Analyst urges banks to raise rates
Australia's top four banks could lose a combined $500 million if they don't again raise their standard variable home loan rates, says investment bank JP Morgan.
Australia's Commonwealth Bank eyeing BankWest: report (Reuters)
Reuters - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) , the country's No. 2 bank by assets, may offer over A$6 billion ($5.2 billion) to British bank HBOS for its Australian unit BankWest, the Australian newspaper reported on Monday. 
Kill the competition: Britain shrinks...
Welcome to today's round-up of business news from The Times: what we're
saying, what they're saying
Westpac expect 8% cash earnings growth
Westpac Banking Corporation says it is on track to deliver 2008 cash earnings growth of between six and eight per cent.
ASX high at noon as Wall St soars
The Australian stock market was up at noon as News Corporation Ltd reported robust fourth-quarter and full-year results.
08/06/08
Similar news about ANZ Bank
NAB won't rule out St George bid
NAB chief John Stewart is eyeing the negotiations between Westpac and St George closely, but analysts say a counterbid may be costly.
St George lifts rates in spite of RBA
St George Bank has sparked fears of another round of interest rate rises by the major banks after raising its standard mortgage rate.
Westpac cash profit expected to rise
Westpac Banking Corporation is expected to sidestep the bad debt troubles faced by the ANZ Bank and report a healthy rise in first-half cash profit.
St George has tough road ahead: JPMorgan
St George Bank has a far worse outlook than any of its peers, but is likely to talk up its prospects to attract a higher takeover bid, according to JPMorgan.
ASX surges on interest rate hopes
The Australian share market made strong gains, closing more than three per cent higher following a strong US lead and hopes of cuts to domestic interest rates.
NAB ups standard variable rate to 9.46%
National Australia Bank has lifted its variable mortgage interest rates by 10 basis points.
Bad debt hits at ANZ's bottom line
Australia's fourth largest bank, ANZ, has posted a seven per cent fall in first half profit, after booking close to $1 billion in bad debts.
Aevum finalises $150m banking facility
Retirement living company Aevum Ltd has finalised a new $150 million banking facility and will use the proceeds to fund its development pipeline.
Westpac approaches St. George in...
Westpac Banking Corp. said Monday it has approached rival St. George Bank Ltd. with a 15 billion Australian dollars (US$14 billion; €9 billion) takeover offer that could be...
Australia's Westpac offers $14B for...
Westpac Banking Corp. said Monday it has approached rival St. George Bank Ltd. with a $14 billion takeover offer that could lead to the biggest shakeup of Australia's banking...
Profits show big banks weathering storm
Australia's major banks have proven resilient in the face of the global credit crunch, says an industry survey.
ANZ boss flags hefty rate rise
ANZ Banking Group boss Mike Smith has flagged lifting lending rates by more than the official rate rise to cover the rising cost of the banks's borrowings.
Westpac deal raises hopes of Australia bank shake-out (Reuters)
Reuters - The largest banking takeover in Australia's corporate history has spurred investors to pile into shares of smaller banks in the hope of a sector shake-out. 
ASX Goes For Sweeping Short-Sale Ban
The bourse responds to the global crisis of confidence by extending its prohibition of the practice of shorting to all stocks, not just financial shares.
Westpac momentum tipped to continue
Analysts say Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd is a "safe haven" in the finance sector and are tipping its strong profit momentum to continue.
Westpac follows rivals as costs rise
WESTPAC Banking Corp has become the third bank in less than a week to raise its variable mortgage rates independently of the central bank due to increasing wholesale funding costs.
Westpac raises mortgage rates again
Westpac Banking Corp has become the third bank in less than a week to raise its variable mortgage rates independently of the central bank.
Stocks expected to open higher
The Australian stock market is expected to open higher following gains on Wall St after a better than expected profit for credit card giant American Express.
Moody's downgrades NAB's outlook
Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has downgraded its outlook on National Australia Bank Ltd's credit rating to negative, from stable.
NAB gains $221m from Visa float
National Australia Bank expects an after-tax gain of approximately $221 million from its shareholding in Visa Inc, following its float on the NYSE.
CBA, St George eye gains from Visa float
Commonwealth Bank and St George Bank expect to make a substantial windfall from the $US18 billion ($A19.89 billion) float of US credit card giant, Visa.