Own Westpac shares? Here's why change is afoot

What new executive appointment did Westpac announce today?

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • Westpac shares are in the green today 
  • The bank has appointed a new chief transformation officer 
  • The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index is also climbing today 

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are on the move today as the bank announces it has created a new position to drive change.

Westpac shares are up 0.43% today, trading at $23.59 at the time of writing. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.55% today.

Let's take a look at what's happening at Westpac.

A person transforms as they walk through a doorway in a field towards a shining light.

Image source: Getty Images

New executive

Westpac has created a new position with the title Chief Transformation Officer. Yianna Papanikolaou has been appointed to the role and will join the company's executive team. Her responsibilities will include major change, investment programs and accountability for the bank's Customer Outcomes and Risk Excellence (CORE) program.

Papanikolaou recently joined Westpac as the general manager of the Group Transformation Office.

CEO Peter King commented on the appointment:

Continuing to transform culture and risk management remains a major focus for the Group in our efforts to build a simpler, stronger bank and the CORE program is an integral part of this plan.

Yianna brings a wealth of global experience in large scale transformations across major organisations.

Subject to regulatory approval, Papanikolaou will start in April. Her global experience includes senior roles at Deutsche Bank in the United Kingdom, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Accenture.

My Foolish colleague James reported recently that the team at Morgans consider Westpac shares great value now. The broker has a $29.50 price target on the company's shares.

The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) is climbing 0.79% at midday on Wednesday. Westpac makes up 18% of the total market cap of the financials sector on the ASX.

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price is up 1.42% today, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is climbing 0.24%, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is ahead 0.64% and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is 1.05% in the green.

Westpac share price recap

The Westpac share price has fallen nearly 5% in the past 12 months, though it has gained more than 10% year to date.

In the past month, Westpac shares have climbed 2.25%, and nearly 9% in the past week.

Westpac has a market capitalisation of $82.5 billion based on its current share price.

The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Bank Shares

A man sits in deep thought with a pen held to his lips as he ponders his computer screen with a laptop open next to him on his desk in a home office environment.
Bank Shares

Here's why this top broker is tipping 27% upside for ANZ shares

The Silicon Valley Bank collapse has weighed heavily on ANZ's shares and could have created a buying opportunity.

Read more »

A man holds his hand under his chin as he concentrates on his laptop screen and reads about the ANZ share price
Bank Shares

Is the Westpac share price a buy below $22?

Westpac’s net interest margins could benefit from any further rate hikes by the RBA.

Read more »

Person with thumbs down and a red sad face poster covering the face.
Bank Shares

Why did the Bank of Queensland share price just hit a multi-year low?

Bank of Queensland shares just went backwards by nearly two years.

Read more »

A man sits uncomfortably at his laptop computer in an outdoor location at a table with trees in the background as he clutches the back of his neck with a wincing look on his face.
Bank Shares

ASX 200 bank shares punished again on US bank fallout

Investors in ASX 200 bank shares are jittery in the wake of SVB’s financial implosion last week.

Read more »

Confident male executive dressed in a dark blue suit leans against a doorway with his arms crossed in the corporate office
Bank Shares

ASX 200 bank shares: Are they better prepared than Silicon Valley Bank?

How ready are our banks for a real life stress test?

Read more »

three reasons to buy asx shares represented by man in red jumper holding up three fingers
Bank Shares

3 reasons the 8% NAB dividend yield looks safe to me

The bank could keep paying a very good dividend.

Read more »

a small girl empties a piggy bank of coins onto a table while her mother looks on in the background.
Bank Shares

Here's how much I'd need to invest in Westpac shares to generate a $150 monthly income

Here's how much income you can get from Westpac shares right now.

Read more »

a woman holds her hands to her temples as she sits in front of a computer screen with a concerned look on her face.
Bank Shares

Why are ASX 200 bank shares like CBA being annihilated today?

It has not been a great day to be invested in the banking sector.

Read more »