Big banks to post $20b in profits

More record profits are set to be announced by ANZ and Westpac in the coming week, while the NAB's UK operations are expected to drag on its earnings.

Credit cards are seen in Sydney

Three of the big four banks are expected to announce combined annual profits of almost 20 billion. (AAP)

Three of the big four banks are expected to announce combined annual profits of almost $20 billion in the next week, breaking yet another record for the market giants.

Even with a fall in profit for NAB because of its exposure to the struggling UK economy, growth by Westpac and ANZ will add to Commonwealth Bank's already reported $8.7 billion annual profit to take the big four's total cash profits to unprecedented levels.

NAB - one of three banks with a fiscal year that ends in September - will detail its performance on Thursday, and has already confirmed its earnings will fall to about $5.1 billion because of $1.3 billion in new charges related to its troubled UK operations.

ANZ is expected on Friday to report an 11 per cent rise in cash profit to a record $7.08 billion, while Westpac will likely post a five per cent profit rise to $7.45 billion next Monday.

Commonwealth Bank will issue an update on its quarterly performance on November 5.

But profit growth - driven mainly by cost cutting and further falls in bad debt charges - will likely contrast with the commentary from bank bosses.

Continued weakness in demand for loans and uncertainty about the Australian economy is expected to dominate their updates on trading conditions.

The CEOs are also likely to face questions about increasing risk in home lending, a topic raised recently by officials at the RBA amid escalating property prices and demand from investors.

Analysts will also be quizzing the banks on their plans for the potential regulatory changes set to come out of the federal government's financial system inquiry.

Of particular interest will be the banks' plans to meet an expected recommendation they increase the amount of capital they hold as protection against a financial crisis.

"Capital is a key focal point this reporting season, with most banks still formulating capital targets," Credit Suisse analysts said in a research note.


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