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

 

August 18, 2016

 

Commission File Number 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

o

 

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): o

 

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): o

 

 

 


 

Incorporation by reference

 

The information set forth in this Report on Form 6-K: (i) supplements the information set forth in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2015 under (a) the heading “Failure to maintain credit ratings could adversely affect our cost of funds, liquidity, competitive position and access to capital markets” in the section entitled “Risk and risk management — Risk factors — Risks relating to our business” and (b) paragraph 22.3.2 “Sources of Liquidity — Credit Ratings” in Note 22 to the financial statements and (ii) supplements the information set forth in our U.S. Interim Financial Results Announcement for the half-year ended March 31, 2016 under the heading “Failure to maintain credit ratings could adversely affect our cost of funds, liquidity, competitive position and access to capital markets” in the section entitled “Risk factors — Risks relating to our business”.

 

The information set forth in this Report on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference in the prospectus relating to the Registrant’s debt securities contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-207931), as such prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Moody’s revises the major Australian Banks’ ratings Outlook to Negative

 

On August 18, 2016, Moody’s affirmed Westpac Banking Corporation’s current long term and short term issuer credit ratings but revised the outlook from “stable” to “negative”.  Moody’s revised the outlook of all the major Australian banks from “stable” to “negative”.

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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.

 

 

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  August 18, 2016

By:

/s/ Sean Crellin

 

 

Sean Crellin

 

 

Director – Corporate, Legal and Secretariat

 

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