ANZ began in London in 1835 as the Bank of Australasia, established under Royal Charter. Over the years ANZ grew by a series of acquisitions and mergers resulting in the incorporation of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited in 1970, which moved its head office from the United Kingdom to Australia in 1976.

In the UK, ANZ now operates as part of the Asia Pacific, Europe and America division, with a branch in London and a UK bank subsidiary, ANZ Bank (Europe) Limited (ANZBEL).