Sat, 20th Apr 2024

In this week's Australian finance news, concerns are raised over a predicted 16% surge in student debt under the current Labor government, potentially resulting in plans for policy changes and a review of HECS indexation. ANZ Bank announces it will cease issuing cheque books to new customers, reflecting a dramatic decrease in cheque usage and ongoing digital transformation. ClearBridge Investments provides positive predictions for the post-pandemic recovery, signalling reduced recession risk and suggesting investors look beyond tech-heavy portfolios. In real estate finance, Centuria Capital Group raises its stake from 50% to 80% in Centuria Bass Credit with a $57 million investment, focusing on a significant increase in revenue from real estate finance.