WEEKEND ECONOMIST: European stimulus jolt

Saturday, May 19th, 2012

The current cash rate setting is mildly stimulatory, but given the underwhelming impact of cuts on consumer sentiment thus far, and the events unfolding in Europe, more than a total of 100bps in this easing cycle might be needed. 18 May 2012 6:38 PM View full post on WBC | RSS ...

Westpac cuts fixed loan interest rates

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Bank reports intense competition in fixed rate market. 15 May 2012 5:04 PM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

CLIMATE SPECTATOR: Why business was the budget’s biggest loser

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

With the big business lobby supporting Abbott's cost-of-living scare campaign over the carbon price, it's little wonder the government deserted corporates in the budget to provide hand-outs to the 'battlers'. 11 May 2012 6:20 PM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

Bulked up banks ready for a second storm

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

While European banks remain strapped to a sovereign-debt tightrope, Australia and America's institutions can rest assured that they are much better capitalised than they were when Lehman Brothers fell. 8 May 2012 12:39 PM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

Westpac cuts key lending rates

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Bank follows rivals in partially passing on interest rate cut; drops home loan, business rates. 4 May 2012 10:14 AM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

Labor must help lower funding costs: Westpac’s Kelly

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Lower funding costs would result in deeper rate cuts: Kelly. 3 May 2012 4:18 PM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

Westpac’s next CEO Hartzer times it right

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Brian Hartzer, the American tipped to replace chief executive Gail Kelly, joins Westpac at the perfect time – and he has foregone at least $1 million to do so. 4 May 2012 6:43 AM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

Will markets swallow Westpac’s formula?

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Investors will be sceptical that Westpac's new growth strategy, expected to be announced with its results, can deliver without increasing costs. But the bank is pinning great hopes on Brian Hartzer. 30 Apr 2012 8:12 AM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

THE DISTILLERY: Capital clash

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Jotters jostle over the ASX's proposed easing of capital raising rules, while one says the RBA is copping too much flak. 27 Apr 2012 6:30 AM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator

THE DISTILLERY: ASX conflict

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

One jotter says the ASX has gone too far in its latest rule proposals, while another looks at how the banks will try to lift revenue in a tight market. 23 Apr 2012 6:59 AM View full post on WBC | RSS Business News Feed | Business Spectator