Hana beats ANZ to KEB

Hana Financial Group may be about to beat ANZ to a controlling stake in Korea Exchange Bank, and is close to agreeing to paying US$4.1 billion, from US private equity firm Lone Star. Local and inter.. read more

Federal mortgage insurance option proposed

The re-entry of the Australian government into the supply of mortgage insurance to lenders is one policy option proposed by economist and financial intermediary Nick Gruen, in a paper for the Whitla.. read more

Rhetorical props for mutuals

Credit unions and building societies got a dose of national publicity yesterday, courtesy of Treasurer Wayne Swan, who told Nine Network's Today show that banks had "behaved badly" towards borrowers.. read more

Deposit competition 'extraordinary'

Competition forces are evident on the deposit side of banks' balance sheets, providing "extraordinary" terms for some customers, Ric Battelino, the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia,.. read more

ATM fees rising

Fees of $2.50, up from $2, are beginning to take hold in the automatic teller machine sector, with market leader Customers Limited at the forefront of rising prices. read more

Board clout for Customers

ATM operator Customers Limited announced board changes and acquisitions yesterday, with the company's new directors indicating an accelerating agenda at the firm. read more

Profit debate takes place at the margins

That profits were rising recently, and to healthy levels, is one detail in the banking debate that may be best acknowledged rather than recast in the confusing wrangle over measuring margins. Return.. read more

Serious support for small fry will cost banks

The banking reform package is already defining winners and losers among Australia's listed banks stocks. Major banks will be among the losers, while the winners will number regional banks, especially.. read more