Westpac Banking Corp
(ASX:WBC) says it expects a modest pick-up in lending growth throughout this year.
Addressing shareholders at the company's annual general meeting, chairman Lindsay Maxsted said the bank is seeing signs of improved consumer and business sentiment across its businesses after the federal election and the easing of the Australian dollar.
Mr Maxsted said the strength of Westpac's business and its substantial investments position the lender well for the future.
The chairman said the federal government's upcoming inquiry into the financial system creates an additional opportunity for the industry.
Westpac reported net profit of $6.89 billion in the 2013 financial year.
