Home Loans

Westpac subsidiaries St George, BankSA and RAMS have announced they will be shelving their home loan cashback incentives from next month.

Eden Radford -

03 May, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

Australia’s biggest bank, CBA, has revised its cash rate forecast, reducing the number of predicted RBA cuts in 2024 from three 0.25 percentage point cuts, to just one, scheduled for November.

Eden Radford -

30 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

According to many economists, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is unlikely to change the national cash rate at its upcoming meeting on 18 and 19 March 2024. The real question is whether recent economic updates could affect when the RBA is likely to announce its first rate cut.

Mark Bristow -

12 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Credit Score

While it’s not that common, it is possible for your credit report to contain mistakes. If you think there’s a mistake on your credit report, there are steps you can take to make sure it is corrected.

Eden Radford -

12 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Credit Score

In Australia, only a very specific list of businesses and lenders can access your credit report - and they must only do so for specific reasons.

Eden Radford -

15 Mar, 2024 -

2 min read

Credit Cards

Credit card debt attracting interest charges has risen for the third month in a row in a sign an increasing number of households are struggling to get on top of their debt in 2024.

Eden Radford -

09 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Cards

Australia’s biggest bank, CBA, has decreased the number of interest-free days available on its rewards cards in the latest credit card shakeup.

Eden Radford -

01 May, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Cards

Having credit card debt may not be out of the ordinary, but if you’re struggling to pay that debt off, it’s worth taking a moment to figure out a game plan, and fast.

Eden Radford -

11 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Car Loans

Records were made to be broken, at least when it comes to Australians buying cars. As car purchasing accelerates, it’s important for buyers to carefully consider their finance options before committing.

Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

Data shows Australians are increasingly looking to personal loans to secure finance. However, before committing to a personal loan, it’s important to compare the available options and consider your needs to make sure you’re selecting a loan that offers the most value for your needs.

Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

A fixed rate personal loan offers a sense of financial security, while a variable rate personal loan can take advantage of fluctuations in bank interest rates.

Peter Terlato -

06 Jun, 2023 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced work with representatives from the banking industry on reforming Consumer Credit Insurance (CCI) in Australia.

Mark Bristow -

02 Aug, 2017 -

3 min read

Home Insurance

It may surprise no-one to learn that Australia’s cost of living has increased over the past quarter. However, it was higher insurance premiums across house, home contents and motor vehicles that contributed to some of the largest price rises. Which could mean now is as good a time as ever, to be looking carefully at your current policies and comparing some alternatives to see if you could be getting better deals.

Mark Bristow -

08 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

Australia’s major banks’ savings rates are set to come under fire from tomorrow as they front the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics.

Eden Radford -

11 Jul, 2023 -

5 min read

Savings Accounts

A new research report has evaluated the mobile banking apps of Australia’s top lenders, and revealed which of Australia's leading banks has the best mobile app. But what questions can you ask a bank to work out if its app will suit your needs?

Mark Bristow -

01 Nov, 2023 -

4 min read

Savings Accounts

At its June 2023 meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board pushed the national cash rate up to 4.10%; the highest it’s been since April 2012. While these hikes are putting borrowers under increased pressure as their borrowing power shrinks, some savers may be able to benefit from rising savings rates that could make it easier to increase their wealth.

Mark Bristow -

13 Jun, 2023 -

4 min read

Bank Accounts

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. 

Mark Bristow -

24 Nov, 2023 -

3 min read

Bank Accounts

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a royal commission into Australia��_s banking sector, following repeated calls for an inquiry into the scandal-prone sector from the finance community and beyond.

Mark Bristow -

30 Nov, 2017 -

3 min read

Bank Accounts

The number of ATMs and bank branches has dropped by more than one in 10 in the last financial year, as banks and customers move their transactions online.

Eden Radford -

19 Oct, 2023 -

8 min read

Term Deposits

Many Australians were taken by surprise when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) chose to raise the national cash rate by 25 points to 3.85% in May 2023, following a pause the month before.

Mark Bristow -

12 May, 2023 -

3 min read

Term Deposits

To take advantage of this special offer, simply deposit $5,000 or more in a First Option Bank 6-month or 12-month standard term deposit and you’ll earn a fixed rate of 5% annual interest over that period.

Peter Terlato -

18 May, 2023 -

3 min read

Term Deposits

With interest rates at or near their peak, this may be a strategic moment to consider stashing some of your savings in a term deposit.

Peter Terlato -

08 Aug, 2023 -

2 min read

Superannuation

Commonwealth Bank has become the only major Australian bank to offer SMSF home loans, alongside a number of smaller lenders.

Nick Bendel -

05 Aug, 2018 -

2 min read

Superannuation

The federal government is briefly shifting its attention from Australia��_s banking systems to its superannuation providers, commencing the final stages of a review into the efficiency and competitiveness of the superannuation system.

Mark Bristow -

03 Jul, 2017 -

2 min read

Investment Funds

Commonwealth Bank has entered into a court-enforceable undertaking with ASIC over its participation in the setting of the bank bill swap rate (BBSW).

Nick Bendel -

11 Jul, 2018 -

2 min read