Regulation

Protecting consumers from predatory lending practices and slashing regulatory frictions with industry are among the corporate cop’s priorities for the year ahead.

Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has called the Ukraine war a “major new source of uncertainty”, with a rate rise seeming unlikely for the near future.

The federal government has announced financial support is available for flood-impacted victims, as major flooding continues in South-East Queensland and the NSW North Coast.

It can take more than six years to get new housing supply to market, with the government body warning that affordability hangs in the balance.

The latest ABS wage growth data has left an economist with Bluestone unconvinced that the RBA will increase rates before 2023.

The economy, small-business interests and climate change have ranked higher in importance than housing affordability for mortgage industry workers heading to the federal election.

Digitisation, automation and a simplified business model are the ASX-listed bank’s lines of defence against heightened competition and rising regulatory requirements.

Higher saving rates and accelerated pay rises will tide households over when the Reserve Bank bumps up the cash rate, according to economists at the big four bank.

The corporate regulator confirms six big banks have paid or offered more than $3 billion in compensation to its customers for financial advice-related misconduct.

The government has almost doubled the savings cap for rookie buyers working towards a house deposit under the First Home Super Saver Scheme.