National Australia Bank has lifted its first-half cash profit 2.3 per cent to $3.29 billion and held its interim dividend at 99¢.

National Australia Bank has lifted its first-half cash profit 2.3 per cent to $3.29 billion and held its interim dividend at 99 cents.

The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged and has downplayed weak first-quarter economic growth, emphasising the strength of the labour market, in a sign it could tighten monetary policy as early as June.

Australia's peak super investor body will recommend its members vote against the re-election of board members who sit on company boards with no women.

ANZ Bank's bid to become a smaller but higher-returning bank has sparked predictions the lender could return billions in capital to shareholders by buying back its own shares.

The pace of wage growth is so meagre it is likely to curb future growth across the banking industry, ANZ Bank warns.

An attack on costs that has cut thousands of jobs and a focus on better lending has seen ANZ Bank post a healthy jump in its half year profit.

Slater and Gordon is in another dispute with UK company Watchstone.

The combined profits of Australia's big four banks likely exceeded $15 billion in the first half, as lenders started to benefit from a round of late 2016 interest rate hikes and strong home loan growth.

The powerful banking regulator has warned it cannot "hold back the tide" of the property cycle and exert control over house prices, underlining the limitations of recent curbs on bank home lending.

Commonwealth Bank bows to public pressure over terms that put small business borrowers into default.

• COMMENT

Obama should be praised, for two reasons: first, for dismissing that there is something inherently corrupt about delivering a paid speech; and second, for recognising that communication between finance and centrist politics remains important.

Former National Australia Bank chief Cameron Clyne is returning to the business world as chair of health insurer-backed website Whitecoat, as it seeks to bring greater competition and transparency to the health care sector.

The corporate watchdog is seeking greater powers to step in and change how some salespeople in the financial sector are paid.

• COMMENT

The latest round of profit results – all expected to be higher than the previous corresponding period – will be steeped in politics.

Australian retirement savings could be put at risk unless regulators force the financial sector to be more transparent in managing the investment risks created by climate change.

The big four banks are still offering investor loans at a significant discount to a year ago.

Westpac is lifting interest rates on fixed-rate, interest-only home loans, as lenders respond to the regulator's attempt to dampen risks in the housing market.

Public servants could be hit for hundreds of thousands as government curbs tax breaks.

• COMMENT

Taking weeks to draft press releases then submitting them for vetting to the very organisations you are supposed to be policing reads like something out of a Monty Python or Yes Minister skit.

Australia's biggest bank has hiked fixed interest rates on investor and interest-only home loans.

Australia's Macquarie has been forced to make a string of concessions with its £2.3 billion ($3.9) takeover of the UK's Green Investment Bank after a fierce backlash and claims that it is "worst kind of company" to be carrying out the organisation's environmental mission.

• COMMENT

Politicians should stop mucking around with superannuation and allow people to have the security of knowing their lifetime savings are safe.

• UPDATED

How a pen stroke embroiled former senior banker Michael Carapiet in a councillor's tax fraud.

Review recommends sweeping changes to the way banks pay their staff bonuses.

Two weekends ago disgraced former rich lister Craig Gore appeared to be on top of the world.

Retailers' ambitions for financial services have dimmed as competition in grocery grows.

Hacking group the Shadow Brokers says the NSA has infiltrated the backbone of the Middle East's banking infrastructure.

The​ National Australia Bank's customer relations boss has brushed aside concerns about his handling of problems inside the bank.