Financial Services

 Australian shares have climbed after market-beating results from Apple helped bourses shrug off growing concerns that Greece may default on its debt.

The Australian dollar has been dragged down as negotiations to prevent Greece defaulting on its debt hit an impasse and the International Monetary Fund downgraded its global growth forecasts.

US stocks fell Tuesday on concerns that a deal to prevent a default by Greece might fall through.

The Australian dollar slipped to trade back below 105 US cents after soaring to its highest position since October.

More Australian businesses left bills unpaid for 90 days or longer during the December quarter than a year earlier, Dun & Bradstreet said. 

Goldfields Credit Union has received regulatory approval for its plan to demutualise, raise $9 million in additional capital and list on the Australian Securities Exchange as Goldfields Money.

Australian shares have opened higher as the weaker US dollar helps commodity prices and concerns over Europe's debt crisis take a back seat.

The Australian dollar has soared above 105 US cents for the first time since October on renewed optimism that Greece will reach a deal with its creditors to avoid defaulting on its debt.

The Australian dollar has continued its solid performance over the weekend against the US dollar, influenced by relatively good economic fundamentals.

The Australian share market closed weaker as investors awaited an outcome to Greek debt restructure plans, with eurozone finance ministers scheduled to meet later today.

Treasurer Wayne Swan would welcome new foreign lenders to the Australian loans market, saying more competition would mean better deals for borrowers.

Bankwest managing director Jon Sutton is returning to a senior executive role at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, with CBA executive general manager of retail and business banking Rob De Luca set to

Australian shares opened slightly weaker as cautious investors looked for news on the Greek debt situation following weak overseas leads.

The Australian dollar rose to its highest level in 12 weeks amid hopes Greece will reach a deal with its creditors to avoid a disastrous default on its debt.

European shares notched up a fifth straight week of gains last week, as the outlook for the global economy improved and on optimism Greece would avoid a messy default.

The Australian dollar rose more than a quarter of a cent during a quiet day of trading following a boost on news of successful European bond auctions.

Australian shares ended the day on a strong note for their third successive week of gains.

The head of Wesfarmers' insurance arm has defended the local industry in the face of premium rises of as much as 15 per cent for home insurance.

Australian shares have added one per cent in early trading as successful debt auctions in Europe and more positive bank earnings in the US buoy optimism.

The Australian dollar is firmer as concerns about Europe's debt crisis eased overnight.

It was another day of quiet but solid gains on Wall Street on Thursday.

 The Australian dollar was marginally lower in response to worse that expected domestic unemployment data.

After slashing more than 3000 jobs in 2011, banks are set to drip-feed more job cut announcements in the name of corporate restructures and managing costs.

Australian shares ended flat after disappointing jobs data wiped out earlier gains that were driven by positive offshore leads.

The Australian share market has opened more than three quarters of a per cent higher.

The Nasdaq led US markets toward strong gains on Wednesday, helped by news that the IMF was to raise $US500 billion ($A483.35 billion) to boost its crisis-fighting capacity.

Westpac Banking Corporation has put the future of 28 IT management roles in doubt by commencing a review of their roles as part of a group-wide restructure.

Australian shares edged up marginally to a fresh five-week high as upbeat mining figures and hopes for a Greek debt deal dragged shares out of the doldrums.

Australian travellers and British expats will be cheering after the dollar hit a 27-year high against the pound.

EXPERIENCED resources investment bankers Neville Gardiner and Jeremy Carlberg are preparing to launch a new corporate advisory outfit in Perth called Torridon Partners, adding further diversity to

Recent interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia have failed to lift consumer confidence, says Westpac.