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There's been a massive rise in consumer complaints about financial firms fueled by pressures from rising interest rates and high inflation. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority received a record 97,000 disputes over the past year many relating to banks, insurance companies, buy-now-pay-later products and the daily scourge of scams from cybercrimals. I speak with AFCA chief executive and c...

Inflation might be falling in the United States, but that's not good enough for the US Federal Reserve which has once again raised interest rates this morning. While Fed chairman Jerome Powell is now downplaying the risks of a recession, he's conceded that unemployment in the US will have to rise as a big social cost in getting inflation lower.

Consumer prices rose 0.8 per cent over the three months to June, making a 6 per cent increase over the past year. The result is slightly lower than most economists were expecting and reduces the chances of a Reserve Bank interest rate rise next Tuesday. Analysis from ABC's Peter Ryan. Reporter: Senior Business Correspondent Peter Ryan Featured:

The outlook for another interest rate is hanging on a key inflation update out today. Any evidence that the pace of inflation picked up in the most recent quarter could give the Reserve Bank little choice but to press the rates button again. Reporter: Senior Business Correspondent Peter Ryan Featured:

One of the world's biggest investment firms is at the centre of landmark "greenwashing" allegations being levelled by the corporate regulator. ASIC is accusing Vanguard Investments Australia of misleading clients about an environmentally-conscious fund that instead left investors exposed to fossil fuel investments and links to oil and gas exploration. ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court speaks to ABC's...

Australian companies have become increasingly nervous about listing on the sharemarket according to a a report from advisory firm HLB Mann Judd. With global economic uncertainty fuelled by surging inflation and higher interest rates, only 14 companies listed on the ASX in the first six months of this year raising just $150 million compared with $2.9 billion in 2021. Reporter: Senior Business Corre...

When it comes to the massive challenge of cutting carbon emissions, we usually hear about big offenders like fossil fuel intensive industries and dirty coal-fired power stations. But what about your office or home computer and daily necessities like the "cloud" where so much data is stored these days? A report from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS Sydney and US tech company Pure Storag...

How are you feeling this morning? That's the question the federal government is asking as it confronts highly complex economic challenges like inflation and fallout from the war in Ukraine. Which is why Treasurer Jim Chalmers is rolling out a national framework to measure our "wellbeing" - that could become a wellbeing budget.

A surprise fall in the June unemployment rate to 3.5 percent could force the Reserve Bank to deliver another interest rate rise to tame inflation. JB Were chief investment officer Sally Auld says a recession is a real risk. Reporter: Senior Business Correspondent Peter Ryan Featured: Sally Auld, JB Were chief investment officer

There'll be a lot of attention on official jobs figures out later this morning and what they mean for any more interest rate rises.. With the labour market still very tight and running hot in some areas, the Reserve Bank might be forced to hike rates at least one more time to tame still-high inflation.

Fears about an unexpected spike in the jobless rate appear to have forced the Reserve Bank to leave interest rates steady a fortnight ago. That's stoked concerns that the RBA is now worried about going too far with it's aggressive rate hikes - to the point where consumers stop spending and push the economy into a recession.

The Reserve Bank board left official interest rates on hold a fortnight ago on fears that more hikes could trigger an unanticipated spike in unemployment by the end of the year.

It's been a bumpy few months for Philip Lowe who learned late last week he's been overlooked for a second term as Reserve Bank governor. But Mr Lowe has used his final official appearance on the world stage to blast politicians for failing to make hard decisions on economic reforms such as ways to boost productivity growth. Reporter: Senior Business Correspondent Peter Ryan

It's been a bumpy few months for Philip Lowe who learned late last week he's been overlooked for a second term as Reserve Bank governor. But Mr Lowe has used his final official appearance on the world stage to blast politicians for failing to make hard decisions on economic reforms such as ways to boost productivity growth. Reporter: Senior Business Correspondent Peter Ryan

After months of speculation, Michele Bullock has been appointed as the new governor of the Reserve Bank. Ms Bullock succeeds Philip Lowe whose term has not been renewed and becomes the first women to lead the bank in its 63 year history. Mr Lowe has described Ms Bullock as "a first rate appointment". FEATURED: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer KEYWORDS:

After months of speculation about his future, the ABC understands the Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe won't be re-appointed to the job. Analysis from ABC's Peter Ryan.

There's been some long-awaited good news in the United States with more evidence that inflation is continuing its rapid fall. But will signs that pace of inflation is slowing be enough for the US Federal Reserve to re-think the need for more interest rate hikes?

With at least one more interest rate rise anticipated, the boss of the nation's biggest bank says around two-thirds of Australians are now feeling some level of financial pain. Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn warns households are only just beginning to feel the impact on households and that the next six months could be tough for struggling families. FEATURED: Matt Comyn, Commonwealth...

While there's elation from borrowers about yesterday's interest rates reprieve from the Reserve Bank, another hike is likely if inflation remains stubbon. RBA governor Philip Lowe says while inflation has passed it's peak, more action might be needed to get it back into the 2 to 3 percent target band. Deloitte Access Economics partner Stephen Smith says the economy is on a knife edge as recession...

As it happened. Surprise pause as Reserve Bank of Australia opts to leave cash rate steady at 4.1pc. But warns "further monetary tightening" might be needed to pull down inflation.

It's another stressful day for borrowers with the Reserve Bank board considered likely to raise interest rates for the 13th time since May last year. But it's looking like a line-ball call with analysts divided on whether another painful hike is justified given signs of falling inflation. Analysis from ABC's Peter Ryan. FEATURED: Shane Oliver, chief economist, AMP Capital Investors

Mortgage stress rises as RBA weighs 13th hike says Aussie Home Loans by Peter Ryan

As the Reserve Bank considers the 13th interest rate rise since last May, there's growing evidence of mortgage stress with some borrowers worried they might default on their home loans. A survey by Aussie Home Loans says 29pc are struggling to make mortgage repayments. Chief operating officer Sebastian Watkins says aggressive rate rises are taking a toll on the mental health of highly-indebted Aus...

Embattled consulting firm PwC Australia has sacked eight partners, including its former CEO Tom Seymour, over their direct involvement in or knowledge of the tax leak scandal which has engulfed the consulting firm. The airing of dirty laundry comes as the National Anti-Corruption Commissions starts business which speculation PwC could be an early investigation. Analysis from ABC's Peter Ryan.

Commodity boom fading, $19b budget surplus might be be repeated says economist Chris Richardson by Peter Ryan