Among the many departures Westpac has had to announce since AUSTRAC accused the bank of 23 million breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, two stick out like sore thumbs.

Chief executive Brian Hartzer, board director Ewen Crouch, chairman Lindsay Maxsted, board director Anita Fund, CEO Westpac Institutional Bank Lyn Cobley, and chief strategy and operating officer Gary Thrusby have all resigned since November. And every one was sent on his or her way with effusive praise, their chair or CEO putting their name to quotes praising them for their work.