Consumer Confidence in Australia increased to 91.60 points in March from 90.50 points in February of 2026. This dataset provides - Australia Consumer Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Leading Economic Index Australia decreased 0.10 percent in February of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Australia Leading Economic Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Finance sector's operating environment was previously characterised by record-low interest rates. Nonetheless, high inflation prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike the cash rate from May 2022 onwards. This shift allowed financial institutions to impose higher loan charges, propelling their revenue. Banks raised interest rates quicker than funding costs in the first half of 2022-23, boosting net interest margins. However, sophisticated competition and digital disruption have reshaped the sector and nibbled at the Big Four's dominance, weighing on ADIs' performance. In the first half of 2025, the fierce competition has forced ADIs to trim lending rates even ahead of RBA moves to protect their slice of the mortgage market. Higher cash rates initially widened net interest margins, but the expiry of cheap TFF funding and a fierce mortgage war are now compressing spreads, weighing on ADIs' profitability. Although ANZ's 2024 Suncorp Bank takeover highlights some consolidation, the real contest is unfolding in tech. Larger financial institutions are combatting intensified competition from neobanks and fintechs by upscaling their technology investments, strengthening their strategic partnerships with cloud providers and technology consulting firms and augmenting their digital offerings. Notable examples include the launch of ANZ Plus by ANZ and Commonwealth Bank's Unloan. Meanwhile, investor demand for rental properties, elevated residential housing prices and sizable state-infrastructure pipelines have continued to underpin loan growth, offsetting the drag from weaker mortgage affordability and volatile business sentiment. Overall, subdivision revenue is expected to rise at an annualised 8.3% over the five years through 2024-25, to $524.6 billion. This growth trajectory includes an estimated 4.8% decline in 2024-25 driven by rate cuts in 2025, which will weigh on income from interest-bearing assets. The Big Four banks will double down on technology investments and partnerships to counter threats from fintech startups and neobanks. As cybersecurity risks and APRA regulations evolve, financial institutions will gear up to strengthen their focus on shielding sensitive customer data and preserving trust, lifting compliance and operational costs. In the face of fierce competition, evolving regulations and shifting customer preferences, consolidation through M&As is poised to be a viable trend for survival and growth, especially among smaller financial institutions like credit unions. While rate cuts will challenge profitability within the sector, expansionary economic policies are poised to stimulate business and mortgage lending activity, presenting opportunities for strategic growth in a dynamic market. These trends are why Finance subdivision revenue is forecast to rise by an annualised 1.1% over the five years through the end of 2029-30, to $554.9 billion

Australia Westpac Banking Corporations: Liabilities: Long-Term Borrowings data was reported at 155,845.400 AUD mn in Mar 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 155,454.800 AUD mn for Feb 2020. Australia Westpac Banking Corporations: Liabilities: Long-Term Borrowings data is updated monthly, averaging 148,615.500 AUD mn from Mar 2019 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 155,845.400 AUD mn in Mar 2020 and a record low of 143,491.900 AUD mn in Dec 2019. Australia Westpac Banking Corporations: Liabilities: Long-Term Borrowings data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.KB032: Balance Sheet: Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: Banks: Westpac Banking Corporations.

Australia Westpac Banking Corporations: Assets: Cash & Deposits with Financial Institutions data was reported at 23,697.700 AUD mn in Mar 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,443.500 AUD mn for Feb 2020. Australia Westpac Banking Corporations: Assets: Cash & Deposits with Financial Institutions data is updated monthly, averaging 10,507.500 AUD mn from Mar 2019 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,697.700 AUD mn in Mar 2020 and a record low of 10,103.600 AUD mn in Apr 2019. Australia Westpac Banking Corporations: Assets: Cash & Deposits with Financial Institutions data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.KB032: Balance Sheet: Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: Banks: Westpac Banking Corporations.