CBA shares rose as much as 0.5 percent in morning trade while the broader Australian market was down 0.7 percent. It was rare respite for CBA shareholders, with the stock down 9 percent since the money-laundering allegations broke on Aug. 3. The CommInsure sale is part of a broader trend of asset sales across Australia's banking sector. Asian life insurers are potential buyers due to Australia's growing population and economy, and its stable regulatory regime compared with emerging markets. National Australia Bank Ltd (AX: NAB ) sold an 80 percent stake of its life insurance unit to Japan's Nippon Life Insurance Co last year.