Low wages drive IAG surge to new record
Insurance Australia Group shares struck a record high on Wednesday after the insurer unveiled a hefty profit upgrade, thanks to much lower claim costs than it had expected.
Clancy Yeates writes on business specialising in financial services. Clancy is based in our Sydney newsroom.
Insurance Australia Group shares struck a record high on Wednesday after the insurer unveiled a hefty profit upgrade, thanks to much lower claim costs than it had expected.
"If you don't fix your sales goals systems here in Australia, I'll see another similar to Wells Fargo scandal happening here in the future," says Kilian Colin, a whistleblower from the US bank.
Commonwealth Bank is the final major bank to hike interest rates for customers with an interest-only mortgage, while giving a smaller cut to homeowners paying down their loans.
Even if our economy is punching above its weight in some ways, the same cannot be said for our sharemarket.
Commonwealth Bank will cut 150 positions among Australian staff who process home loans, the latest sign of job shedding at the country's large banks.
Paul Keating's classic line "never get between a Premier and a bucket of money" has new relevance for the countrys five biggest banks, after South Australia decided to whacked its own tax on them last week.
Bank fears that cash-strapped governments will target the industry with higher taxes are mounting, as another state says imposing its own levy on banks would have its advantages.
National Australia Bank has joined rivals in raising interest rates for customers with interest-only home loans, while cutting rates by a smaller amount for people paying down debt on a house they live in.
The country's five biggest banks are embroiled in a new tax brawl, after SA's government infuriated banks by imposing a new levy.
QBE Group has dealt a blow to investor confidence in its turnaround, flagging a hit in its emerging-markets business that is forecast to wipe up to $US100 million off its bottom line.
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