ANZ 'should have been more responsive to farmers'

The ANZ Bank accepts it should have been more sympathetic to some former Landmark agricultural customers.

The banking royal commission will examine the controversy over ANZ's 2010 acquisition of the Landmark Financial Services loan and deposit books.

Senior counsel assisting the commission Rowena Orr QC said it has been clear for some years that a significant number of former Landmark customers felt they were treated unfairly by ANZ.

"ANZ acknowledged that it should have been more responsive and empathetic to some former Landmark customers, particularly given their difficult financial circumstances, and it acknowledged that its failure to do so caused distress in some cases," Ms Orr said.

The royal commission is examining lending to farmers during a hearing in Brisbane this week.

It will look at the Landmark matter and case studies involving Queensland cattle farmers.