Morning Briefing: Spring housing market set to take-off

High clearance rates are signalling a potential boom in the spring housing market... APRA chairman adds support to Banking and Finance Oath...

Spring housing market set to take-off
High clearance rates are signalling a potential boom in the spring housing market, despite signs of a cooling in the Sydney and Melbourne markets, The Australian reports.

National clearance rates topped more than 75 per cent in the last week of August, according to RP Data Core Logic, with Sydney and Melbourne rates above 77 per cent. 

Ray White chairman Brian White said, “You never beat a record in winter, but our figures have been quite spectacular. Our record was $4 billion (in sales) in March and we have gone close to that throughout winter.”

APRA chairman adds support to Banking and Finance Oath 
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority chairman Wayne Byres has added his signature to around 500 others who have signed the Banking and Finance Oath, according to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Established four years ago, the oath is there to provide an 'ethical anchor' in financial services and improve trust in the industry.  

In April, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens said the BFO "can make a very worthwhile contribution, if enough people are prepared to sign up and exhibit the promised behaviour."

"Finance depends on trust. In fact, in the end, it can depend on little else..." he said. "In the end, though, you can't legislate for culture or character. Culture has to be nurtured...character has to be developed and exemplified in behaviour. For all of us in the financial services and official sectors, this is a never-ending task."