March 4 (Reuters) - Fitch Ratings Inc:
* FITCH SAYS CONDUCT AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES WEIGH ON AUSTRALIAN BANKS
* FITCH SAYS IT MAINTAINS A NEGATIVE OUTLOOK ON AUSTRALIAN BANKING SECTOR AS EARNINGS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN UNDER PRESSURE IN 2019
* FITCH, ON AUSTRALIAN BANKS SAYS ADDRESSING CONDUCT, CULTURE & GOVERNANCE PROBLEMS SHOULD IMPROVE SOUNDNESS OF SYSTEM IN LONGER TERM
* FITCH, ON AUSTRALIAN BANKS, SAYS ADDRESSING CONDUCT, CULTURE & GOVERNANCE PROBLEMS WILL EXACERBATE BANKS' SHORT-TERM CHALLENGES