Big four
Should Australia have a new taxpayer-owned bank?
A Nationals-led Senate inquiry into bank branch closures has urged the government to investigate the establishment of a bank owned by taxpayers.
- by Clancy Yeates
Latest
Corporate watchdog investigates ANZ over government bond sale
ANZ acknowledged the Australian Securities and Investments Commission was investigating the bank’s execution of a 2023 bond issuance.
- by Millie Muroi
Federal Court dismisses disclosure class actions against CBA
The judge found even though Commonwealth Bank was aware of problems before AUSTRAC’s 2017 case, it had not breached continuous disclosure obligations.
- by Clancy Yeates
Opinion
For subscribers
CBA lowers the curtain on a profit season banks would rather forget
This season was not one that banks will be crowing about – all experienced a fall in profits and the themes were remarkably similar.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Updated
Earnings season
ANZ boss warns of widening financial stress as profits slide 7 per cent
ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said there were “very real stresses” in the economy, but that much of it was outside the banking system.
- by Millie Muroi
NAB boss says most of its home loans are written at a discount
Chief executive Andrew Irvine reported a 13 per cent tumble in half-year profits, but said households were mostly proving resilient in the cost-of-living crisis.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Competition
Competition kicks the stuffing out of NAB and Woolworths
This week’s results provide a reality check for those who argue that the highly concentrated banking and supermarkets sectors lack competition.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Home loans
Mortgage wars enter next phase as property remains a rich playground
The big banks are rethinking how much risk they can take when it comes to lending, as some say that excessive regulation is only helping wealthy borrowers while others miss out.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
Interest rates
When interest rates eventually fall, banks will face a critical decision
In previous cycles of Reserve Bank interest-rate changes, the major banks often responded in ways that helped boost their profits. Would they use those tactics today and risk becoming a target for political attacks?
- by Clancy Yeates
Banks expected to report more than $15b in half-year profits
Despite continued pressure on bank profit margins, analysts expect the big four to post relatively resilient earnings over the next two weeks.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Payments
The Armaguard saga shows we’re a long way from ditching cash entirely
Financial troubles at Armaguard highlight the strain on the system used to distribute cash to ATMs, supermarkets and post offices.
- by Clancy Yeates