Australian Banking & Finance articles from March 2008

Australian Banking & Finance archives from March 2008

RBA 'walk the line' right into March rate rise: but it would be great if it was held off till April, say Australia's mortgage moguls.(Australia. Reserve Bank of Australia)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aussie John Symond hopes the Reserve Bank "would at least wait to get through March before they start" with another interest rate increase. "We haven't seen the impact of the November rate rise, quickly followed...

"Get rid of the red tape and get real, Rudd.": Australia's best insurers voice their concerns about the tough road ahead, giving the PM a piece of their mind along the way.
March 1, 2008... Speaking at Australian Banking and Finance magazines Best Insurers Luncheon, key figures in the Australian insurance industry all agreed that the Federal Government should relieve the burden, simplify taxation and get rid of the red tape. ...

Global Mortgage Conference.(EVENT--PICTORIAL)(Conference notes)
March 1, 2008... Though the conference was titled "Mortgage Mayday", the luncheon panel discussion was lighthearted while Australian and US experts tackled today's and tomorrow's serious issues of the mortgage and property market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Obesity leads to high premium pressure: as the belt tightens on increasing Australian waistlines, insurance premiums are on the up.(REPORT--BEST INSURERS LUNCHEON)
March 1, 2008... Not only is Australia the fourth fattest nation on earth, but as Helen Troup from ING Life Risk said, "for the first time we're seeing the younger generation not having mortality improvement." The Australian Banking & Finance magazine Best...

Best Insurers Luncheon.(EVENT--PICTORIAL)
March 1, 2008... Winners from last year's Insurance Awards discussed everything from climate change to obesity, providing attendees with an in-depth insight into the complexities of the Australian and global insurance industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Bankers of the Decade: with Allan Moss winning the coveted Banker of the Decade award, all of Australia's banking celebrities came together at to celebrate excellence in the industry.(SPECIAL REPORT--BANKERS OF THE DECADE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The February Bankers of the Decade event, sponsored by Infosys, saw past Banker of the Decade winner Don Argus pan the ban on domestic bank mergers, this decade's winner Allan Moss stating that he was "very positive"...

Bankers of the decade 1997-2007.(EVENT--PICTORIAL)
March 1, 2008... Event guest of honour and previous Banker of the Decade, Don Argus, Chairman of BHP Billiton. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Peter Charlton presents Ralph Norris of CBA with his award. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Peter Charlton with Stuart...

Storms ahead, but there still is a silver lining: these are rough times but there is hope out there, says PricewaterhouseCoopers' Banking and Capital Markets Leader, Mike Codling.(SPECIAL REPORT--BANKERS OF THE DECADE)
March 1, 2008... Speaking at February's Banker of the Decade 1997-2007 awards, Codling said that even though "dark storm clouds" were approaching, "I remain an optimist". "I have confidence in the underlying strength of our economy and in the ability of...

Dear banking friends.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)
March 1, 2008... Dear Banking Friends, I am pleased to announce that our colourful page has grown to become its own publication called F.L.E., a traveller's companion with more fashion, entertainment and lifestyle ideas than ever before, now found in...

Fine-tuned.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Piano designer and inventor Wayne Stuart has created an entirely new coupling device 'The Agraffe' This piano is different to standard designs because it encourages the strings to vibrate in a more controlled manner, holding the strings...

Eighteen-year old crush.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Colin Scott, Chivas Brothers Master Blender, has personally selected every cask of malt and grain whisky in the Chivas Regal Eighteen-Year Old Gold Signature blend, RRP$100 from fine liquor merchants. Try this decadent Chivas Crush cocktail...

Rare Aussie gems.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(venerari)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Gemologist Kingsley Wallman and his partner, architect and head designer, Genevieve Lilley are the talent behind Venerari. If you're after something 'different' you'll find your niche here. Specialists in rare Australian gems, boulder opals,...

Guilt-free luxury getaway.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(Emerald Valley Villa)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Michael J. Robison has created the ultimate exclusive get away for up to 8 people at the Emerald Valley Villa. Eco-friendly, operating on 100% green climate neutral power, the five-star private retreat nestled high above the pristine hinterland...

Dad Rode a Tiger.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Prolific Australian graphic designer Vince Frost returns to a sell-out design twenty years after its original release. Originally starring an image of his Dad on his Triumph motorcycle titled 'Dad Rode a Tiger', the T-shirts are made from 100%...

Say Adios to Muffin Tops.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(Tummy Tuck Jeans )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Cult US brand Tummy Tuck Jeans are in Australia and will make you look slimmer and sexier with a patented panel of extra-stretch denim to create a comfortable corset effect. Available in ten styles and washes and in sizes six to twenty-two...

Second SKINN.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)(SKINN Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Specifically designed for men to treat skin issues such as razor irritation, ingrown hairs and dry scaly skin, SKINN is a high quality formulation that gives results without damaging agents like parabens, strong fragrances and lanolin. Aussie...

Flight simulator.(fashion lifestyle + entertainment)
March 1, 2008... If you've wondered what it would be like to be in control of a modern jet liner flying anywhere in the world, now you can take off with Flight Experience. Your dream is a reality with the full-size commercial Boeing 737-800 jet simulator; with...

Ten years of banking: a fine vintage.(NEWS)
March 1, 2008... My congratulations to all the recipients of the AB&F awards, particularly to the newly crowned Banker of the Decade: Allan Moss. Macquarie's transformation and success on Allan's watch have been extraordinary, making this accolade, to my mind,...

Behind the screens.(NEWS)
March 1, 2008... The past fortnight has been jam-packed with many quips from the many events Australian Banking & Finance magazine has hosted, and the Infosys Bankers of the Decade event. BEST INSURERS PANEL Helen Troup: Hazel maybe you'd like to...

Lending outlook forecast 'grim': as widely predicted, this month's interest rate rise has caused much conjecture and speculation within the banking and finance industry. So what is the forecast for lending? One leading non-bank lender provides a dim view.
March 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founding director and director of sales and marketing at Australian First Mortgage, Iain Forbes, has predicted a 50% fall in business as a result of the hard times hitting Australia's economic shores. Speaking to...

'Be back in 10 minutes: gone phishing': how Australian banks are reeling in the fraudsters.(SPECIAL REPORT--TACKLING PHISHING)
March 15, 2008... Recent figures show that the financial sector was once again the main target for phish attacks. Australian Banking & Finance Magazine provides an update on the sector's ongoing struggle against phishing, where we are now, and where the fight is...

Open for inspection: a monthly look at Australia's property market.
March 15, 2008... Open for Inspection A monthly look at Australia's property market As the property market is inextricably linked with mortgage and housing markets, this information is of great interest interest to all bankers. CAPITAL CITY...

Managing the bits and bytes of banking and finance: Hitachi Data Systems ANZ's Basil Botoulas on the role of data storage in the banking and finance sector.(REPORT--DATA STORAGE)
March 15, 2008... Storage growth and performance is not the only concern for many financial institutions in today's information era. What was acceptable in terms of delay of data retrieval and storage is now intolerable for many customers. With many...

Mortgage market tipped to consolidate: in the wake of recent U.S. ructions, experts agree change is happening and will continue--for both consumers and suppliers. Banks will also continue to recover lost ground in the competitive market.(SPECIAL REPORT--MORTGAGE MARKET)
March 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shockwaves from the U.S.'s recent sub-prime mortgage meltdown have undeniably been felt here in Australia. As a result the domestic mortgage market is undergoing considerable change, and Australian Banking &...

Credit cards slowing down? There are some predictions that the credit card market is on the verge of a breather. Meanwhile, two major retailers prepare to launch branded credit cards.(REPORT--CREDIT CARDS)
March 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Skander Malcolm, managing director of retailer solutions at GE Money, told Australian Banking & Finance Magazine that a slow down of the market was expected. "The card industry has experienced substantial growth...

In our last issue we reported how, speaking at last month's Banker of the Decade 1997-2007 awards, former Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief executive David Murray said federal Treasurer Wayne Swan's recent criticism of bank mortgage rate rises was a "disgrace".(BEHIND THE SCREENS)
March 15, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In our last issue we reported how, speaking at last month's Banker of the Decade 1997-2007 awards, former Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief executive David Murray said federal Treasurer Wayne Swan's recent...

The banking sector continues to grow, with more than 10,000 people entering the sector over the past two years, according to new figures.(BEHIND THE SCREENS)
March 15, 2008... The banking sector continues to grow, with more than 10,000 people entering the sector over the past two years, according to new figures. More than 138,000 people were employed by banks which are members of the Australian Bankers' Association...

Now that the cricket season is over, will we be seeing less of The Commonwealth Bank's new "dare to be different ads"?(BEHIND THE SCREENS)
March 15, 2008... Now that the cricket season is over, will we be seeing less of The Commonwealth Bank's new "dare to be different ads"? There's no doubt the ads have created controversy, with legendary adman John Singleton calling them "obscene" and a "waste...

The first week of March wasn't a good one for NAB.(BEHIND THE SCREENS)(National Australia Bank )(Brief article)
March 15, 2008... The first week of March wasn't a good one for NAB. First the media got stuck into the bank for being one of the first to lift official interest rates above the Reserve Bank's 25 basis point increase. And then later on in the week the bank...

Quant risk models--precise science or rear view driving?(NEWS)
March 15, 2008... With the banking industry and markets still coming to grips with massive impacts and losses from the sub-prime fall out, analysis has turned to the part that quantitative risk models have contributed to the crisis, including potentially...