22 Jul 2011

Ralph Norris to step down from Commonwealth Bank

11:17 am on 22 July 2011

Ralph Norris will step down as chief executive at Australia's Commonwealth Bank at the end of November.

Mr Norris, who previously headed CBA's New Zealand subsidiary, ASB, and Air New Zealand, has led Australia's biggest bank for six years.

CBA chairman David Turner says Mr Norris put the company in a strong financial position and delivered the best returns to shareholders of all Australia's four major banks for the last five years.

He will be replaced by Ian Narev, who currently heads CBA's business and private banking unit.

Commonwealth Bank employs 45,000 people and operates in 13 countries.