Massive payout to some Commonwealth, Westpac and ANZ customers

Up to one million customers could be eligible for compensation in a huge win against three of the big four banks.

Hundreds of thousands of Australians could be eligible for compensation after a major class action win against Australia’s biggest banks and their insurers.

Law firm Slater and Gordon reached settlements with Commonwealth Bank (CBA), ANZ and Westpac worth a combined $126 million over consumer credit insurance which customers were sold while taking out personal loans and credit cards.

Many customers who were sold insurance were ineligible or unlikely to make a claim due to a number of factors, such as being unemployed or having pre-existing health conditions or diabetes when signing up.

Westpac and its insurers reached a settlement worth $29 million. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Slater and Gordon said others did not provide consent to buy the policies, were not told they were optional or were not informed they would be charged for the product.

The lead plaintiff in the CBA proceedings said a bank employee told her there was no guarantee her loan would be approved if she didn’t take out the $25-a-month insurance policy. That’s despite being ineligible to make a claim due to being unemployed and being diagnosed with serious health conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

“I believe the bank knew full well that we couldn’t benefit from their products, but they deliberately sold them to us anyway,” the single mother of four said.

Slater and Gordon reached a settlement amount of $47 million with ANZ and insurers OnePath Life, OnePath General Insurance, Zurich and QBE. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

“We were all so vulnerable or else we wouldn’t have needed loans from them in the first place, yet they took advantage of that, in my opinion.

“It was behaviour that they made a lot of money from, so it’s about time those of us affected get compensated.”

Slater and Gordon class actions senior associate Alex Blennerhassett said “taking on the big banks was never going to be easy, but we are pleased that we have been able to resolve these group proceedings and that eligible customers will benefit”.

Commonwealth Bank had the largest settlement at $50 million. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

CBA and insurer Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society reached a $50 million settlement.

Slater and Gordon reached a settlement amount of $47 million with ANZ and insurers OnePath Life, OnePath General Insurance, Zurich, and QBE.

Westpac and its insurers also reached a settlement worth $29 million.

Class actions senior associate Alex Blennerhassett said taking on the big banks was ‘never going to be easy’. Picture: Slater and Gordon

Slater and Gordon said it will contact customers who are eligible for a portion of the settlement.

ANZ has confirmed it has reached an agreement with Slater and Gordon to settle the class action.

“ANZ will contribute $42 million to the settlement, which is covered by provision held at 30 September 2022.

“The settlement is without admission of liability and remains subject to court approval,” a spokesperson said.

Westpac also acknowledged its $29 million settlement.

“Westpac has agreed to settle a class action related to the sale of consumer credit insurance products prior to 2019,” a Westpac spokesperson said.

“The settlement amount is $29m and remains subject to approval by the Federal Court of Australia.

“Westpac has not sold consumer credit insurance products since 2019.”

NCA NewsWire has contacted CBA for comment.

Originally published as Massive payout to some Commonwealth, Westpac and ANZ customers