Bank of Australia stories
Higher borrowing costs loom for Australian households after July's trimmed mean inflation reading came in well above the Reserve Bank's target path.
With cheques disappearing, Australian firms face delays and unclaimed funds when payout details are missing or outdated, Commonwealth Bank said.
The slight lift to 4.5% in July was mostly rounding, with labour demand still holding up enough to avoid signalling a broad slowdown.
Institutional clients in more than 100 countries can now trade an Australian dollar stablecoin as Macropod broadens AUDM beyond retail venues.
Higher costs and weaker consumer spending have pushed Australia's hospitality sector into its worst strain in years, with arrears at record highs.
Persistent inflation and weak household finances leave the Reserve Bank of Australia facing another possible rate rise before year-end.
Softer core inflation has given households and businesses a reprieve, but the RBA says housing and wage pressures still threaten progress.
Higher borrowing costs for households and businesses may be back by November as inflation risks remain tilted to the upside, CreditorWatch says.
Fintech leaders, regulators and investors will gather in Melbourne as the sector seeks clearer policy settings to unlock growth and funding.
Rising regulatory pressure could force banks, merchants and payment firms to tighten controls on AI and card costs as Australia reforms payments.
Lower speculative building and rising costs are squeezing tenant choice, with national industrial vacancy down to 3.7% after two years.
Businesses may see credit card rewards shrink as the Reserve Bank of Australia's surcharge ban and lower fees prompt banks to trim offers.
Australian borrowers can now access AUD loans against crypto holdings without selling, as a licensed platform moves digital assets into mainstream credit.
Rising unemployment and softer hiring demand may keep the Reserve Bank of Australia cautious as it weighs the labour market outlook.
Households and firms face renewed pressure, as mixed survey data point to the Reserve Bank of Australia staying tight and possibly lifting rates again.
Businesses could still face costly disruption unless Australia turns its account-to-account payments blueprint into systems people can actually use.
The bank says the platform is already resolving more enquiries end to end, as it replaces legacy systems across 2 million monthly conversations.
Australia's net zero goal faces fresh strain as billions flow into data centres that could lift power demand, water use and emissions.
Retention, pay transparency and flexible roles are now the key tests as employers try to keep women in technical jobs and close a widening gap.
Unemployment held above the Reserve Bank of Australia's forecast in May, keeping interest rate markets guessing despite a 40,300 jobs rebound.
