Economy expert to appear at Be.Bendigo breakfast

BENDIGO Bank chief economist and head of economics and markets research David Robertson will be the guest speaker at Be.Bendigo’s annual State of the Economic Market Breakfast next week.

Fresh from issuing the bank’s February economic update, Mr Robertson will appear from 7am to 9am on Tuesday 18 February at the All Seasons Resort Hotel Conservatory in Strathdale.

He will deliver a comprehensive update on the Australian economy and will supply expert forecasts on the economic trends shaping 2025.

Before joining the bank 23 years ago as head of financial markets, he worked in a range of senior roles in Treasury for the State Bank of NSW, First Chicago and Commonwealth Bank.

Mr Robertson compiles a monthly economic update and his regular market commentaries draw on decades of economic research.

In his February update last week, Mr Robertson said a cash rate cut was highly likely this month and predicted that household income will probably recover despite a complex global landscape.

“There is obviously a high probability of a rate cut at the RBA’s February 18 meeting,” he said.

“We’ve flagged for over a year now the view that the RBA would be cutting rates in the first half of 2025.

“The fourth quarter CPI data out last week clearly supported that timing, bringing forward the first cut from May most likely to February.

“Core inflation fell to below both our and the RBA’s forecasts in Q4, dropping to 3.2 per cent.

“And with underlying inflation running at only 0.5 per cent in the fourth quarter, everything is on track for the RBA target to be met this year.”

Mr Robertson said the monthly indicator for December was even more benign, showing the RBA’s preferred core measure (the Trimmed Mean) ended 2024 at 2.7 per cent.

“So this faster progress has the market rating a February 18 rate cut at around an 80-90 per cent chance,” he said.

Mr Robertson’s full February update can be found online at bendigobank.com.au/media/bendigo-banks-february-economic-update.

The breakfast usually sells out, but those interested in attending can check for tickets at events.humanitix.com/state-of-the-economic-market-breakfast-with-david-robertson-2025.

The event is open to Be.Bendigo partners, members and non-members.