RMBS spreads widen for ME Bank 13 October 2011 5:49PM The second sale of residential mortgage-backed securities for the year by ME Bank is helping to clarify the rising cost of funds for niche providers of home loans. read more
Credit card borrowing curtailed 13 October 2011 5:48PM The weakening trend in credit card spending continues, with Reserve Bank figures released yesterday showing that credit card balances grew by just 4.6 per cent in the 12 months to the end of August.. read more
Plan for tax discount on savings gets a mauling 13 October 2011 5:44PM The Government's plan to introduce a tax discount on interest income, which was outlined in a discussion paper issued in July, has received plenty of brickbats in the few submissions made in respons.. read more
Citibank refines its target market 12 October 2011 5:49PM Citibank has refined its target market and will move away from its position as a mass market brand. Its customer acquisition efforts will be focused on what it calls the "affluent and globally minde.. read more
Teachers Credit Union to re-brand 12 October 2011 5:48PM Teachers Credit Union has joined the move by mutuals to add "bank" to their brands. Australia's third largest credit union will ask members to vote at a meeting scheduled for November 26 on a propos.. read more
Trend to longer loan life to continue 12 October 2011 5:43PM The trend to longer home-loan life, which has been observed in a number of commentaries in recent months, is likely to be a long-term change, as households reduce their borrowing levels and house pr.. read more
Senate committee calls for big changes to credit reporting rules 11 October 2011 5:17PM Credit providers can expect further delays to the establishment of a comprehensive credit reporting regime, following the release of the Senate committee review of the Government's draft legislation.. read more
Low EPS growth for banks in 2012 10 October 2011 5:56PM Sell-side analysts are expecting the three major banks that are due to report their 2010/11 financial results over the coming month to produce growth in earnings per share of between nine and 18 per c.. read more
Fixed-rate loans most profitable 06 October 2011 5:56PM Lenders are making a much bigger return on equity on two- and three-year fixed rate mortgages than on heavily discounted standard variable rates, a report issued yesterday shows. read more
Bank balance sheets solid, analysts say 05 October 2011 5:19PM Several sell-side analysts have issued notes over the past week reminding clients that the current balance sheet strength and funding composition of the Australian banks is much stronger than it was.. read more