| ASIC Initiates Legal Proceedings Against Australian Super for Claim Delays Sat, 10 Jan: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated legal action against Australian Super, the nation's largest superannuation fund, alleging significant delays in processing nearly 7,000 death benefit claims. These delays, some extending up to four years, have raised serious concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the fund's claims handling processes. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Face Challenges in Risk Preparedness Sat, 10 Jan: Recent findings from PwC's Insurance Banana Skins Survey indicate that Australian insurers are trailing behind their global counterparts in preparedness for emerging risks, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). - read more
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| Insurance News to Host Third Annual Conference in Sydney Sat, 10 Jan: Insurance News has announced its third annual conference, scheduled to take place in Sydney on March 19, 2026. This full-day event aims to provide attendees with comprehensive insights into current market trends, industry pressures, and emerging opportunities within the insurance sector. - read more
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| Rising Home Insurance Costs Amid Climate Change Concerns Sat, 10 Jan: Australians are facing escalating home insurance premiums, with climate change playing a significant role in this upward trend. Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has highlighted that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events are contributing to higher costs for homeowners. - read more
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| Australian Banks Predict Interest Rate Increases in 2026 Fri, 09 Jan: As 2026 approaches, Australia's major banks have released forecasts indicating potential interest rate hikes, sparking concerns about a renewed cost of living crisis. The 'big four' banks—Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac, and ANZ—have dismissed the likelihood of rate cuts in the coming year, with some predicting increases as early as February. - read more
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| Wisr's New Secured Motorbike Loans: A Game-Changer for Australian Riders Fri, 09 Jan: Australian fintech lender Wisr has expanded its product range by introducing secured motorbike loans, aiming to cater to the growing demand for flexible vehicle financing options among Australian riders. This strategic move allows customers to use their motorbikes as collateral, potentially accessing more favourable interest rates compared to unsecured loans. - read more
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| MotorCycle Holdings Achieves Record-Breaking Revenue in FY2025 Fri, 09 Jan: MotorCycle Holdings Limited, Australia's largest motorcycle retailer, has reported a record sales revenue of $650 million for the financial year 2025, marking an 11.6% increase from the previous year. This achievement underscores the company's strategic initiatives and resilience in a challenging market. - read more
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| KTM's €600 Million Lifeline: A New Chapter for the Austrian Motorcycle Giant Fri, 09 Jan: Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM AG has successfully secured €600 million in funding, enabling the company to fulfill its debt obligations and complete its restructuring plan. This development is particularly significant for Australian riders and dealers who rely on KTM's presence in the market. - read more
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| Non-Bank Lenders Capture 26% of SME Loan Market Fri, 09 Jan: In recent years, non-bank lenders have significantly increased their presence in the Australian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing sector. As of early 2025, these lenders account for 26% of smaller loans to SMEs, marking a notable shift in the financial landscape. - read more
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| Australian SMEs Navigate Cashflow Struggles Amid Cost Increases Fri, 09 Jan: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are currently grappling with significant cashflow challenges, primarily driven by rising operational costs. Factors such as increased wages, inflation, and higher interest rates have placed considerable strain on these businesses, affecting their financial stability and growth prospects. - read more
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| Rural Affinity and Munich Re Strengthen Agricultural Insurance in Australia Fri, 09 Jan: In a significant development for Australia's agricultural sector, Rural Affinity has renewed its partnership with Munich Re Specialty – Global Markets under a new five-year agreement. This collaboration, which began in 2006, is set to enhance the availability and scope of agricultural insurance products across the country. - read more
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| WFI Insurance Highlights Significant Drop in Farm Liability Claims Fri, 09 Jan: WFI Insurance has reported a notable decrease in farm liability claims across most categories, signaling a positive trend in safety practices within the Australian agricultural sector. The insurer observed a 75% reduction in falls from height over the past year, alongside a 30% decline in impact injuries, marking the lowest level in four years. - read more
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| Elders Insurance Highlights Increased Summer Storm Risks for Farmers Fri, 09 Jan: Elders Insurance is urging Australian farmers to prepare for another damaging summer, with claims data revealing the scale and financial impact of storm activity across the country's agricultural regions. Analysis of storm-related farm insurance property claims over the last two years indicates that summer accounts for the highest number of claims nationally. - read more
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| Westpac's Bold Move: Prioritising Business Lending in New Strategy Fri, 09 Jan: Westpac Banking Corporation is undertaking a significant transformation, focusing on expanding its business lending capabilities to better serve Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This strategic shift involves replacing traditional in-branch tellers with dedicated bankers specialising in home and business lending, aiming to provide more personalised and efficient services to business clients. - read more
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| LMG's Asset Finance Exchange Hits $80 Million Milestone in First Year Fri, 09 Jan: Loan Market Group's (LMG) Asset Finance Exchange (AFX) has achieved a significant milestone, reporting approximately $80 million in settlements within its inaugural year. This accomplishment underscores the increasing demand for asset finance solutions among Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). - read more
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| ASIC Advocates for Higher Standards in Private Lending Industry Fri, 09 Jan: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a call for the private lending sector to elevate its standards, aiming to align more closely with established banking practices. This initiative follows a comprehensive review that revealed inconsistencies in reporting, opaque fee structures, and inadequate risk disclosures within the industry. - read more
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| APRA Implements Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans Fri, 09 Jan: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change to address emerging risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending portfolios. This proactive measure aims to curb potential financial instability arising from escalating property prices and increased credit growth. - read more
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| ASIC Investigates Private Lending Sector Amid Rapid Expansion Fri, 09 Jan: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has intensified its scrutiny of the private lending sector, following a period of rapid growth and increasing investor interest. This move comes in response to concerns about transparency, risk management, and the potential impact on the broader financial system. - read more
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| Investor Lending Reaches New Heights in Australia's Housing Market Fri, 09 Jan: Australia's housing market is witnessing a significant surge in investor lending, with recent data indicating that investors now account for two in every five new home loans. This trend has raised concerns about housing affordability and the potential for market instability. - read more
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| LMG's Asset Finance Exchange Hits $80 Million Milestone in First Year Fri, 09 Jan: In a remarkable demonstration of Australia's expanding asset finance sector, Loan Market Group's Asset Finance Exchange (AFX) has reported settlements totaling approximately $80 million within its first year of operation. This achievement underscores the platform's effectiveness in connecting mortgage brokers with asset finance specialists, thereby facilitating substantial business growth. - read more
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| Valiant Finance Facilitates Over $2.5 Billion in Loans to Australian SMEs Fri, 09 Jan: Valiant Finance, an Australian business finance marketplace established in 2015, has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating over $2.5 billion in loans to more than 20,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. This accomplishment underscores the growing reliance on digital platforms for business financing solutions. - read more
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| ANZ Receives $2 Billion Government Guarantee to Sustain Pacific Operations Fri, 09 Jan: In a strategic initiative to bolster its presence in the Pacific region, ANZ has secured a A$2 billion loan guarantee from the Australian government. This 10-year agreement aims to ensure the bank's continued operation of its Pacific branch network, serving as a countermeasure to growing regional influences. - read more
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| Peter Stevens Motorcycles Faces Financial Turmoil with Massive Debt Fri, 09 Jan: In a significant development for the Australian motorcycle industry, Peter Stevens Motorcycles, a cornerstone of the sector since 1970, has entered voluntary administration. The company faces debts exceeding $65.9 million, a situation that casts uncertainty over the future of its 400 employees and numerous customers. - read more
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| Insuregroup Achieves Significant Milestone in Truck Insurance Policies Fri, 09 Jan: Insuregroup, a specialist insurance brokerage serving Australia's transport and logistics sector, has recently achieved a significant milestone by processing over 10,000 insurance policies since its inception. This accomplishment includes a 25% year-on-year increase in policy count, highlighting the escalating demand for comprehensive truck insurance solutions among Australian freight operators. - read more
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| Queensland Aligns with National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Fri, 09 Jan: In a significant move towards regulatory consistency, Queensland has transferred its heavy vehicle compliance responsibilities to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). This transition aligns Queensland with New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, all of which have already integrated their heavy vehicle regulations under the NHVR's oversight. - read more
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