Briefs: Energy economists measure household stress and NAB bags tourism merchants

Economists at energy supplier AGL have provided a fresh view of financial hardship among households. The research finds 16 per cent of AGL's 3.4 million customers displayed varying signs of financial stress, the Financial Review reported. In families where the main income earner is aged from 30 to 50 and has children, one in four households were at risk of not being able to pay their power bills the AFR reported.

Acceptance of China UnionPay cards may be providing an edge for National Australia Bank in luring major merchants from other banks. Crown Casino, The Star (casino) in Sydney and Phillip Island Nature Parks are three tourism-related businesses that switched their merchant business to NAB in recent weeks, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. NAB first began to process UnionPay cards for its merchants six years ago. Commonwealth Bank will also accept China UnionPay cards, beginning late this year.