Westpac
The big renewal
One of the most exciting aspects of sustainable finance from a capital-market perspective is the potential for the transition to a low-carbon economy to produce a huge supply of investible assets in a world that has been capex constrained. Westpac Institutional Bank is taking a lead position in Australia’s renewable-energy space – a key sector for investment growth.
New Zealand’s debt market gets ready to deliver
The KangaNews New Zealand Debt Capital Market Summit 2024 – which took place in Auckland on 11 September – delivered a report card on local market functionality and ability to deliver capital where it is needed. Participants discussed a raft of challenges including financing infrastructure and transition, and providing investors with diversity and liquidity. An improving economy and growing scale hold promise for the years ahead.
Summing up the corporate equation
The KangaNews Corporate Debt Summit 2024 took place on 17 October, a matter of weeks after the Australian dollar corporate bond market passed its record for full-year issuance volume (see p21). Speakers discussed the prospects for a newly vibrant local debt funding option, and an economic and business environment where cautious optimism is the mood of the day.
New Zealand credit supply debate focuses on bank issuance
The New Zealand primary bond market picked up around the turn of the fourth quarter after a disappointing first half. An expected uptick in bank issuance – including additional capital securities – also appears to be underway. But the challenge of undersupply remains, leading to fundamental questions about the role of the local credit market.
Building a capital market to support sustainable growth
For the first time, the KangaNews New Zealand Debt Capital Market Summit brought together the heads of institutional bank at New Zealand’s big-four banks to discuss the capacity and capabilities of the local market, the economic outlook and the next wave of challenges and opportunities.
No easy answers to Australia’s housing supply crisis
Housing availability and affordability is one of the most problematic areas of the Australian economy, bringing tremendous social costs and wider ramifications. A panel of experts discussed the issue at the KangaNews Corporate Debt Summit 2024, with the conclusion that the issue can probably only be fixed over a protracted period and with attention directed to the right areas rather than being distracted by political and media commentary.