Analysis of the similarities between Australia’s four largest banks shows all are exposed to risk of a housing bubble burst and face threats from digital disruption.
In its first quarter results this month, the National Australia Bank (NAB), breathed a sigh of relief announcing that the “separation” of Clydesdale had been “successful” with an expected loss of approximately…
The federal government’s decision to implement a deposit levy may increase the costs of banking in Australia without improving the stability of the system.
It came as no great surprise when David Thorburn announced this week that he was stepping down as chief executive of the troubled Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks. Having joined Clydesdale in the 1970s as…
A “yes” vote to Scottish independence on September 18 would mean a great many things for Scotland, and also for England. But what would it mean for Australian business and financial markets? It’s tempting…
Virtual currency Bitcoin is not a subject that ever draws neutral reactions. Against those who see the radical possibilities of a frictionless payment system designed for the internet, there is a growing…
Like most companies, banks report their profits twice a year. Each time the majors report we see headlines about the size of the profits and implicit or explicit criticism of the amount – this time about…
Shareholder class actions have become a prominent aspect of the Australian litigation landscape, with suits against blue chip Australian corporations such as Centro, NAB and Telstra. But what do shareholder…
This week, the National Australia Bank published its 2012 annual report, confirming that its net profit for the year had fallen by about 21%, mainly from higher bad and doubtful debt charges. Buried deep…
Reports of more offshoring of jobs from Australia to other countries are, seemingly, a daily occurrence. Such reports include, for example, the manufacturing of cars and their components and aspects of…