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Cliona O’Dowd joined The Australian in 2016 and writes on financial services. She was previously the editor of business news and commentary website Business Spectator. Before moving into journalism she spent a number of years working in the financial services industry in Dublin and London. She holds a master’s degree in European public affairs and law.

@ClionaODowd

Cliona O'Dowd

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EXCLUSIVEFinancial Services

Generic aerials over Melbourne taken from a hot air balloon. Melbourne Skyline. CBD. Sunrise. Picture: Alex Coppel.

UGC pushed clients into First Guardian funds

Failed advice firm United Global Capital recommended clients invest in the now-suspended First Guardian funds.

Cliona O'Dowd

BankingBusiness

Bendigo Bank's Malop St branch is temporarily closed until February 1, 2023. Picture: Michaela Meade

Bendigo smashed on margins hit

The regional lender increased deposits and home lending well above its peers over the six months to December 31, but it came at a cost.

Cliona O'Dowd

SuperannuationNation

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. OCTOBER 26, 2023: Senator Andrew Bragg during the Economics Senate Inquiry at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Call to make unions stump up for industry super fund fines

Unions would be forced to pay millions of dollars for risk reserves in industry super funds under a proposed shake-up of governance standards.

Cliona O'Dowd

EarningsBusiness

A woman talks on her mobile phone near the Insurance Australia Group (IAG) building in Sydney on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) NO ARCHIVING

IAG punished on premium slowdown

The insurer’s interim net profit jumped 90 per cent in the first half, but investors are more concerned about the premium outlook.

Cliona O'Dowd

MortgagesPolitics

A real estate For Sale sign on a property in East Toowoomba, house for sale, Thursday, December 21, 2017.

‘Ease home-loan rules and watch prices leap’

A loosening of lending rules to make it easier for Australians with student debts to get a mortgage risk driving housing prices even higher and could force young people to take on more debt, economists warn.

Cliona O'Dowd, JOYCE MOULLAKIS and Jack Quail

HousingFinancial Services

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos OCTOBER 05, 2024: REAL ESTATE GENERICS - Sold sign on auction board. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mortgage lending changes ‘force more debt on graduates’

Lenders have gotten behind proposed changes to the treatment of student debt for home loans, but economists argue it will see borrowers take on more debt.

Cliona O'Dowd and Joyce Moullakis

InsuranceBusiness

Brisbane Based Suncorp Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Steve Johnston has visited Cairns to speak with council and his employees about the insurance work completed in Far North Queensland since Cyclone Jasper and the floods. Picture: Brendan Radke

More big paydays coming for Suncorp investors ‘soon’, says boss

Suncorp will splash the cash as it hands out proceeds from its bank sale and bumper dividends, after hitting net profit of $1.1bn in the first half of the financial year.

Cliona O'Dowd

SuperBusiness

CFMEU members pictured blocking Cross River Rail workers from entering the Roma Street station worksite. Brisbane Tuesday 16th July 2024 Picture David Clark

APRA investigates Cbus spending

The construction industry super fund handed more than $2m to unions in fiscal 2024 and is facing a fresh insurance scandal.

Cliona O'Dowd

EXCLUSIVEBusiness

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos SEPTEMBER 14 2023. Generic housing & real estate house generics. Pic shows a sold sign for an apartment which went to auction in Drummoyne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

NZ a warning on super-for-housing: Super lobby

The Super Members Council says New Zealand’s experience shows what lies ahead for Australia if workers are allowed to access their super for housing.

Cliona O'Dowd

WealthSuperannuation

High angle view photo of a senior couple floating in the ocean while using swimming and floating devices; Retirement, travel generic retirees

Are financial advisers worth the money?

Financial advisers are a steady hand when markets wobble. But do they deliver on the returns front? New data shows that it depends on a few key things.

Cliona O'Dowd

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/cliona-odowd/page/14