FILE NO 1-9945

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON   DC   20549

 


 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

 

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

For the month of January 2004

 

National Australia Bank Limited

ACN 004 044 937

(Registrant’s Name)

 

Level 24

500 Bourke Street

MELBOURNE   VICTORIA   3000

AUSTRALIA

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

 

Form 20-F  ý

 

 

 

Form 40-F  o

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

Yes  o

 

 

 

No  ý

 

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 -

 

This Report on Form 6-K shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-6632) of National Australia Bank Limited and to be part thereof from the date on which this Report, is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

 

 



 

 

Group Corporate Affairs

National Australia
Bank Limited
ABN 12004044937

 

 

 

 

 

500 Bourke Street

 

 

Melbourne

 

ASX Announcement

 

Victoria  3000

 

 

Australia

 

 

 

Melbourne, Tuesday 27th January  2004

 

 

National focuses on strategic priorities

 

The National Australia Bank has sold its shareholdings in St George Bank, AMP Limited and HHG Plc.

 

The AMP and HHG shareholdings have been sold in block trades to Merrill Lynch. The St George shares are being sold in an overnight book-build which has been fully underwritten by Merrill Lynch.

 

Final details of the sale will be announced following the completion of the book-build.

 

The Chief Executive Officer of the National, Mr Frank Cicutto, said an in-principle decision to dispose of the shareholdings subject to market conditions and final approval was made late last year.

 

“Current market conditions have facilitated the sale of the shareholdings at an attractive profit to the National,” he said.

 

“Going forward, our priorities will be further integrating our banking and wealth management businesses, developing our European business and rebuilding market confidence in our risk management systems.”

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Hadler

 

Brandon Phillips

General Manager

 

Group Manager

Group Corporate Affairs

 

Group Corporate Relations

 

 

 

03 8641 3876 work

 

03 8641 3857 work

0404 805 675 mobile

 

0419 369 058 mobile

 

 

 

or visit www.nabgroup.com

 

 

 



 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED

 

 

 

/s/

Susan E Crook

 

Date:

27 January 2004

Title:

Associate Company Secretary