Australian Banking & Finance articles from April 2008

Australian Banking & Finance archives from April 2008

Westpac 'best positioned' to handle turbulent waters: while it remains a difficult time for our major banks in these tough conditions, some have stood out from the rest.
April 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Morgan Stanley bank analyst Richard Wiles told Australian Banking & Finance Magazine that "Westpac appears to be the bank that is best positioned" in these troubled times. "That partly reflects the fact that it...

New head of distribution at St Andrew's.(NEWS)
April 15, 2008... St Andrew's Australia, the wealth and insurance arm of HBOS Australia, has announced the appointment of Sean Straney as its new head of distribution. St Andrew's director of insurance Renato Mazza said Mr Straney had a diverse and...

Transformational solutions key to global competitiveness of Australian financial institutions: technological innovation in faster payment systems, commercial lending, and customer experience solutions is driving the speed of global financial services, according to HCL Technologies.(NEWS)
April 15, 2008... HCL Technologies at its Financial Services Technology Solutions summit, held earlier this month in Sydney, discussed its transformational solutions on offer to Australian financial institutions. The InvesTECH@HCL event was a forum where...

The top 50 bankers in 2008.
April 15, 2008... Australian Banking & Finance Magazine's list of Australia's most prominent and influential banking executives again features the foremost personalities from the majors, plus leaders of the most successful regional banks, investment banks and...

Outlook only going to get worse: as the U.S. continues to reel from its mortgage meltdown the signs aren't looking good for the rest of the year and beyond.(SPECIAL REPORT--GLOBAL MORTGAGE REPORT)
April 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every week there seems to be more bad news for the global mortgage market. Australian Banking & Finance Magazine looks at the major developments. Probably the best case study to demonstrate how bad the global...

Brisbane finance manager named Oz mortgage broker of the year.(NEWS)
April 15, 2008... L.J. Hooker Financial Services' Tracie Palmer was named 2008 Mortgage Broker of the Year at a gala awards night last month. The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) annual Excellence Awards are the only mortgage industry...

Fashion lifestyle + entertainment with Esther Cvejic.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... Dear Banking Friends, [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aussies are crazy about sun, sea and surf and our country is blessed with so many places by the water. A recent newspoll survey by Britz, Australia's largest 2WD and 4WD campervan rental...

Neil Sedaka.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ageless chart topper Neil Sedaka tours Australia from April 29 until May 11. With a wide canon of compositions, he is also currently working on a Children's CD, adapting his beloved classics to a younger audience...

Corporate monopoly.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Struggling to motivate staff who resist being changed is a challenge. However, when you engage them with a new strategic initiative and take them on the same journey as the Executive and the Board you don't risk...

Sail to splendour!(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... Bliss is cruising on a Sunday morning, beginning the day with a champagne breakfast or lazy late lunch, dining in splendour nestled on the tranquil Hawkesbury River, gorging on seafood, organic local produce and a degustation menu with up to...

Toys not just for kids.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... Keep up with the kids with a funky new idea from Nintendo and get fitter, leaner and healthier with the interactive Wii Fit motion sensitive Balance Board and Console. Your heart will pump, your balance and flexibility will improve, and best of...

Launching the nation's first back-to-work business bootcamp for mums.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)(Brief article)
April 15, 2008... I'm always meeting mums who are looking for ways to integrate back to work and I'm delighted there's now a unique program focused on just that aimed at improving technical skills and self esteem. Businesswoman Kylie Bartlett, founder of Qantum...

A new mobile level.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... Communicating has gone up a notch with the professional level LGViewty (KU990) 5.0 megapixel camera-phone. This is a great combo deal to stay in touch whatever the reason as you create and share your memories with a world first 120...

Exclusive species is touch friendly.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... Make a statement with the new Sony faux-Lizard Skin VAIO notebook, pairing smooth round borders and the latest in notebook technology. Fashionable yet robust so you can travel in style and create envy every time it comes out for the x-ray at...

Teambuilding getaway.(FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT)
April 15, 2008... Harness a renewed energy from your team and create a buzz back in the office with a bonding trip away together. The newly opened Beach Road Resort at Noosa North Shore combines luxurious accommodation and flexible conference facilities with a...

Warwick Negus will leave Colonial First State Global Asset Management in June.(BEHIND THE SCREENS)
April 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Warwick Negus will leave Colonial First State Global Asset Management in June. When he departs Negus will have spent three years as chief executive at Colonial, a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank. "I have enjoyed...

BankWest.(BEHIND THE SCREENS)(Brief article)
April 15, 2008... BankWest is moving to increase its brand recognition after announcing it would install its ATMs in more than 100 Flight Centre shops across Australia. BankWest chief executive--retail, Ian Corfield said, "We already have a strong network in...

Transparency: the new black.(NEWS)
April 15, 2008... It's highly fashionable to talk about transparency at the moment. If only CDOs and other complex financial instruments had not been so opaque. If only we knew where all the risks have been distributed to. If only we understood which...

'Technology the key to survival in our industry: there was some interesting discussion, and thoughts were shared when fifteen executives, led by leading banker Mike Pratt, met to participate in our "Enterprise Infrastructure Integration" roundtable.(REPORT--ROUNDTABLE LUNCHEON)
April 30, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The former head of retail banking at Westpac, Mike Pratt delivered a speech and moderated the discussion at the Enterprise Infrastructure Integration luncheon roundtable at Cafe Sydney, Circular Quay recently. Pratt...

Caught in the crossfire: the Reserve Bank is caught in the middle of balancing the economy so it doesn't overheat while trying not to inflict too much pain on households in the process, with an unprecedented interest in its every move.(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... Reserve Bank boss Glenn Stevens is doing his best in trying to manage the interests of working families--backed by a popular press--with his role of keeping a watchful eye on the economy. Is the heavy criticism--including personal...

APEC Securities, Vietnam and 3i Infotech in partnership.(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... IT firm 3i Infotech Asia Pacific has been awarded a contract with one of the ten biggest securities companies in Vietnam. The company, which is a leading provider of IT products and services for the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance...

HSBC launches private banking in China.(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... HSBC has gained regulatory approval to offer private banking services to China's high wealth individuals. The regulator has given HSBC approval to offer services to individuals in Shanghai, Beijing and the southern city of Guangzhou. ...

OZ banks showing us what they are made of: Australian Banking & Finance Magazine spoke to some of Australia's top financial services consultants to garner their thoughts and outlook.(REPORT--FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS OUTLOOK)
April 30, 2008... David Moloney, head of Australasia for Oliver Wyman, told Australian Banking & Finance Magazine, "There are a number of sources of volatility and the credit crunch is only the first. We're expecting others including continued devaluation of the...

Open for inspection: a monthly look at Australia's property market.(REPORT--FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS OUTLOOK)
April 30, 2008... As the property market is inextricably linked with mortgage and housing markets, this information is of great interest to all bankers. [GRAPHICS OMITTED] CAPITAL CITY SNAPSHOT Houses ...

Straight to the head of the class: our graduates have what it takes to thrive and succeed in the banking and finance sector both here in Australia and overseas, according to a leading education company.(FINANCIAL SERVICES GRADUATES)
April 30, 2008... One of the biggest changes to postgraduate financial services education in Australia was completed in February when global education and career services provider Kaplan Professional held its official launch in Sydney. Last year Kaplan...

NAB supports Indigenous.(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... NAB has announced funding assistance for Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. NAB announced it would provide up to $1m in interest-free loan capital and additional funding to assist Traditional Credit Union Limited (TCU) to...

ANZ to review securities lending.(NEWS)(Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
April 30, 2008... ANZ has ordered a review of its securities lending business in the wake of the collapse of stockbroker Opes Prime. ANZ chief executive officer, Mike Smith said that he would lead a review into ANZ's involvement in securities lending and the...

BOQ looks to acquire.(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... Bank of Queensland has suggested that it would look to expand its retail banking position through purchasing credit unions or building societies. Managing director David Liddy said that if any opportunity arose to provide further reach or...

SunGard roundtable luncheon: fifteen top executives gathered and exchanged thoughts and ideas at the luncheon, hosted by the former head of retail banking at Westpac, Mike Pratt. The following are some moments captured at the event.(EVENT--SUNGARD ROUNDTABLE LUNCHEON)(Discussion)
April 30, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew Crawford of SunCorp and Michael Page of St George [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tom Clipston of SunGard, Angus Vassie of Citibank and Stuart Hall of St George [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sarv Girn of...

Wincor Nixdorf arrives in Australia: the leading global provider of IT services and solutions to the branch businesses of banks and retailers is on a mission to capture our market.(SPECIAL REPORT)
April 30, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Starting out as a small computer company in Germany in the 1950s, today Wincor Nixdorf has its own subsidiaries in 34 countries is represented by partners in more than 60 countries and has a strong hub for APAC with...

Behind the screens.(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... The following are some little quips heard around the table at the "Enterprise Infrastructure Integration" luncheon Peter Charlton: "To Tom [Clipston], thanks for your support and giving us beautiful Cafe Sydney here at Circular Quay. I can...

Profits down the drain?(NEWS)
April 30, 2008... Why should an insurance group, awash with cash, prioritise effective cash management? The general insurance industry generates an abundance of cash, retains it for long periods, and pays out vast amounts in claims settlements, so why worry? ...