Social impact investment can help retirees get the housing and care they need

From The Conversation. A recent report raised concerns about the erosion of retirement income by ongoing rental or mortgage payments. The report by the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees is timely, given the Australian aged pension system is predicated on an assumption of outright home-ownership. Yet increasing numbers of people are still paying mortgages after … Continue reading “Social impact investment can help retirees get the housing and care they need”

A less than super response to housing

From The New Daily. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reportedly intervened to scotch reports the May budget will include a measure to allow first home buyers to access funds from their superannuation. He may believe that’s the end of the story, but in reality it’s the continuation of a too familiar narrative. This is a government … Continue reading “A less than super response to housing”

Shadow banking and where it came from

From The Conversation. The term “shadow banking” often has connotations of dodgy lending and borrowing practices, out of reach of regulators. And while its use may contribute to risk, in reality shadow banking does serve a purpose in our economy, one that is increasingly connected to our day-to-day lives. Shadow banking affects not only the … Continue reading “Shadow banking and where it came from”

Property And Household Financial Footprints

Data from the Digital Finance Analytics Core Market Model tells an interesting story when we look at households dependence on wealth from property. To illustrate the point, here are three charts, looking at different household groups. The first is the owner occupied mortgage group. The blue area represents the distribution of households by age bands. … Continue reading “Property And Household Financial Footprints”

The latest ideas to use super to buy homes are still bad ideas

From The Conversation. Treasurer Scott Morrison wants to use the May budget to ease growing community anxiety about housing affordability. Lots of ideas are being thrown about: the test for the Treasurer is to sort the good from the bad. Reports that the government was again considering using superannuation to help first homebuyers won’t inspire … Continue reading “The latest ideas to use super to buy homes are still bad ideas”

The Rise of Microprudential

APRA’s revised mortgage guidance released yesterday, on the surface may look benign but if you look at the detail there are a number of changes which together do change the game in terms of risk analysis during underwriting, and through the life of the mortgage. We think this will slow credit growth through 2017 and … Continue reading “The Rise of Microprudential”

Is big business, super funds the key to fixing social housing problem in Australia?

From The Herald Sun. PHILANTHROPISTS, charities, superannuation funds and publicly-minded big business will be encouraged to build and manage social housing developments in a bid to dramatically boost the number of social houses available across Australia. Treasurer Scott Morrison said major changes were needed in the way social housing was provided, to make it more … Continue reading “Is big business, super funds the key to fixing social housing problem in Australia?”

Housing affordability is in dire straits

Good article from Julia Corderoy, news.com.au. THIS map is a homebuyer’s worst nightmare. It is no secret that housing affordability in many parts of Australia absolutely sucks, especially in Sydney. And it looks like it’s getting worse. Since 2009, house prices in the Harbour City have almost doubled, rising by 97.5 per cent, according to … Continue reading “Housing affordability is in dire straits”

ASIC gives the banks cause for Christmas celebration

From The Conversation. Christmas is a time to forgive and forget and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) sure knows how to distribute good cheer at Yuletide, especially to old friends such as the big four banks.   On (almost) the night before Christmas, ASIC popped down the chimney and gave the banks a … Continue reading “ASIC gives the banks cause for Christmas celebration”

The good, the bad, and the ugly of algorithmic trading

From The Conversation. Algorithms are taking a lot of flak from those in financial circles. They’ve been blamed for a recent flash crash in the British pound and the greatest fall in the Dow in decades. They’ve been called a cancer and linked to insider trading. Government agencies are taking notice and are investigating ways … Continue reading “The good, the bad, and the ugly of algorithmic trading”