Westpac Wire

Big changes are coming to Australia's payments system and Westpac's Kathryn Carpenter urges businesses to act early in order to reap the potential benefits.

Westpac's Head of International Economics Elliot Clarke highlights two potential risks to the Australian economy emerging from the upcoming U.S. Presidential election.

For companies to get the most out of AI, strong data management and governance must be a top priority, says Pieter Vorster, Westpac's head of data platforms.

Westpac Group Senior Economist Pat Bustamante gives his take on what the federal budget means for renters, mortgage holders and small business owners.

Westpac Chief Technology Officer David Walker highlights the key trends to watch out for in the tech sector in the year ahead.

The Australian dollar's fortunes in 2024 hinge on a finely balanced outlook for global interest rates, says Westpac senior currency strategist Sean Callow, while Aussie visitors to Japan and New Zealand should get good bang for their buck.

Struggling to keep track of all your regular payments and subscriptions? PayTo could be the answer. Jeff Byrne, managing director for global transaction services at Westpac, explains why the new feature can help transform Australia's payments landscape.

The Aussie dollar has dropped to nine-month lows in recent weeks, and Westpac senior currency strategist Sean Callow sees little prospect of a trend reversal in the short-term.

Jessica Hallett has been named among AFR BOSS magazine's young executives of the year. In a podcast interview, she spoke to Wire about her globe-trotting career and the leadership lessons she's picked up along the way.

It's been a bumpy ride for the Australian dollar so far in 2023, but the currency should draw support from signs that China's economy is building momentum, says Westpac senior currency analyst Sean Callow.

The Australian dollar has made a stellar start to 2023, hitting its strongest levels in five months. It's a trend that can be sustained in the months ahead, Westpac senior currency market strategist Sean Callow tells Wire in a podcast interview.

Speaking at Westpac's recent internal technology convention TechX, Swimming Australia performance scientist Jess Corones tells Amazon Web Service's Justin Lennon how cutting-edge data analytics was key to helping the Australian swim team to bring home the most successful Olympics medal haul in history last year.

Westpac director Nerida Caesar tells Westpac Wire about the insights and inspiration she's drawn from more than three decades of experience as a top executive in Australia and overseas.

"Seeing the impact of experts tackling the scourge of online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines has compelled us to extend Westpac's support for this work," says Westpac's Chief Sustainability Officer Siobhan Toohill in a conversation with the International Justice Mission's Lucille Dejito.

Board director and social entrepreneur Audette Exel AO says the zeitgeist has shifted in the way big businesses see their role in the community, in a broad ranging podcast interview with Westpac Wire, the first in it's Board Walk series.

The Social Enterprise World Forum, to be hosted in Brisbane in September 2022, will be transformative for Australia's burgeoning social enterprise sector, says renowned social entrepreneur, Luke Terry, in a podcast interview in conversation with Westpac Wire's Emma Foster.

Westpac's head of financial crime insights Ben Young says the ‘dynamic CVC' digital card feature has seen fraud drop by 80 per cent among customers who use it.

Westpac chief sustainability officer Siobhan Toohill interviews Westpac institutional bank chief Anthony Miller and Economist Impact's Georgia McCafferty on the findings of a new report which flags a “profound attitudinal shift” driving up the net-zero ambitions of corporates and investors.

Westpac's chief technology officer David Walker says a new partnership with Microsoft will see the bank "double down" on its use of cloud technologies, in the latest Tech in 10 podcast.

Westpac technical product manager Rachel Thewlis talks to Westpac Wire's Emma Foster about the bank's new Android-based EFTPOS payment terminals, soon to replace around 110,000 end-of-life terminals across Australia. She explains why accessibility has been at the forefront of the terminal's design, including getting input from people who are blind or have low vision. A transcript of the interview is available at www.westpac.com.au, search for the story titled "Tapping accessibility in new payment terminals".

Westpac's first banking as a service partner, buy-now-pay-later giant Afterpay, has switched on its money app, leveraging the “most modern banking architecture in Australia”, says the bank's executive Jason Yetton in this podcast interview with Westpac Wire.

As GPT Group and Estia Health become the latest Australian companies to unveil sustainable finance deals this week, Westpac's sustainable finance head Eliza Mathews says they certainly won't be the last. For more stories head to www.westpac.com.au/news

As Westpac takes another step in modernising its branch infrastructure by replacing legacy telephones with a “mobile first” digital solution, Westpac Wire spoke to the bank's head of workplace technology Paul McKenna for this episode of Tech in 10. #WestpacWire Tech in 10 is a series of 10 minute chats with experts about Westpac's latest tech news, and trends more broadly. For a transcript please go to westpacwire.com.au and search for the story "TECH IN 10: Westpac's branch phones go digital".

As new data from Westpac shows scams doubled in the past year, financial crime expert Ben Young unpacks how scams are evolving and what consumers can do to stay safe.

As women in funds management in Australia remains stubbornly low, Westpac's Global Investment Services' Ladan Ocora speaks with Platypus Asset Management's Jelena Stevanovic on how to redress the gender imbalance. Jelena opens up about her pathway into the profession, demystifies a “day in the life” of the job, spells out why it's important to start with an acknowledgement that lack of diversity is a disadvantage, the important role of mentoring and other practical approaches Platypus has taken to drive both gender equity and the success of the business.

A purpose-built command centre is an evolution of the “health” monitoring of Westpac's vast network of technology infrastructure and applications. In this June 1 Tech in 10 podcast, the bank's head of service operations Janelle Howe tells Westpac Wire's Emma Foster a little more about the new facility, including what's next. Tech in 10 is a series of 10 minute chats with experts about Westpac's latest tech news, and trends more broadly. For a transcript please go to westpacwire.com.au and search for the story "Taking command of Westpac's tech".

On Friday June 18, 2021, Westpac chief economist Bill Evans revised his forecasts for the Reserve Bank's cash rate, tipping hikes to begin in 2023 after the “stunning” fall in the unemployment rate. In this podcast with Westpac Wire editor Michael Bennet, Bill discusses his new forecasts, what it means for the property market, the economic recovery, inflation, COVID-19 uncertainties and more.

Marking the release of Westpac’s latest Access and Inclusion Plan, the bank’s Majella Knobel tells Westpac Wire's Emma Foster tech projects like the new mobile bank app are increasingly focused on ensuring all Australians can take advantage of improved functionality. #WestpacWire

As BT's flagship wealth management platform, BT Panorama, passes $50 billion in funds under administration, BT's Phil Butterworth explains what’s driving the growth and where it’s headed, in Westpac Wire's latest "Tech in 10" episode.

New network infrastructure has given a 10-fold bandwidth boost to Westpac’s branch technology, says the bank's head of secure network services Wayne Bonett in Wire’s latest “Tech in 10” podcast.

With Westpac recently switching on new capability for customers to complete the home loan process online, general manager Westpac's Customer Service Hub, Tim Whiteley, speaks in a podcast about the tech behind the move and what’s next.

As the rollout of Westpac’s new mobile banking app gets underway, the bank’s digital experts Chris Bradford and Martin King speak in a podcast about what’s different and what’s next.

At the end of a year like no other, new Westpac Institutional Bank chief executive Anthony Miller discusses his appointment following a long career in investment banking, his initial thoughts on strategy, the state of markets and banking, and the path ahead for corporates amid COVID-19.

On Thursday November 5, as the world watched the dramatic 2020 race for the White House unfold, Pendal’s Crispin Murray joined BT’s Scott Glover for a webcast in which he gave his thoughts on the outlook for stock markets and the impact of several key issues including COVID-19, the US election and central bank actions. Mr Murray, who oversees more than $15 billion in funds under management as Pendal’s head of equities, also gave his thoughts on the role of gold in portfolios, why Afterpay is overvalued and why he likes Xero, Qantas and Nine Entertainment.

Acclaimed musician Dr Lou Bennett AM speaks to Westpac Wire about her international career and when she realised the importance of song in reviving First Nation’s languages. Dr Bennett was awarded a 2020 Westpac Research Fellowship to support her research.

Lisa Pogonoski joins Westpac Wire's Emma Foster for the latest "Tech in 10" episode, talking about a new technology system being rolled out across Westpac to replace nine ageing systems. "Tech in 10" is a series of 10 minute chats with an industry expert about Westpac's latest tech news and trends.

To mark the first episode of Westpac Wire’s new podcast series, Tech in 10, a 10 minute chat with leaders about Westpac’s tech news and broader tech trends, we’re joined by Macgregor Duncan, Westpac’s General Manager, Corporate and Business Development to discuss the rollout of the bank’s new digital “bank-as-a-service” offering platform and partnership with buy now pay later juggernaut Afterpay.

Westpac Chief Economist Bill Evans provides a briefing to customers on October 6, 2020 after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the Federal Budget, one of the most anticipated in years as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on economies around the world. Bill gives his thoughts on the government’s forecasts and policies, what it means for the economy and the RBA, and more. He also takes part in a Q&A.

In this episode, Westpac Wire editor Michael Bennet speaks with Westpac chief economist Bill Evans, who gives his views on the upcoming federal budget, the benefits of personal income tax cuts, the planned increase in the superannuation guarantee, where house prices are headed, risks surrounding higher debt levels and the economic outlook.

Social entrepreneur Rebecca Scott discusses the ideas of a new taskforce convened by the City of Melbourne with a remit to “Bring Melbourne Back Better” post-pandemic. She also talks about her new "dirt to doorstep" food system project Moving Feast, galvanised in response to growing food insecurity during the pandemic.

On Wednesday August 12, 2020, Westpac’s chief economist Bill Evans held an economic briefing for the group’s business banking customers and bankers, which included a Q&A. He discusses the impact of Victoria’s lockdown, the variation in the outlook for the states, the coming “fiscal cliff” as government support is withdrawn and tapered, the outlook for property prices, inflation risks, the upcoming federal budget and government debt levels, and the Australian dollar.

Audio of an Westpac economic briefing with chief economist Bill Evans held on 9 July, 2020. Mr Evans discusses the impact of the Melbourne shutdown, budget deficits, fiscal policy, unemployment, net migration, China tensions, house prices, rates, the Australian dollar and the outlook.

In an economic briefing to business customers on June 3, 2020, Westpac chief economist Bill Evans provides an update on the economy, the first quarter GDP outcome, his forecasts and takes several questions.

Westpac Wire's Emma Foster speaks with Adam Jacobs, co-founder of a new digital labour exchange helping to redeploy employees who have been stood-down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PODCAST: What the COVID 'crunch' will look like by Westpac Wire

PODCAST: Fintech post COVID-19 pandemic by Westpac Wire

As COVID-19’s toll on the economy intensified, social enterprise Mates on the Move realised it needed to quickly change course to survive. In a podcast, operations manager Lois Dillon explains how.

As investors face into an environment characterised by record low interest rates and high equity valuations, plus the double whammy of unprecedented bushfires in Australia and the global COVID-19 scare, many are pondering what this all means for their investments. To unearth how some of the country’s large fund managers are thinking about these trends and developments, BT Panorama hosted a panel discussion on February 27 as part of a series for investors, shared here as a Westpac Wire podcast. On the panel, which was facilitated by BT's national manager of SMSF, Super and Investments, Paul Stark, were: - Portfolio manager for Magellan Global Infrastructure Fund Gerald Stack; - Portfolio manager at Pendal Property Securities Julia Forrest; and - Senior vice president at global bond giant PIMCO John Valtwies. It came at a topical time, with the Australian stockmarket last week experiencing one of its worst weeks in recent memory as investors reacted to the spread of COVID-19 outside China and fears it will be declared a global pandemic. This recording is of an event which was hosted by BT Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 38 087 480 331 which is subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 451 141 (Westpac). Material in this presentation is current as at 27 February 2020. Material in this presentation does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to these factors before acting on it. Material in this presentation may contain material provided by third parties derived from sources believed to be accurate at its issue date. While such material is presented with necessary permission, Westpac accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, nor does it endorse any such third party material. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we intend by this notice to exclude liability for this third party material. These projections are predictive in character. Whilst we have used every effort to ensure that the assumptions on which the projections are based are reasonable, the projections may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or may not take into account known or unknown risks and uncertainties. The results actually achieved may differ materially from these projections. Any tax considerations outlined and are general statements, based on an interpretation of the current tax law, and do not constitute tax advice. Your individual situation may differ and you should seek independent professional tax advice and consider obtaining personalised advice from a financial adviser. This presentation provides an overview or summary only and it should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter or relied upon as such.

On a recent trip to Australia, former Westpac CEO and ex-senior Treasury official David Morgan, in conversation with Westpac's general manager corporate and business development Macgregor Duncan, reflects on the reforms that are needed to lift economic growth, the challenges facing banks and his passion for reading, the arts and education.

For the property market, it’s hard to recall a time in recent years when the next few months meant so much amid signs of stabilisation following price falls since 2017. Westpac Wire editor Michael Bennet sits down with economist Matthew Hassan to get his thoughts on the outlook around the nation and the key data to watch in the months ahead.

“Happily redundant” marked the beginning of Larry Diamond’s journey from investment banking to co-founder of point-of-sale credit and digital payments fintech Zip Co, one of Australia’s newest “unicorns” after its market value surpassed the hallowed $1 billion mark. Westpac's Macgregor Duncan speaks with Diamond about the ups and downs of starting the business, and his views on the outlook for payments and banking