In brief

BANKING

Big banks giving satisfaction

Consumers' satisfaction with the big four banks reached almost 79 per cent in February, the highest level in more than 16 years, says Roy Morgan Research. But despite the gains, big bank satisfaction levels are still behind those of smaller banks, which have a satisfaction level of just over 85 per cent.

ECONOMY

Optimism rising

Almost two-thirds of small business owners are optimistic about sales in the next year, according to a biannual survey by Bibby Financial Services. This is a 10 percentage point increase over six months. But almost half are more concerned about the global economy.

BONDS

Roller-coaster ride for markets

Australian bond markets are at their most volatile in six months. The difference between the daily high and low implied yields for three-year bond futures in Australia averaged 10.3 basis points this month, the most since September. "There's a bit of a tug-of-war," says Citigroup's Steven Mansell. "It's spurring higher levels of volatility."