Mobile banking was found to be the most rapidly growing banking channel in new research, with around double the number of Australians using it over a four-week period in comparison to those who visit branches. Roy Morgan said around 44.7 per cent of Australians use mobile banking in an average four weeks, in contrast to only 22.9 per cent who use branches. The researcher added around two-thirds (65 per cent) of the population now either use mobile or internet banking over a month, Roy Morgan said, showing an upward trend.

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Macquarie Group is well placed for growth in its wealth management, according to Morgan Stanley, which expects the bank’s gross inflows in its alternative assets sector to more than double in 2H19. The report has also forecasted Macquarie’s Investment management flows to improve from flat in FY18-19 to around 3.5 per cent in FY20-21, with stronger asset management and commodities revenue to drive 2 per cent of its earnings per share upgrades. Morgan Stanley has upgraded gross inflows for the alternative assets business Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) for the second half, now expecting around $20 billion instead of its prior $8.5 billion, citing reasons including the firm gaining external management of the $2.5 billion The Infrastructure Fund (TIF) in Australia.

Despite the number of women investing online doubling over the last five years, they still only represent a fifth of Australian online investors, according to a study. Research from Investment Trends has shown female online investors have been on the up, going from 76,000 in 2013 to 150,000 last year. The data also shows ESG factors tend to be prioritised more by women in comparison to men.

Nearly half of Australian investors are influenced by environmental, social and governance factors when choosing funds or companies to invest in at 43 per cent, a study has found. The Legg Mason Global Investment Survey, involving 16,810 investors from 17 markets, including 1,000 Australians, showed 88 per cent of investors believe that fund managers should actively ‘police’ companies they invest in to ensure they act responsibly. Around 55 per cent of respondents said they avoid businesses with controversial track records.