Simon Baker in the running to replace Barbara the banker for ANZ

Simon Baker, an actor in Nine show The Mentalist and the face of Samsung, is one of three celebrities in the running to replace Barbara the banker in the next series of ANZ commercials.

Two sources close to the client confirmed that Baker was among the favourites to represent the bank, but was “not locked in” yet.

ANZ recently confirmed that it was looking for a fresh approach in its advertising, and was putting “on hold” the unhelpful bank clerk Barbara character while the company explored new options.

ANZ would not confirm the news, but stated: “We’ve appointed a new global agency in Whybin TBWA so naturally we are looking at a range of new creative directions for the ANZ brand. There will be the usual speculation about what this involves but we’ll be letting people know as we finalise a new direction.”