CBA INTERVIEW - Murray sidelines Asia aspirations

Speculation is rife that Australia's largest retail bank, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, will attempt a tie-up with one of Asia's leading banks. But the ability of Australia's banks to pursue growth opportunities overseas is under scrutiny. Westpac's talks last year with Singapore's DBS and National Australia Bank's thoughts of a UK acquisition have come to nothing. Yet CBA's David Murray, one of the country's longest-standing CEOs, says the bank is more concerned about the home front, as it digests last year's hefty merger with fund manager Colonial Mutual. Fiona Haddock speaks with him in Sydney.