We’re one of Australia’s largest asset-based finance companies. Our total assets are in excess of $10 billion and we've been looking after Australians for half a century. As Australia’s leading provider of vehicle and equipment finance solutions and fixed interest investments, Esanda is constantly looking at our customers’ needs to find innovative finance solutions. And, as a wholly owned subsidiary of ANZ , you can be assured that we’ll deliver the best possible products and services for both business and consumers.

Our History

While the ANZ group can trace its history back to 1835, when the Bank of Australasia was established in London by Royal Charter, Esanda is this year celebrating it's Golden Anniversary. Its origins can be traced back to the Industrial Finance Department, which was set up by the ES&A (English Scottish and Australian Bank Ltd) Bank in 1953 specifically to provide asset finance. The financial services provided by this department were soon in such great demand that, on 21 October 1955, the ES&A Bank formed the wholly owned subsidiary Esanda Limited. The name Esanda is taken from ES and A.

As business developed, much of it was for motor vehicles and as a consequence relationships were established with motor dealers and distributors very early in the company's history. An example of this is the Reg Hunt Group in Victoria, who has been with Esanda since inception in the 1950's. Product range then was almost exclusively Hire Purchase and Instalment Loans (personal loans). By comparison, the product range available today from the Esanda Group of companies includes operating and finance lease, contract rental, consumer loan, chattel mortgage and offer to hire (unregulated hire purchase).

In 1970, with the merger of the ES&A and ANZ Banks, Esanda become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, one of Australia's major banks. During the next decade the business continued to grow at a fast rate and Esanda became the second largest Finance company in Australia.

The ANZ Bank's acquisition of the Bank of Adelaide in the early 80's brought Finance Corporation of Australia Limited (FCA) into the organisation. In 1984, Esanda acquired all the share capital of FCA. Two years later, on 18 September 1986, following the merger of the operations of the two groups, Esanda Limited changed its name to Esanda Finance Corporation Limited.

As a result of the ANZ acquisition of the National Mutual Royal Bank in April 1989, Esanda acquired the business of Mercantile Credits Limited, a subsidiary of NMRB. This move cemented Esanda's position as the leading Australian finance company. As a result of this acquisition, Esanda's property portfolio grew to almost 20% of its total assets. The collapse of the property market, which took place shortly after this, required intense management.

Also in 1989, Esanda introduced the ground-breaking system known as 'Abacus'. The system, which provided automated loan approvals for car financing to dealers, was a clear leader in the field when it was released and is still some way ahead of what most competitors can offer an Intermediary introducer. At a time when few people had computers at work, Esanda's project involved providing dealers with a fully automated and integrated system which allowed the dealer to provide quotes, loan approvals, monitor payouts on customer contracts and monitor their dealer bailment facilities. The project also involved developing the communications infrastructure for the system. A number of Dealers and Brokers see Abacus as a major distinguishing factor between Esanda and its competitors and one of the key reasons why they have chosen to deal with Esanda for so long.

Esanda's growth continued strongly despite transferring Property Finance in 1996 and Business Finance (relationship selling) in early 2001 to other parts of the ANZ Group. By the mid 1990's Esanda had became Australia's largest Finance company and was ranked in the top 10 financial institutions in Australia - positions that we continue to hold with pride!

Because of our extensive knowledge in the finance industry, we can offer you an innovative, cost efficient solution. Whether you’re after finance for a single asset or many, Esanda can help you and your business survive in an increasingly competitive business world. In fact, over the years we’ve helped the medical profession, professional services firms, retail outlets and franchises.