The sale of Suncorp’s bank to an Australian major appears even less likely following comments by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Graeme Samuel.

Mr Samuel – already reported to be concerned about diminished competition in the banking sector – told an ABC interviewer any proposed mergers will be examined “very critically”.

“I think you would have to say it would be a difficult ask to see any more of the regional banks moving into the fold of the major banks in light of the global financial crisis,” he said, adding: “One should never say never”.

The comments underlined his view that the departure of foreign banks from institutional lending and non-bank lenders from the mortgage market have made Australian banking less competitive.

There have been rumours in the financial media that potential buyers are eyeing parts of Suncorp’s non-core banking book rather than an outright acquisition.

The bank, hit hard this year by its exposure to commercial property, corporate business and lease finance, has been the subject of sale speculation for years.

Those seen as potential acquirers have included Westpac, ANZ, and US private equity firm JC Flowers.