ANZ CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOHN MCFARLANE AT NEWS CONFERENCE IN SYDNEY, 2001-03-31 (photo)

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group chief executive John McFarlane (R) makes a point as his chief finanical officer Peter Marriott (L) looks on set during a news conference in Sydney April 26, 2001. McFarlane said a weakening economy would make it tough for the group to match its first half earnings growth of ten percent in the second half, although he expected its annual profit to grow. Australia's fourth-largest bank reported a net profit of $895 million ($US456 million) for the six months to March 31, 2001, up from $817 million ($US417 million) in the same period last year, landing in the middle of market forecasts. WB/CC