Jan 23 (Reuters) - Westpac Banking Corp WBC.AX :
* SAYS JOHN MCFARLANE APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN
* MCFARLANE TO REPLACE LINDSAY MAXSTED AS CHAIRMAN
* MCFARLANE WILL COMMENCE HIS ROLE AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN FEBRUARY
* MCFARLANE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPOINTING A PERMANENT CEO
* APPOINTS JOHN MCFARLANE TO WESTPAC BOARD AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN-ELECT ON 2 APRIL 2020
* MCFARLANE'S FOCUS INITIALLY WILL NATURALLY BE ON RESOLVING CO'S CURRENT ISSUES
* MCFARLANE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH PETER KING AND BOARD TO CONTINUE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES NECESSARY
* APPOINTMENT OF CEO CAN TAKE TIME
* INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SEARCH PROCESS IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY FOR APPOINTING PERMANENT CEO