Oliver Curtis on Firmus: From prison barber to AI billionaire

Angira Bharadwaj and Joyce Moullakis on why CBA ended up in the middle of a billion dollar loan fraud scandal, how its spreading to the other banks and who might be behind it. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading:Escalating $1b loan fraud scandal threatens to engulf top banksAUSTRAC is investigating a widening mortgage loan fraud scandal, after a syndicate duped Commonwealth Bank into writing $1 billion in loans off fake payslips.AUSTRAC calls in 10 banks for key meeting on spike in mortgage fraudThe agency requested data from the lenders as it works to assess the extent of the fraud and whether properties funded by criminal proceeds should be seized.CBA probes $1b in suspected fraudulent home loans, calls in policeThe country’s largest bank is working to assess how many loans have been secured based on doctored applications, including documents created using AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our two-part series, Inside Edge, we go behind the scenes of the corporate regulator's high-stakes war on insider trading. We trace the thin line between a "great piece of gossip" and a federal crime, revealing why this is the easiest law to break-and the hardest to prove. As a massive new crackdown looms, ASIC boss Joe Longo reveals his growing frustration with the courts: "The sentences aren't as strong as we would like." Find out if you're closer to the edge than you think.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Fin podcast, Jonathan Shapiro and Emma Rapaport on what's behind the Magellan and Barrenjoey merger and whether there's enough room for another homegrown investment bank. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:Magellan merger delivers billion-dollar bonanza for Barrenjoey staffSince the merger was announced, Magellan’s shares have risen by more than 33 per cent, lifting the paper wealth of Barrenjoey’s 463 staff to over $1 billionBooming Barrenjoey swallows parent Magellan after only 5 yearsBarrenjoey and Magellan are tying the knot to create a mini-Macquarie in a $1.62 billion deal. We’d tip one side to dominate the merger.Lowy family takes major stake in Magellan after merger with BarrenjoeySteven Lowy, a principal of Lowy Family Group, the family’s private investment business and family office, said it had a long history with Magellan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology reporter Amelia McGuire and Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald on whether Curtis' AI start-up Firmus can live up to the hype. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:Firmus lands $600m-plus annual tech giant deal as it eyes ASX floatThe artificial intelligence start-up has already announced a $70 billion plan to work with Nvidia and CDC Data Centres on facilities across the country.Firmus plans mid-year IPO after sealing $14b Blackstone dealThe AI data centre provider co-founded by Oliver Curtis has secured the huge debt facility to build its so-called AI factories across Australia.The new iron ore: Can AI ‘tokens’ become Australia’s next great export?Having exhausted excess power in the US, the tech giants want to have AI factories in Australia. Are we the lucky country again, or is it all a trick?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on the radio stars' falling out and whether ARN can use it to exit one of the worst deals in Australian media history.This podcast is sponsored by Aussie BroadbandFurther reading:Kyle Sandilands fires back at ARN: ‘I am not in breach’The high-profile radio personality says his employer denied him due process after it accused him of serious misconduct and cut up a $200 million contract.Jackie O declares: ‘I did not quit’ radio showIn a statement on Friday Jackie Henderson said she was “deeply saddened by the events of the past week” after her radio partnership with Kyle Sandilands ended.Kyle and Jackie O’s radio rift was about more than star powerThe pair’s two-decade run atop broadcasting with the most expensive show of its kind has come to a sudden and acrimonious end. We look inside the implosion.                                                                ‘There is no line’: how Kyle Sandilands thrives in the cancel culture era The radio host on his record-breaking contract, expanding business empire and what the PM did at his wedding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, resources reporter Peter Ker on the challenges ahead for Australia’s iron ore industry, why copper is booming and what miners are doing to ensure the country remains a resources powerhouse. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:Iron ore giants face billion-dollar hit from China-backed price switchA new index for the country’s most lucrative export has been lower than the long-time benchmark for the vast majority of days since it was launched this year.Size counts in mining’s game of relevance, but not that much GlencoreBHP and Rio shares are at record highs and their bosses are being courted at the White House. So how can Glencore boss Gary Nagle say they’re irrelevant?Copper displaces iron ore as BHP’s best earner, supercharging profitsThe Big Australian, like its rivals, pivoted towards commodities critical to the energy transition, with production of the red metal to grow 25 per cent by 2035.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Technology editor Paul Smith and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on why financial markets are suddenly spooked, which businesses are most at risk from AI disruption and whether the concern is overblown. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading:WiseTech drops Australia’s first AI jobs bombRapid, large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence is happening, with the companies most at risk of disruption leading the charge.AI comes for the software giants, and Australia is no safe havenOne venture capitalist warns there will be “roadkill”. Another says the market is “schizoid”. Artificial intelligence is making tech increasingly turbulent.Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei warns AI has the potential to tear society apartDario Amodei’s Anthropic is behind the most popular AI platform for businesses worldwide, but he has serious worries about the technology tearing society apart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political editor Phillip Coorey and former Labor adviser and columnist Lidija Ivanovski on Angus Taylor’s big move, the threat from One Nation and why this might not be the last leadership contest before the next election. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading:It’s Timmy v Jimmy, with CGT the first battlegroundJim Chalmers and Tim Wilson both harbour leadership ambitions. Treasury will be their sparring ring, and both will be determined not to come off second best.Taylor’s big advantage could be 35pc of voters don’t know who he isThe new opposition leader is standing at the bottom of a mountain and there is doubt among many in his own party that he can climb it.Jane Hume has become the Liberals’ woman problem by tearing down LeyThe new deputy leader might be able to charm some with her confidence and presentation, but her record does not look like that of a champion for working women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Fin podcast: journalist Lucy King on the global scam operators targeting Australian investors, how the brother of Olympic breakdancer Raygun came to be working for them and why they are so hard to shut down. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading:Raygun’s brother linked to global scam network with nearly 40,000 Aussie victimsAn AFR investigation unravels corporate registries to link Brendan Gunn, brother of “Raygun”, with a global network that has fleeced victims of millions.‘Devastated’: How I lost $500k in a crypto ATM scamMary, 85, is one of thousands of victims of Australia’s boom in crypto ATM’s, which suck in $275 million a year, and are the “getaway cars” for scammers.Modern money laundering explained: Inside a $2.2b crypto heistThe washing of money through digital tokens is fuelling global crime. We trace the funds from the robbery to its final “integration” and explain why Australia needs stronger international rules.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, James Eyers on why key executive and eldest son Peter Fox has taken an unexpected break from the company, what it means for the Linfox succession plan and why handing over mult-billion dollar family fortunes is so hard to do. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading: Peter Fox’s long absence puts Linfox succession plan in the spotlightFor seven decades, billionaire businessman Lindsay Fox has loomed large over the empire he built from one truck. Who will succeed him is an open question.Peter Fox on extended leave at Linfox as non-family directors step upThe son of the trucking magnate has been on sabbatical since December, with others outside the family appointed chairman of various logistics businesses.‘We’re not going anywhere’: Peter Fox says Armaguard’s future assuredThe Linfox boss hopes an independent pricing model is swiftly approved by the competition regulator, so a new enterprise deal can be struck with the union.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.