Leo Burnett, dentsu, The Monkeys and BMF have been shortlisted for ANZ Bank's creative agency pitch, AdNews can confirm.
Incumbent Special, which has held the account for three years, is out of the running.
Industry insiders say Special withdrew from the pitch.
However, ANZ said parting ways was a mutual decision by both organisations, general manager of marketing Australia Sian Chadwick told AdNews.
"We can confirm that Special is not participating in ANZ’s current RFP. The decision was mutually reached by both organisations," Chadwick said.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Special for their work over the last three years.
"We [will] continue to work with Special on a number of projects and are grateful for their support and collaboration over the last three years."
The big four bank publicly announced its creative account was going to tender in May
The focus of the RFP is creative strategy and development, AdNews understands the bank wants to establish an ecosystem of agencies with one lead agency and other agencies picking up smaller parts of the business.
ANZ Bank's current brand campaigns focus on the ANZ Falcon, which was first launched to the Australian market in 2006, but has been reborn via Special and PHD.
In the latest campaign, launched this week, creative and PR agency Keep Left created an educational content series with ANZ to explain cybersecurity risks.
Chadwick was appointed in April last year.
In July last year, the bank appointed Astrud Burgess to an expanded role as group chief marketing officer (CMO), as well as her current responsibilities leading data, marketing and customer experience in New Zealand.
The bank in February extended its media contract with incumbent PHD.
Special gave no comment.
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