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 2009 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?
- Where can I find commonly used forms?
- Can I update my shareholder communication elections and other personal details over the internet?
- Where do I find the page to update my personal details online?
- Can I change my DRP instructions online?
- 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 change my dividend payment instructions?
- Where can I find information about Commonwealth Bank’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
- 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 the unpresented dividend cheques?
Shareholder benefit scheme
What is the history of Commonwealth 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 installment of $4.45 being due on 14 November 1997. Investors were entitled to the three dividends payable in the intervening period.
Commonwealth Bank has 1,534,295,722 shares on issue (updated on 10 March 2010).
How can I obtain a Commonwealth Bank annual report?
You can view both current and historical annual reports online. If you wish to get a hard copy annual report, please contact our share registrar, Link Market Services.
When and where will the 2009 Commonwealth Bank Annual General Meeting be held?
The 2009 Commonwealth Bank Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 at Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000.
Who is the share registrar for Commonwealth
Bank?
Link Market Services is the share registrar for Commonwealth Bank fully paid ordinary shares (CBA), PERLS II (PCBPA), PERLS III (PCAPA) and PERLS IV (CBAPB).
You can find their contact details on the Share registry contact page.
Why is it important to keep my personal information up to date?
It is important for us to ensure that shareholder communications, dividend cheques and dividend 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 by direct credit.
Where can I find the commonly used forms?
You can download commonly used forms from the Link Market Services website.
Can I update my shareholder communication elections and other personal details over the internet?
You can update your shareholder communication elections online.
You can also update your personal details, your registered address, your TFN/ABN and change your dividend payment instructions (individual Issuer Sponsored holders only, subject to holding value) online.
Where do I find the page to update my personal details online?
You can find this page on:
Share registry services on the Shareholder Centre:
- Enter your Holder Identifier (HIN/SRN)
- Enter your Surname or Company Name
- Enter your Australian Postcode or Country Code
OR
- Click on “Investor Service Centre” under “Manage your holdings”
- Select “Commonwealth Bank of Australia” under Issuer
- Enter your Holder Identifier (SRN/HIN)
- Enter your Surname or Company Name
- Enter your Australian Postcode or Country Code
Can I change my DRP instructions online?
No, any change in DRP instructions have to be given either by completing and returning a Reinvestment Plan Application or Variation form or in writing to Link Market Services. Contact Link Market Services to obtain the DRP Application or Variation form.
If you hold shares in your sole name and 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 website or the Investor Service 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, previous address and
current address, signed by all holders and indicate that the change of address
relates to Commonwealth Bank shares
If your holding is a joint holding or company holding, you should complete the form or write to the share registry.
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.
You can change your name by either completing a Name Correction form or writing a letter to the share registrar. A certified copy of a birth certification, marriage certificate, name change certificate or decree nisi (certificate of divorce) must accompany the form or the letter.
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 a secured page on the Share registry services page on the Shareholder centre or by logging on to the Investor Service Centre of Link Market Service.
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 1300 300 279.
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, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) can also assist you in locating a stockbroker who is able to trade on the ASX. You can also call them on +44 (0) 20 7797 1000.
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 (Transfer of Ownership). Please contact Link Market Services in Sydney on (02) 8280 7111 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. Estate administration information including“A Guide to Dealing with the Security Holding of a Deceased Investor” can be located by selecting ‘Other’, under the ‘Services’ tab of the 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 dividend announcement dates, ex-dividend dates, record dates and payment dates for 2009 are available on the financial calendar page.
What are the different methods I can choose to receive my dividends?
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.
If you wish to receive your dividend in cash, we recommend that you choose direct credit. This is the quickest and safest way of receiving your dividend payment. Direct credit facility is available to our Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom shareholders.
You can change your dividend payment method to direct credit online, by logging on to your shareholding through our share registrar's website Link Market Services. If your holding is a joint holding or company holding, you should complete the direct credit form or write to the share registry. If you have any questions about your shareholding or have any problems with updating your instructions online, please contact Link Market Services.
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 change my dividend payment instructions?
If you hold shares in your sole name and your shareholding reference number starts with an “I” (Issuer sponsored), there are a number of ways you can update your payment instructions:
- Online log on to your shareholding through a secured page either through the Share registry services page on the Shareholder Centre website or the Investor Service Centre page on Link Market Services website
- complete a Direct credit form and return it to the share registrar
- write to the share registry including your full name and address, security holder reference number (SRN) or holder identification number (HIN), signature of all shareholders, name of your financial institution, account name, BSB number, and indicate that the instruction relates to Commonwealth Bank shares
Whether you update your address by post or online, you will receive a confirmation from the share registrar.
Where can I find information about Commonwealth Bank’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
A copy of the DRP Rules is available on the Dividend Reinvestment Plan page.
How do I participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
If you wish to participate in the Commonwealth Bank DRP, you will need to complete and return a DRP application or variation form to the share registrar. Please contact Link Market Services by email cba@linkmarketservices.com.au or by telephone 1800 022 440 if you have any questions.
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 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 Service Centre page of the share registrar. 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 cheques issued.
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.
Did you Know?
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