Products & Services

Regulator curbs DIY super loan

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 63 : 13 June 2008
Original article by Zoe Fielding

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

The Australian corporate regulator is examining a new product aimed at self-managed superannuation funds. New rules introduced in late 2007 allow funds to borrow. The first product to take advantage of the rule change is Macquarie Group's Property Lever product that allows funds to borrow up to 55 per cent of the value of a residential investment property. However, it is thought that the Australian Securities & Investments Commission has requested Macquarie to stop marketing the product until its structure has been examined

Bell Potter unveils gearing product

Independent Financial Adviser
Page: 18 : 9 June 2008
Original article by Marta Wiacek

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

A new product from stockbroking and financial advice firm Bell Potter aims to take advantage of recent legislative changes. The changes allow trustees of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF) to engage in borrowing so long as it is in accordance with the relevant legislation. Bell Potter Super Lending can be used by investors already experienced in gearing as a result of engaging in margin lending to increase the worth of their superannuation, according to Bell Potter's director of investment services Rowan Fell

E-Business

Watchdog wary of PayPal push

The Age
Page: B3 : 13 June 2008
Original article by Jesse Hogan

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) will most likely block eBay's attempt to make PayPal its exclusive payment system. Arguing the benefits of PayPal in reducing fraud and improving the website's security, US-based eBay sought the regulator's permission for the move. The ACCC acknowledged the benefits of PayPal's buyer protection, but ruled that buyers should have the option to choose their payment method, particularly given PayPal's compulsory service charges

Marketing Strategy

Cash, US growth for mobile marketer

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 66 : 13 June 2008
Original article by Ben Woodhead

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

5th Finger CEO, Campbell Corfe, has announced plans to use a $A7 million capital injection to double the size of the company's operations. Corfe said the company will use the money to gain a foothold in the mobile content market, which is expected to expand rapidly with the introduction of a new iPhone from Apple. Corfe said the capital injection, which was provided by Starfish Ventures, would allow the company to capture the "next wave of smart mobile devices"

Lurhmann film to help lure 'em

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 18 : 13 June 2008
Original article by Lisa Allen

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

The Australian tourism industry hopes to benefit from a new film. Baz Lurhmann's "Australia" will be launched in mid-November 2008. It is expected that the film will increase interest in Australia. Tourism Australia will launch a marketing campaign focused on the film at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Perth on 14 June. Tourism bodies are trying to address the falling number of international tourists and the weaker domestic tourism market

Consumer Behaviour

Brand new breed of corporate distrust

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 60 : 13 June 2008
Original article by Noelle Waugh

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

A study in Australia has looked at how consumers view big corporations, in terms of image and reputation. The annual study was conducted by AMR Interactive in March 2008 and it measured the reputation of Australia's 50 biggest companies. It surveyed over 4,000 consumers aged from 18 to 64. The top four spots were taken by Cadbury Schweppes, Toyota, Nestle and Australia Post. Qantas moved up to fifth place. Consumers were very critical of some groups, including some banks and telcos. Each respondent rated companies on seven factors, including products and services, innovation, workplace environment, governance and leadership. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto increased their scores from the previous year

City dwellers demand slick service

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 65 : 13 June 2008
Original article by Christopher Jay

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Consumers want government services to be delivered with a "whole of life" perspective, according to a series of surveys by the Accenture Institute for Public Service Value. The institute conducted the city surveys as structured discussion sessions. Institute director, Greg Parston, said it was discovered that increased use of electronic service delivery meant a divide has emerged between people adept with technology and those who are not. Surveys have so far been held in London, Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, Berlin, Paris, Madrid and Singapore. Forum panels will be conducted in other cities before a final report is released

Retailer sentiment plummets

Inside Retailing
Page: 2-3 : 9 June 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

A new survey has shown that many Australian retailers are now pessimistic about the prospects for the sector. The Jones Lang LaSalle survey shows that retailer sentiment has fallen from a net balance of 26 per cent in October 2007 to minus 54 per cent in April 2008. It is the survey's lowest recorded reading ever. Tony Daherty, head of retail at Jones Lang LaSalle, said that despite the negative sentiment, 77 per cent of retailers intended to expand their businesses