K: Financial and Insurance Services

ANZ steers well clear of buy now, pay later

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Original article by Ticky Fullerton
The Australian – Page: 18 : 9-Nov-20

The ‘buy now, pay later’ industry is enjoying strong growth, but the ANZ Bank intends to avoid the sector. The bank’s former chairman David Gonski says that while it is good that BNPL providers allow people to access credit when they need it, consumers must be mindful that they will pay interest when using these services. Meanwhile, Gonski believes that Australia’s investment banking sector presents opportunities at present. Gonski stepped down as ANZ chairman in late October.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Banks shut ATMs and branches amid digital push and cost cuts

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Original article by James Frost
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 18 : 9-Nov-20

Data presented to a federal parliamentary inquiry has highlighted the decline in the branch and ATM networks of Australia’s major banks over the last five years. The figures show that the number of branches and ATMs per 100,000 people has fallen by 33 per cent since 2015. Shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh says the federal government has ignored the issue of branch closures, and says it has no plans to ensure that disadvantaged Australians continue to have access to banking services. The Australian Banking Association notes that the shift to digital banking has gathered pace during the coronavirus pandemic.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BANKING ASSOCIATION

NAB takes virus hit, digs in to aid recovery

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Original article by James Frost, James Eyers
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 & 26 : 6-Nov-20

National Australia Bank has posted a cash profit of $3.7bn for the year to 30 September, which is 37 per cent lower than previously. The result was marred by credit impairment charges totalling $2.76bn, including a provision of $1.86bn for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Shareholders will receive a final dividend of $0.30 per share and a full-year payout of $0.60. NAB shares closed 3.2 per cent higher at $19.31 on 5 November.

CORPORATES
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB

Banks defiant on mortgage rates

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Original article by Joyce Moullakis, Lachlan Moffet Gray
The Australian – Page: 17 & 21 : 5-Nov-20

Australia’s four largest banks will keep their variable home loan interest rates unchanged, despite the Reserve Bank’s decision to reduce the cash rate to a record low of 0.1 per cent. However, the "big four" banks will all reduce their fixed home loan interest rates, with some falling below two per cent for the first time. The majority of mortgage loans across the Australian financial sector have variable rates, although more borrowers are opting for fixed-rate loans in the low-interest rate environment.

CORPORATES
RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB

Retirees hit but ‘it’s for the good of all’

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Original article by Patrick Commins
The Australian – Page: 4 : 4-Nov-20

Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has conceded that retirees and savers will be hard hit by the decision to reduce the cash rate to a record low of 0.1 per cent. However, Lowe contends that they need to be mindful of the "collective good", arguing that lower rates will benefit the broader community by supporting spending and creating jobs. Rice Warner’s executive director Michael Rice notes that retirees who are only partly self-funded will be particularly hard hit by the decline in deposit rates, and many will become more reliant on the age pension.

CORPORATES
RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, RICE WARNER ACTUARIES PTY LTD

Westpac resumes dividend as profits plummet 62pc

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Original article by James Frost, James Eyers
The Australian Financial Review – Page: Online : 3-Nov-20

Westpac announced on 2 November that it had recorded a full-year cash profit of $2.608 billion, down 62 per cent. Cash earnings by its consumer bank unit were down 12 per cent to $2.7 billion, while earnings by its business bank unit declined by 62 per cent to $734 million. Impairments for bad and doubtful debts were raised by $2.2 billion to $6.2 billion, while Westpac will pay a pay a fully franked final dividend of $0.31 per share on 18 December.

CORPORATES
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA

US fund Ares in AMP buyout talks

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Original article by Bridget Carter, Lachlan Moffet Gray
The Australian – Page: 13 & 20 : 30-Oct-20

New York Stock Exchange-listed private equity firm Ares Management has been given access to AMP’s data room and is said to be considering a full takeover play. Ares boasts more than $US149bn ($211.3bn) in assets under management, and CEO Michael Arougheti has flagged the potential for acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific region. AMP recently announced a portfolio review, which could result in the sale of all or part of the business. AMP’s market capitalisation is about $4.4bn, based on the stock’s closing price of $1.28 on 29 October.

CORPORATES
AMP LIMITED – ASX AMP, ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

No benefit in rate cut: ANZ chief

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Original article by Richard Gluyas
The Australian – Page: 13 & 18 : 30-Oct-20

The ANZ Bank has posted a net profit of $3.58bn for the year to 30 September, which is 40 per cent lower than previously. The result was primarily marred by a blowout in impairment charges, which rose to $2.74bn. Shareholders will receive a full-year dividend of $0.60 per share, compared with $1.60 in 2019-20. Meanwhile, CEO Shayne Elliott says a further reduction in official interest rates is unlikely to do much to stimulate the economy, as financial markets already have sufficient liquidity. The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to reduce the cash rate on 3 November.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Rinehart leads miners to No.1 as tech stars ride COVID-19 wave

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Original article by Michael Bailey, Julie-anne Sprague
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 30-Oct-20

The combined wealth of Australia’s 200 wealthiest individuals and families has risen from $342bn in 2019 to $424bn in 2020. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has regained the title of Australia’s richest person, with estimated wealth of $28.9; she last topped the ‘Financial Review Rich List’ in 2015. Rinehart is followed by Andrew Forrest ($23bn) and Anthony Pratt ($19.75bn) on the list. Pratt had topped the list in 2019. Atlassian’s co-founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar are ranked 5th and 6th respectively.

CORPORATES
HANCOCK PROSPECTING PTY LTD, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, VISY INDUSTRIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, ATLASSIAN CORPORATION PLC

ANZ warns of $528m profit hit

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Original article by Joyce Moullakis
The Australian – Page: 17 : 28-Oct-20

The ANZ Bank has advised that its financial results for the second half of 2019-20 will be marred by an after-tax charge of $528m. This includes a $188m charge associated with its customer remediation program and a $138m hit with regard to its software amortisation policy. ANZ will release its full-year results on 29 October. Westpac and National Australia Bank also recently indicated that their upcoming full-year results will include writedowns and impairment charges in the second half.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB