Banks are close to making $10b in profits, but do they deserve it?

Banks are close to making $10b in profits, but do they deserve it?
Lending is a two-way street, not a one-way dead-end. (Image: Unsplash)
Cameron Bagrie
Ten billion dollars. Is that number going to be reached when we see the next lot of pre-tax bank profits? I suspect it is.Strong income, low costs and the lows in the credit cycle are a powerful combination.Banks are large enterprises and, yes, they should make significant profits. But those profit figures should make us ask some hard questions.Do banks take enough risks? The financial metrics say: not really.How can we screw the scrum towards more productive lending? What are the barriers?Do borrowers show enough skill in managing and taking r...

More Finance

Lenders referring borrowers in trouble to non-profit services
Finance

Lenders referring borrowers in trouble to non-profit services

Financiers pushing KiwiSaver withdrawals rather than acting responsibly, advisers say.

Maria Slade 13 Jun 2025
Mainland Capital delivers $50m raise for Chch hospital expansion
Finance

Mainland Capital delivers $50m raise for Chch hospital expansion

The oversubscribed raise will help fund a new state-of-the-art private hospital facility.

Oliver Lewis 13 Jun 2025
FNZ employee shareholders told success more likely
Finance

FNZ employee shareholders told success more likely

Account show loss at global fintech widens. 

Victoria Young 05 Jun 2025
NZ Super ahead of the curve on US equities
Finance

NZ Super ahead of the curve on US equities

New Zealand’s sovereign wealth fund has been overweight in European equities.

Gregor Thompson 03 Jun 2025