NEWS & VIEWS

Is this the right time to buy a house?

Check if you're financially ready to buy a house in Australia amidst increasing property prices and mortgage rates.

Australian banks unite to stop scammers – how you can protect yourself

Australia’s banking industry is stepping up its war on scams and fraud, launching a new Scam-Safe Accord intended to put scammers out of business in Australia. 

Westpac and NAB the next big banks to hike fixed + Westpac hikes new customer variable rates

Westpac and NAB – Australia’s second and third largest lenders – have both hiked the majority of their fixed rates for both owner-occupiers and investors, in some cases by up to 0.25 percentage points.

More lenders to help buyers with low deposits through Home Guarantee Scheme

More of Australia's biggest banks are now part of the Australian Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme. Westpac subsidiaries St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA have joined into the scheme.

Shoppers warned to stay on track this Black Friday

Shoppers planning to hit the Black Friday sales should create both a list of things they need, and a water-tight budget, to avoid overspending or getting caught up in unnecessary debt.

Extreme weather insurance costs set to triple by 2050: are you prepared?

Australians are resilient but the inflating cost of insurance premiums, as a result of extreme weather, will test our resolve over the course of the next few decades. Consider other economic factors, such as rising interest rates plus inflation, and the forecast is quite bleak. Discover what you can do to combat the doom and gloom.

Queensland doubles first home owner grant – what this means for you

The Queensland state government has announced that it would be doubling the state’s first home owner grant (FHOG) from $15,000 to $30,000, in what was described as a pre-Christmas bonus. So how does this affect Queenslanders hoping to put their first foot onto the property ladder in the new year?

Which banks have hiked term deposits and savings accounts in November 2023?

The November 2023 meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board saw the national cash rate rise by 25 basis points to 4.35% - the thirteenth hike of the current cycle that began in May 2022. 

Top 10 storm hotspots – is your home covered?

New research has revealed the locations in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland that were hit hardest by wild weather over the past financial year. With Australia coming into an El Nino summer, it’s important to make sure your home insurance is prepared, especially if you’re living in one of these areas.

Some of the top-rated home loans for investors and refinancers in November 2023

Many of Australia’s banks and other mortgage lenders have already announced that they’re raising their home loan interest rates following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board’s November 2023 meeting. Homeowners and investors hoping to get a better mortgage deal may need to look beyond a home loan’s cost and consider the overall value offered by different lenders.

Growing your wealth: should you invest or save?

Whether you're striving to expand your wealth or expedite your savings for future endeavours, there are various avenues to make your money work for you. Two common methods are investing in shares or stashing your funds in a savings account or term deposit. However, determining the best approach is not always straightforward.

CBA to lift rate on 3-year fixed mortgages in addition to variable hikes

CBA, Australia’s largest bank, will be increasing the rate on its 3-year fixed mortgages, for both owner-occupiers and investors by 0.30 percentage points, effective in two days’ time (17 November).

Australians to cut back on Christmas spending: how to avoid credit card debt this silly season

For those hoping to get through the silly season by using their plastic, it's a timely reminder for everyone to exercise caution and steer clear of credit card debt.