澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2016-03-27（在线收听）

ANZ has flagged the 100-million-dollar rise in bad debts over the past month because of its lending to resources company. That brings the expected provisions for bad debts for more than 900 million dollars for the first half of the financial year. The ABC emphasizes latest increase in bad debts. It’s mainly related to ANZ’s loans to coal mining giant P-body Energy and still an iron ore producer Arian. 

And Westpas says it may need to increase its bad debt losses because of 5 big corporate clients. The ABC understands one of those companies is likely to be / firm Slater & Gordon. Westpac also says it increased provisions by 25 million dollars after signs of stress in consumer loans in Western Australia and Queensland. 

Now those fears about big banks’ loan books and falls in mining stock dragged down the local share market ahead of the Easter holidays. ANZ fell more than 5%. Westpac dropped more than 4%. Santos rose after news that a Chinese firm had taken a 12% stake. The All Ordinaries Index fell 1%. The ASX 200 closed down 58% to 584. To commodities, Spot gold fell on the prospect of higher US interest rates. Oil price has dropped after US supplies rose to a record high. And weaker commodity prices saw the Australian dollar fall to below 75 US cents.