Speaking in Singapore, NAB CEO Andrew Irvine said Australia is attracting strong interest from global and Asian investors as capital is redeployed in a more uncertain world.
03 March 2026 | 2 mins
1 May 2026
Australia’s superannuation system has become one of the largest and most influential pools of long‑term capital in the world. As funds grow in scale and invest increasingly offshore, the role of banks supporting the system is evolving.
For NAB, supporting the superannuation sector means taking a system-level view of how capital is being deployed, understanding how the system is changing, and helping funds execute their investment strategies with resilience and discipline.
A system‑level perspective
NAB’s role as a banking partner to the superannuation sector is grounded in a long-standing relationship with the system and a deep understanding of how it operates end-to-end.
The NAB Superannuation Insights Survey (PDF, 627KB) is the largest and oldest survey dedicated to the Australian superannuation sector and has been an industry standard for the last 24 years. It captures the views of participants managing around 85 per cent of APRA-regulated fund assets and is a central pillar of thought leadership in the sector.
Group Executive Corporate and Institutional Banking Cathryn Carver said NAB helps superannuation funds consider more than financial results when investing.
“For super funds, choices about where and how to invest are not only about returns. Those decisions shape long-term relationships in markets that underpin Australia’s prosperity and security," Ms Carver said.
“NAB is proud to support our super clients as they invest globally and put Australian retirement savings to work with confidence.”
Cathryn Carver, NAB Group Executive - Corporate & Institutional Banking
Through relationships with super funds, asset managers and international partners, NAB sees how capital flows through the system and where operational and execution complexity is increasing. That perspective helps inform how the bank supports clients as the system continues to expand, both domestically and offshore.
Being alongside clients in global markets
Staying closely connected to global markets is an important part of maintaining that system-level perspective.
NAB’s attendance at major global superannuation forums this year reflects that approach.
In March, NAB attended the US Super Summit, spending time alongside Australian superannuation clients, global investors and policymakers. Discussions focused on infrastructure investment, global markets, geopolitical complexity and the realities of deploying capital at scale across borders.
In April, NAB attended the Paris Superannuation Summit, convened by IFM Investors with a focus on long-term investment in France, and Europe more broadly. The summit brought together senior leaders from Australian and UK super funds, alongside representatives of the OECD, French Government and the Australian Government in France, and institutional market participants.
For NAB, participation in these forums is about being alongside clients in the markets where they are investing, listening carefully to their priorities, and ensuring the bank’s capability continues to align with the needs of the superannuation system.
From investment decision to execution
The ongoing international expansion of super funds presents a number of opportunities. The real challenge now is how to deliver on it.
Managing liquidity, funding, foreign exchange, governance, operational resilience and risk across jurisdictions is becoming more complex, particularly at times of economic volatility. These considerations sit beneath the investment decisions, but they are critical to achieving long‑term outcomes for members.
NAB supports superannuation funds to operate reliably as portfolios grow by supporting clients across fund finance, liquidity and collateral management, FX and risk management, and cross‑border structuring.
NAB helps super funds translate long-term strategy into effective execution by combining deep sector insight with expertise in the practical mechanics of global investing.
Looking ahead
Australia’s superannuation system plays an increasingly important role in global capital markets. As that role grows, so does the responsibility to ensure investment strategies are executed prudently and sustainably.
NAB’s focus is to support super funds in meeting that responsibility. By being present in key markets, maintaining deep understanding of the system, and supporting reliable execution we help ensure the strength of the sector and the stability of the ecosystem.
