The four main banks increased their lending to small businesses by nearly 15 percent last year. Whilst this is an impressive number and reflects the growth of this sector, the Council of Small Business is backing a call for a Senate inquiry into bank lending to small business. The lobby group claims this vital sector of the economy is being restricted by tightening bank credit and the constant moving of goalposts.

Almost half of all Australians expect to use more credit cards to pay their bills, according to new Dun & Bradstreet research. And the main use is with 18 to 34 year olds who are accumulating more debt at a ‘worrying’ rate.

New research has revealed that Australia’s superannuation savings are hugely inadequate and will leave the nation nearly $700 billion short of what its retirees need to live decently. The Federal Government figures are expected to now force the Canberra government to make big changes on super investments very soon.