Mark Bristow

Big banks grow share of wallet

Australia's big banks are managing more customer wealth today than they were 10 years ago, indicating a strong brand loyalty from Australians that could increase further in the future.

Car crime stats up

Keep an eye on your car keys – new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that in 2016, car crime across Australia reached its highest level since 2012, driven by spiking car theft numbers in key states.

Dwelling approvals continue downward trend

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show development of new housing slowing for the third month in a row, which could impact Australia's future housing affordability.

Super trustees in breach of transparency requirements

To ensure compliance with transparency requirements around super fund websites, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has intervened in relation to 21 of Australia’s superannuation trustees.

Small businesses to start phasing out surcharges

Getting charged extra at the checkout when you pay with your plastic should largely become a thing of the past by the end of the year, with the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) preparing to enforce new laws on credit card surcharges by small businesses.

Final stage of super review now underway

The federal government is briefly shifting its attention from Australia’s banking systems to its superannuation providers, commencing the final stages of a review into the efficiency and competitiveness of the superannuation system.

Statements heard at competition inquiry

The initial stages of the Productivity Commission inquiry into competition in Australia’s financial system are now underway, with regulatory and industry bodies making statements to a roundtable hearing held in Melbourne yesterday.

Are eight RBA cash rate rises really likely?

Industry confident but cautious around online super forms

Starting a new job often means a tour of your new workplace, some awkward co-worker introductions, and digging out your superannuation details to fill out a complex set of paper forms. Upcoming changes to payroll requirements from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) could help to digitally streamline the superannuation selection process, though some industry bodies are concerned that important consumer protections could be overlooked.

Investors finding affordable suburbs in South West WA

Faced with challenging rental markets in Perth, Western Australian property investors may find more opportunities in the state’s South West region, according to the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA).