This Month
Business loan demand spikes, keeping inflation fears alive
CBA, the country’s largest lender, says a strong labour market is driving “robust” demand from companies, which could push up prices, economists warn.
- James Eyers and Lucas Baird
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
CBA shows this is not your parents’ slowdown
CBA’s chief executive started banging the drum on loss-making mortgages early last year. Now, the broader banking sector appears to be thinking along the same lines.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Updated
- Earnings season
CBA profit falls to $2.4b but ‘momentum’ improves
Lower margins reduced profits at the country’s largest bank over the last three months, as higher interest rates saw late loan repayments rise.
- James Eyers and Lucas Baird
Macquarie goes after big four’s business lending lunch
The investment bank’s share of small business lending is only 1.7 per cent, but its $15.8 billion book grew by 22 per cent for the year and Macquarie wants more.
- Updated
- James Eyers and Lucas Baird
April
Macquarie, ANZ and Canva CEOs help power Australia’s India push
Governments hope to prevent another false dawn in bilateral trade and investment by getting business to work on policy.
- James Eyers
CBA joins banks quietly cutting interest-free days on credit cards
The big banks have all been slowly lifting their rates, while Commonwealth and Westpac have also increased annual fees.
- James Eyers
Inside the battle for Armaguard and the future of cash
The high-stakes negotiations over the financial future for the cash transit monopoly reached a crescendo over Easter, and became clearer this week.
- James Eyers
- Opinion
- Big four
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.
- Nick Hossack
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
Matt Comyn’s tax reform ideas don’t warrant breathless praise
Readers’ letters on the CBA chief executive’s tax proposals, why banking regulation is still needed, the lack of research on solar equality, GST fumbles, and calls for more gas.
March
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Bank bosses who speak the truth on reform
Tax reform is the cornerstone of rebooting national economic performance because its benefits are so pervasive. Business leaders are rightly taking up the conversation.
- The AFR View
Inflation steady; Bridge cargo chaos; Why Comyn went ‘off script’
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
- Analysis
- Tax reform
Why Comyn went ‘off script’ and called for a major tax shake-up
The Commonwealth Bank chief executive spoke out for income tax cuts and a higher GST in what he described as “heart in your mouth sort of stuff” for his advisers.
- John Kehoe
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.
- Lucas Baird
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
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.
- James Thomson
Slash income tax, lift GST and levy tech giants: Comyn’s growth fix
Commonwealth Bank’s chief executive is advocating the changes as one way to turn around a forecast long-term economic slowdown.
- John Kehoe
How I would fix Australia's productivity challenges: Comyn
CBA CEO Matt Comyn freestyles some ideas to change political terms and reform tax to turbocharge Australia's productivity.
- Updated
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Australia’s banks must rise to the challenges of the next decade
The underlying financial strength of the big four got them through a turbulent decade just gone. More competitiveness is needed to get them through the next 10 years.
- The AFR View
A decade of Banking Summit front pages
Here’s how The Australian Financial Review told the story of a decade of momentous developments in banking and finance.
CBA’s business bank boss explains why ‘saffers’ can be good CEOs
Mike Vacy-Lyle says his South African upbringing has instilled a can-do attitude and the confidence to take on any competition.
- James Eyers
You have a moral obligation to speak up, Dutton tells business
Business leaders need the courage to say publicly what they say privately when it comes to industrial relations and the economy, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told a BCA event.
- Phillip Coorey