FAQs
Commonwealth Bank information
- What is the history of Commonwealth Bank and when was it floated on the Australian Securities Exchange?
- How can I obtain a Commonwealth Bank annual report?
- When and where will the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Annual General Meeting be held?
Managing your Commonwealth Bank shareholding
- Who is the share registrar for Commonwealth Bank?
- Why is it important to keep my personal information up to date?
- What is the best way to update my personal details?
- Where do I find the page to update my personal details online?
- Where can I find commonly used forms?
- How do I update my address?
- How do I change my name?
- How do I find information about my holding over the internet?
- How can I buy or sell Commonwealth Bank shares?
- How can I buy or sell my Commonwealth Bank shares if I live overseas?
- Can I transfer my shares to someone else?
- How do I administer a deceased estate?
Dividend and dividend reinvestment plan
- When will I get my next dividend?
- What are the different methods I can choose to receive my dividends?
- How do I participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
- How do I find out about the Commonwealth Bank’s historic dividend amounts and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) prices?
- If I want to change my address, banking instructions or Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) participation for the next dividend, what is the cut off date before which the share registrar must receive my new instructions?
- Can I get a replacement dividend statement?
- Who can help me with unpresented dividend cheques?
What is the history of Commonwealth Bank (the Bank) and when was it floated on the Australian Securities Exchange?
On 1 January 1991 the State Bank of Victoria (SBV) was merged with the Commonwealth Bank. The Group remained a Government owned enterprise until the conversion of the Bank into a public company with share capital on 17 April 1991. The Commonwealth Bank was privatised in three stages:
- In July / August 1991 an offer of newly issued shares in the Bank was made to the public. 230 million shares, comprising 30% of its voting shares, were issued on 12 September 1991 at an issue price of $5.40.
- In October 1993, the Commonwealth Government further reduced its shareholding in the Bank to 50.4% of the total number of issued voting shares. 178 million shares were listed on 1 November 1993, at an issue price of $9.35 for retail investors and $9.60 for institutional investors.
- In July 1996, the Commonwealth Government made a public offer of its remaining 50.4% shareholding in the Bank. In conjunction with this offer, the Bank agreed to buy back 100 million shares from the Commonwealth Government. The buyback price was $10.01 per share, with the Bank paying the Commonwealth Government just over $1 billion. The public offer and buyback were completed on 22 July 1996. The Government’s public offer was for 399 million shares. Investors paid $6, with the remaining instalment of $4.45 being due on 14 November 1997. Investors were entitled to the three dividends payable in the intervening period.
Commonwealth Bank has 1,581,280,593 shares on issue (as at 8 December
2011).
How can I obtain a Commonwealth Bank annual report?
You can view both current and historic annual reports online. If you wish to get a hard copy annual report, please contact our share registrar, Link Market Services Limited.
When and where will the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Annual General Meeting be held?
The 2012 Commonwealth Bank Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 30 October in Sydney.
Who is the share registrar for Commonwealth
Bank?
Link Market Services Limited (Link Market Services) is the share registrar for Commonwealth Bank fully paid ordinary shares (CBA), PERLS II (PCBPA), PERLS III (PCAPA), PERLS IV (CBAPB), PERLS V (CBAPA) and Retail Bonds 1A (CBAHA).
You can find their contact details on the Share registry contact page.
Why is it important to keep my personal details up to date?
It is important for the Bank to ensure that shareholder communications and dividend / distribution statements are delivered to you at the correct registered address or email address. Keeping your nominated account details up to date is also essential for receiving your dividend / distribution by direct credit.
What is the best way to update my personal details?
It is recommended that you update your personal details online. Personal details include registered address, ABN/TFN, dividend payment instruction, dividend reinvestment election and communication election.
If your holding is above $50,000, for security purposes, you may be requested to make any changes by completing the applicable form or writing to Link Market Services at Locked Bag A14, Sydney South, NSW 1235.
Where do I find the page to update my personal details online?
You can find this page on the Share registry services page of the Shareholder Centre or the Investor Centre page of Link Market Services' website.
Where can I find commonly used forms?
You can download commonly used forms on Link Market Services' website.
If your security holder reference number (SRN) starts with an “I” (Issuer
sponsored), there are a number of ways you can update your address:
- Online – log on to your shareholding through a secured page either through the Share registry services page on the Shareholder Centre or the Investor Centre page on Link Market Services website
- complete a change of address form and return it to the share registry
- write to the share registry including your full name, SRN, previous address
and current address, signed by all holders and indicate that the change of
address relates to Commonwealth Bank shares
Whether you update your address by post or online, you will receive a confirmation from the share registry.
If your shareholding reference starts with an “X” (CHESS sponsored), you should contact your broker to update the address for you.
If your security holder reference number (SRN) starts with an "I" (Issuer sponsored), you can change your name by completing a Name Correction form. A certified copy of the birth certificate, marriage certificate, , passport or name change certificate must accompany the form.
If your security holder reference number (SRN) starts with an "X" (CHESS sponsored), you should contact your broker to make this change for you.
Note: Supporting document must show both names. Divorce certificate usually does not have maiden name, and therefore will be rejected.
How do I find out information about my holding over the internet?
You can find out your current balance, transaction history and dividend payment information through the Share registry services page on the Shareholder centre or by logging on to the Investor Centre of Link Market Services' website.
How can I buy or sell Commonwealth Bank shares?
You can buy or sell your shares on the stock market through a broker or through an online broker.
If you do not have a broker, the Australian Securities Exchange operates a broker referral service. Please refer to their website www.asx.com.au or call them on 131 279.
How can I buy or sell my Commonwealth Bank shares if I live overseas?
All sales need to go through a broker who is able to trade on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), as these shares are listed on the ASX.
You will need to contact the broker of your choice, as all brokers charge a different fee for their services. These can be either telephone based or internet based brokers. You can find an internet based brokers on the Find a broker page of the ASX website.
You will require your Security holder Reference Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN). This can be located on Statements and all personalised forms and would begin with the letter "I" or "X".
If you reside in the United Kingdom, please use this link London Stock Exchange (LSE) to locate a stockbroker who is able to trade on the ASX.
For CBA shareholders in all other jurisdictions you should contact the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on +61 2 9338 0000 or visit the ASX website for further information.
Can I transfer my shares to someone else?
Yes. However, how you transfer your securities will depend upon your
individual circumstances.
If you are CHESS Sponsored, you will need to contact your sponsoring broker who
will arrange the transfer on your behalf.
If you are Issuer Sponsored and wish to transfer your listed securities - i.e. securities listed on the Australian Securities Exchange - to another person you will need to complete an Off Market Transfer Form and pay the applicable fee. Please contact Link Market Services in Sydney on (02) 8280 7199 for further information.
You will need your SRN or HIN to sell your shares. Transfers must be validly completed and signed and must meet the Group’s requirements.
How do I administer a deceased estate?
Link Market Services provide a range of services to assist you with dealing with a deceased estate. For further information, please refer to the Estate Administration page on Link Market Services' website.
When will I get my next dividend?
Commonwealth Bank usually pays two dividends each year; interim dividend and final dividend. The current year's dividend announcement dates, ex-dividend dates, record dates and payment dates are available on the financial calendar page.
What are the different methods I can choose to receive my dividends?
Effective from the 2011 final dividend payment, Commonwealth Bank pays cash dividends to shareholders with registered addresses in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. Payment of dividends by direct credit will ensure that you receive your dividends in a safe, efficient and secure way. A dividend statement in the form nominated by you (electronic or paper) will be sent to you for your tax records.
For other geographically based shareholders, you can choose to receive your dividend in cash either by direct credit or by cheque.
You may also wish to reinvest your dividend proceeds through the Commonwealth Bank Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP). A copy of the DRP Rules is available on the Dividend Reinvestment Plan page.
Please be reminded that whichever method you have chosen to receive your dividend, it is important to keep your registered address and nominated account details up to date by notifying the share registry.
How do I participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
If you wish to participate in the Commonwealth Bank DRP or update your election, you may do so online or complete the applicable form.
How do I find out about Commonwealth Bank’s historic dividend amounts and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) prices?
Historic information about Commonwealth Bank’s declared dividends and DRP prices are available on the Dividend page.
If I want to change my address, banking instructions or Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) participation for the next dividend, what is the cut off date before which the share registrar must receive my new instructions?
If you wish to change you address, direct credit instructions or DRP intentions or instructions for the next dividend, your notification should be received in writing by the share registrar before 5pm (Sydney time) on the record date (refer to the Financial calendar for the next record date).
Can I get a replacement dividend statement?
If you wish to obtain a copy of a historic dividend statement, please log on through a secured page on the Share registry services page on the Shareholder Centre or on the Investor Centre page of Link Market Services' website. Historic data is available from 1 January 2002.
For dividend information before January 2002, please contact Link Market Services. You may be charged a fee if you request for a replacement statement through Link Market Services.
Who can help me with unpresented dividend cheques?
If you find that you have unpresented dividend cheques, please contact the share registrar Link Market Services. Link Market Services will organise for the original cheque to be stopped and replacement payments made to your nominated account.
Does Commonwealth Bank offer any shareholder discounts?
Commonwealth Bank does not have a shareholder benefits package. We believe shareholders are most appropriately compensated by the returns they receive on their investment in the Group. Shareholders, like customers, have different needs and we do not believe it is possible to design a shareholder benefits package which would be of equal benefit to our diverse range of shareholders.
Webcasts
- 2012 Half year results, 15 Feb, 10.30am AEDT
- September quarter trading update, 15 November, 11am AEDT
Share prices and charts by Iguana²
Did you Know?
We encourage the development of financial literacy skills for young Australians.
