Tax
Big banks enjoying hefty offshore deductions
Eric Johnston Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank were among the biggest beneficiaries of a tax deduction linked to offshore banking units last year, as Canberra is looking to clamp down on the structure.
Finance
Mac Bank goes hybrid
Eric Johnston Macquarie Group has become the latest bank to issue hybrid shares, outlining plans on Tuesday to raise up to $400 million in fresh funds to help boost its balance sheet.
Currency
Pressure on Australian dollar as US economy starts to lift
Eric Johnston After briefly falling below parity with the US dollar on the weekend, pressure will once again be on the Australian dollar this week.
Aussie dollar slumps below parity
Eric Johnston The Australian dollar briefly fell below parity with the US dollar early Saturday, ending a nine month run where the local unit has traded above its US counterpart.
Legal
Sunland threatens to sue Fairfax reporter
Eric Johnston Gold Coast property developer Sunland has threatened Fairfax Media and business reporter Ben Butler with legal action if they do not immediately reveal the source of an article about a controversial...
Superannuation
Call for super safety net
Eric Johnston The government has left the door open for an industry-wide ''last resort'' compensation scheme.
Resources
Meltdown turns gold rush into a stampede
Eric Johnston The precious metal suffered its worst week in 30 years but has gold really lost its shine?
Banking
Scrutiny on banks as lower funding costs lift profits
Eric Johnston Australian bank funding costs have fallen to the lowest level since the global financial crisis.
Eurozone
Uncertainty as Cyprus parliament votes against deposit levy
Eric Johnston FRANKFURT — Wrangling is expected to continue over Cyprus' controversial bank tax, with the island's parliament resoundingly voting against a deposit levy.
Banking
UK banks no longer world leaders, former CBA executive says
Eric Johnston The former top-ranked Commonwealth Bank executive Ross McEwan has expressed surprise at the bad shape of the UK's banking industry and said the sector was lagging behind in technology.
Comment
Australia exposure to Cypriot levy limited
Eric Johnston Two years ago, Australians had nearly $1.6b in deposits with subsidiaries of Cypriot banks.
News Corp sells out of Sky TV NZ
Eric Johnston Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is believed to have sold its 44 per cent stake in New Zealand's dominant television operator, Sky Network Television Ltd.
Ten's link to News under fire
Ben Butler, Eric Johnston THE growing influence of News Corp on the Ten Network is expected to come under scrutiny, following the appointment of top News executive and former advertising agency executive Hamish McLennan to...
Ten's link to News under fire
Ben Butler and Eric Johnston The growing influence of media giant News Corp on broadcaster Ten Network is expected to come under scrutiny among investors, after the appointment of Hamish McLennan to take charge.
CBD
Energy ambassador displays a handy side-step
Eric Johnston Rugby league great's 'journey of discovery' into coal seam gas prompts volley of emails.
Boost for Banksia investor repayments
Eric Johnston The receivers of collapsed finance house Banksia Securities expected to accelerate future payments to debenture holders after generating strong interest in the lender's $270 million lending book.
Mobile banking rings up net victory
Eric Johnston The number of Australians now using mobile banking has exceeded 6 million.
Westpac to raise $500m through hybrids
Eric Johnston Westpac Bank will launch a fresh issue of hybrid shares, outlining plans to raise $500 million from investors for the notes that are scheduled to convert to ordinary shares within eight years.
Focus on Australia after Canadian bank downgrade
Eric Johnston The Canadian banking sector, often compared to its Australian counterpart, has been hit with a surprise credit rating downgrade.
Insurers take thousands of flood claims
Eric Johnston Insurance majors Suncorp and QBE have received thousands of claims from storms and flooding across Queensland and NSW and expect many more to come.
