Briefs: CBA launches RMBS, RBA banknote thief released, ANZ backs SME admin platform, Macquarie on P
Commonwealth Bank of Australia is to "engage with investors on a potential RMBS transaction under the Medallion program," the bank said in a brief announcement yesterday. "A transaction under the Medallion program, denominated in AUD may follow, subject to market conditions," the bank said. Information on CBA's website shows its previous two RMBS transactions, both issued under the Medallion program, were priced in March and September 2015. The top rated Class A1 tranches in each deal last year were priced at 80 and 90 basis points over the 1-month BBSW, respectively. The bank raised A$2 billion from each transaction. A Reserve Bank of Australia officer in charge of the destruction of damaged bank notes managed, over the course of several years, to retrieve cash with a face value of about A$1 million rather than leaving it to be incinerated. He was eventually caught out by a suspicious colleague, and also recorded in action on CCTV. Wayne Jackson, 58, yesterday pleaded guilty to attempted theft and benefiting from the proceeds of suspected crimes in Victoria's County Court, ABC News reports. He was sentenced to 199 days in jail, equivalent to the time already served, and released. ANZ has entered into a "collaboration" with Business Switch (trading as Honcho), to run an online platform that will allow a bank customer to set up a small business in one day. Using the tool, called "Business Ready", customers can register their ABN, business and domain name, set up a simple website, email addresses and ANZ business bank accounts, all without having to visit multiple websites and suppliers, according to an ANZ media release. The bank also said customers would be able to create and send out invoices and store important documents securely for a monthly fee. Macquarie Bank is looking at a host of possible new online lending partners globally, but is worried regulators are closing in on the new players, reports the AFR. Ben Perham, head of strategy and corporate development at Macquarie, said like most banks, it is exploring deals with the various new lenders, including the many small business lenders and P2P lenders.