Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals
Almost a quarter of Australians are now ‘financially fit’, thanks to a healthy savings mentality and a resilient local economy, according to the latest research from Bankwest.
Government doesn't get business say leaders
The relationship between the nation’s businesses and the Federal Government has plunged new depths, according to the latest survey of company directors.
Household savings triple finds ING
Low interest rates and controlled inflation have failed to dampen Australians’ new found love of savings, with the average household savings rising to $15,427 from $5,155 over the last two years.
Commission tracks workforce evolution
The Productivity Commission has tracked the ever-changing nature of the Australian workforce, publishing a report into the different arrangements of employment over the 2001-11 period.
CPI posts 0.4 per cent rise
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 0.4 per cent in the March quarter, following on from a 0.2 per cent increase in December, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Business confidence on the increase
Finance and property have come out as the two shining industries of the Australian economy, driving the first lift in business confidence since 2011, according to NAB’s latest Quarterly Business Survey.
Consumer spending continues rally
Consumer spending has recorded its seven straight month of growth, posting a healthy 0.4 per cent increase in March according to the Commonwealth Bank’s latest Business Sales Indicator (BSI).
Land sales up finds new report
The December quarter saw a 13 per cent upswing in residential land sales, according to the latest HIA-RP Data Resedential Land Report.
More borrowers missing repayments finds report
More and more of the nation’s borrowers are missing repayments, according to the latest Fitch Ratings Dinkum Index.
Savings tipped to fall as consumers take up plastic
Australians are increasingly returning to their spend-thrift ways, with more consumers planning to use their credit cards this quarter, while savings will be less of a focus, according to the latest research from Dunn and Bradstreet (D&B).
Growth index posts healthy Feb gains
The nation’s economic activity has hit 4.2 per cent in February, comfortably above the 2.8 per cent long term trend growth, according to the latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index.
New ACCC appointments announced
The Federal Government has announced a number of key appointments to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Personal lending up in February
Personal lending has recorded a 2.8 per cent upswing in February, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Residential work rebounds
The value of residential and non-residential building work done throughout the country has increased by 1.2 per cent over the last quarter, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Debit card use surges as credit languishes
Debit card usage by Australians is surging ahead, with the total usage set to overtake credit card use within the coming years according to the latest figures released by Roy Morgan Research.
BOQ snaps up Virgin Money
The Bank of Queensland (BOQ) is set to significantly expand its distribution network after the bank announced it has purchased Virgin Money Australia for $40 million.
Unemployment creeps up in March
Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 5.6 per cent in March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced.
Yuans on the table for Aussie traders
The Federal Government has announced an agreement with China that will enable direct trading between the Australian Dollar (AUD) and the Chinese Renminbi (CNY).
Business conditions in freefall finds survey
Business conditions have deteriorated sharply in March to their lowest point since March 2009, with previously strong gains posted by retail and manufacturing beginning to flag.
Consumer sentiment stumbles
Consumer sentiment has once again proven to be a fickle beast, having dropped by over five per cent in April following a stellar return to form in March.
NSW announces new chair for Pillar
The New South Wales government has announced the appointment of Nicholas Johnson as the new head of the Pillar Administration, the State Government owned corporation responsible for providing superannuation administrative services to members of the NSW public sector.