March
BHP’s new chairman Ross McEwan meets investors, reads up on history
The former National Australia Bank chief executive has spent the last few weeks meeting investors and reading a profile of industrialist Essington Lewis.
The NAB departure no one is talking about
The bank’s musical chairs involves the mystery exit of the chief of staff to the CEO.
February
BHP appoints former NAB boss Ross McEwan as its next chairman
He succeeds Ken MacKenzie, who had chaired the world’s biggest mining company for just over eight years, at the end of March.
BHP’s new Big Mac needs to find growth amid chaos
The transition from BHP chairman Ken MacKenzie to Ross McEwan will be very smooth, but the new boss will quickly find himself in some choppy waters.
October 2024
Inside the contest to succeed Ken MacKenzie at the top of BHP
It has been one of the most coveted prizes in corporate life. The next chairman of the Big Australian will have profound influence on the entire market.
BHP chairman Ken MacKenzie eyes the end of his rule
Ken MacKenzie is expected to retire next year as he prepares to honour the informal nine-year limit he imposed on director terms at the mining giant.
Victoria’s taxing and spending comes home to roost
Victoria could restore its reputation for financial discipline if it started running its infrastructure ambitions in a more efficient way.
July 2024
ANZ boss Elliott makes big call on bonds scandal
If Shayne Elliott is right, he’ll get out of this with a docked pay-packet. If not, the bank’s succession planning and strategy could be in ruins.
June 2024
In the Armaguard deal, keeping cash flowing was about more than money
How the Fox family and Bill Kelty finally got a deal with the banks to secure a viable future for the cash distribution business despite a dramatic fall in the use of cash.
May 2024
Bank users face extra $370m in fees to keep rural branches open
The costings come as a Senate probe into the impact of branch closures on regional communities prepares to report on Friday.
April 2024
Six ways ‘Mercedes’ mortgages could hurt Australia
A series of changes in the banking sector is making lenders take less risk. One veteran analyst says that has grim ramifications for investors and the nation.
Andrew Thorburn lands CEO role at HammondCare
At his new job, the one-time NAB CEO’s Christianity is unlikely to be an issue.
We should be glad banks are speaking up
Australia’s big banks are at the coalface of the economy. Governments should be listening when they highlight the need for change.
March 2024
Banks want to take more risk; Exciting stocks to watch; Do execs deserve mega pay?
This week, James and Anthony reveal why our big bank CEOs want to take more risks, ask whether big executive salaries really incentivise business leaders, and take the pulse of the market with a special guest fund manager.
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Non-banks raise $15b for mortgages the banks couldn’t write
The major lenders have warned tough rules are pushing borrowers to more expensive and riskier loans. But banks still dominate the market.
We have to get the balance right in banking
Over-prescriptive and risk-averse rules on lending are not just a problem for bankers. They hobble the whole economy.
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?
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.
Housing supply crunch brings questions about migration: NAB’s McEwan
The National Australia Bank’s chief executive said building approvals would have to rise to “well over 200,000” to sustain current immigration numbers.
It’s time for banks to take more risk, not less
While the prudential regulator sees more stresses ahead for banks, top CEOs worry the sector has become too risk-averse. They’ve got three big ideas to drive growth.