Reported 22 days ago
Westpac, Australia's second-largest mortgage lender, announced a 3% drop in annual profit due to rising costs from a technology overhaul, despite an improved loan margin and an increase in its final dividend. The bank anticipates that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates in February, which could ease financial pressure on borrowers. While loan impairment charges have increased, they remain a smaller proportion of total loans. Analysts are optimistic about the underlying trends despite concerns over rising operating costs.
Source: YAHOO