Help & support
As we move well into the new financial year, commercial activity remains robust as businesses across the economy monitor for opportunities and changes to trading conditions.
This edition is designed to keep you up to date with localised trends, share the experiences of other businesses, and provide easy access to insights from experts across CommBank.
Learn about new cyber security imperatives and how to protect your business. You can also explore economic performance and migration trends among States and Territories, agribusiness developments and what’s happening in commercial property around the country.
Learn how CommBank can assist your business through specialised support for your industry
A strong labour market and population growth are supporting the economic performance of States and Territories. However, economies are slowing amid higher borrowing costs and price pressures. Find out what’s driving performance in CommSec’s State of the States report.
Migration flows from capital cities to regional areas are up more than 16 per cent on average compared to 2018 and 2019, according to the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI). Find out about the trends in your State or Territory and top growth spots in the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI).
Our real-time economics research and insights keep businesses up to date with economic and financial markets developments. Our award-winning research spans local and international economic trends, foreign exchange strategy, commodities, and sustainability issues. Access our Global Economic and Markets research portal here.
Get to know our award-winning1 desktop and mobile digital platforms.
The principles, practices, benefits, and challenges of Australian carbon farming were in the spotlight at our recent webinar. Our agribusiness and carbon trading experts explored the landscape for carbon farming, the carbon market and how businesses can implement strategies to deliver impact and outcomes. For all those who couldn’t attend, gain key insights and practical tips by watching the webinar.
For more than 30 years, CommBank has supported Australia’s largest beef industry expo, Beef Australia, held every three years in Rockhampton, Qld. Recently, we jointly announced our multi-event, principal partnership for the upcoming 2024 and 2027 events. The event next year is set to again bring together the best of the local, national and global industry, including its diversity, resilience, and innovation. CommBank look forward to meeting with our customers and the local Beef community in May 2024 and will be hosting a number of insightful panel discussion in conjunction with industry experts.
You can read the full announcement here.
The McDonald family’s Albeni Partnership has been operating its sheep and cattle operation for 30 years. Farming a vast tract of land across central and western Queensland, the McDonald’s productivity relies on effective and innovative water management. Building on existing sustainable farming practices, the McDonald’s latest initiative is a soil carbon farming project to increase moisture retention and dispersion. Funded by a CommBank Agri Green Loan, the supporting soil sampling program spanning 90,000 hectares is now underway.
Read about how the McDonalds balance profitability and sustainability here.
With cyber security and scams threats showing no signs of slowing, keeping your business safe is more important than ever.
In our latest article, ‘When bank impersonators go phishing’ we delve into the world of bank impersonators who, according to Scamwatch, were responsible for Australians losing $20 million in 2022. We examine the most common scenarios and the steps businesses can take to avoid being scammed.
CommBank’s Chief Information Security Officer, Keith Howard, also explains Zero Trust cyber security models that put data at the centre of an organisation’s security. The ‘Understanding the concept of Zero-Trust and how it applies to your business’ article outlines what it is, what it means for businesses and how to get started.
Commercial property sales in Regional Australia head back to pre-COVID levels
The volume of commercial property sales in Regional Australia in FY23 ($8.5 billion) dropped -41% to $10 billion, compared to FY22. This trend is consistent with activity across Australia and indeed, the world, as rising interest rates created uncertainty about asset values and the economic outlook generally. This analysis includes core assets, such as office, industrial and retail as well as more specialised property, such as child care centres, service stations and medical.
FY22 was an unusually strong year of trading in commercial property, as low interest rates were still available and investors were keen to buy after the challenges of accessing the market through the COVID years. Trading during FY23 was at a level more typical of pre-COVID years.
Australian commercial property sales head back to pre-COVID levels
Australian commercial property sales reached $53.9 billion in FY23 (including preliminary data for June); a 48% drop on the previous record financial year. As interest rates kept rising through FY23, impacting new acquisition viability, activity slowed, with the annual volume the lowest for eight years.
Uncertainty about the peak of interest rates, the impact on the economy and the direction of values have kept buyers waiting on the sidelines, while owners have been focussed on managing assets. This stand-off between buyers and sellers is likely to continue at least until there’s greater certainty rates have finally peaked.
For more Commercial Property news, insights and guidance visit here.
Attaining peak personal and professional performance is rarely an easy journey. Discover secrets of success from top athletes, entertainers and entrepreneurs who spoke at our recent Business of Winning event series.
Rapid developments in technology continue to change service and delivery models among professional services firms. Hear from leaders across the sector who discuss the impact and strategic responses.
The CommBank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) Index combines analysis of the bank’s card spending data, loan application info and Google Trends publicly available search activity to provide a unique insight into current and future spending trends.
Our There’s No Place Like Home podcast, produced by Nine’s Future Women in collaboration with CommBank, returns to shine light on the subtle, often hidden warning signs of domestic and family violence including financial abuse.
For the latest business analysis, insights, and news, follow CommBank Business and Institutional on LinkedIn.
1 The Canstar 2023 Bank of the Year Award was received in June 2023 for Digital Banking. For more information, visit www.canstar.com.au.
This information is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. You should consider seeking independent financial advice before making any decision based on this information.
The information in this article and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on the information available at the time of its publication but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made.
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