SME Insights

After a challenging two years, we welcome the support offered to Australian SME businesses by the Federal Government in the 2022-23 Budget.

Set against the challenges of an inflationary environment, labour shortages, and heightened labour costs, business lending in Australia is set to rebound this year, and SMEs will play an important part in our nation’s ongoing economic rebuild.

From gloom to boom! Hot off the press, the 10th edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics Report - and the last edition for the year - providing an in-depth analysis of Australia’s economic recovery and the outlook for 2022. Read the full Judo Bank SMEconomics Report 10th Edition below.

Term deposit rates are mainly determined by money markets rates, which in turn are heavily influenced by the RBA’s cash rate. Individual banks and other financial institutions have some flexibility to set their deposit rates, but they will rarely deviate much from the prevailing market interest rates. More on why interest rates are low and how Term Deposits compare to other investment options, here.

Welcome to the 9th edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics Report. This edition provides a first look into Australia’s economy in 2022 – How will consumers be spending their money in 2022? Will labour shortages persist and are the interest rates expected to increase? Click below to read the full Judo Bank SMEconomics Report 9th Edition.

Given the dynamics of 2021, we felt that it was important to undertake another comprehensive health check of the SME economy six months on from the last report. This mid-year report reveals that one in two SME businesses (with a turnover of $1 million to $50 million) are in a growth/expansion phase, whilst one in two also attempted to access new funding in the last six months. Sadly, this report shows that some things never change, particularly when it comes to the major banks.

Welcome to the 8th edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics Report, providing you with the latest insights into Australia's current economic outlook and recovery. In this edition, we address the continued economic expansion occurring across Australia, the state of household finances, challenges in the labour market and the implications for SME business, with a particular focus on the hospitality, construction and export related sectors. Click below to read the Judo Bank SMEconomics Report.

Australia has emerged from the pandemic in a stronger position than most, but now the time has come for a more future-minded approach to economic management. On Tuesday 11th May 2021, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will announce the 21-22 Federal Budget.

At Judo, we are purpose-built to serve SMEs. That’s why we’re bringing you the key takeaways from this year's Federal Budget, in the context of what it means for you as a business.

Welcome to the 7th edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics Report. After what has been a year unlike any other, 2021 is all about economic recovery and the outlook for growth. This edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics report provides insights into the outlook for the housing market, inflation, population growth impacts on the economy and the end of JobKeeper. Along with the growth outlook for the world’s two biggest economies, the US and China and implications for Australian businesses.

As a relationship-focused bank, we are committed to supporting our customers and non-Judo customers through the current economic environment and beyond. In partnership with renowned economist Warren Hogan, we’ve created an essential Federal Budget eBook and podcast. We hope the insights and perspectives contained within both provide Australian SMEs with welcome clarity and direction. The government’s message is clear. The economy has been on pause for long enough, now it's time to press play and get Australia and Australian businesses moving forward again.

A tumultuous year for lives and businesses yet, despite all the claims of support, a glaring hole remains in banking service standards for Australian SME businesses. Less than a year after gaining our banking license, Australia was met with the worst recession in a generation and a public health crisis that shook the world.

2020 has been a year unlike any other with the impact of the COVID pandemic being felt across the global economy. This edition of the Judo SMEconomics report examines the Australian economic landscape and provides insights into what the recovery looks like for Australian business now and into the future.

2020 has seen businesses across the world navigate unthinkable challenges. Young businesses have experienced impact so great that not even those with decades of experience knew where to turn, while more established companies have seen years of success wiped out overnight. But with six months of pausing and pivoting in our rear view mirror, what’s next for business? Judo shares its top tips for businesses on how to close 2020 with momentum as we adjust to a COVID normal.

A guide to the most important budget of a generation. As a relationship-focused bank, we are committed to supporting our customers and non-Judo customers through the current economic environment and beyond.

In partnership with renowned economist Warren Hogan, we’ve created an essential Federal Budget eBook and podcast. We hope the insights and perspectives contained within both provide Australian SMEs with welcome clarity and direction.

On 24th April 2019, Judo Bank officially became a bank. With Joseph Healy and David Hornery at the helm, we set off on our mission of making lending human again, transforming the banking landscape for SMEs that need it most. Having spent much of his career working with the Big 4, Judo Bank co-CEO Joseph Healy wanted to bring back relationship banking in its truest form, with small to medium businesses the key focus.

This is serious. When will it end? Where will it end? In early May, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released data suggesting that almost 1,000,000 people had lost their jobs since mid March 2020. The job losses from March/April this year are simply staggering. As the Governor of the Reserve Bank and others have said, we have not seen losses of this magnitude since the Great Depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s.

We don’t need to pump you with statistics to demonstrate what a catastrophic year 2020 has been for Australia. In the wake of the tragic bushfire crisis, we saw a mere moment of relief before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and tore apart lives, jobs and businesses. In darkness, however, there can be light. Today, Judo Bank shares some of the most compelling examples illustrating the true magnitude of the Covid-19 crisis, before exploring the unexpected reasons to smile.

Never has the focus on safety and wellness for you and your team been more important. At Judo Bank, safety and wellness is fundamental to our ability to steer the team safely through these troubled waters. We understand that not all SMEs have the benefit of a fully resourced HR function, so today, we’re sharing some insights from our HR team, on how to protect and nurture your people during these difficult times.

Starting a business can be as stressful as it is exciting. Whether it’s your first business or seventh, it’s important to lead with confidence and not let your feelings get in the way. To steer towards long-term success, it helps to learn about calculated risks as much as you can. Knowledge and awareness can keep you on track and help you feel more in control.

If you have not updated your Term Deposit with a nominated bank account (the external bank account your payments are directed to) or the details for your nominated bank account are incomplete, please log in to your Internet Banking and update your nominated account details. Unfortunately, we cannot pay out any money from your Judo Term Deposit until we have the details confirmed for your nominated account. If you are unable to update your nominated account details prior to your next payout date, any funds due to be paid out will roll into your Term Deposit or will be rolled into a new Term Deposit if the payment is due to occur at maturity.
For a step-by-step guide please click the link below.

If you have not updated your maturity instructions your account will currently be set to roll over into a new Term Deposit at maturity. If you are comfortable letting your deposit roll over into a new Term Deposit for the same term, then no action is required. However, if you would like to change these maturity instructions, including topping up your deposit or paying out some or all of your deposit, please update your maturity instructions prior to the date of maturity by logging in to your Internet Banking. For a step-by-step guide please click the link below.

If your Judo Bank Term Deposit is due to mature soon and you have not confirmed your Tax File Number, withholding tax will be deducted from the gross amount of interest paid to you. To avoid being charged withholding tax, please update your tax details by logging in to your Internet Banking and selecting the "My details" option on the left-hand side menu. Please note, you need to update your details prior to your Term Deposit maturing to avoid being charged withholding tax.

While many of us may fantasise about opening a business, the dream is often quite different to the reality. Once you progress from goal setting to planning, your vision may seem significantly more challenging to achieve. But if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and do the hard work, it can be incredibly enriching and rewarding.

Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics Report. Our aim is to provide you with ideas - food for thought and discussion. We don’t have all the answers, but we can have a go at making sense of the world we live, and do business in.

Welcome to the 1st edition of the Judo Bank SMEconomics report – ‘Calling it as it is’. Here we explore a few key topics particularly relevant to SMEs and provide you with some ideas. We don’t have all the answers but between us we can work things out...