Economist quits ANZ

SYDNEY - ANZ Banking Group has appointed Warren Hogan as acting chief economist after a decision by Saul Eslake to leave the bank.

Hogan is head of Australian economics and interest rate research at ANZ and has particular experience in global markets. He will act in the role until a permanent replacement is found, the bank said yesterday.

Eslake, who has been chief economist at the bank for 14 years, said "I want to let you know that I have decided to leave ANZ in order to, in the customary phrase, 'pursue other opportunities'," he said.

"Those 'other opportunities' will allow me to continue to contribute to public and private dialogue about Australian and international economic issues, albeit from a rather different standpoint from the one I've had at ANZ.

Eslake said he expected to make a statement on his next project soon.

Hogan, formally an economist with Credit Suisse First Boston, Westpac and NSW Treasury, will take up the role of acting chief economist early next month.

- AAP