ANZ Banking Group has beaten expectations to lift first-half cash profit two per cent to $3.56 billion but warned subdued credit growth, competition and compliance costs will keep bank sector earnings under pressure "for the foreseeable future".

ANZ Banking Group has beaten expectations to lift first-half cash profit two per cent to $3.56 billion but warned subdued credit growth, competition and compliance costs will keep bank sector earnings under pressure "for the foreseeable future".