Why improving financial literacy could open the door to advice

CoreData’s research over the past two decades has consistently found that at any point in time, only around one in four Australians are receiving financial advice.  This is a relatively …

Focus on WA: CoreData’s COVID-19 snapshot

Despite WA’s effective containment of COVID-19, the economic effects of the state’s pseudo-shutdown have been widely felt. Compared to major trading partners, Australia has experienced reasonable success in avoiding the …

CoreData’s COVID-19 Snapshot: Banking and lending

In early March, Australia’s top banking executives sat down with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in a meeting originally intended to discuss the impact of the bushfire season on the local economy. …

CoreData’s COVID-19 Snapshot: Superannuation

With rising unemployment and unprecedented trading restrictions imposed on businesses, the Federal Government’s concessional clause for early access to super has provided a lifeline for Australians in financial hardship. The …

Consumers hold the key – but which door will they open?

Consumer sentiment and behaviour will play a critical role in any economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal and State government policy settings must walk a fine line between managing …

CoreData’s COVID-19 Snapshot: Banking and lending

In early March, Australia’s top banking executives sat down with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in a meeting originally intended to discuss the impact of the bushfire season on the local economy. …

In a post royal commission environment, price isn’t everything

In a world where constant changes and an increasing compliance burden on both lenders and brokers are the new norm, careful consideration and implementation of policy and process changes post-royal …

What game theory teaches us about customer service

Two men are arrested after holding up a bank and held separately for questioning by the police. How should each of the thieves behave to achieve the optimal outcome? And …

Libra: Why Facebook’s currency will bring more convenience and more threats

To some people, the “whitepaper” and “blockchain” are synonymous with “scam”. But when Facebook, the social network giant with 2.4 billion monthly active users, announced its grand plan of a …

From the Catholic Church to Leonard Cohen: why zero point zero should frighten you

The idea of nothing has an interesting history in mathematics, and there’s even a theory that the Catholic Church tried to outlaw the concept of zero because the idea of …

Rethinking the risks and returns of misconduct

Like many Australians, I did a fair bit of travelling around the country over Christmas and New Year, which involved driving thousands of kilometres across NSW, Queensland and Tasmania. The …

Can the Royal Commission create a new industry hero?

From myth and the first recorded stories in ancient history to present-day movie blockbusters, humans appear to be obsessed with the idea of the hero. The “hero’s journey” narrative pops …

Banking on inertia post the Royal Commission

Although the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry is probably nowhere near its conclusion, it certainly has already had an impact on the public’s …

Why lazy customers could save you today but kill you tomorrow

In most businesses, customer apathy is not a good thing. If your customer is apathetic, they’re unlikely to feel loyal towards your business, let alone be an advocate for your …

Chicken Little, ostriches and the real role of leaders

On June 4 and 5 the heads of leading financial planning licensees met in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney for the annual Professional Planner Licensee Summit. It’s fair to …