This Month
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Banks would face new loan regime under Coalition amid ESG pushback
Peter Dutton says bankers on multimillion-dollar pay packets who restrict lending on environmental grounds are out of step with ordinary Australians.
- John Kehoe, James Hall and Lucas Baird
‘Swayed by extremist groups’: Abetz slams bank in ESG stoush
A dispute over ESG requirements has emerged in Tasmania after a forestry company claimed its financing from Bendigo and Adelaide Bank was knocked back on environmental concerns.
- Updated
- James Hall and Lucas Baird
December 2024
Stephen Conroy goes spluttering and unhinged against the BCA
The former Labor senator went troppo at the Business Council, whose members include his own lobby clients.
- Mark Di Stefano
November 2024
- Exclusive
- Big four
Bankers split as Chalmers kicks off branch levy negotiations
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has kick-started face-to-face negotiations with bank CEOs about a potential new $350 million levy, but bankers are split over the proposal.
- John Kehoe and Lucas Baird
October 2024
- Opinion
- Big four
How the big banks got out of Canberra’s line of fire
The big four bank chiefs can stride confidently into the capital. Perhaps the supermarkets, now under attack, can learn something from their rehabilitation.
- Jonathan Shapiro
Is there any rhyme or reason to credit card surcharges?
From absolutely no fee to more than four per cent, paying for a coffee can suddenly become very costly. These cafés explain why they charge what they do.
- Lucas Baird and Gus McCubbing
August 2024
Stephen Jones shields banks in scam ‘war’
The financial services minister and banking lobby boss Anna Bligh are so aligned on scams that they are repeating each other’s words.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton
July 2024
Senate to vote next month on extending data right for bank switching
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is working through banks’ concerns about the consumer data right, as the Senate forced a vote on a bill to extend it by mid-August.
- James Eyers and John Kehoe
June 2024
ASIC warns banks not to become complacent with new code
ASIC has approved a new Banking Code of Practice, but chairman Joe Longo says lenders must be alive to the dangers of “apathy, complacency and backsliding”.
- James Eyers
Armaguard and the banks now trust each other, says Linfox chairman
There has been a big turnaround in the relationship between the cash transport monopoly and its eight biggest customers.
- James Eyers
- Exclusive
- Cash
Armaguard secures deal with banks, supermarkets to save cash
Months after a bailout collapsed, the eight largest customers of Linfox’s Armaguard have agreed to a $50 million injection to keep cash circulating.
- James Eyers
Finance sector union not opposed to ANZ’s $4.9b Suncorp bank buy
The federal treasurer, a Queenslander with close ties to the state government, has been considering the takeover of the Brisbane-based bank since April.
- Updated
- Lucas Baird and John Kehoe
May 2024
Lenders creating ‘unnecessary barriers’ for struggling customers: ASIC
With living costs high, ASIC chairman Joe Longo has issued a stern report on bank hardship policies. ABA chief Anna Bligh says processes are being improved.
- James Eyers
Liontown’s Tim Goyder turns up to thank Jim Chalmers
Heavy hitters wary of party political functions have grown fond of the National Press Club’s Great Hall lunch.
- Myriam Robin
Bull and the budget: supplicants take over Canberra
As the treasurer hands down his third budget, hasn’t he aroused a stupendous chorus of critics?
- Updated
- Myriam Robin and Mark Di Stefano
April 2024
- Updated
- Cash economy
Linfox lays out its terms for keeping Armaguard afloat
Peter Fox, the company’s executive chairman, says his family are “not beggars here”. He says the cash-in-transit monopoly will keep operating if fees rise.
- Updated
- James Eyers
March 2024
Coles hoards cash over Easter as Armaguard teeters on the brink
The Lindsay Fox-controlled monopoly has engaged former ACTU secretary Bill Kelty to lead negotiations with major banks over a rescue package.
- James Eyers and Patrick Durkin
- Opinion
- Banking Summit
Banks struggle to balance risk, reputation and regulation
Blowback over lending practices and perceived corporate greed means banks have become reluctant to take too many chances with their lending. But at what cost?
- Jennifer Hewett
- Updated
- Banking Summit
Banks warn growing risk aversion pushing borrowers into worse loans
National Australia Bank’s Ross McEwan says some prospective customers are being pushed toward riskier loans as the rules make lending more expensive.
- Updated
- Lucas Baird and James Eyers
Why it’s so hard to keep cash alive in Australia
The peak sector lobby group has confirmed the banks and large retailers have offered a short-term lifeline to keep cash transport firm Armaguard operating.
- Lucas Baird