ANZ silent on Xmas IT staff cuts

Around 800 Australian mid-level managers at ANZ Bank will have lost their jobs by Christmas; and while technology staff were included in the cull, the bank has refused to disclose numbers.

ANZ Bank CEO Mike Smith confirmed on Friday that around 800 middle management staff across all divisions within the bank will have lost their jobs by Christmas.

A spokesperson for the bank today told ZDNet.com.au that all divisions of the bank were affected — including staff from the company's IT department. However, the spokesperson was unable to disclose the number of staff from its technology division were at risk.

Foreshadowing further bad news, Smith said previous talks with the government and finance sector had led him to "believe it will take at least another two years for the world to work through the current financial situation and its economic impact".

Last month, ANZ Bank quelled speculation that the bank was planning to cut 10 per cent — or 3,500 Australians — from its workforce. At the time, spokespeople could not say whether technology staff would be affected but said the number was more likely to be 500.

ZDNet.com.au was waiting on a response from the Financial Sector Union at the time of publishing.