ANZ Bank Treasurer Rick Moscati is on leave after criminal charges were filed against him and five other senior bank executives this week over allegations of cartel conduct.

A day after the competition watchdog said charges were laid against the bankers and their employers ANZ, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank, a spokesman for ANZ reiterated its support for Mr Moscati, whom it has vowed to defend against the charges.

"We continue to provide Rick, his family and his colleagues with the necessary support and as we said last week we will be defending both him and ANZ," the spokesman said. "While Rick is taking some leave at the moment, he will continue to have a senior role at ANZ."

Previously, the bank had said Mr Moscati was in the process of moving to the role of chief risk officer for ANZ's Australian business.

Citi and Deutsche Bank have also vowed to defend the case and their staff, with Citi saying "this is a highly technical area".