Economy

Big banks to withstand surge in fintech disruption: S&P
5 June 2020
fintech

The “mortgage-focused” model of the major banks will help them absorb an acceleration in fintech adoption in response to COVID-19, according to S&P Global.

Government unveils housing stimulus
4 June 2020
Government unveils housing stimulus

The federal government has announced a new $700-million housing stimulus package aimed at rekindling property market activity.

ASIC criticises ME Bank’s handling of redraw changes
4 June 2020
ASIC criticises ME Bank’s handling of redraw changes

The financial services regulator has “concerns” over ME Bank’s handling of its redraw matter, telling an urgent public hearing it “could have and should have been handled better”

Approvals rise but not expected to last
4 June 2020
mortgagebusiness

New dwelling approval figures are positive but lag behind the true impact of COVID-19, according to senior economists.

Australia now in recession, says Frydenberg
3 June 2020
Australia now in recession, says Frydenberg

The economy contracted by 0.3 per cent in the March quarter, ending Australia’s 29-year period of economic expansion, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg suggesting that the country is now in ...

ME Bank called back in for questioning
3 June 2020
mortgagebusiness

The lender and financial regulators face a new round of questioning in front of the economics committee today, after the chair found discrepancies in responses that he said were “deeply ...

Calls for negative interest rates renewed
2 June 2020
Calls for negative interest rates renewed

The central bank has been urged to consider further cuts to the cash rate in the wake of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

Government to introduce new home-buying stimulus
2 June 2020
Government to introduce new home-buying stimulus

The federal government is preparing to introduce new home-buying grants aimed at providing long-term support to the residential property sector as it grapples with the COVID-19 crisis.

Stamp duty to be scrapped by 2021, analysts predict
2 June 2020
Stamp duty

Two-thirds of analysts are expecting state governments to axe stamp duty in the next two months, according to a new survey.

Auction numbers climb as restrictions ease
2 June 2020
Auction numbers climb as restrictions ease

There has been an upward trend in the number of auctions held and a reduction in withdrawals since the lifting of bans on on-site auctions.