(Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd <ANZ.AX> said on Friday it would increase its current on-market share buyback programme by a further A$1.5 billion to a total of A$3 billion ($2.2 billion).
ANZ said last month it would increase the programme once it finalised reinsurance arrangements with Zurich Insurance Group <ZURN.S>, receiving about A$1 billion as proceeds.
Australia's biggest banks are selling non-core assets as they face regulatory pressure to boost capital. They are also seeking to get back to basics after a series of governance scandals.
“The progress of our transformation means we are able to return this surplus capital to shareholders," Chief Financial Officer Michelle Jablko said in a statement.
ANZ's Australia-listed shares rose 0.8 percent while the broader market was slightly lower on Friday.
(Reporting by Rushil Dutta in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)
