The author has been described by News Ltd as an "iconoclast", "Svengali", a pollie's "economist muse", and "pungently accurate". Fairfax says he is a "Renaissance man" and "one of Australia’s most respected analysts." Stephen Koukoulas concludes that he is "85% right", and "would make a great Opposition leader." Terry McCrann claims the author thinks "‘nuance’ is a trendy village in the south of France", but can be "scintillating" when he thinks "clearly". The ACTU reckons he’s "an enigma wrapped in a Bloomberg terminal, wrapped in some apparently well-honed abs."

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

SMH: Rumours fly of fifth pillar to emerge in bank sector

Fascinating:

AUSTRALIA could soon have a powerful new player in the world of retail banking, with Macquarie Group believed to be in talks with Mark Bouris' listed Yellow Brick Road Group over a distribution deal that could be unveiled as early as this week. The deal would give Yellow Brick Road access to the billions of dollars sitting on Macquarie's balance sheet to provide home loans via Mr Bouris' network of more than 140 branches across the country. News of the proposed tie-up circulated the Birdcage at Flemington on Tuesday, where racing tips and interest rate chatter usually dominate. The key rumour was that Australia's big four banks could soon have a fifth rival knocking on their door.
at 7:28 AM