Business Research & Insights

You’re invited to our Cyber Security Awareness webinar on Tuesday 21 November proudly hosted by NAB Professional Services.

Hear NAB’s senior expert panellists discuss a range of topics to provide key insights to help you and your business prepare for the current property market climate.

Digital technology is transforming the professional services sector. Two experts in the field share their insights and experience to help you improve how you do business.

Cost pressures ease amid resilience in activity

As cyber threats continue to grow, professional services business need to know where best to build their defences. Here’s expert advice on getting maximum bang for your protective buck.

Employment index rises as resilience continues

An exclusive webinar on the Commercial Property Development Market. Watch now.

The impact on SMEs

How big is the issue for SMEs?

Conditions still above average despite warning signs.

SMEs see conditions weaken in Q2 as economy slows

Conditions still above average despite warning signs

Could the end be nigh for the hourly billing model favoured by many professional services firms? As technology turns the dial towards value-based pricing, we examine the advantages in measuring outcomes rather than hours.

Worrying signs of a slowing in activity

Hear NAB’s senior expert panellists discuss a range of topics to provide key insights to help you and your business prepare for the current property market climate.

How big is the issue for SMEs?

The impact on SMEs

Our economists stayed up all night so they could break down the Federal Budget for Australian businesses. Watch their take.

Business owners can look forward to energy bill relief, cash flow support and an extension of the instant asset write-off as part of this year's Federal Budget measures.

Conditions slowly normalising but still high for now.

How prevalent are attacks & scams & how are businesses & consumers responding?

Little improvement in cost pressures for SMEs in Q1

Conditions hold up, price pressures ease

The shape of Australian insolvency

There’s never been a better time for regional professional services firms to take on their city counterparts. From new recruitment models to technological advances and more, here’s how to make the most of the opportunity.

Confidence volatile but conditions still strong

New-year confidence boost as resilience continues

Conditions eased for SMEs in late 2022.

How big is the issue for SMEs & what are they doing to overcome these challenges?

The impact on SMEs & how business is responding.

Economy beginning to slow; inflation peak passed

NAB senior leaders discuss the 2023 business outlook and where the opportunities will lie.

Confidence now negative, despite strong conditions.

The impacts on business & supporting local manufacturing to address them

Conditions still strong but confidence weaker

The coming months will be full of opportunity but also challenges for the growing professional services sector. With staffing a critical factor, we identify the trends you should navigate to become an employer of choice in 2023.

Easing conditions for small firms, despite strong demand

Hear NAB’s senior economists discuss the trends, data and patterns shaping Australia’s property sector.

Conditions roar as costs show signs of easing

No signs of slow down yet as strong conditions roll on.

An exclusive webinar on the NAB Professional Services Accounting M&A Report 2022. Watch now.

A volatile night where earlier price action in Asia was largely reversed.

A broad rise in core global yields has been the big news overnight, fuelled by a better-than-expected US ISM report and news UK PM Truss is planning a huge debt-funded fiscal stimulus.

Eurozone bonds yields and stocks falling on the latest jump in energy prices – both oil and gas – following confirmation the NordSteeam1 gas pipeline will remain shut while Russian sanctions are in place.

A goldilocks payrolls report failed to support risk assets on Friday, with equities and the USD quickly reversing on news that Russia was not restarting gas flows through the Nord Stream pipeline

The bond sell-off shows no signs of abating with a stronger than expected US ISM Manufacturing helping to drive the US 10yr yield up.

August has been a terrible month for balance fund investors with no diversification gains from holding a portfolio of equities and bonds.

Goldman’s noted inflation could hit 22.4% y/y in the UK in early 2023 if gas prices don’t moderate and if there is little in the way of cost of living relief.

Confidence & conditions rally as economy strains capacity limits

Confidence falls despite strong post-Omicron conditions.

The impact on business, and how SMEs believe supply chain issues can best be solved.

How big an issue are they for SMEs, what are their expectations & how does business think they can be resolved?

Business confidence falls further while conditions hold up.

Global Central Banks have been lifting interest rates to combat 40-year high inflation numbers. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? Watch now.

Global Central Banks have been lifting interest rates to combat 40-year high inflation numbers. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? 

The Great Rethink has employees reconsidering what they want from an employer – and whether a job fits with their lifestyle and values. Here’s how professional services firms can factor this into the value proposition they offer staff.

Confidence eases but conditions and outlook remain strong.

Watch as our experts discuss the elements of a successful merger or acquisition, from building a solid strategy to understanding the importance of cultural fit to balancing pricing considerations.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has started raising rates for the first time since November 2010. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? Watch now.

Conditions rise further on Recreation & Personal Services recovery.

Omicron weighed on SME conditions and confidence in Q1.

Conditions surge higher as costs, prices hit records.

Activity, employment strengthen as prices push higher.

This NAB Private Wealth webinar delivers insights into Cyber Security and Fraud.

SME businesses shared in post-Delta rebound

Peter Loukas, Property Executive NAB presents his insights on the residential property survey.

Conditions deteriorate as Omicron peaks.

We look at the domestic and global interest rates outlook for 2022 and why interest rate risk management is an important consideration for many businesses.

Omicron dampens confidence, price pressures continue.

Conditions stabilise as reopening progresses

Our NAB Growth Strategies from High Performing Businesses virtual panel discussion provides unique perspectives and practical knowledge to grow your business. Hear from business owners within professional services who have taken advantage of growth opportunities over the past 12 months.    

NAB senior leaders discuss the economy and the opportunities for business in 2022.

To prosper in today’s very different working environment, professional services firms should look to master an ‘anywhere operations’ model. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Conditions and confidence rise out of lockdown.

SME conditions fall under lockdowns.

Confidence rebounds on the back of roadmaps, vaccination.

Selling your accounting firm is a momentous moment – perhaps one of the biggest business decisions you’ll ever make. So, when the time comes, where should you start?

Confidence and conditions tick up.

It looks like being a boom year for mergers and acquisitions. If your client is looking to sell or merge, here’s how to ensure it’s a success.

Confidence and conditions fall further with ongoing lockdowns.

Very strong SME business conditions in Q2.

Want to maximise the chances of a successful transition from your professional services business? Then you need to start work on a succession plan today. Here’s how. 

Confidence falls on virus fears.

It’s do or die when it comes to connecting digitally with today’s consumers. With a recent report revealing many in professional services lack a clear digital marketing strategy, we look at what it takes to succeed.

Business conditions continue to boom.

People: Our biggest asset & future business owners - sustaining a high performance culture.

Improved staff engagement levels can be a real revenue booster – and there’s opportunity for the professional services sector to get on board. Here’s how to start building a happier, more productive workforce. 

Business confidence and conditions hit new highs.

Confidence pulls back from record high, but conditions lift.

How diversification and expansion have paid off for CAAA… and the lessons that can help you grow your own practice.

Business conditions reach a record high.

Real estate businesses were justifiably anxious in early 2020. A year later they have good cause to celebrate. So how did we get here and can it last?

Business conditions bounce, confidence rises further.

SME confidence hits a record high as conditions rebound

Accountants with a human-centric service mindset have nothing to fear from accelerating their digital capabilities. They may even find it brings them closer to their clients.

Business confidence rises, while conditions pull back.

Business conditions improve to multi-year highs.

As law firms continue to look for ways to stay competitive amid digital disruption, the need for their own innovative technology is greater than ever. But what to invest in?

Despite new research showing small to medium businesses are struggling to keep pace with digital transformation with the added challenge of COVID, there are ways to get programs back on track.

NAB senior leaders discuss the economy and the opportunities for business in 2021. Watch the video now.

Further gains as the economy continues to open up

COVID-19 deepened the faith business clients have in their accountants. What better time to build that advisory business?

Business confidence rose to its highest level since mid-2019, led by a large gain in Victoria.

SME Conditions & Confidence better in Q3, but still weak.

As they rapidly evolve to meet the challenge of COVID-19, so Australia’s accountants, lawyers and financial service experts have been there to support their clients’ survival.

Law firms are keeping their heads above water for now. But do they have what it takes to survive in the long term?

Conditions continue to recover, but confidence remains fragile.

The human touch and an agile response put two very different firms in the driving seat.

The SME sector sees a large COVID hit.

Both business conditions and confidence continued to rebound in June – though it is important to note they are still weak in level terms.

Podcast: Can the professional services sector continue to lead in the months ahead?

NAB Private Customer Executive Greg Morris hosts Charter Keck & Cramer Chairman Scott Keck and NAB Valuations Manager Alex Dimou to discuss the Melbourne residential property landscape and share their positive outlook for the market.

Latest podcast: Did COVID-19 usher in new business model era?

Business confidence remains very weak despite a rebound in the month.

Brett Moore, Customer Executive Professional Services leads a discussion with NAB experts Alan Oster, NAB Group Chief Economist, Dean Pearson, Head of Economics Research and Mark Browning, NAB's Head of Residential Valuations in sharing their view on the varying impacts COVID-19 has had on the Real Estate industry.

New podcast: How professional services are responding to COVID-19.

Business confidence saw its largest decline on record and is now at its weakest level in the history of the NAB Monthly Business Survey.

As we face an unprecedented health & economic challenge this webinar discusses NAB's support package. NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster also shares his view on the economy and the impact Coronavirus will have on industries.

SME confidence declines ahead of the COVID-19 disruption.

Confidence heads lower and Conditions now neutral.

Uncovering the business impact of the bushfires through the eyes of over 500 Australian SMEs.

Special survey on the second round impact of recent bushfires.

SME conditions and confidence edge lower.

More of the same in early 2020.

The final monthly business survey of 2019 provides further evidence that activity stabilised in Q4.

What does next year hold for Australian business owners? Listen to our podcast for NAB Chief Economist Alan Oster’s 2020 vision on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Business conditions tracked sideways in the month, and appear to have stabilised at low levels, after declining significantly between mid-2018 and 2019.

Conditions and confidence each saw a small improvement in the month with conditions edging up 1pt and confidence lifting 2pts – though both remain below average.

Business conditions rose 1pt in September to +2 index points. This continues the below average run of business conditions but suggests that the trend weakening since mid-2018 has slowed.

Both business confidence and conditions declined in the month, with both now at +1 index point – well below long-run averages.

NAB’s inaugural Legal Services Industry Survey offers key insights into what SMEs truly need and value.

We're seeing below average confidence and conditions. The picture remains unchanged since last month - business sector has lost significant momentum since early 2018 and forward looking indicators don't point to an improvement in the near term.

Despite an up-tick in confidence, conditions deteriorate.

Business conditions continued to ease in Q4 and while they remain above average, forward looking indicators point to potential further weakness.

Business conditions ease slightly.

Overall sentiment in commercial property markets (measured by the NAB Commercial Property Index) moderated in Q2. The Index fell 4 points to +17 but remains well above its long-term average (+3).

Favourable business conditions persist.

Participants in the Professional Services Awards receive independent, verified feedback from their clients, not to mention publicity and a morale boost if they win. Entries open this month and, with a fast and easy application process, there is no reason for your firm not to join.

Business conditions strong and businesses have their say on tax.

Business conditions strong and businesses have their say on tax.

Overall sentiment (measured by NAB’s Commercial Property Index) rose 4 points to +21 in Q1.

The NAB Residential Property Index rose 3 points to +23 in the March quarter 2018 and remains well above its long-term average (+14).

Accountants should be reassured that most SMEs view them as trustworthy. Yet, at the same time, they may wish to reconsider how they can better help their business clients. NAB’s inaugural Australian Accounting Industry Survey offers telling insights into what accountants are doing well – and where they could better respond to what their customers need and value.

Strong improvement in SME business conditions in Q4 2017, while confidence retreated a touch.

The quarterly NAB Business Survey gives a more in-depth probe into the conditions facing Australian business than the monthly survey, and also provides extra information about how firms perceive the outlook for their respective industries.

Sentiment towards Australian housing market positive in Q4, but confidence wanes. NAB’s view for 2018 largely unchanged, but degree of moderation ramped up.

Could you get more value from your financial services provider? If you only ever talk tax, you could be missing out. Stannards’ Marino Angelini explains changes in the health practice and accountant relationship and why wealth building, cost cutting and asset protection should all be part of the service.

The inaugural NAB Professional Services Awards winners were announced on December 12. The awards celebrate the small and mid-sized professional service firms that consistently add value to Australian businesses.

Dr Lyn Bishop fought battles on all fronts to establish Sheldon College. Her entrepreneurial approach to education created a successful independent school in just 20 years, and here she details the challenges and obstacles she overcame along the way.

SME business conditions and confidence both improved in Q3.

The NAB Quarterly Business Survey showed a continuation of the very upbeat conditions for firms into the September quarter.

Overall sentiment in commercial property markets moderated for the second straight quarter, with NAB’s Commercial Property Index down 5 points to +18 in Q3, but still well above long-term average levels (+2).

Australian housing market sentiment lifted over the third quarter of 2017, supported mainly by a large increase in the number of property experts reporting positive rental growth in the quarter and continued house price growth in most states.

Over 130,000 Australian business owners will benefit from a complete overhaul of NAB’s existing business standard loan form contract.

Traditional law and accounting firms need to take a hard look at their business models and ways of pricing, or they risk getting left behind. The man who brought the term NewLaw to the world and has researched and written extensively on the subject gives five pieces of advice.

Australia’s next phase of growth must be defined by ideas, creativity and execution. Our future lies in our ability to foster a culture of innovation. But how do we measure innovation across all sizes and types of business?

Under the pressure of managing day-to-day responsibilities, successful business owners don’t always realise they may also be in a position to build a property portfolio.

Hard work, patience, sound recruitment practices and good advice are behind the growth of Johnson Partners, according to Theo Rigopoulos. These attributes have helped the accountancy firm grow tenfold. Now employing 40 staff, it’s in demand with SMEs and high-net-worth individuals.

Money educator Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon and Paul Fog, General Manager of Financial Planning at NAB, explain why teaching younger Australians to be financially literate has never been more important.