Rates put big squeeze on small business

Clancy Yeates Small-business customers have received the least benefit from the latest cycle of interest-rate cuts, new figures show, despite moves by the major banks to target the SME market.

Planning

How to write an effective business plan

Christopher Niesche The research and analysis involved in writing a business plan can be more important than the document itself.

Severely late bills hit one-year high

Chris Zappone The number of bills being paid "severely" late by Australian businesses have hit a one-year high, rising by almost 30 per cent in the December quarter.

Comm Bank, NAB to review business rates

Eric Johnston and Peter Martin Borrowers face further pain, with Commonwealth and NAB expected to review mortgage, business rates.

Business demand for credit at four-year low

Peter Martin Latest NAB business survey shows two-thirds of businesses reported no need for finance in January.

Wages neither hot, cold

Peter Martin Wages are growing at a ''Goldilocks'' pace - faster than inflation, but not fast enough to concern the Reserve Bank.

Silence on rising rates for business loans

Gareth Hutchens Outpouring of criticism and bank bashing replaced with total lack of reaction.

Chris Zappone

Small business losing faith in economy, says survey

Chris Zappone Confidence among smaller businesses has tumbled to levels not seen since the global financial crisis, with worries about fuel costs, cash flow and interest rates weighing on sentiment.

RBA slashes interest rates to 3.75 per cent

Chris Zappone RBA slashes rates by the most since the GFC in a bid to reignite growth in the sagging economy.

Businesses now less satisfied with banks

Eric Johnston Small to mid-sized business is again emerging as the key battleground for banks to build their lending book as the mortgage market cools.

Banks fighting over mid-sized businesses

The big four banks are doing all they can to win over mid-sized businesses but bank satisfaction ratings among that segment have either dropped or are static, research shows.

Credit card spending spree is back

There are signs the nation's love affair with the plastic card is being rekindled.