Dec 17 (Reuters) - Westpac Banking Corp WBC.AX :
* WESTPAC ACKNOWLEDGES APRA ANNOUNCEMENT
* ACKNOWLEDGES APRA ANNOUNCEMENT IN RESPONSE TO AUSTRAC'S STATEMENT OF CLAIM
* WESTPAC ACCEPTS GRAVITY OF ISSUES PRESENTED BY AUSTRAC.
* "WE ARE DETERMINED TO URGENTLY FIX THESE ISSUES AND LIFT OUR STANDARDS"
* WESTPAC HAS APPOINTED PROMONTORY TO UNDERTAKE AN ACCOUNTABILITY AND FINANCIAL CRIME PROGRAM REVIEW, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY
* "WE WILL PROVIDE OUR FULL SUPPORT TO APRA THROUGH ITS INVESTIGATION AND REVIEW"
* CHANGE EXPECTED TO REDUCE CO'S LEVEL 2, (CET1) CAPITAL RATIO BY ABOUT 16 BASIS POINTS, BASED ON GROUP'S BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPT
* ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION OPERATIONAL RISK CAPITAL REQUIREMENT WILL APPLY FROM 31 DECEMBER 2019