| BNK Banking Corporation Ventures into Structured Credit with Innovative Funding Platform Sun, 22 Mar: BNK Banking Corporation Limited (BNK) has announced its foray into structured finance by backing a syndicated senior secured warehouse facility. This strategic move enables a burgeoning Australian non-bank lender to access funding through a facility secured by high-quality receivables. BNK's acquisition of senior notes in this warehouse aligns with its broader strategy to establish a foothold in asset-backed lending and private credit. - read more
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| ASIC Raises Red Flags Over Practices in Australia's Private Lending Industry Sun, 22 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the private lending sector, revealing significant concerns regarding inconsistent practices, unclear reporting, and potential risks to investors. This scrutiny comes in response to the rapid growth of private credit in Australia, which has expanded by 500% over the past decade, reaching approximately $200 billion in loans. - read more
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| Allied Credit Bolsters Market Presence with Acquisition of Macquarie's Car Loan Portfolio Sun, 22 Mar: Allied Credit, a leading independent financier in Australia, has announced the acquisition of a $1.5 billion car loan and novated leasing portfolio from Macquarie Group's Banking and Financial Services division. This strategic acquisition aligns with Allied Credit's vision to become a high-performance financier in the Australian auto finance industry. - read more
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| d’Albora Marinas Expands with Tin Can Bay Marina Acquisition Sun, 22 Mar: d’Albora Marinas, Australia's largest premium marina and hospitality network, has recently expanded its portfolio by acquiring Tin Can Bay Marina in Southeast Queensland. This strategic move enhances d’Albora's presence in the region and underscores its commitment to investing in premier coastal destinations. - read more
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| Diesel Shortage Halts Mooloolaba Fishing Operations Sun, 22 Mar: Recent diesel shortages have left fishing boats stranded at Mooloolaba Wharf, posing significant challenges to local businesses and threatening thousands of jobs. The inability to access fuel has halted fishing operations, highlighting vulnerabilities in Australia's fuel supply chain. - read more
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| Stephen Joyce to Lead Brisbane 2032 Marine Project Sun, 22 Mar: Superyacht Australia has appointed Stephen Joyce as Project Manager for the Brisbane 2032 Marine Project, a multi-year initiative designed to position Queensland and the South Pacific as premier global superyacht destinations leading up to and beyond the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. - read more
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| Liberty Financial's Expansion in SME and SMSF Lending Markets Sun, 22 Mar: Liberty Financial Group has reported significant growth in its lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-managed super funds (SMSFs) in its half-year results ending December 31, 2025. The company's net profits after tax rose to $76.4 million, up from $67.7 million in the previous six months, driven by increased lending in these sectors. - read more
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| Rate Money's Competitive Edge: Lower Rates for Self-Employed Borrowers Sun, 22 Mar: Rate Money, a non-bank lender specializing in loans for self-employed individuals, has announced significant reductions in interest rates across its 'Evolve Easy Doc' range. Effective June 30, 2025, new rates start from 6.64% per annum, with the 'Easy Doc One Year' product now beginning at 6.09% per annum. - read more
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| Sherco Australia Launches Attractive Finance Deals for MY26 2-Stroke Factory Models Sun, 22 Mar: Sherco Motorcycles Australia has unveiled a compelling low-rate finance offer aimed at riders looking to upgrade their enduro experience. For a limited time, eligible MY26 Sherco Factory 2-Stroke Enduro models are available with competitive finance rates through SHERCO FAST FINANCE, powered by Australian Motorcycle & Marine Finance (AMMF). - read more
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| NSW Implements Comprehensive Safety Reforms for Learner and Provisional Motorcyclists Sun, 22 Mar: The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced a series of substantial motorcycle safety reforms, marking the most significant changes in two decades. These measures are primarily aimed at learner and provisional riders, with the objective of reducing the rising number of motorcycle-related fatalities in the state. - read more
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| Government Backs 12 Projects to Boost Heavy Vehicle Safety Sun, 22 Mar: The Australian Government, in collaboration with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), has announced a $4.2 million investment in 12 industry-led projects designed to improve heavy vehicle safety across the nation. This funding is part of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), which has supported over 181 projects with more than $45 million since its inception in 2016. - read more
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| Climate Change's Impact on Rising Home Insurance Premiums Sun, 22 Mar: In recent developments, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has raised concerns about the escalating impact of climate change on home insurance premiums. The insurer's latest report indicates that Australians should anticipate higher costs due to the increasing frequency and severity of weather events. - read more
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| AI Adoption Transforms Efficiency and Risk Management in Australian Insurance Sun, 22 Mar: The Australian insurance industry is undergoing a significant transformation through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Insurers are leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service, and refine risk management practices, positioning themselves as data-driven, digital-first organizations. - read more
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| ASIC's $27 Million Penalty Pursuit: Implications for AustralianSuper Members Sun, 22 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated legal proceedings seeking a $27 million penalty against AustralianSuper, one of the nation's largest superannuation funds. The action stems from allegations that AustralianSuper failed to consolidate duplicate member accounts over a period of nearly a decade, leading to unnecessary fees and diminished returns for approximately 90,000 members. - read more
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| Meta's Ad Verification: Strengthening Defenses Against Financial Scams Sun, 22 Mar: In a proactive effort to shield Australian consumers from financial scams, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has rolled out a new ad verification process. This initiative is designed to ensure that only legitimate financial entities can advertise on its platforms, thereby reducing the prevalence of fraudulent financial promotions. - read more
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| Budget Direct Achieves Top Honors as Australia's Insurer of the Year Sat, 21 Mar: Budget Direct has been honored with the inaugural 'Insurer of the Year' title at the 2026 Finder Provider of the Year Awards, solidifying its position as a leading choice for Australians seeking exceptional insurance coverage. This recognition is accompanied by four additional category wins, making Budget Direct the most awarded provider in this year's ceremony. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Advocate for Legislation Against Unfair Claims Practices Sat, 21 Mar: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has expressed strong support for the proposed Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026, which aims to establish a general prohibition on unfair trading practices within Australian Consumer Law. This legislation is designed to empower regulators to take decisive action against predatory operators, particularly within the claims management sector. - read more
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| Significant Rise in Private Health Insurance Premiums Set for April 2026 Sat, 21 Mar: Australians are bracing for a substantial increase in private health insurance premiums, with an average rise of 4.41% scheduled to take effect from April 1, 2026. This marks the most significant hike since 2017 and is expected to place additional financial pressure on households already contending with the rising cost of living. - read more
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| Insurance Council Declares Significant Events for Northern Territory and Queensland Floods Sat, 21 Mar: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared Significant Events in response to the severe flooding that has recently impacted communities in the Northern Territory and Queensland. This declaration aims to expedite the insurance industry's response and provide necessary support to affected residents. - read more
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| Insurance Australia Group Enhances 2026 Outlook Following RACQ Insurance Acquisition Sat, 21 Mar: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has revised its fiscal 2026 outlook upwards, following the successful acquisition of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland's (RACQ) insurance arm. This strategic move is set to bolster IAG's presence in the Queensland market and drive substantial growth in the coming year. - read more
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| Volvo Trucks Australia Enhances FM Series with New 13-Litre Engine Options Sat, 21 Mar: Volvo Trucks Australia has announced the addition of new low-horsepower 13-litre engines to its FM series, aiming to provide more efficient and versatile options for various transport applications. The new engine range includes variants with 380hp and 1850Nm, 420hp and 2100Nm, and 460hp with 2300Nm of torque. These engines comply with Euro 6 emissions standards, reflecting Volvo's commitment to environmental sustainability. - read more
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| Hino Australia Broadens 700 Series with Eleven New Euro 6-Compliant Models Sat, 21 Mar: Hino Australia has unveiled an expansion of its 700 Series heavy-duty truck range, introducing eleven new models that comply with Euro 6 emissions standards. This development aims to provide solutions for a wide array of heavy-duty applications, catering to the evolving needs of the transport industry. - read more
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| Kia Enters Australian Ute Market with the Launch of the Tasman Sat, 21 Mar: Kia has officially launched the Tasman, its first-ever ute, in the Australian market. Designed with significant input from Kia Australia, the Tasman aims to capture approximately 10% of the country's pickup truck market share. The vehicle is built on an all-new platform and is set to compete with established models like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. - read more
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| Industry Bodies Call for Reforms in Professional Indemnity Insurance to Address Systemic Failures Sat, 21 Mar: In a concerted effort to enhance the effectiveness of professional indemnity (PI) insurance within Australia's financial services sector, leading industry bodies have submitted a joint proposal to the Treasury. The submission, dated 13 February 2026, underscores the necessity for increased transparency and proactive measures to prevent systemic failures that have previously led to significant consumer losses. - read more
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| CHU Enhances Strata Insurance Coverage for Larger Properties Sat, 21 Mar: CHU, Australia's leading strata insurance underwriting agency, has significantly increased its capacity to insure larger residential and commercial strata developments. The company has raised its maximum single risk capacity from $300 million to $690 million, more than doubling its previous limit. This expansion applies to CHU's strata insurance policies across both residential and commercial properties, encompassing all property-related sections under a single policy, including insured property, catastrophe cover, and lot owners' fixtures and improvements. - read more
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