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Most informative Ben. Do you have any data on Australian banks. An international comparison might be interesting.

Perhaps the decline in NIM may be in part due to the adoption of technology that enables a bank to operate more cheaply and efficiently, perhaps less activity in the tellers booth, the closure of branches that is rampant in Australia.

Another question: Would it attract borrowers if US banks offered 30 year mortgages at an invariable interest rate. Would that be seen as not feasible. I am aware of the role of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac. I'm interested in the possibility of doing this in Australia where changing rates play havoc with the budgets of borrowers, and in particular those on the edge of not meeting their obligations when interest rates are low.

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