Sun, 22nd Feb 2026

In this week's episode, Paige Estritori covers significant updates from the Australian financial industry. ANZ has secured a major 10-year deal with a $2 billion government-guarantee. This isn't just a boost for ANZs Pacific operations, but a demonstration of commitment to economic stability and regional resilience. The bank is also investing $50 million into improving financial inclusion and accessibility via digital banking in the Pacific. The podcast further explores the rising health insurance premiums in Australia, with an average increase of 4.41% starting April 1st and raises issues around premium transparency amidst staggering profit margins. The episode also sheds light on the growing demand for latent defects insurance in the construction industry due to increasing delays and costs and the 2028 mandate in New South Wales for such insurance in residential projects. For in-depth coverage, visit financialservicesonline.com.au.