Westpac Banking Corp 6-K, filed Jul 22, 2021

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

July 22, 2021

Commission FileNumber 1-10167

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

275 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 2000, AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F          x          Form 40-F           ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨

Incorporation by Reference

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K, excluding the information set forth in Exhibit No. 1, shall be incorporated by reference in the prospectuses relating to the Registrant’s securities contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form F-3 (File Nos. 333-228295 and 333-228294), as such prospectuses may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Appointment of Audette Exel AO to the Westpac Board

On July 22, 2021, Westpac Banking Corporation announced the appointment of Audette Exel AO as an independent Non-executive Director with effect from September 1, 2021. Ms Exel will become a member of the Board Risk Committee and the Board Technology Committee following her appointment.

Ms Exel has more than 35 years’ experience in the global financial services markets as a senior executive, a non-executive director and as a social entrepreneur. Ms Exel is the founder and Chair of Adara Group, a social enterprise and international non-government organisation focused on improving health and education for women, children and communities living in extreme poverty. She has received many Australian and international awards and recognition for her business leadership and philanthropy, including an honorary Order of Australia for service to humanity.

Ms Exel was previously a Non-executive Director of Suncorp Group Limited, Managing Director of BSX-listed Bermuda Commercial Bank, Chair of the Bermuda Stock Exchange, Director of Steamship Mutual and a Director of Bermuda’s central financial services regulator. She began her career as a lawyer specialising in international finance.

Index to Exhibits

Disclosure regarding forward-looking statements

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements about matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Report and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to our business and operations, macro and micro economic and market conditions, results of operations and financial condition.

We use words such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘seek’, ‘would’, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘continue’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘probability’, ‘risk’, ‘aim’ or other similar words to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to change, certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are, in many instances, beyond our control and have been made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon us. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with our expectations or that the effect of future developments on us will be those anticipated. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the expectations described in this Report. Factors that may impact on the forward-looking statements made include, but are not limited to, those described in the section entitled ‘Risk factors’ in Westpac’s 2021 Interim Financial Results on Form 6-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the ongoing impact of COVID-19. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider such factors and other uncertainties and events. We are under no obligation, and do not intend, to update any forward-looking statements contained in this Report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this Report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit 1

ASX

Release

Level 18, 275 Kent Street

Sydney, NSW, 2000

22 July 2021

APPOINTMENT OF AUDETTE EXEL AO TO THE WESTPAC BOARD

Westpac Banking Corporation has today announced the appointment of Audette Exel AO as an independent Non-executive Director with effect from 1 September 2021. Ms Exel will become a member of the Board Risk Committee and the Board Technology Committee following her appointment.

Ms Exel has more than 35 years’ experience in the global financial services markets as a senior executive, a non-executive director and as a social entrepreneur. Ms Exel is the founder and Chair of Adara Group, a social enterprise and international non-government organisation focused on improving health and education for women, children and communities living in extreme poverty. She has received many Australian and international awards and recognition for her business leadership and philanthropy, including an honorary Order of Australia for service to humanity.

Ms Exel was previously a Non-executive Director of Suncorp Group Limited, Managing Director of BSX-listed Bermuda Commercial Bank, Chair of the Bermuda Stock Exchange, Director of Steamship Mutual and a Director of Bermuda’s central financial services regulator. She began her career as a lawyer specialising in international finance.

Westpac Chairman, John McFarlane said, “We are delighted to welcome Audette to the Board. Audette’s extensive business leadership experience, entrepreneurship and deep contribution to philanthropy will bring new insights to the Board and complement Westpac’s purpose of helping Australians and New Zealanders succeed.”

Ms Exel said “I am honoured to join the Board of Australia’s oldest company. Westpac is hugely important to the lives of so many Australians and New Zealanders, and has played an important role in the economic and social fabric of those countries. I very much look forward to becoming part of the Westpac Group and to working with John and the Board.”

For further information:

This document has been authorised for release by Tim Hartin, General Manager & Company Secretary.