| AFIA Unveils New Code to Elevate Non-Bank Lending Standards Thu, 06 Nov: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has recently introduced its Finance Industry Code of Practice, marking a significant advancement in the non-bank lending and specialist banking sectors. This pioneering initiative aims to establish a new standard for integrity, transparency, and fairness within the industry. - read more
|
| Australia's Housing Boom: A Golden Opportunity for Mortgage Brokers Thu, 06 Nov: Australia is currently experiencing a housing 'super cycle,' characterised by a substantial increase in demand for new homes. This surge is driven by a chronic undersupply of housing, demographic shifts, and evolving lifestyle preferences. For mortgage brokers, this trend presents a unique opportunity to expand their client base and services. Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
|
| Moneytech and Xero Collaboration Simplifies Financing for Australian SMEs Thu, 06 Nov: Australian non-bank lender Moneytech has announced a strategic integration with Xero, the global small business accounting platform. This partnership aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a more efficient and streamlined process for accessing working capital. - read more
|
| Queensland Government Invests in Marine Industry Workforce Thu, 06 Nov: The Queensland Government has recently partnered with the Boating Industry Association (BIA) to significantly enhance the Marine Jobs program throughout the state. This collaboration is set to provide a substantial boost to employment opportunities within Queensland's marine sector, which boasts the highest concentration of marine businesses in Australia. - read more
|
| BIA and AFTA Collaborate to Enhance Boating and Fishing Industries Thu, 06 Nov: In a significant move for Australia's outdoor recreation sector, the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) have formalised an agreement to collaborate more closely. This partnership is designed to benefit their combined membership base and bolster support for boat-based fishing across the nation. - read more
|
| Japanese Banks SMBC and MUFG Propel Business Lending Expansion in Australia Thu, 06 Nov: Australia's business lending sector is witnessing a significant shift as Japanese banking giants Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) emerge as leading growth drivers. In July 2025, the combined business loan books of Australia's top 10 authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) reached A$925 billion, with SMBC and MUFG recording the highest percentage growth rates among them. - read more
|
| Inattention and Speed Identified as Key Factors in Australian Truck Crashes Thu, 06 Nov: The National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has released its 2025 Major Incident Investigation Report, shedding light on the primary human factors contributing to significant truck crashes across Australia. The findings emphasise the critical roles of inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed in these incidents, underscoring the necessity for targeted safety interventions within the transport industry. - read more
|
| QBE and Sure Insurance Forge New Home Cover Partnership Thu, 06 Nov: QBE Australia Pacific has recently entered into a strategic partnership with Sure Insurance, aiming to bolster its broker-distributed householders cover. This collaboration signifies a concerted effort to provide more comprehensive and accessible home insurance solutions tailored to the diverse needs of Australian homeowners. - read more
|
| Blue Zebra Enhances Insurance Offerings with New Underwriting Partnerships Thu, 06 Nov: Underwriting agency Blue Zebra has recently announced the establishment of new capacity arrangements for its home building and contents, landlord, and small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) package products. This strategic move is set to enhance the agency's ability to offer comprehensive and competitive insurance solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Australian homeowners and business operators. - read more
|
| AIG Australia Penalised for Claims Handling Failures Thu, 06 Nov: The Insurance Code Governance Committee has imposed a $30,000 penalty on AIG Australia for breaching its obligations related to claims handling. The insurer failed to inform customers about delays in processing their claims and neglected to advise them of their right to escalate complaints to the ombudsman. This regulatory action underscores the critical importance of transparency and communication in the insurance claims process. - read more
|
| OECD Calls for Budget Repairs and Increased Business Investment in Australia Thu, 06 Nov: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently highlighted pressing economic challenges facing Australia, urging both federal and state governments to undertake significant budget repairs and stimulate business investment. This call to action comes in response to new data revealing unprecedented growth in welfare spending, juxtaposed with business investment levels nearing a four-decade low. - read more
|
| Australia's Economic Stagnation: Insights from Gerard Minack Thu, 06 Nov: Veteran global macro strategist Gerard Minack has recently characterised Australia as a 'stagnation nation,' highlighting concerns over flatlining real incomes and declining per capita growth. Speaking at a Morgan Stanley conference, Minack emphasised the need for substantial policy reforms to rejuvenate the Australian economy. - read more
|
| AustralianSuper Advances Towards Payday Super Implementation Thu, 06 Nov: AustralianSuper, one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, is set to implement the Payday Super system, following a successful pilot program conducted with Rest. This initiative involves collaboration with technology providers Wrkr and MUFG Retirement Solutions to streamline and enhance the process of superannuation contributions. - read more
|
| Climate Change Impacting Home Insurance Costs, IAG Reports Wed, 05 Nov: Insurance Australia Group (IAG), a leading insurer in Australia, has highlighted the significant impact of climate change on the cost of home insurance. The company reports that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events are contributing to rising premiums for homeowners. - read more
|
| Suncorp's Financial Growth and Share Buyback: What It Means for Policyholders Wed, 05 Nov: Suncorp, a prominent Australian insurer, has reported an 8% increase in full-year cash earnings, reaching A$1.49 billion for the year ending June 30, 2025. This performance surpasses analyst expectations and is attributed to improved insurance margins and favorable natural hazard costs. - read more
|
| IAG's Profit Growth and Its Implications for Australian Tradespeople Wed, 05 Nov: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has reported a significant increase in annual cash earnings for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, reaching A$1.17 billion. This growth is primarily driven by an 8% rise in net earned premiums to A$9.98 billion and lower-than-expected natural peril costs. - read more
|
| ATA Advocates for Major Road Upgrades to Enhance Transport Efficiency Wed, 05 Nov: The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to alleviate the financial burden on Australian households by proposing a $5 billion investment in targeted road upgrades over the next decade. This initiative is designed to support the adoption of high-productivity and low-emission trucks, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the transport sector and contributing to a reduction in the cost of living. - read more
|
| Australian Truck Sales Exhibit Signs of Recovery in Third Quarter of 2025 Wed, 05 Nov: The Australian truck and van market is showing signs of stabilisation in the third quarter of 2025, despite an 11.8% decline in year-to-date sales compared to the previous year. This trend suggests a potential turning point for the industry after a period of sustained softness. - read more
|
| Markel's New Professional Indemnity Insurance Solutions for Australian Professionals Wed, 05 Nov: In April 2024, Markel, a US-based specialty insurer, unveiled a suite of professional indemnity (PI) insurance products specifically designed for the Australian market. These offerings cater to professionals in accounting, construction, design and construct, insurance, media, and miscellaneous sectors. - read more
|
| APRA's Regulatory Action on Pacific International Insurance's Binder Management Wed, 05 Nov: In November 2024, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) directed Pacific International Insurance to increase its prudential capital requirement by $10 million. This action was taken in response to identified deficiencies in the insurer's oversight and control of its binder arrangements with intermediary partners. - read more
|
| Australian Small Businesses Advocate for Insurance Premium Reforms Wed, 05 Nov: In October 2025, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Insurance Council of Australia, released a report highlighting the significant challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to soaring insurance premiums. The report emphasizes that many SMEs are compelled to either forgo insurance coverage or reduce their policies to remain financially viable in a challenging economic environment. - read more
|
| Teneo Strengthens Asia-Pacific Presence with Acquisition of PwC Australia's Restructuring Unit Wed, 05 Nov: In a significant development within the financial advisory sector, Teneo has acquired the business restructuring services unit of PwC Australia. This strategic move aims to bolster Teneo's financial advisory operations in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the firm's commitment to expanding its global footprint. - read more
|
| Consumer Confidence Dips Amid Rising Inflation Concerns Tue, 04 Nov: In a development raising concerns for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), recent data from the ANZ-Roy Morgan survey indicates that Australians anticipate a significant rise in inflation. Expectations have increased by 0.4 percentage points, bringing anticipated inflation to 5.2%, contributing to muted consumer confidence currently standing at 84.5 points. - read more
|
| Vanguard Unveils New Tax-Exempt Investment Model for Young Australians Tue, 04 Nov: Vanguard has introduced a new investment concept known as 'MyInvestment,' designed to meet the specific needs of young Australian investors. Modelled after MySuper, this vehicle aims to provide flexibility by allowing investors to withdraw their funds after 24 months without restrictions. For those who might need to access their investment earlier, withdrawals would incur taxation at the marginal rate. - read more
|
| ASX 200 Declines Amid RBA Rate Hold and Inflation Concerns Tue, 04 Nov: The Australian stock market witnessed a downturn on Tuesday as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) opted to leave interest rates unchanged, while cautioning about the potential for persistent inflation beyond the preferred range. The ASX 200 dropped by 81.1 points, or 0.91%, closing at 8813.7. Meanwhile, the All Ordinaries index similarly decreased by 84.3 points, or 0.92%, settling at 9098.2. - read more
|
