From IN THE BLACK April 06 When it comes to succession planning, many business owners overlook the obvious: selling to their own employees. It’s the dilemma facing all ageing business owners. What to do with the company upon retirement? Many will choose a trade sale of the business. But few are thinking about a sale to their [...]

Also published in Crikey! as well as The Sheet. Commonwealth Bank’s stockbroking business Commsec may face a bigger challenge this year to its leadership of the online broking market as competitors Westpac and National Australia Bank market have upgraded online trading platforms. With listed company IWL buying Westpac’s online broking partner JDV last year, National and Westpac now [...]

Commercial property from the March edition. The insatiable demand for office space, especially in Perth and Brisbane, is completely out of step with supply. So expect steep rent hikes over the coming years.

From the Wealth section. ONLINE TRADING - HOW TO MAKE MONEY AND AVOID EXPENSIVE MISTAKES NET TRADING: IT’S HIT OR MYTH By Ed Charles COVER STORY You need to shop carefully for an online share trading service, then use it wisely, says Ed Charles

Change of tack for Adelaide in the mortgage market By Ed Charles Adelaide bank has emphasised its commitment to achieving a five per cent share of the home loan market through the introduction of innovative products while increasing its margins through better use of technology.

By Ed Charles It’s been a frantic start to the year for the number three online broking company Etrade Australia, a firm in which ANZ Bank owns a 34 per cent stake.

From the Wealth section of The Australian in December Be careful about the fine print in balance transfers, reports Ed Charles

For In the Black in December 2005. Ed Charles tells why reverse mortgages should be handled with care, and vetted by professionals. This is a story about how a new car or a cruise might cost pensioners their home. It’s about the lucrative reverse mortgage, where banks will lend up to 45 per cent of a home’s [...]

Commissioned by The Australian for an advertising report that was spiked. Insurance and superannuation are two of those necessities that most of us choose to ignore. We are baffled by the concepts let alone the detail in the small print. In short, these products are not friendly to the average consumer. Yet it is the average consumer [...]

When workers own shares in their companies they are motivated and loyal. So why are Australian companies failing to catch on? From In The Black November 2005 Power to the people. Get them to buy shares. Even better, give them shares in the company for which they work. The staff are no longer revolting. They’re [...]