26 Apr 2012

Strong performance by finance companies - survey

9:04 am on 26 April 2012

A report on the state of the banking and finance sector identifies gaps in lending after the collapse of some finance firms.

KPMG's Finance Institutions Performance Survey measured the profitability of banks and non-banks in 2011.

It says finance companies' combined profit rose by more than 30% to $219 million driven by large cuts in their operating expenses.

The report says 2011 was less volatile for the sector though two firms went into receivership and another into voluntary liquidation.

KPMG partner John Kensington says the shakedown since the global financial crisis has lead to some big opportunities in the sector.

He says lower value car loans, plant and machinery and property all offer opportunities.

The report says finance firms expect to grow, some of them through acquisition.

But the executives surveyed say they will build on a strong core, rather than upset years of hard work by moving into riskier or new specialist areas.