Podcasts about Westpac

The cost of living is hitting Kiwis hard, with new data showing Aucklanders are more likely to be worse off. More than a third of New Zealanders have a savings balance of less than $500, according to new data from Westpac. Westpac's Financial Wellbeing programme manager, Warren Ngan Woo, says Auckland is a big city where things cost more, which eats into people's ability to save money. "This is just a snapshot in relation to savings, but it certainly doesn't take into account what other people have in options with their savings." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of living is hitting Kiwis hard, with new data showing Aucklanders are more likely to be worse off. More than a third of New Zealanders have a savings balance of less than $500, according to new data from Westpac. Westpac's Financial Wellbeing programme manager, Warren Ngan Woo, says Auckland is a big city where things cost more, which eats into people's ability to save money. "This is just a snapshot in relation to savings, but it certainly doesn't take into account what other people have in options with their savings." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first TechKnow podcast of 2026, Bryan Ashenden is joined by Blake Briggs, CEO of the Financial Services Council to discuss the regulatory and policy developments shaping the year ahead for advisers. The conversation explores CSLR, the growing focus on innovative retirement income solutions and the potential for tax and superannuation reform in the Federal Budget. Disclaimer: Information current as at 18 February 2026. This TechKnow podcast has been prepared by BT Portfolio Services Limited ABN 73 095 055 208 AFSL 233715 (BTPS), the operator of Panorama Investments; and BT Funds Management Limited ABN 63 002 916 458 AFSL 233724 (BTFM) the trustee of Panorama Super, which is part of Asgard Independence Plan Division Two ABN 90 194 410 365. Westpac Financial Services Ltd ABN 20 000 241 127 AFSL 233716 (WFSL) is the responsible entity and issuer of interests in BT Managed Portfolios. Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714 (Westpac) is the issuer of the BT Cash Management Account and the BT Cash Management Account Saver. Together, these products are referred to as the Panorama products. BTPS, BTFM and WFSL are subsidiaries of Westpac. A Product Disclosure Statement or other disclosure document (PDS) and target market determination (TMD) for the Panorama products can be obtained by contacting BT on 1300 784 207 or by visiting bt.com.au. A person should obtain and consider the PDS and TMD before deciding whether to acquire, continue to hold or dispose of interests in the Panorama products. This TechKnow podcast has been prepared for use by advisers only. It must not be made available to any client and any information in it must not be communicated to any client. The views expressed in the TechKnow podcast are the personal opinions of the individuals and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of BTPS or any other company within the Westpac Group. This TechKnow podcast provides an overview only and should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter or relied upon as such. This information does not take into account your clients' personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to these factors before acting on it. Awards are opinions only, are not recommendations and are only one factor to be taken into account when deciding to acquire, dispose or hold interests in BT Panorama. Awards and ratings are current at the time of publication but are subject to change. BTPS cannot give tax advice. Any tax considerations outlined in this document are general statements, based on an interpretation of current tax laws, and do not constitute tax advice. As such, you should not place reliance on any such taxation considerations as a basis for making your decision with respect to the product. As the tax implications of investing in this product can impact individual situations differently, you should seek specific tax advice from a registered tax agent or registered tax (financial) adviser about any liabilities, obligations or claim entitlements that arise, or could arise, under a taxation law. If you need more information to complete your tax return, please consult your accountant or tax adviser to obtain professional tax advice. Please keep your BT Tax Statement and this Guide for income tax purposes. The information in this commentary regarding legislative changes is intended as a guide only. It is not exhaustive and does not constitute legal advice. It is based on our interpretation of the law currently in force on the date of this document. BTPS does not undertake to provide any updates to the extent that any of the laws or regulations referred to change in the future. Consequently, it should not be relied upon as a complete statement of the relevant laws, the application of which may vary, depending on your clients' particular circumstances.

We'll learn today where the new Reserve Bank Governor sees the OCR heading. The central bank's expected to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%. Governor Anna Breman will be releasing her first Monetary Policy Statement since taking charge 11 weeks ago. It's likely to show when inflation should start easing, and when the economy should recover from last year's downturn. Economists expect the OCR will rise again late this year and early next year. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts with Ryan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RBNZ's OCR decision lands Wednesday, 18 February, and it's expected to hold at 2.25%. The deeper truth? Australian banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac) dominate New Zealand's mortgage market, influence media and politics, and shape house prices and the economy at large. With fragile recovery signs amid persistent inflation, will their pursuit of wider margins on “safe” lending tip us toward Japanese-style housing stagnation? Rupert Carlyon of kōura Wealth joins to discuss.Book in a free 15-min phone call with Darcy Ungaro (financial adviser).Sign up to the fortnightly newsletter!Thank You Swyftx: With over 1 million customers across New Zealand and Australia. Ask yourself …”Where can crypto take you?". Check out Swyftx.Provincia: Whether you're looking to invest, or you have a commercial property that needs better management - they the true one-stop shop for wholesale industrial investors. Check out Provincia.co.nz for more.Affiliate Links!The Bitcoin Adviser: Plan for intergenerational digital wealth.Hatch: For US markets.Revolut: For a new type of banking.Sharesies: For local, and international markets.Loan My Coins: Bitcoin lending product.Exodus: Get rewards on your first $2,500 of swapsOnline courses:Take the free, 5-part online course Crypto 101: Crypto with ConfidenceGet Social:Check out the most watched/downloaded episodes hereFollow on YouTube , Instagram, TikTok: @theeverydayinvestor, X (@UngaroDarcy), LinkedIn.www.radicalinvestment.co.nz________________________Disclaimer: Please act independently from any content provided in these episodes; it's not financial advice, because there's no accounting for your individual circumstances. Do your own research, and take a broad range of opinions into account. Ideally, engage a financial adviser / pay for advice!

We've started to see spots of what looks to be recovery in our economy over recent months. It's not consistent, but it's frequent enough to give us some hope for the year to come. Westpac is picking a whole lot of OCR hikes from the end of this year, and other forecasts seem to set a similar scene - a better economy is coming, and rates will have to reflect that when the time comes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac's economists are picking 6 consecutive OCR hikes from December - they're forecasting that it will hit 4% by the end of next year. The OCR dropped to 2.25% just before Christmas, which is where it stands now, but there have been rumblings for some time that we'd start seeing hikes soon, as all major banks lifted long-term loan rates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Pure Property Podcast, co-hosts Paul Glossop and Phil Tarrant discuss the economic forces shaping Australia's property market and what they mean for investors. Glossop outlines how unexpected inflation data has prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia to reconsider its rate path, fuelling speculation about future interest rate movements. The hosts note a divide among major banks: some forecast stability, while Westpac anticipates further hikes, adding to market uncertainty. Drawing on insights from Chris Joye of Coolabah Capital, the episode highlights how shifting economic data has challenged earlier forecasts and reinforced the need for investors to remain adaptable. The conversation also examines debates about persistent inflation, including criticisms that government spending and subsidies contribute to it. Glossop stresses that investors should focus on fundamentals and adopt disciplined strategies to navigate these headwinds. Potential policy changes, such as adjustments to the capital gains tax (CGT) discount, are flagged as risks that could dampen market liquidity by encouraging investors to hold properties longer. Despite these pressures, strong housing demand, structural undersupply, and strategic planning continue to support long-term opportunities for property investors.

In this episode of The Pure Property Podcast, co-hosts Paul Glossop and Phil Tarrant discuss the economic forces shaping Australia's property market and what they mean for investors. Glossop outlines how unexpected inflation data has prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia to reconsider its rate path, fuelling speculation about future interest rate movements. The hosts note a divide among major banks: some forecast stability, while Westpac anticipates further hikes, adding to market uncertainty. Drawing on insights from Chris Joye of Coolabah Capital, the episode highlights how shifting economic data has challenged earlier forecasts and reinforced the need for investors to remain adaptable. The conversation also examines debates about persistent inflation, including criticisms that government spending and subsidies contribute to it. Glossop stresses that investors should focus on fundamentals and adopt disciplined strategies to navigate these headwinds. Potential policy changes, such as adjustments to the capital gains tax (CGT) discount, are flagged as risks that could dampen market liquidity by encouraging investors to hold properties longer. Despite these pressures, strong housing demand, structural undersupply, and strategic planning continue to support long-term opportunities for property investors.

The latest Westpac Economic Overview is pointing to a more positive outlook for the New Zealand economy. It shows growth and employment are picking up, confidence is rising, and household spending is starting to recover. The report points to stronger exports and lower short-term interest rates as key drivers of the improvement. Westpac NZ Chief Economist, Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann.

The latest Westpac Economic Overview is pointing to a more positive outlook for the New Zealand economy. It shows growth and employment are picking up, confidence is rising, and household spending is starting to recover. The report points to stronger exports and lower short-term interest rates as key drivers of the improvement. Westpac NZ Chief Economist, Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann.

I was having a good old debate with a mate at the weekend about interest rates. We're of the age where, mortgages are a thing. In Auckland, quote a bog and annoying thing. Paying them down is the aim of the game. Now this mate of mine knows a bit more about this stuff than I do and watches the markets closely. He's worried about the middle of the year - potentially this recovery if that's what we can official call it yet - coming to a bit a standstill/abrupt halt. We've spoken before about elections putting the kaibosh on growth. We've spoken about Bill English's comments about our recovery, unlike across the ditch, coming isn't spite of a rebound in house prices. In Australia, everything's how. The weather. House prices. Inflation. Growth. Employment. It's like they're on a different hemisphere to us. There was a good podcast talking about some of this, Of Interest, with a Westpac economist. The RBA'S rate is now 3.85%. Ours is 2.25%. It's been about 15 years since there's been such a big gap between the two. We usually cycle together most of the time but we have drifted apart to the point where one's so far over the hill, we can't see each other anymore. This is all by design, of course. We were way more aggressive. We engineered a recession to crash inflation. They went a loft softer to take into account employment. They have a duel mandate. The coalition got rid of ours. The Aussies are now upping rates again because their inflation is taking off again. Ours has a mild case of fever but nothing like there's at early 4%. The question anyone thinking about this stuff, with a mortgage is asking themselves, is this. Would you swallow a bit of inflation to have an economy that's actually firing? In other words, in future, would you rather this was handled the Aussie way? Or the Kiwi way? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ASX 200 slipped about 2.3 % on Friday, the worst day in ten months, as every sector posted losses. Weak US tech, falling commodity prices and concerns over the new Fed chair amplified the sell‑off. CBA rallied 6.4 % after a rebound, but WEB Travel plunged 30 % following a tax‑audit notice. Look ahead to US jobs and inflation data, the RBA’s May rate outlook, and a busy Australian reporting week featuring CBA, AMP, IAG, ANZ, Westpac, Evolution, Northern Star, CSL and Cochlear. Also watch Japan’s snap election for possible market moves. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​By Gareth VaughanThe Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lift its cash rate 25 basis points this week means it's now 160 basis points higher than the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's official cash rate highlighting differing levels of assertiveness between the two central banks, Imre Speizer, Head of New Zealand Strategy at Westpac, says.The RBS's cash rate is now at 3.85% with the RBNZ's OCR at 2.25%. Speaking in a new episode of the Of Interest podcast, Speizer says it has been 13 or 14 years since there has been such a gap, with the two economies tending "to cycle together most of the time.""It comes down to a different central bank approach. The RBA has deliberately maintained a fairly dampened approach to tackling either low inflation or high inflation. So when it has needed to hike or cut, it has done [so] in a very cautious and drawn out manner. And by doing so it hasn't had to flip around as much as the likes of some other countries," says Speizer."The central bank of New Zealand has been pretty much an activist in terms of tackling inflation. So when inflation was high in the most recent cycle it went fairly hard and hiked rates a lot to bring it back down again, and that then amongst other things did help to engineer a brief recession.""It paid a cost to do so but it got inflation under control. Now we're basically coming out of that era and [economic] growth is starting to pick up. And so the Reserve Bank [of NZ] is now faced with the task of thinking well at what point do we need to start thinking about pushing rates up to prevent inflation from running away?""I guess it just means the assertiveness of the relative central banks is probably explained [in] why we've ended up with such big differences between New Zealand interest rates and say the Australian interest rate. In time that will rectify itself and will get back to something that looks a bit more normal, I.E. Kiwi rates a little bit higher than Aussie rates. But I think it's going to be some way down the track," Speizer says.He says lots of people are asking how the cash rate differential between New Zealand and Australia might play out with mortgage rates."There shouldn't be any direct impact if the cause of Australian rate rises is unique to Australia. But much of the time, there is a common global factor at play, so New Zealand rates do follow Australian and US term rates," Speizer says answering a follow-up question to the podcast interview."Also, if the strong Australian economy is seen as eventually benefitting New Zealand's economy, New Zealand term rates could rationally follow Australian rates higher in dampened fashion."In the podcast audio he also speaks about the direction of swap rates and what it means for mortgage rates, what the yield curve's suggesting at the moment, the outlook for NZ government bonds, the impact the volatility of US President Donald Trump's administration has on the US dollar and financial markets more broadly, incoming Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh, the impact of US government shutdowns on economic data availability, geopolitics and more.​

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the economic news in New Zealand and around the world. They discussed European interest rates, the global dairy trade, and the US job market and dollar. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the economic news in New Zealand and around the world. They discussed European interest rates, the global dairy trade, and the US job market and dollar. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's big four banks will pass on yesterday's rate rise in full, with ANZ, NAB, Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank set to raise rates by 25 basis points mid-way through this month. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher is defending the government's examination of the capital gains tax. - 国内の４大銀行が今月中旬に利上げを行う方針であることがわかりました。オーストラリア・フィナンシャル・レビュー紙は連邦政府がキャピタルゲイン税の50パーセント控除の縮小を検討していると報じました。

The economy appears to be turning a corner, and we'll learn today whether the unemployment rate will follow suit. Stats NZ is providing its latest employment update at 10.45am. Economists are divided on whether the unemployment rate will remain unchanged at the historically high 5.3%, or will dip slightly to 5.2%. Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge jobs have started to trickle through, but it's just enough to stabilise the rate, rather than bring it down. He says they're expecting things to turn towards the middle of the year, improving over the course of the next year or so. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Kiwis re-fixed their mortgage last year and will be re-fixing their mortgage again this year too. Four in five borrowers have re-fixed in the past year – a 13-year high. And more than two-thirds of fixed rate loans are due to come up for renewal this year. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking most people have been opting for one-year or 18-month terms, instead of longer periods. He says those terms have the best interest rates and would have allowed people to benefit from any further OCR cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are we allowed to say in the office these days - if we show up at all? As courts thrash out work-from-home rights, the battleground just got a lot more colourful, with a banker taking Federal Court action to defend his right to f-bomb. This story’s live now at theaustralian.com.au, along with all Australia’s best journalism. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Jasper Leak. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton. Jasper Leak also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hnry, the Wellington founded accountacy firm has taken over the name of Wellington Regional Stadium (formerly Sky and Westpac respectively). CEO James Fuller joins Nick Mills on the show to talk about the news, and the excitement of taking the stadium over. They talk about the reason behind it, and all the details of the new name - Hnry Stadium. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Eva Loisance from Finni Mortgages to discuss the recent tightening of trust-based lending and its impact on property investors. They explore how major banks, including Macquarie, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), have introduced stricter rules for trust loans, including reduced loan-to-value ratios, proof of established banking relationships, and redirecting trust lending to private banking divisions. Loisance explains how these changes affect investors using multiple trusts to acquire properties simultaneously and the potential risks of overextending. The discussion highlights that non-bank lenders continue to offer trust-based loans, often with more flexible terms but higher interest rates. The duo stresses the importance of working closely with mortgage brokers and financial advisors to navigate the new lending landscape. According to Tarrant and Loisance, these tighter criteria reflect broader industry self-regulation and pre-emptive measures ahead of potential Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) intervention. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.Is the "Buyer's Market" finally here? In this first episode of 2026, we break down a massive week for New Zealand real estate. The data is in: December stock levels have hit a 10-year high, giving buyers more choice than we've seen in a decade. But with new rules for Granny Flats kicking in today and economists predicting a twist in the OCR tale, the window of opportunity might be moving faster than you think.We discuss the new legislation allowing 70sqm minor dwellings without consent—a game-changer for adding value and yield . We also dive into the latest lending disputes regarding age limits on mortgages and why Westpac and Tony Alexander are warning that the upcoming election could throw price predictions off course.In this episode, we cover:

Global markets have faced renewed volatility following the election of Donald Trump, but how much does it really matter for Australia? Sean Aylmer is joined by Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis to discuss the US, China and the forces shaping the global outlook in 2026. Luci also highlights a fast-growing but under-appreciated success story. This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global markets have faced renewed volatility following the election of Donald Trump, but how much does it really matter for Australia? Sean Aylmer is joined by Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis to discuss the US, China and the forces shaping the global outlook in 2026. Luci also highlights a fast-growing but under-appreciated success story. This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.Support the show: http://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Kai Chen from MPC Markets about why US, Japanese and German markets are hitting record highs despite the US Administration's investigation into Jerome Powell, plus Matthew Hassan from Westpac on consumer sentiment.

Kia ora,Welcome to Wednesday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.Today we lead with news the Powell resistance to Trump has garnered unexpectedly wide support, nationally and internationally, reinvigorating "central bank independence" positions. It also has many Trump supporters worried, if the 'right-wing press' is any indication.First up today, the overnight Pulse dairy auction of milk powders extended last week's full auction gains for both SMP and WMP. And they were good gains, with SMP +2.1% higher than a week ago, and WMP +1.2% higher on the same basis.In the US, the December CPI data released overnight recorded no-change from their November levels, at 2.7% or 2.6% on a 'core' basis. Both are still above the US Fed target. Food prices are up +3.1% and rents up +3.2% within this survey.The ADP weekly jobs data shows a similar +11,000 jobs gain last week, a rate that would confirm January's net hiring as slower than the slow December.US new home sales held at the higher 737,000 annual rate in October, a good result in the circumstances, but now quite dated data.This data will get more 'interesting' in 2026 with news that more migrants left the US than entered. While the net outflow wasn't large (for the US) at possibly about -300,000, the expectation is that it will be similar in 2026. This is the first time in 50 years they have shed people. It has certainly lost its 'welcoming' reputation - for both potential migrants, and for travelers.We got more recent sentiment surveys overnight, The RCM/TIPP survey was more downbeat in January than December and more so than expected - although to be fair the shifts weren't large - they just went the 'wrong' way.But the NFIB survey was little-changed - negative yes (below 100 still), but marginally less so.In Japan, their official "economy watchers survey" was also little-changed, although the forward looking section became marginally more optimistic.Meanwhile, bank lending in Japan rose 4.4% in December from a year ago. That growth was well above what was anticipated. If you ignore than pandemic distortion, that was at least a 25 year high, and probably very much longer.And Japan is on watch, with many expecting Prime Minister Takaichi to call a snap election very soon to bolster her conservative clout in the Diet. That saw the yen tumble and equities soar yesterday. Benchmark bond yields rise sharply too.In India, they released their December vehicle sales data overnight, reporting a very strong +20.6% gain from the same month a year ago, capping a year of +5.0% growth. Apparently their GST rate reduction for other products improved the overall affordability situation for many buyers.In Australia, consumer sentiment as measured in the Westpac survey has shifted lower and is more pessimistic in January. While confidence is still well above the extreme lows recorded during the protracted ‘cost of living' crisis in 2022–2024, consumers are becoming more concerned about what 2026 may bring for family finances and the wider economy. The main catalyst continues to be a sharp turn in interest rate expectations. Nearly two thirds of consumers with a view now expect mortgage rates to move higher over the next 12 months, more than double the level back in September.The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.17%, down -1 bp from this time yesterday. The key 2-10 yield curve is still at +64 bps.The price of gold will start today at US$4610/oz, and down -US$7 from yesterday, essentially holding yesterday's big run-up on the risks from the unsettled US Fed. Silver is still rising, now almost US$87/oz.American oil prices are up US$2.50 from yesterday at just under US$61.50/bbl, while the international Brent price is still at just under US$65.50/bbl.The Kiwi dollar is down -20 bps from yesterday, now at just over 57.4 USc. Against the Aussie we are up +20 bps at 86 AUc. Against the euro we are down -10 bps at just on 49.3 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just under 61.6, and down -20 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$93,492 and up +1.5% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has again been modest, also at just on +/- 1.5%.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston and we'll do this again tomorrow.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Kai Chen from MPC Markets about why US, Japanese and German markets are hitting record highs despite the US Administration's investigation into Jerome Powell, plus Matthew Hassan from Westpac on consumer sentiment.

At one point in 2025, it looked like inflation had been beaten. Sean Aylmer speaks with Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis about what surprised economists late in the year, how much of the rise in inflation is “noise” versus something more persistent, and what this means for the Reserve Bank and Westpac's predictions for interest rates. This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.Support the show: http://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At one point in 2025, it looked like inflation had been beaten. Sean Aylmer speaks with Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis about what surprised economists late in the year, how much of the rise in inflation is “noise” versus something more persistent, and what this means for the Reserve Bank and Westpac's predictions for interest rates. This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Shane Oliver from AMP about the implications the government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook will have on inflation as Kyle Rodda from Capital.com looks through the day's sharemarket action including Westpac's change of heart on interest rates

Several of the major banks expect a significant bounce back in GDP for Q3 when Stats NZ releases its economic figures later this morning. Westpac and ANZ both predict a gain of about one percent, putting that down to a jump in activity across the board. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Heather du Plessis Allan while she's nervous some of that could turn up in the revised numbers down the track, it's looking positive. She says some of the corners should be knocked off the volatility in the economy and the overall level of GDP will be revised up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac has stunned everyone. The Reserve Bank cuts the OCR, the government does a victory lap promising relief is finally coming, and then Westpac sprints out of the blocks with a mortgage rate hike. Kiwis are on their knees, desperate for a break, and the bank that holds the government contract is the first to crank rates up. You honestly couldn't make this stuff up. This episode, we call it exactly as we see it, then bring in economist Ed McKnight to explain what's really going on. Ed breaks down why wholesale funding costs have jumped, why Westpac moved before anyone else, and whether the other banks are about to follow. He also maps out where rates might head next and how long the brief low-rate window really lasted. Plus, we dig into spending trends, business confidence, and why sentiment is shifting even before mortgage rates fall for everyone. It's a big chat, and it's one you shouldn't miss. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A signal from the Reserve Bank's led Westpac to hike rates - and one economist expects other banks could follow. Westpac lifted two five-year fixed rates by 30 basis points yesterday. The bank's chief economist, Kelly Eckhold, says it seems the Reserve Bank's unlikely to cut the OCR again any time soon. "We kind of expected that they would cut the rate by 25 basis points, but we didn't expect them to call time on the easing cycle. It sort of scared the markets a little bit." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mortgage broker is saying not to panic about rising mortgage rates. Westpac has announced a 30 basis point increase to its 2-5 year fixed rates. They claim the move reflects rising wholesale rates and higher costs for long-term funding. Sue Tierney told Heather du Plessis-Allan that people do have the opportunity to negotiate rates. She says the bank has an advertised rate, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Giving TreeMichael and Susan Dell to donate $6.25 billion to fund 'Trump accounts' for 25 million U.S. kidsLyft CEO: This Giving Tuesday, I'm matching every rider's donationDavid Risher: $78M in 2023Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos commit $102.5 million to organizations combatting homelessness across the U.S.: ‘This is just the beginning'The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in Venice is estimated to have cost between $46.5 million and $55.6 millionMacKenzie Scott's $19 billion donations have turned philanthropy on its head—why her style of giving actually worksFighting back! (Stakeholders Rule!)New York City Council passes landmark AI oversight packageThe New York City Council unanimously passed a collection of bills that are designed to provide a heightened level of oversight for the city's use of artificial intelligence tools.Bernie Sanders and Mamdani joined the Starbucks picket line in Brooklyn More than 1,000 Amazon employees sign open letter warning the company's AI ‘will do staggering damage to democracy, our jobs, and the earth'Costco sues Trump administration over tariffs, seeks full refundCostco filed a lawsuit at the U.S. Court of International Trade on Friday, saying the administration's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful.The 1977 law has historically been used to impose sanctions against other nations.Exxon bid to dismiss Connecticut climate lawsuit failsA judge moved the case closer to trial after rejecting the company's request to toss it out.OpenAI Completed Its Conversion. A New Ballot Initiative Seeks to Reverse ItA coalition that tried and failed to block OpenAI's conversion earlier this year is back with a new tactic: a California ballot initiative aimed at reining in the startup's power.The planned initiative, dubbed the California Charitable Assets Protection Act, was filed Monday with California's attorney general. It doesn't mention OpenAI by name, but calls for the creation of an oversight board empowered to review and potentially reverse conversions to nonprofit organizations engaged in scientific and technological research that have happened in the state since January of 2024.Starbucks to settle with over 15,000 New York City workers for roughly $35 millionStarbucks will pay about $35 million to more than 15,000 New York City workers to settle claims it denied them stable schedules and arbitrarily cut their hours.The company will also pay $3.4 million in civil penalties under the agreement with the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.It also agrees to comply with the city's Fair Workweek law going forward.Fighting back! (Shareholders Rule!)Michael Burry calls Tesla ‘ridiculously overvalued' and knocks tech industry for a widely used practiceThe post is critical of Tesla and the technology industry as a whole for its use of stock-based compensation and then ignoring it as a legitimate expense.Burry said Tesla share dilution should continue following shareholder approval of CEO Elon Musk's historic pay package.Second proxy adviser calls for vote against Westpac director over ASX stintA second influential proxy adviser has recommended institutional investors vote against re-electing Westpac non-executive director Peter Nash, citing his six-year stint on the board of the troubled Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).CGI Glass Lewis said in a new report on Tuesday that investors should vote against Nash who joined the Westpac board in March 2018 and chairs the board's audit committee.Norway wealth fund to back call for Microsoft human rights report at AGMMicrosoft AGM takes place on December 5Norway wealth fund is Microsoft's eighth-largest shareholderThe fund also said it would vote against the re-appointment of CEO Satya Nadella as chair of the board, as well as against his pay package.PotpourriOpenAI declares ‘code red' as Google catches up in AI raceIn the memo, reported by the Wall Street Journal and The Information, Altman said the company will be delaying initiatives like ads, shopping and health agents, and a personal assistant, Pulse, to focus on improving ChatGPT.This includes core features like greater speed and reliability, better personalization, and the ability to answer more questions, he said.Corporations say they prioritize people. So why do so few chief people officers become CEOs?Only 16 of the CEOs at the 1,000 biggest companies have HR experience.Stephanie Mehta is CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, publisher of Inc. and Fast CompanyMATTUplifting stories:Costco sues Trump admin seeking tariff refunds before Supreme Court rules if they're illegalWhy it's uplifting:Costco is the retail bulwark against stupidity - and they're getting paid for it with persistent quarterly growthCostco board member defends DEI practices, rebukes companies scrapping policiesCostco Under Fire in 19 States for Taking Stand Against TrumpSecond proxy adviser calls for vote against Westpac director over ASX stintWhy it's uplifting:This IS NOT AN ACTIVIST DRIVEN VOTE, and it isn't about attendance! This is purely driven by conflict of interest - an ASX listed company using an ASX board member, a board member who up until 6 years ago lead KPMG in Australia - and KPMG is now Westpac's auditorThe move is underway - ISS/GL were never going to vote against directors in the US first, but Australia is much easier to targetGoogle's data centers could actually be going to the moonWhy it's uplifting:While we couldn't solve the climate crisis for the sake of HUMANITY, we WILL solve it for the sake of AI:one hundred trillion times more energy than we produce in all of Earth todayThe space pitch arrives when Earth is starting to look like a bad long-term landlord for the AI build-out. A 2024 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report found that U.S. data centers already chew through about 4.4% of the country's electricity, and that share could climb to as much as 12% by 2028 as GPU farms multiply. McKinsey puts a price tag on the race to scale data centers: roughly $6.7 trillion in global data center capex by 2030, about $5 trillion of that aimed at AI-ready infrastructureextraterrestrial data centers could cut emissions by a factor of 10 compared with their earthbound cousinsAlso, GTFO!

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Westpac's Matt Hassan about a dramatic rise in consumer confidence, despite reaccelerating inflation and diminishing prospects of lower interest rates; plus the day on the sharemarket with Jamie Hannah from VanEck, including a closer look at the Commonwealth Bank's latest profit result.

The boss of our largest bank says its latest rise in profit doesn't tell the full story. ANZ New Zealand's annual profit has reached a new record high of $2.53 billion – up 21% on last year. That compares to a 13% rise for Westpac and no major change for BNZ and ASB. But Chief Executive Antonia Watson told Mike Hosking when you exclude the bank's hedging investments, cash profit isn't rising nearly as fast. She says that headline growth in a cost of living crisis is very uncomfortable, but underlying profit is only up 4%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The battle of the bank BS is back. BNZ, who announced their profit last week, talked of the strong competition out there. But I note their margin went up, up, 6 points to 2.43%. So if there is so much competition, how come the margin is up? Then came the claim from the Reserve Bank among others that the big banks are being tardy when it comes to passing on the Reserve Bank cuts to us punters. Smaller banks are sharper. SBS claims they have hoovered up almost 6000 new customers as changing banks has become easier. Remember SBS last week put out their 3.99% money, limited to certain people, but a market leader nevertheless. Now tied into all of this is the retail bank's long held argument that the margin is higher because they need the cushion, because the Reserve Bank makes them store away too much money for troubled times. But, those rules are changing and changing in the retail bank's favour. In other words; less money required therefore, in theory, it should mean smaller margins. You can also put in there the simple truth that has always been in play - there is nothing stopping us shopping around. We have a good number of retail banks and they do do deals. I know because I've done deals. Some banks will shave decent margins to get your business. The trouble is a lot of us are too lazy to try and moaning is easier than hustling. So who is right? Are the retail banks tardy? Is it a major issue? Is Nicola Willis right when she says things, and by "things" we mean rules, need to change? I of course have long argued that Willis is too much hype and it's not all that bad. But I'm increasingly moving towards accepting I'm wrong. As the Reserve Bank points out as wholesale rates drop the margins have risen, and on latest numbers, keep rising. Maybe, God forbid, Adrian Orr was right when he used to come on this programme and lambaste the banks for making too many excuses. What I do know is the conditions are increasingly right, either through wholesale rates or the changes to reserve rules, for us to see the margins fall and for the cuts to be passed through in full, and faster. And the longer that takes to happen the more we need to see the big banks as a problem and bad actors in the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

– The importance of temperament – Burry’s big bearish bet – Westpac’s results out… And suffers the innovator’s dilemma? – Rates on hold… for years?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC vs union work from home legal case is a good one and it became even better after the Westpac dispute in Australia last week. There are two bits to these sorts of cases. One was the specific, as in what's in a contract, what's the wording, what have you agreed to and what haven't you agreed to. Then you've got the moral question; the big picture, the team spirit and the attitude. Work from home is a symptom of all that is wrong with productivity and very few do productivity as poorly as this country. Covid wrecked the workplace. It allowed for work from home to be invented. Not literally, but generally for a period it was all you could do. From that moment a seed was planted, and the seed has grown into a mindset. Over a remarkably short period of time the idea became a habit, a right and, for some, the norm. Not just that, but so entrenched did it become in the minds of some that what was once not even an idea became something to be outraged about if the spectre of it ending was even uttered. Even though you have spent the vast majority of your working life going to the office. No one jumps on a get-out-of-jail card quicker than a union. I don't know what was, and wasn't, said at the ACC. But what I do know is work from home has become a gargantuan piss take. Don't get me wrong – you save on the commute, the cost of parking, and you don't have to worry about hoping the bus is on time. It all makes sense from a selfish point of view. The Australian case even had the woman moving miles from town so she could drop her kid off at the special school they had selected. Westpac said that was a lifestyle choice, which unquestionably it was, but tough luck said the court and the woman won. So maybe ACC are onto a hiding to nothing. Let's see. But specifics aside, work is a quid pro quo and taking the mickey, which is what work from home is now that you aren't locked down, isn't a balanced relationship. It's a material shift, born of necessity, and then abused. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac New Zealand has this week reported a 13% in full year net profit to $1.197 billion. It's a strong result in a tough economy, and it comes as questions continue about competition and the size of bank profits. Westpac New Zealand chief executive, Catherine McGrath spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Unemployment's set to edge higher despite signs of the job market improving. Stats NZ data, due out this morning, is expected to show the unemployment rate reached 5.3% in the September quarter. That's up from 5.2% in the June quarter. Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Mike Hosking the unemployment rate would be even higher if more young people were in the labour market. He says they've been first on the chopping block as the economy slowed, so many have gone back into school and aren't seeking work. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Westpac CEO Anthony Miller about the bank's full-year results to find out what will drive growth in the future, and takes a look at the market reaction with David Walsh from Sarto Advisory Pty Ltd.

How does a former Westpac mortgage broker become the #1 auction agent in the Belle Property network? Norman So, Principal and Agent at Belle Property Strathfield, has recently been named Belle Property's #1 auction agent and ranks #7 among all NSW agents. His journey from bank employee to one of Belle Property's top performers — now targeting $4M+ in annual GCI — demonstrates the power of market specialisation, innovative marketing, and systematic team building. Norman didn't just change careers; he transformed real estate marketing in Sydney's competitive western corridor. Starting with apartments in Homebush and quickly dominating Strathfield, his record-breaking $16.6 million sale redefined the suburb's price ceiling. Now running over 200 auctions annually, Norman credits his success to three game-changing strategies: leveraging influencer marketing, creating collaborative team structures, and maintaining relentless client communication. Meet Your Host: Claudio Encina Stepping in as host this week on behalf of Samantha McLean, Claudio is a former seven-figure real estate agent who built a thriving team, only to realise that success without fulfilment comes at a high cost. After feeling stressed, disconnected, and overwhelmed, he transformed his approach with expert coaching to create a model that delivers freedom, scale, and financial success. Today, Claudio has helped over 1,000 agents implement this model, enabling them to dominate their markets while living a life full of meaningful experiences. He believes that if your business doesn't work for you, then it's not working. What you'll learn in this episode Why Norman conducts 200+ auctions annually and how his team structure makes it possible The influencer marketing strategy that generated two $4.9M duplex sales from a single 140K-view post How one influencer property walkthrough can attract buyers who weren't even looking to purchase Why Norman still calls his coach weekly despite 13+ years of experience The daily structure and goal-setting system behind Norman's $4M+ annual GCI target Chapters Chapters 00:02:14 From Westpac mortgage broker to real estate: Why Norman made the switch 00:04:35 The apartment-to-luxury transition: How Norman secured his first house listing 00:08:27 Team structure revealed: How two EBUs collaborate for 200+ annual sales 00:11:30 Influencer marketing breakthrough: 60% of properties now use this strategy 00:13:50 Three essential success principles for new agents (including working for free) Connect with Norman So LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norman-so-050391a5/ Email: norman.so@belleproperty.com Instagram: @bellebynso Connect with Claudio Encina Website: https://www.claudioencina.com/ Email: claudio@claudioencina.com Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #ClaudioEncina #NormanSo #InfluencerMarketing #AuctionAgent

Inflation has risen to a 15-month high of 3 percent, driven largely by increases in essential household expenses. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

They are the heroes who might be called to winch you to safety, if you fall into a crevasse, get stuck in a bushfire, or find yourself circled by sharks at sea. But behind the daring rescues by members of the Westpac Rescue service in NSW, multiple staff members have made allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and lack of safety compliance at the organisation. Today, investigative reporter Eryk Bagshaw, on the months-long investigation he led, along with 60 Minutes, into the rescue service where staff members treated like “god amongst men” are alleged to have engaged in behaviour that might have endangered patients’ safety. Warning: Listeners might find some content in this podcast distressing. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode, Amanda Stevens shares her journey from running a successful marketing agency to becoming a renowned keynote speaker. She discusses the challenges and rewards of public speaking, the importance of creativity and innovation, and the power of positioning in business. Amanda also offers insights into using humor effectively and the significance of speaking with intention. Amanda Stevens, CSP is one of Australia’s most engaging and in-demand keynote speakers. Entertaining, inspiring, and memorable, she’s captivated audiences in 14 countries with her unique blend of humour, insight, and practical wisdom. A specialist in customer experience and brand advocacy, Amanda combines her double degree in marketing and consumer psychology with over a decade of consulting for major brands including Microsoft, Westpac, Foxtel, and Priceline. With five books to her name and a reputation for tailoring every presentation to her audience, Amanda delivers powerful messages that stick and inspire action long after the event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a group of friends gathering at Starbucks on Sundays to experiment with ChatGPT evolves into a global movement spanning more than 40 cities?That's the journey of Build Club, and its founder Annie Liao has some compelling insights about what it takes to actually make AI adoption work—not just in theory, but in practice.Annie, who recently raised over $1.7 million and relocated to San Francisco, has a front-row seat to how AI is reshaping work. From her early days in data science at Westpac to strategy consulting at BCG and venture capital, she's now solving what she calls the "AI adoption problem" that enterprises are struggling with worldwide.In this episode, you'll hear:Why Annie's "AI Champions" approach has been Build Club's most successful way of helping companies embrace AI How she struck partnership deals with big names like Nvidia and LovableAnnie's prediction we're all likely to have agents working overnight on our behalf and what that meansThe AI tools Annie uses in her daily workflow, andWhat makes San Francisco's AI ecosystem fundamentally different from Australia'sFrom her vantage point in the Bay Area, Annie shares what excites her most about seeing people use AI for the first time, why there might be too many no-code tools flooding the market, and the practical steps anyone can take to position themselves for what's coming next.Enjoy this episode with the indomitable Annie Liao. Useful links:Build Club websiteAnnie Liao on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.