Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals
Business confidence has taken a battering over the past month, with conditions remaining very difficult and the tentative signs of a return to form all but drying up.
Migration Council releases 457 survey
Holders of 457 visas have a high level of job satisfaction, integrate well into the broader Australian labour force and provide critical skills that supplement the Australian economy, according to the latest findings from the Migration Council of Australia.
Unemployment at 5.5 per cent
Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 5.5 per cent in April, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.
Liechti named new ANZ's new Global Private Banking head
ANZ has announced the appointment of Manfred Liechti as the company’s new Managing Director Global Private Banking.
We're a nation of mediocre savers finds RAMS
Four in five Australians are concerned they’re not saving enough, while a third feel that they’re not saving sufficiently to meet their goals, according to the RAMS Savings Satisfaction Report 2013.
Businesses release government demands
Combating cost pressures, reducing burdensome red tape and relieving the tax burden are just some of the top demands of 1,700 of the nation’s businesses, according to the latest Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) survey.
RBA drops cash rate
The Reserve Bank of Australia has dropped the official cash rate to 2.75 basis points after its Tuesday meeting earlier this week.
Construction slumps in April
The nation’s construction sector has hit a seven month low in April, according to the latest Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)/Housing Industry Association (HIA)’s Australian Performance of Construction Index (PCI).
Even when the good times roll, Australians worry about money
Even when things are going well, almost 40 per cent of Australians ‘stress out’ about their personal finances, according to a new ANZ survey into Australians’ views on money.
Retail slumps in March
Australia’s retail turnover has slumped by 0.4 per cent in March, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Top 300 beats the blues finds NAB
ASX 300 companies have posted stronger resilience than the broad economy in the first quarter of the year, with Finance, Business and Property all posting particularly stronger gains according to the NAB’s ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey.
Business urges focus on productivity and competitiveness
The Federal Government’s preoccupation with delivering a balanced Budget is ringing hollow with the country’s businesses, who increasingly want a renewed focus on productivity and competitiveness according to a new survey published by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
ANZ posts $2.9 billion profit
ANZ has posted $2.9 billion in profit for the half year, representing a very health 7 per cent increase over the previous half.
Commbank launches teaching award
The Commonwealth Bank has launched the 2013 Teach Awards aimed at celebrating the nation’s pedagogues who inspire kids to improve their financial responsibility.
HSBC Chair weighs in on gender equality
HSBC Australia’s Chairman, Graham Bradley, has delivered publically called for Australian companies to do more in ensuring women have opportunities to occupy top jobs in Australia.
National business conditions soften finds report
A cooling off of the resources boom, growing uncertainty and a weaker consumer spending rate have all failed to make a dent in Queensland’s Business Confidence, according to the new Westpac/CCIQ Survey of Business Conditions.
Services sector slips in April
A weakening in business-related services has driven a significant fall in the national services sector, according to the latest Australian Industry Group/Commonwealth Bank (Ai Group) Australian Performance of Services Index (PSI).
Dwelling approvals down in Q1
Dwelling approvals have taken a drop in the first three moenths of 2013, reversing a strong period of growth throughout 2012, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Building Approvals report.
Housing prices drop after March rally
Housing prices have recorded a 0.5 per cent drop in April following a solid 2.8 per cent gain over the first three months of 2013.
Super funds to disclose fee value and risk taking
Providers of MySuper products will soon be required to disclose investment risk, dollar value of fees and their investment performance in an easy to read and understand way after the Federal Government took the lid off new draft regulations.
Act now on budget problems urges Grattan Institute
The Federal Government could soon be facing budget deficits of up to $60 billion a year, according to a new Grattan Institute report into the health of the nation’s finances.