FAQs

Shareholders - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I trade in St.George Bank Shares?
2. How many shares do I have in St.George?
3. How do I notify a change of address?
4. How do I notify an account (or change of) for direct crediting of my dividend payments?
5. How do I provide my Tax File Number?
6. What do I do if I no longer wish to receive an Annual Report?
7. Does St.George have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan? How do I apply?
8. When are St.George Dividends paid?
9. Does St.George offer any benefits to Shareholders?
10. What was the result of the High Court Decision on St George Bank’s Sell Back Rights?
11. What do I need to do in view of the High Court Decision on St George Bank’s Sell Back Rights?
12. What do I do if I didn’t include an amount in my 2001 tax return in view of the High Court Decision on St George Bank’s Sell Back Rights?
13. What happened to my Converting Preference Shares?
14. Did the conversion of my Converting Preference Shares trigger a taxation liability?
15. What is the cost base for my ordinary shares acquired due to conversion of my Converting Preference Shares?
16. What happened to my PRYMES?
17. What are the tax consequences of the conversion of PRYMES to ordinary St.George Bank shares?
18. What will become the cost base for the ordinary shares received as a result of the conversion of PRYMES?

How do I trade in St.George Bank Shares?

To sell shares in St.George Bank you will need to contact a broker. Shares may be traded over the internet through an on-line broker such as www.directshares.com.au or over the phone. If you do not have a broker, visit the Australian Stock Exchange at www.asx.com.au for a list of brokers.

How many shares do I have in St.George?

It is possible for you to view details of your Shareholding with St.George Bank on this website through Access Your Shareholding.

How do I notify a change of address?
How do I notify an account (or change of) for direct crediting of my dividend payments?
How do I provide my Tax File Number?
What do I do if I no longer wish to receive an Annual Report?

All the above changes to your shareholding details should be made via the St.George Share Registry, Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited in writing, see Share Registry for contact details. To assist you, smart forms are available in Access Your Shareholding. Simply identify yourself as a shareholder in St.George, and go to the section Downloadable Forms at the top of the page. Download the form, complete, sign as instructed and return to Computershare at the address in the top right hand corner of the form.

Does St.George have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan? How do I apply?

Yes we do. Please go to Dividend Reinvestment Plan for more information. To obtain an application form, please contact the Bank’s Share Registry on 1800 804 457 and they will arrange for a form to be sent to you.

When are St.George Dividends paid?

Dividends for ordinary fully paid St.George Bank shares are usually declared in May and November and paid in July and December respectively.

Does St.George offer any benefits to Shareholders?

St.George offers benefits to shareholders by way of dividends.On occasion, we do make special offers to our shareholders. If special offers are made, it would generally be when we make our dividend payments.

What was the result of the High Court Decision on St George Bank’s Sell Back Rights?

On 22 February 2007, the High Court allowed the ATO’s appeal. It held that participating St.George shareholders should be taxed on the value of the sell-back rights granted to them in the 2001 year of income.  The value of the sell-back rights ($1.89 per sell-back right) is to be regarded as ordinary income.  This is the final decision in relation to this matter

What do I need to do in view of the High Court Decision on St George Bank’s Sell Back Rights?

At the time the ATO issued its Class Ruling, St.George advised shareholders to act in accordance with the Ruling, by including the market value of the sell-back rights as assessable income in their 2001 income tax return, pending a final court decision.  If shareholders followed that advice, they would not be required to do anything further as a result of the High Court’s decision.

What do I do if I didn’t include an amount in my 2001 tax return in view of the High Court Decision on St George Bank’s Sell Back Rights?

Shareholders should direct their enquiries to the ATO on telephone 13 2861. The ATO will also be establishing a page on its website (www.ato.gov.au) in relation to the High Court’s decision.

What happened to my Converting Preference Shares allotted on 28 May 1996?

They were converted into ordinary fully paid St.George Bank Shares in March 2001.

Did the conversion of my Converting Preference Shares allotted on 28 May 1996 trigger a taxation liability?

Our advice is that conversion did not crystallise a taxation liability for individual retail (non-trader) shareholders. However, shareholders should seek advice based on their own individual circumstances.

What is the cost base for my ordinary shares acquired due to conversion of my Converting Preference Shares on 29 March 2001?

To work out the cost base you need to divide the number of ordinary shares you received on conversion by your initial consideration (ie. number of converting preference shares x initial purchase price = consideration).

What happened to my PRYMES?

PRYMES were converted into ordinary St.George Bank shares on 21 February 2006. PRYMES holders received 3.4394 ordinary shares for every 1 PRYMES held.

Full details of the conversion calculation were provided to PRYMES holders on the Issuer Conversion Notice dated 15/12/2005.

What are the tax consequences of the conversion of PRYMES to ordinary shares?

The conversion of the PRYMES to St.George Bank ordinary shares should not itself give rise to assessable income or a capital gain to the PRYMES shareholders.

This is consistent with the ATO’s class ruling CR 2002/32 dated 12 June 2002.

What will become my cost base for the ordinary shares received as a result of the conversion of PRYMES?

The cost base of each original PRYMES will be spread over the ordinary shares to which it relates.

For example, broadly if the PRYMES shareholder received 3 St.George Bank ordinary shares for 1 PRYMES on conversion, the cost base of each ordinary share will be equal to the cost base of the PRYMES divided by 3.

This is consistent with the ATO’s class ruling CR 2002/32 dated 12 June 2002.

If you have any further questions, please contact the St.George Bank Share Registry.