The Fin

Angira Bharadwaj and Joyce Moullakis on why CBA ended up in the middle of a billion dollar loan fraud scandal, how its spreading to the other banks and who might be behind it. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading:Escalating $1b loan fraud scandal threatens to engulf top banksAUSTRAC is investigating a widening mortgage loan fraud scandal, after a syndicate duped Commonwealth Bank into writing $1 billion in loans off fake payslips.AUSTRAC calls in 10 banks for key meeting on spike in mortgage fraudThe agency requested data from the lenders as it works to assess the extent of the fraud and whether properties funded by criminal proceeds should be seized.CBA probes $1b in suspected fraudulent home loans, calls in policeThe country’s largest bank is working to assess how many loans have been secured based on doctored applications, including documents created using AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our two-part series, Inside Edge, we go behind the scenes of the corporate regulator's high-stakes war on insider trading. We trace the thin line between a "great piece of gossip" and a federal crime, revealing why this is the easiest law to break-and the hardest to prove. As a massive new crackdown looms, ASIC boss Joe Longo reveals his growing frustration with the courts: "The sentences aren't as strong as we would like." Find out if you're closer to the edge than you think.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Fin podcast, Jonathan Shapiro and Emma Rapaport on what's behind the Magellan and Barrenjoey merger and whether there's enough room for another homegrown investment bank. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:Magellan merger delivers billion-dollar bonanza for Barrenjoey staffSince the merger was announced, Magellan’s shares have risen by more than 33 per cent, lifting the paper wealth of Barrenjoey’s 463 staff to over $1 billionBooming Barrenjoey swallows parent Magellan after only 5 yearsBarrenjoey and Magellan are tying the knot to create a mini-Macquarie in a $1.62 billion deal. We’d tip one side to dominate the merger.Lowy family takes major stake in Magellan after merger with BarrenjoeySteven Lowy, a principal of Lowy Family Group, the family’s private investment business and family office, said it had a long history with Magellan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology reporter Amelia McGuire and Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald on whether Curtis' AI start-up Firmus can live up to the hype. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:Firmus lands $600m-plus annual tech giant deal as it eyes ASX floatThe artificial intelligence start-up has already announced a $70 billion plan to work with Nvidia and CDC Data Centres on facilities across the country.Firmus plans mid-year IPO after sealing $14b Blackstone dealThe AI data centre provider co-founded by Oliver Curtis has secured the huge debt facility to build its so-called AI factories across Australia.The new iron ore: Can AI ‘tokens’ become Australia’s next great export?Having exhausted excess power in the US, the tech giants want to have AI factories in Australia. Are we the lucky country again, or is it all a trick?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on the radio stars' falling out and whether ARN can use it to exit one of the worst deals in Australian media history.This podcast is sponsored by Aussie BroadbandFurther reading:Kyle Sandilands fires back at ARN: ‘I am not in breach’The high-profile radio personality says his employer denied him due process after it accused him of serious misconduct and cut up a $200 million contract.Jackie O declares: ‘I did not quit’ radio showIn a statement on Friday Jackie Henderson said she was “deeply saddened by the events of the past week” after her radio partnership with Kyle Sandilands ended.Kyle and Jackie O’s radio rift was about more than star powerThe pair’s two-decade run atop broadcasting with the most expensive show of its kind has come to a sudden and acrimonious end. We look inside the implosion.                                                                ‘There is no line’: how Kyle Sandilands thrives in the cancel culture era The radio host on his record-breaking contract, expanding business empire and what the PM did at his wedding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, resources reporter Peter Ker on the challenges ahead for Australia’s iron ore industry, why copper is booming and what miners are doing to ensure the country remains a resources powerhouse. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:Iron ore giants face billion-dollar hit from China-backed price switchA new index for the country’s most lucrative export has been lower than the long-time benchmark for the vast majority of days since it was launched this year.Size counts in mining’s game of relevance, but not that much GlencoreBHP and Rio shares are at record highs and their bosses are being courted at the White House. So how can Glencore boss Gary Nagle say they’re irrelevant?Copper displaces iron ore as BHP’s best earner, supercharging profitsThe Big Australian, like its rivals, pivoted towards commodities critical to the energy transition, with production of the red metal to grow 25 per cent by 2035.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Technology editor Paul Smith and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on why financial markets are suddenly spooked, which businesses are most at risk from AI disruption and whether the concern is overblown. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading:WiseTech drops Australia’s first AI jobs bombRapid, large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence is happening, with the companies most at risk of disruption leading the charge.AI comes for the software giants, and Australia is no safe havenOne venture capitalist warns there will be “roadkill”. Another says the market is “schizoid”. Artificial intelligence is making tech increasingly turbulent.Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei warns AI has the potential to tear society apartDario Amodei’s Anthropic is behind the most popular AI platform for businesses worldwide, but he has serious worries about the technology tearing society apart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.