Daily Dispatches: Perpetual pushes for more fin planners

Perpetual is making a push to boost the number of financial planners in its stable as part of a strategy to become the market leader in advice for high-net worth clients. (The Australian)

The major banks stand to make about $660m in additional cash profits next year if they decide to match Westpac's 45-basis-point rise in interest rates. For Westpac, which ranks as the second-biggest home lender, the earnings boost is the biggest, with some $230m in additional cash profits expected to flow from this week's interest rate rise, analysts calculate. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Activity in the service sector expanded for a second month in November while employment grew for the first time in 17 months, an industry survey shows. The Australian Industry Group (AiG)-Commonwealth Bank performance of services index (PSI) eased 2.3 points in November as sales came off the boil, but at 52.5 still remained above the 50 level that marks the threshold between growth and contraction. (Business Day)