Commonwealth Bank shareholders vote on deforestation and mortgages

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

Commonwealth Bank shareholders will vote on deforestation financing and discuss mortgage lending at its annual general meeting in Sydney on Wednesday.

Commonwealth Bank shareholders will vote on the bank's approach to deforestation at an annual general meeting in Sydney on Wednesday. Investors and analysts will be looking for an update on mortgage applications after the bank revealed in August that applications were down 15 per cent in recent months compared to 2025. Chief executive Matt Comyn attributed the slide to multiple interest rate hikes, higher petrol prices and tax policy changes that had taken a toll on the housing market. However, applications had been ticking up after hitting a low point at the end of June.

CBA is the biggest mortgage lender in Australia, with about a quarter of the market. In 2025/26, the bank's retail banking division, which includes mortgage lending, contributed about half of its record $11 billion cash profit. CBA shares closed Tuesday at $154.50, down 4.1 per cent since the start of the year, partly due to concerns about its mortgage business. Other lenders have reported similar declines in mortgage applications.

The Finance Sector Union cancelled a planned protest by about 30 or 40 workers outside the shareholder meeting after the bank made an improved enterprise agreement pay offer. Workers on the lowest band will receive a 13 per cent pay increase over three years.

How it is being reported

• Mortgages, deforestation in focus at big bank meetingCommonwealth Bank shareholders will vote on deforestation financing and hope for a positive update on home loans at an annual general meeting.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 17:32
• Mortgages, deforestation in focus at big bank meetingCommonwealth Bank shareholders will vote on deforestation financing and hope for a positive update on home loans at an annual general meeting.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 17:32

In this story: Commonwealth Bank · Matt Comyn · Australia · Finance Sector Union · Sydney

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