As it happened: Banks help ASX rise 0.5% to new nine-month high

Summary

• The S&P/ASX 200 added 0.5% to close at a new nine-month high of 6531.1 on Wednesday, buoyed by the big banks, Wesfarmers, Transurban, and CSL  
• The NSW gambling regulator has blocked Crown Resorts from opening its new $2.2 billion Sydney casino next month until a review of its licence is completed in February
• National Australia Bank closed its branches across Australia on Wednesday afternoon due to a "physical security threat"
• US futures were down 0.2% at 4pm AEDT