The global crisis was not an aberration but a structural inevitability.

ANZ says the economy is at a "turning point", after a fall in its bad debts and fatter margins are set to propel the Asian-focused lender to a record half-year profit of as much as $2.4 billion.

ANZ has declared the economy is at a "turning point" after a fall in bad debts, with fatter margins set to propel the Asia-focused lender to a record half-year profit of as much as $2.4 billion.

THE growing divide between the biggest and smallest of the big four banks was underlined yesterday after National Australia Bank revealed that increasing competition and flat revenue growth had held back any immediate post-global financial crisis profit boost.

THE growing divide between the biggest and smallest of the big four banks was underlined yesterday when National Australia Bank revealed that increasing competition and flat revenue growth had blocked any immediate profit improvement as the global financial crisis faded.