In the latest Weekly Finance News Wrap, we cover significant developments in the Australian financial sector. The holiday season sees Australians projected to spend $1.3 billion on Boxing Day, despite high inflation potentially outpacing sales growth. The Australian Retailers Association highlights the importance of festive sales and the challenge from international retailers, suggesting potential interest rate cuts in 2025 to boost consumer confidence. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank upholds rates, fostering hope of a 4.10% cut in February. Amidst economic uncertainty, certain sectors, such as accommodation, are benefiting from resilient consumer spending. Turning to banking, ANZ deals with shareholder dissatisfaction due to questionable executive remuneration plans and allegations of market manipulation. This serves as a reminder of the importance of governance and leadership in maintaining stakeholder trust. Visit financialservicesonline.com for your finance needs.n