FILE PHOTO: Nuno Matos, Chief Executive Officer of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), speaks during the Australian Financial Review Asia Summit, in Sydney, Australia, September 9, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

Dec 3 (Reuters) - The Australian Banking Association on Wednesday appointed ANZ Group CEO Nuno Matos as the new chair of its council, replacing National Australia Bank chief Andrew Irvine.

The association represents the country’s major banks and plays a central role in shaping industry policy, consumer protections and regulatory settings. Its chair and council help set strategic priorities for the sector and guide how banks respond to structural changes in technology, competition and customer behaviour.

Matos thanked Irvine for what he called "steady and effective leadership" during a period marked by significant policy and commercial challenges for the industry.

Matos said his priorities would include supporting a competitive banking system that serves all Australians, protecting access to core banking services and strengthening industry safeguards against scams.

He took over the ANZ CEO role from Shayne Elliott in May.

The association, at its annual general meeting in Melbourne, also re-appointed ING Australia CEO Melanie Evans as deputy chair.

(Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)