Balance Sheet 
date  based  on 
following  valuation  methods  and 
assumptions. Fair value is the amount for which an asset could 
be  exchanged,  or  a  liability  settled,  between  knowledgeable, 
willing  parties  in  an  arm’s  length  transaction.  Quoted  market 
prices are used to determine fair value where an active market 
(such as a  recognised stock exchange) exists, as it is the  best 
evidence  of  the  fair  value  of  a  financial  instrument.  Quoted 
market  prices  are  not,  however,  available  for  a  significant 
number of the financial assets and liabilities held and issued by 
the Group. Therefore, for financial instruments where no quoted 
market  price  is  available,  the  fair  values  presented  in  the 
following table have been estimated using present value or other 
valuation  techniques  based  on  market  conditions  existing  at 
Balance Sheet dates. These valuation techniques rely on market 
observable  inputs  wherever  possible,  or  in  a  limited  number  of 
instances,  rely  on  inputs  which  are  reasonable  assumptions 
based on market conditions at balance date. 

While  the  fair  value  amounts  are  designed  to  represent 
estimates  at  which  these  instruments  could  be  exchanged  in  a 
current transaction between willing parties, many of the Group’s 
financial  instruments  lack  an  available  trading  market  as 
characterised  by  willing  parties  engaging  in  an  exchange 
transaction.  

Assets (1) 
Cash and liquid assets  
Receivables due from other financial institutions 
Assets at fair value through Income Statement: 

Trading  
Insurance 
Other  

Derivative assets 
Available-for-sale investments  
Loans, advances and other receivables  
Bank acceptances of customers  
Other assets  

Liabilities (1) 
Deposits and other public borrowings 
Payables due to other financial institutions 
Liabilities at fair value through Income Statement 
Derivative liabilities 
Bank acceptances 
Insurance policy liabilities  
Debt issues 
Managed fund units on issue 
Bills payable and other liabilities 
Loan capital 

In  addition,  it  is  the  Bank’s  intent  to  hold  most  of  its  financial 
instruments to maturity and therefore it is not probable that the 
fair values shown would be realised in a current transaction. 

liabilities 

that  are  not  considered 

The estimated fair values  disclosed  do not  reflect the value  of 
assets  and 
financial 
instruments.  In  addition,  the  value  of  long  term  relationships 
with depositors (core deposit intangibles) and other customers 
(credit  card  intangibles)  are  not  reflected.  The  value  of  these 
items is considered significant. 

Because  of  the  wide  range  of  valuation  techniques  and  the 
numerous  estimates  that  must  be  made,  it  may  be  difficult  to 
make  reasonable  comparisons  of 
fair  value 
information with that of other financial institutions. It is important 
that  the  many  uncertainties  discussed  above  be  considered 
when  using  the  estimated  fair  value disclosures  and to  realise 
that  because  of  these  uncertainties,  the  aggregate  fair  value 
amount should in no way be construed as representative of the 
underlying value of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. 

the  Bank’s 

  Group 2008 

  Group 2007 

Carrying
Value
$M 

7,736 
6,984 

21,676 
20,650 
3,266 
18,232 
11,488 
361,282 
18,278 
17,296 

263,706 
17,672 
15,526 
19,541 
18,278 
18,495 
85,817 
1,109 
7,524 
11,559 

Fair
 Value
$M 

7,736 
6,984 

21,676 
20,650 
3,266 
18,232 
11,488 
357,618 
18,278 
17,296 

262,832 
17,672 
15,526 
19,541 
18,278 
18,495 
84,979 
1,109 
7,521 
11,724 

Carrying 
Value 
$M 

10,108 
5,495 

21,469 
23,519 
4,073 
12,743 
9,672 
315,465 
18,721 
17,264 

219,068 
14,386 
16,396 
16,680 
18,721 
21,613 
88,525 
310 
7,346 
10,000 

Fair
 Value
$M 

10,108 
5,495 

21,469 
23,519 
4,073 
12,743 
9,672 
313,694 
18,721 
17,264 

218,472 
14,386 
16,396 
16,680 
18,721 
21,613 
88,619 
310 
7,346 
10,120 

(1) Comparative information has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. Refer to Note 1 (b). 

220     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

Note 49 Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued) 

49(a) Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial 
Liabilities (continued) 

The  fair  value  estimates  were  determined  by  the  following 
methodologies and assumptions: 

Liquid assets and Bank acceptances of customers 

The carrying values of cash and liquid assets, receivables from 
other  financial  institutions  and  bank  acceptances  of  customers 
approximate  their fair value  as  they  are short  term in nature or 
are receivable on demand. 

Receivables  due  from  other  financial  institutions  also  includes 
statutory deposits with central banks. The fair value is assumed 
to  be  equal  to  the  carrying  value  as  the  Group  is  only  able  to 
continue  as  a  going  concern  with  the  maintenance  of  these 
deposits. 

Assets at Fair Value through Income Statement 

Assets at fair value through Income Statement are carried at fair 
value  determined  using  quoted  market  prices  or  valuation 
techniques including discounted cash flow models using market 
observable  and  non-market  observable  inputs.  Discount  rates 
have  been  adjusted  for  changes  in  customer  credit  ratings, 
where appropriate. 

Available-for-sale investments 

Assets available-for-sale are measured at fair value determined 
using  quoted  market  prices.  For  shares  in  companies,  the 
estimated  fair  values  are  estimated  based  on  market  price 
inputs.  

Loans, advances and other receivables 

The carrying value of loans, advances and other receivables is 
net  of  accumulated  collective  and 
individually  assessed 
provisions  for  impairment.  Customers  credit  worthiness  is 
regularly  reviewed  in  line  with  the  Group’s  credit  policies  and 
where  necessary,  pricing  is  adjusted  in  accordance  with 
individual credit contracts. 

For  variable  rate  loans,  excluding  impaired  loans,  the  carrying 
amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value for 
fixed rate loans was calculated by utilising discounted cash flow 
models (i.e. the net present value of the portfolio future principal 
and interest cash flows), based on the maturity of the loans. The 
discount  rates  applied  were  based  on  the  current  benchmark 
rate offered for the average remaining term of the portfolio plus 
an add-on of the average credit margin of the existing portfolio, 
in  customer  credit  ratings,  where 
adjusted 
appropriate. 

for  changes 

The  fair  value  of  impaired  loans  was  calculated  by  discounting 
estimated  future  cash  flows  using  the  loan’s  original  effective 
interest rate.  

Retirement benefit surplus 

The  fair  value  of  the  retirement  benefit  surplus  is  the  carrying 
value  at Balance Sheet date determined using a present value 
calculation based on assumptions that are outlined in Note 43. 

All other financial assets 

Included  in  this  category  are  interest  and  fees  receivable, 
unrealised  income,  and  investments  in  associates  of  $906 
million  (2007:  $836  million),  where  the  carrying  amount  is 
considered  to  be  a  reasonable  estimate  of  fair  value.  Other 
financial assets are net of goodwill and other intangibles, future 
income  tax  benefits  and  prepayments/unamortised  payments, 
as these do not constitute financial instruments. 

Deposits and other public borrowings 

The carrying value of non-interest bearing, call and variable rate 
deposits,  and  fixed  rate  deposits  repricing  within  six  months, 
approximate their value as they are short term in nature or are 
payable on demand. Discounted cash flow models based upon 
deposit type and related maturity, were used to calculate the fair 
value of other term deposits. 

Short term liabilities 

The carrying value of payables to other financial institutions and 
bank acceptances approximate their fair value as they are short 
term in nature and reprice frequently. 

Debt issues and loan capital 

The fair values of debt issues and loan capital were calculated 
using  quoted  market  price  at  Balance  Sheet  date.  For  those 
debt  issues  where  quoted  market  prices  were  not  available, 
discounted  cash  flow  and  option  pricing  models  were  used, 
utilising  a  yield  curve  appropriate  to  the  expected  remaining 
maturity  of  the  instrument  and  adjusted  for  any  change  in  the 
Group’s applicable credit rating. 

Liabilities at Fair Value through Income Statement 

Liabilities at Fair Value through Income Statement are carried at 
fair value  determined  using quoted market  prices, or valuation 
techniques including discounted cash flow models using market 
observable  inputs.  Discount  rates  have  been  adjusted  for  any 
changes in the Group’s applicable credit rating. 

Derivative Assets and Liabilities  

The fair value of trading and hedging derivative contracts, were 
obtained  from  quoted  market  prices,  discounted  cash  flow 
models  or  option  pricing  models  that  used  market  based  and 
non-market based inputs.  

The fair value of these instruments is disclosed in Note 11. 

Life Insurance Policy Holder Liabilities 

Life  insurance  policyholder  liabilities  are  measured  on  a  net 
present value basis using assumptions outlined in Note 37. This 
treatment  is  in  accordance  with  AASB  1038:  Life  Insurance 
Business. 

All other financial liabilities 

includes 

This  category 
interest  payable  and  unrealised 
expenses payable for which the carrying amount is considered 
to be a reasonable estimate of net fair value. For liabilities that 
are long term, fair values have been estimated using the rates 
currently  offered  for  similar  liabilities  with  remaining  maturities. 
Other  provisions  including  provision  for  dividend,  income  tax 
liability  and  unamortised  receipts  are  not  considered  financial 
instruments. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     221 

 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 49 Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued) 

49(a) Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial 
Liabilities (continued) 

Commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, guarantees, 
warranties and indemnities issued 

The fair value of these items was not calculated as estimated fair 
values are not readily ascertainable. These financial instruments 
generally relate to credit risk and attract fees in line with market 
prices  for  similar  arrangements.  They  are  not  presently  sold  or 
traded. The items generally do not involve cash payments other 
than in the event of default. The fee pricing is set as part of the 
broader  customer  credit  process  and  reflects  the  probability  of 
default. The fair value may be represented by the present value 
of fees expected to be received, less associated costs, however 
the overall level of fees involved is not material. 

49(b) The Impact of Fair Values Calculated Using Non-
market Observable Assumptions 

The Group’s exposure to financial instruments measured at fair 
value based in full or in part on non-market observable inputs is 
restricted to short term loans and margins on trading securities 
where pricing is counterparty specific. 

These financial instruments comprise a small component of the 
portfolios  they  are  part  of  and  have  short  tenor,  such  that  any 
change  in  the  assumptions  used  to  value  the  instruments  to  a 
reasonably possible alternative do not have a material effect on 
the portfolio balance or the Group’s result. 

222     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
Directors’ Declaration 

In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia the Directors declare that: 

(a)  the Financial Statements and notes thereto of the Bank and the Group, and the additional disclosures included in the Directors’ 
Report designated as audited, comply with Accounting Standards and in their opinion are in accordance with the Corporations Act 
2001; 

(b)  the Financial Statements and notes thereto give a true and fair view of the Bank’s and the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 

2008 and of their performance for the year ended on that date; 

(c)  in the opinion of the Directors, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Bank will be able to pay its debts as and when they 

become due and payable; and 

(d)  the  directors  have  been given  the declarations  required  under Section 295A  of the Corporations Act  2001  for the financial  year 

ended 30 June 2008. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.  

J M Schubert 

Chairman 

13 August 2008 

R J Norris 

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer 

13 August 2008 

  Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     223 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Commonwealth Bank of Australia 

Report on the financial report  

We have audited the accompanying financial report of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (the company), which comprises the balance 
sheet as at 30 June 2008, and the income statement, statement of recognised income and expense and cash flow statement for the 
year ended on that date, a summary of significant accounting policies, other explanatory notes and the directors’ declaration for both 
Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  and  the  Group.  The  consolidated  entity  comprises  the  Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  and  the 
entities it controlled at the year's end or from time to time during the financial year. 

Directors’ responsibility for the financial report 

The  directors  of  the  company  are  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  the  financial  report  in  accordance  with 
Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations Act 2001. This responsibility 
includes establishing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free 
from  material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error;  selecting  and  applying  appropriate  accounting  policies;  and  making 
accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances. In Note 1 (a), the directors also state, in accordance with Accounting 
Standard  AASB  101  Presentation  of  Financial  Statements,  that  compliance  with  the  Australian  equivalents  to  International  Financial 
Reporting  Standards  ensures  that  the  financial  report,  comprising  the  financial  statements  and  notes,  complies  with  International 
Financial Reporting Standards. 

Auditor’s responsibility  

Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  the  financial  report  based  on  our  audit.  We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with 
Australian  Auditing  Standards.  These  Auditing  Standards  require  that  we  comply  with  relevant  ethical  requirements  relating  to  audit 
engagements  and  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  whether  the  financial  report  is  free  from  material 
misstatement. 

An  audit  involves  performing  procedures  to  obtain  audit  evidence  about  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  report.  The 
procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
report,  whether  due to  fraud or  error.  In making those  risk assessments,  the  auditor considers internal  control  relevant  to the  entity’s 
preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but 
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the 
appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates  made  by  the  directors,  as  well  as 
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report. 

Our procedures include reading the other information in the Annual Report to determine whether it contains any material inconsistencies 
with the financial report. 

For further explanation of an audit, visit our website http://www.pwc.com/au/financialstatementaudit. 

Our audit did not involve an analysis of the prudence of business decisions made by directors or management. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions.  

224     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008   

 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (continued) 

Independence 

In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Auditor’s opinion  

In our opinion: 

(a) the financial report of Commonwealth Bank of Australia is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

(i) giving a true and fair view of the company’s and consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2008 and of their 
performance for the year ended on that date; and 

(ii)  complying  with  Australian  Accounting  Standards  (including  the  Australian  Accounting  Interpretations)  and  the 
Corporations Regulations 2001; and 

(b) the financial report also complies with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in Note 1 (a). 

Report on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 56 to 75 of the directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 2008. The 
directors of the company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Remuneration Report in accordance with section 
300A  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  the  Remuneration  Report,  based  on  our  audit 
conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. 

Auditor’s opinion  

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Commonwealth Bank of Australia for the year ended 30 June 2008, complies with section 
300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Matters relating to the electronic presentation of the audited financial report 

This auditor’s report relates to the financial report and remuneration report of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (the company) for the 
year  ended  30  June  2008  included  on  Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  web  site.  The  company’s  directors  are  responsible  for  the 
integrity of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia web site. We have not been engaged to report on the integrity of this web site. The 
auditor’s report refers only to the financial report and remuneration report named above. It does not provide an opinion on any other 
information which may have been hyperlinked to/from these statements or the remuneration report. If users of this report are concerned 
with the inherent risks arising from electronic data communications they are advised to refer to the hard copy of the audited financial 
report and remuneration report to confirm the information included in the audited financial report and remuneration report presented on 
this web site. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Rahoul Chowdry 

Partner 
13 August 2008 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     225 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholding Information 

Top 20 Holders of Fully Paid Ordinary Shares as at 8 August 2008 

Rank 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

Name of Holder 
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 
National Nominees Pty Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
RBC Dexia Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited 
ANZ Nominees Limited 
Cogent Nominees Pty Limited 
Queensland Investment Corporation 
AMP Life Limited 
Australian Foundation Investments Company Limited 
UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Ltd 
UBS Nominees Pty Limited 
Bond Street Custodians Limited 
Invia Custodian Pty Limited 
Perpetual Trustee Co Limited (Hunter) 
Milton Corporation Limited 
Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty  Limited 
Suncorp Custodian Services Pty Limited 
Australian Reward Investment Alliance 
Argo Investments Limited 

Number of Shares 
134,930,729 
102,911,926 
92,124,605 
68,172,560 
31,525,878 
29,621,673 
18,927,257 
13,776,470 
9,372,231 
7,975,245 
7,725,788 
6,041,971 
5,791,346 
2,901,020 
2,756,096 
2,064,293 
1,906,386 
1,888,611 
1,882,519 
1,858,306 

% 
10. 17 
7. 76 
6. 95 
5. 14 
2. 38 
2. 23 
1. 43 
1. 04 
0. 71 
0. 60 
0. 58 
0. 45 
0. 44 
0. 22 
0. 21 
0. 16 
0. 14 
0. 14 
0. 14 
0. 14 

The top 20 shareholders hold 544,154,910 shares which is equal to 41.03% of the total shares on issue. 

Stock Exchange Listing 

The shares of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia are listed on 
the  Australian  Securities  Exchange  under  the  trade  symbol 
CBA, with Sydney being the home exchange. 

trading  activity  are  published 

Details  of 
in  most  daily 
newspapers,  generally  under  the  abbreviation  of  CBA  or 
C’wealth  Bank.  The  Bank  does  not  have  a  current  on-market 
buy-back of its shares. 

Range of Shares (Fully Paid Ordinary Shares and Employee Shares): 8 August 2008 

Number of 
Shareholders 
558,925 
161,896 
14,925 
6,175 
269 
742,190 
14,051 

Percentage 
Shareholders 
75. 31 
21. 81 
2. 01 
0. 83 
0. 04 
100. 00 
1. 89 

Number of 
Shares 
188,676,186 
330,963,180 
102,991,631 
118,233,135 
585,266,745 
1,326,130,877 
71,035 

Percentage 
Issued Capital 
14. 23 
24. 96 
7. 77 
8. 91 
44. 13 
100. 00 
0. 01 

•  On  a  poll  only  one  official  representative  may  exercise  the 
Equity  holder’s  voting  rights  and  the  vote  of  each  attorney 
shall be of no effect unless each is appointed to represent a 
specified proportion of the Equity  holder’s voting rights, not 
exceeding in aggregate 100%. 

If an Equity holder appoints two proxies and both are present at 
the meeting: 

• 

If the appointment does not specify the proportion or number 
of the Equity holder’s votes each proxy may exercise, then 
on  a  poll  each  proxy  may  exercise  one  half  of  the  Equity 
holder’s votes; 

•  Neither proxy shall be entitled to vote on a show of hands; 

and 

•  On a poll each proxy may only exercise votes in respect of 

those shares or voting rights the proxy represents. 

Range 
1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 100,000 
100,001 and over 
Total 
Less than marketable parcel of $500 

Voting Rights 

Under  the  Bank’s  Constitution,  each  person  who  is  a  voting 
Equity  holder  and  who  is  present  at  a  general  meeting  of  the 
Bank in person or by proxy, attorney or official representative is 
entitled: 

•  On a show of hands – to one vote; and 

•  On a poll – to one vote for each share held or represented. 

If  a  person present  at a  general meeting  represents personally 
or  by  proxy,  attorney  or  official  representative  more  than  one 
Equity holder, on a show of hands the person is entitled to one 
vote  even  though  he  or  she  represents  more  than  one  Equity 
holder. 

If  an  Equity  holder  is  present  in  person  and  votes  on  a 
resolution,  any  proxy  or  attorney  of  that  Equity  holder  is  not 
entitled to vote. 

If more than one official representative or attorney is present for 
an Equity holder: 

•  None of them is entitled to vote on a show of hands; and 

226     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Top 20 Holders of Perpetual Exchangeable Resettable Listed Securities II (“PERLS II”) as at 8 August 2008 

Shareholding Information 

Rank 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

Name of Holder 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
UBS Nominees Pty Limited 
National Nominees Limited 
Questor Financial Services Limited  
UBS Warburg Private Clients Nominees Pty Limited 
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
RBC Dexia Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited 
Invia Custodian Pty Limited 
ANZ Nominees Limited 
Tenix Pty Limited 
The Australian National University Investment Section 
Gordon Merchant No 2 Pty Limited 
Equitas Nominees Pty Limited 
Tynong Pastoral Co Pty Limited 
Cryton Investments No 9 Pty Limited 
Israelite House of David 
Lutovi Investments Pty Limited 
Bond Street Custodians Limited 
NSF Nominees Pty Limited 

Number of Units 

235,086 
210,162 
140,174 
123,085 
86,732 
83,767 
78,661 
75,052 
46,523 
32,433 
26,050 
25,000 
24,440 
21,925 
17,450 
17,100 
15,000 
15,000 
14,601 
12,400 

% 
6. 27 
5. 60 
3. 74 
3. 28 
2. 31 
2. 23 
2. 10 
2. 00 
1. 24 
0. 87 
0. 69 
0. 67 
0. 65 
0. 58 
0. 47 
0. 46 
0. 40 
0. 40 
0. 39 
0. 33 

The top 20 PERLS II unitholders hold 1,300,641 units which is equal to 34.68% of the total units on issue.  

Stock Exchange Listing 

PERLS  II  are  units  in  a  registered  managed  investment  scheme  of  which  Commonwealth  Managed  Investments  Limited  is  the 
responsible entity and are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the trade symbol PCBPA, with Sydney being the home 
exchange. Details of trading activity are published in most daily newspapers. 

Range of Units (PERLS II): 8 August 2008 

Range 
1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 100,000 
100,001 and over 
Total 
Less than marketable parcel of $500 

Number of 
Unitholders 
9,415 
286 
32 
23 
3 
9,759 
1 

Percentage 
Unitholders 
96. 48 
2. 93 
0. 33 
0. 23 
0. 03 
100. 00 
- 

Number of 
Units 
1,660,176 
597,676 
236,717 
757,086 
498,345 
3,750,000 
2 

Percentage 
Issued Units 
44. 27 
15. 94 
6. 31 
20. 19 
13. 29 
100. 00 
- 

Voting Rights 

•  During the winding up of the Bank; or 

PERLS II do not confer any voting rights in the Bank but if they 
are exchanged for or convert into ordinary shares or preference 
shares of the Bank in accordance with their terms of issue, the 
voting rights of the Bank’s ordinary shares will be as set out on 
page 226 and the voting rights of the preference shares will be 
as set out below. 

•  As otherwise  required  under the  Listing  Rules from time  to 

time,  

in  which  case  the  holders  will  have  the  same  rights  as  to 
manner  of  attendance  and  as  to  voting  in  respect  of  each 
preference  share  as 
those  conferred  on  ordinary 
shareholders in respect of each ordinary share. 

The  holders  will not be entitled to vote at a general meeting of 
the Bank except in the following circumstances: 

At a general meeting of the Bank, holders of preference shares 
are entitled: 

• 

If  at  the  time  of  the  meeting,  a  dividend  has  been  declared 
but has not been paid in full by the relevant payment date; 

•  On a proposal to reduce the Bank’s share capital; 
•  On  a  resolution  to  approve  the  terms  of  a  buy-back 

agreement; 

•  On a  proposal that  affects  rights  attached to  the preference 

shares; 

•  On a proposal to wind up the Bank;  
•  On  a  proposal  for  the  disposal  of  the  whole  of  the  Bank’s 

property, business and undertaking; 

•  On a show of hands, to exercise one vote when entitled to 

vote in respect of the matters listed above; and 

•  On a poll, to one vote for each preference share. 

The  holders  will  be  entitled  to  receive  notice  of  any  general 
meeting of the  Bank  and  a copy  of  every circular  or other like 
document sent out by the Bank to ordinary shareholders and to 
attend any general meeting of the Bank. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     227 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholding Information 

Top 20 Holders of Perpetual Exchangeable Repurchaseable Listed Shares III (“PERLS III”) as at 8 August 2008 

Rank 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

Name of Holder 
AMP Life Limited 
RBC Dexia Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited 
UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 
Mr Walter Lawton and Mrs Jan Rynette Lawton 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
ANZ Executors & Trustee Company Limited 
The Australian National University Investment Section 
Mr John Stuart Walker & Mr Ralph Lane 
Catholic Education Office Diocese of Parramatta 
Questor Financial Services Limited 
Bond Custodians Limited 
Truckmate (Australia) Pty Limited 
Avanteos Investments Limited 
Kerlon Pty Limited 
Mifare Pty Limited 
UCA Cash Management Fund Limited 
Equity Trustees Limited 
Fleischmann Holdings Pty Limited 
Henry Kendall Group Holdings Pty Limited 

Number of Shares 
191,591 
175,183 
166,235 
156,836 
75,482 
71,089 
59,246 
51,282 
50,000 
49,750 
46,349 
43,770 
35,000 
31,635 
30,000 
25,000 
25,000 
24,938 
22,500 
20,964 

% 
3. 29 
3. 00 
2. 85 
2. 69 
1. 29 
1. 22 
1. 02 
0. 88 
0. 86 
0. 85 
0. 79 
0. 75 
0. 60 
0. 54 
0. 51 
0. 43 
0. 43 
0. 43 
0. 39 
0. 36 

The top 20 PERLS III shareholders hold 1,351,850 shares which is equal to 23.18% of the total shares on issue. 

Stock Exchange Listing 

PERLS III are preference shares issued by Preferred Capital Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank) and are listed on the 
Australian Securities Exchange under the trade symbol PCAPA, with Sydney being the home exchange. Details of trading activity 
are published in most daily newspapers. 

Range of Shares (PERLS III): 8 August 2008 

Range 
1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 100,000 
100,001 and over 
Total 
Less than marketable parcel of $500 

Voting Rights 

Number of 
Shareholders 
17,340 
523 
43 
37 
4 
17,947 
21 

Percentage 
Shareholders 
96. 62 
2. 91 
0. 24 
0. 21 
0. 02 
100. 00 
0. 12 

Number of 
Shares 
2,903,942 
1,058,417 
334,160 
875,825 
659,937 
5,832,281 
41 

Percentage 
Issued Capital 
49. 79 
18. 15 
5. 73 
15. 02 
11. 31 
100. 00 
- 

PERLS III do not confer any voting rights in the Bank but if they are exchanged for or convert into ordinary shares or preference shares 
of the Bank in accordance with their terms of issue, the voting rights of the ordinary or preference shares (as the case may be) will be 
as set out on pages 226 and 227 respectively for the Bank’s ordinary shares and preference shares. 

228     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top 20 Holders of Perpetual Exchangeable Resaleable Listed Securities IV (“PERLS IV”) as at 8 August 2008 

Shareholding Information 

Rank 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

Name of Holder 
AMP Life Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Limited 
RBC Dexia Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited 
Goldman Sachs JB Were Capital Markets Limited 
Cogent Nominees Pty Limited 
Suncorp General Insurance Limited 
Suncorp Custodian Services Pty Limited 
National Nominees Limited 
Questor Financial Services Limited 
ANZ Nominees Limited 
GIO General Limited 
Invia Custodian Pty Limited 
UCA Cash Management Fund Limited 
Eastcode Pty Limited 
Avanteos Investments Limited 
Westpearl Pty Limited 
Bond Street Custodians Limited 
The Australian National University Investment Section 

Number of Shares
425,000 
314,276 
168,984 
168,912 
153,285 
150,752 
141,049 
118,000 
109,353 
106,740 
97,729 
95,594 
92,403 
76,715 
68,735 
50,000 
47,593 
40,000 
36,784 
30,000 

% 
5. 80 
4. 29 
2. 31 
2. 31 
2. 09 
2. 06 
1. 93 
1. 61 
1. 49 
1. 46 
1. 33 
1. 31 
1. 26 
1. 05 
0. 94 
0. 68 
0. 65 
0. 55 
0. 50 
0. 41 

The top 20 PERLS IV shareholders hold 2,491,904 shares which is equal to 34.02% of the total shares on issue. 

Stock Exchange Listing 

PERLS  IV  are  stapled  securities  issued  by  The  Commonwealth  Bank  of  Australia  and  are  listed  on  the  Australian  Securities 
Exchange under the trade symbol CBAPB, with Sydney being the home exchange. Details of trading activity are published in most 
daily newspapers. 

Range of Shares (PERLS IV): 8 August 2008 

Range 
1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 100,000 
100,001 and over 
Total 
Less than marketable parcel of $500 

Voting Rights 

PERLS IV confer voting rights in the Bank in the following limited 
circumstances: 

•  When  dividend  payments  on  the  preference  shares  are  in 

arrears; 

•  On proposals to reduce the Bank’s Share Capital; 

•  On  a  proposal  that  affects  rights  attached  to  preference 

shares; 

•  On  a  resolution  to  approve  the  terms  of  a  buy-back 

agreement; 

•  On a proposal to wind up the Bank; 

•  On  a  proposal  for  the  disposal  of  the  whole  of  the  Bank’s 

property, business and undertaking; and 

•  During the winding-up of the Bank. 

Further  more  if  PERLS  IV  convert  into  ordinary  shares  of  the 
Bank in accordance with their terms of issue, the voting rights of 
the ordinary shares will be as set out on pages 226 and 227. 

At  a  general  meeting  of  the  Bank,  holders  of  PERLS  IV  are 
entitled: 

Number of 
Shareholders 
11,941 
692 
44 
39 
8 
12,724 
1 

Percentage 
Shareholders 
93. 85 
5. 44 
0. 34 
0. 31 
0. 06 
100. 00 
- 

Number of 
Shares 
2,712,504 
1,537,821 
360,673 
1,221,121 
1,492,881 
7,325,000 
2 

Percentage 
Issued Capital 
37. 03 
21. 00 
4. 92 
16. 67 
20. 38 
100. 00 
- 

•  On a show of hands, to exercise one vote when entitled to 

vote on the matters listed above; and 

•  On a poll, to exercise one vote for each preference share. 

The holders will be entitled to the same rights as the holders of 
the  Bank’s  ordinary  shares  in  relation  to  receiving  notices, 
reports and financial statements and attending and being heard 
at all general meetings of the Bank. 

Trust Preferred Securities 

550,000  Trust  Preferred  Securities  were  issued  on  6  August 
2003.  Cede  &  Co  is  registered  as  the  sole  holder  of  these 
securities. 

700,000  Trust  Preferred  Securities  were  issued  on  15  March 
2006.  Cede  &  Co  is  registered  as  the  sole  holder  of  these 
securities. 

The Trust Preferred Securities do not confer any voting rights in 
the Bank but if they are exchanged for or convert into ordinary 
shares  or  preference  shares  of  the  Bank  in  accordance  with 
their  terms  of  issue,  the  voting  rights  of  the  ordinary  or 
preference  shares  (as  the  case  may  be)  will  be  as  set  out  on 
pages  226  and  227  for  the  Bank’s  ordinary  shares  and 
preference shares. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     229 

 
 
 
 
 
International Representation 

Australia 
Head Office 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia 
48 Martin Place, 
Sydney NSW 1155 
Telephone: (61 2) 9378 2000 

New Zealand 
ASB Bank Limited 
Level 28 ASB Bank Centre 
135 Albert Street, Auckland 
Telephone: (64 9) 377 8930 
Facsimile: (64 9) 358 3511 
Managing Director 
Hugh Burrett 

Sovereign Group Limited 
33-45 Hurstmere Road 
Takapuna, Auckland 
Telephone: (64 9) 487 9000 
Facsimile: (64 9) 486 1913 
Managing Director 
Simon Blair 

Asia Pacific 
Fiji Islands 
Colonial Fiji 
Colonial Life Limited 
Level 12, Suva Central 
Telephone: (67 9) 3214 400 
Facsimile: (67 9) 3303 448 
Managing Director 
Laurie Mellsop 

China 
CBA Representative Office 
2909 China World Towers 1 
1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue 
Beijing 100004 
Telephone: (86 10) 6505 5350 
Facsimile: (86 10) 6505 5354 
China Chief Representative 
Paul Au 

CommFinance 
Level 7 
Zhong Ya Building 
458 Wulumugi (N) Road 
Shanghai 
Telephone: (86 21) 6249 9659 
Facsimile: (86 21) 6249 9682 
Chief Executive Officer 
Guo-Xiong Jiang 

China Life – CMG Asia Life Assurance Co Ltd 
21st Floor 
China Insurance Building 
166 Lujiazui Dong Road 
Shanghai 200120 
Telephone: (86 21) 5882 5245 
Facsimile: (86 21) 6887 5720 
General Manager 
Alan Wood 

CBA Representative Office 
Room 4007 Bund Center 
222 Yan An Road East 
Shanghai 200002 
Telephone: (86 21) 6335 1686 
Facsimile: (86 21) 6335 1766  
Shanghai Chief Representative 
Guo Wei 

First State Cinda Fund Management Co. Ltd. 
24F China Merchants Bank Building 
No 7088, Shen Nan Road 
Shenzhen 518040  
Telephone: (852) 2846 7555 
Facsimile: (852) 2868 4742/4783 
Regional Head Asia 
Lindsay Mann 

Hong Kong 
Level 15 
1501-5, Chater House 
8 Connaught Road,  
Central 
Hong Kong 
Telephone: (852) 2844 7501 
Facsimile: (852) 2801 6916 
Regional General Manager Asia 
Stephen Poon 

Hong Kong Commonwealth Bank of Australia 
Room 1307-1308, Chater House 
8 Connaught Road 
Central 
Hong Kong 
Telephone: (852) 3667 8900 
Facsimile: (852) 3667 8939 
Executive General Manager 
Peter Fancke 

First State Investments (Hong Kong) Limited 
Level 6, Three Exchange Square 
Central 
Hong Kong 
Telephone: (852) 2846 7555 
Facsimile: (852) 2868 4742/4783 
Regional Head Asia 
Lindsay Mann 

India 
CBA Representative Office 
Unit  201,  Level  2  (front  portion)  of  Embassy 
Classic 
No. 11, Vittal Mallya Road 
Bangalore 560001  
Telephone: (91 80) 2210 7413 
Fascimile: (91 80) 5112 1462 
Chief Representative 
Ravi Kushan 

Indonesia 
PT Bank Commonwealth 
Level 3A, Wisma Metropolitan II 
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 29-31 
Jakarta 12920 
Telephone: (62 21) 5296 1222 
Facsimile: (62 21) 5296 2293 
President Director 
Neorsing Neorini 

PT Commonwealth Life 
11/F Sentra Mulia 
Jl. H.R. Rason Said, Kav X-6 No 8 
Jakarta 12940 
Telephone: (62 21) 250 0385 
Facsimile: (62 21) 250 0389 
President Director 
Simon Bennett 

PT First State Investments Indonesia 
29th Floor, Gedung Artha Graha 
Sudirman Central Business District 
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53 
Jakarta 12190 
Telephone: (62 21) 515 0088 
Facsimile: (62 21) 515 0033 
CEO 
Hario Soeprobo 

Japan 
CBA Branch Office 
8th Floor 
Toranomon Waiko Building 
5-12-1 Toranomon 
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001 
Telephone: (81 3) 5400 7280 
Facsimile: (81 3) 5400 7288 
General Manager Japan 
Richard Harris 

Singapore 
CBA Branch Office 
Level 17 Millenia Tower 
1 Temasek Avenue  
Singapore 039192 
Telephone: (65) 6349 7001 
Facsimile: (65) 6224 5812 
Country Head 
Brian McGovern 

First State Investments (Singapore) 
1 Temasek Avenue  
#17-01 Millenia Tower 
Singapore 039192 
Telephone: (65) 6538 0008 
Facsimile: (65) 6538 0800 
Regional Head Asia 
Lindsay Mann 

Vietnam 
CBA Representative Office 
Suite 202-203A 
The Central Building  
31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi 
Telephone: (84 4) 826 9899 
Facsimile: (84 4) 824 3961 
Chief Representative 
Hahn Nuygen 

CBA HCMC Branch office 
Ground Floor 
Han Nam Building 
65 Nguyen Du St., Dist. 1 
Ho Chi Min City 
Telephone: (84) 8824 1525 
Facsimilie: (84) 8824 2703 
General Director 
Danny Armstrong 

Americas 
United States of America 
CBA Branch Office 
Level 17, 599 Lexington Avenue  
New York NY 10022 
Telephone: (1 212) 848 9391 
Facsimile: (1 212) 336 7772 
General Manager, Americas 
Ian Phillips 

Europe 
United Kingdom 
CBA Branch Office 
Senator House 
85 Queen Victoria Street 
London EC4V 4HA 
Telephone: (44 20) 7710 3934 
Facsimile: (44 20) 7329 6611 
Regional General Manager Europe 
Paul Orchart 

First State Investments (UK) Limited 
3rd Floor, 30 Cannon Street 
London EC4M 6YQ 
Telephone: (44 20) 7332 6500 
Facsimile: (44 20) 7332 6501 
CEO 
Charlie Metcalf 

Edinburgh 
23 St Andrew Square 
Edinburgh EH2 1BB 
Telephone: (44 131) 473 2200 
Facsimile: (44 131) 473 2222 
Managing Partners 
Stuart Paul & Angus Tulloch 

230     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
132 221 General Enquiries 

131 709 CommSec Margin Loan  

Contact Us 

For  your  everyday  banking including paying bills  using BPAY® 
our  automated  service  is  available  24  hours  a  day,  7  days  a 
week.  

Lost or Stolen Cards 

To report a lost or stolen card 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

From  overseas  call  +61  132  221.  Operator  assistance  is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518 

132 224 Home Loans & Investment Home Loans 

To  apply  for  a  new  home  loan/investment  home  loan  or  to 
maintain an existing loan. Available from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a 
week. 

131 431 Personal Loan Sales 

To apply for a new personal loan. 

Available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. 

1800 805 605 Customer Relations 

If you would like to pay us a compliment or are dissatisfied with 
any aspect of the service you have received. 

Internet Banking 

You can apply for a home loan, credit card, personal loan, term 
deposit  or  a  savings  account  on  the  internet  by  visiting  our 
website at www.commbank.com.au available 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week. 

Do  your  everyday  banking  on  our  internet  banking  service 
NetBank at www.commbank.com.au/netbank available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week. 

To apply for access to NetBank, call 132 828. 

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Special Telephony Services 

Customers who are hearing or speech impaired can contact us 
via  the  National  Relay  Service  (www.relayservice.com.au)  (24 
hours a day, 7 days a week). 

•  Telephone Typewriter (TTY) service users can be connected 

to any of our telephone numbers via 133 677. 

•  Speak  and  Listen  (speech-to-speech  relay)  users  can  also 
connect  to  any  of  our  telephone  numbers  by  calling  
1300 555 727. 

• 

Internet  relay  users  can  be  connected  to  our  telephone 
numbers via National Relay Service. 

131 519 CommSec (Commonwealth Securities) 

Available  from  8am  to  8pm  (Sydney  Time),  Monday  to  Friday, 
with  after  hours  assistance  available  from  8pm  to  8am  for  lost 
and stolen cards, including weekends. 

CommSec  provides  the  information  and  tools  to  make  smart 
investment easy, accessible and affordable for all Australians, by 
phone or Internet at www.commsec.com.au  

Enables you to expand your portfolio by borrowing against your 
existing shares and managed funds. To find out more simply call 
131  709  8am  to  5pm  (Sydney  Time)  Monday  to  Friday  or  visit 
www.commsec.com.au. 

1800 019 910 Corporate Financial Services 

For a full range of financial solutions for medium-size and larger 
companies.  

Available from 8am to 6pm (Sydney Time), Monday to Friday. 

131 998 Local Business Banking 

A dedicated team of Business Banking Specialists, supporting a 
network  of  branch  business  bankers,  will  help  you  with  your 
financial needs. 

Available  24  hours  a  day,  7  days  a  week  or  visit 
www.commbank.com.au/lbb 

1300 245 463 (1300 AGLINE) AgriLine 

A dedicated team of Agribusiness Specialists will help you with 
your financial needs. With many of our Business Banking team 
living  in  regional  and  rural  Australia,  they  understand  the 
challenges  you  face.  Available  from  7am  to  7pm,  Monday  to 
Friday (Sydney time). 

Colonial First State 

Existing  investors  can  call  131  336  from  8am  to  7pm  (Sydney 
Time) Monday to Friday.  

New investors without a financial adviser can call 1300 360 645. 
Financial advisers can call 131 836. 

Alternatively, visit www.colonialfirststate.com.au 

CommBiz 

Enables  you  to  perform  online  business  transactional  banking 
from an Internet-connected computer, anywhere in the world, 24 
hours a day, 7 days a week on www.commbiz.com.au 

1300 362 081 Commonwealth Private Bank 

A highly personalised service for clients with significant financial 
resources  and  complex  financial  needs.  For  a  confidential 
discussion  about  how  Commonwealth  Private  Bank  can  help 
you, call 1300 362 081 between 8am to 5:30pm (Sydney time), 
Monday to Friday or visit www.commonwealthprivate.com.au  

132 015 Commonwealth Financial Services 

For  enquires  on  retirement  and  superannuation  products,  or 
managed  investments.  Available  from  8.30am  to  6pm  (Sydney 
Time), Monday to Friday.  

Unit prices are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

CommInsure 

For all your general insurance needs call 132 423 8am to 8pm 
(Sydney Time), 7 days a week. 

For  all  your  life  insurance  needs  call  131  056  8am  to  8pm 
(Sydney Time), Monday to Friday. 

Alternatively, visit www.comminsure.com.au 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008     231 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Directory 

Registered Office 
Level 7, 48 Martin Place 
Sydney NSW 1155 
Telephone (02) 9378 2000 
Facsimile (02) 9378 2400  

Company Secretary 
JD Hatton  

Shareholder Information 
www.commbank.com.au/Shareholder 

Share Registrar 
Link Market Services Limited 
Locked Bag A14 
SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235  
Telephone: (02) 8280 7199 
Facsimile: (02) 9287 0303 
Freecall: 1800 022 440  
Internet 
www.linkmarketservices.com.au  
Email 
registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au  

Telephone numbers for overseas Shareholders  
New Zealand 
0800 442 845  
United Kingdom 
0845 769 7502  
Fiji 
008 002 054  
Other International 
612 8280 7199  

Australian Stock Exchange Listing 
CBA  

Annual Report 
To request a copy of the Annual Report, please call Link Market 
Services on 1800 022 440 or email them at 
registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au 

Electronic versions of Commonwealth Bank’s past and current 
Annual Reports are available on 
www.commbank.com.au/shareholder/annualreports 

232     Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2008 

 
 
 
 
 
 
This report is printed on Sappi Royal Web Recycled Silk produced in Blackburn, England. It features 50% post  
consumer recycled pulp. Sappi Fine Paper Europe is certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and EMAS (Eco Management 
and Audit system). All virgin fibre used in Sappi Fine Paper Europe products originates from well managed forests  
and controlled sources. More than one third of the virgin fibre used is made from saw mill residues.

www.commbank.com.au

CBA1421 010908