Term Deposits

Could a term deposit help to safeguard part of your wealth from uncertainty? Selecting the best solutions to protect your assets and grow your investments isn’t always easy, but there are a range of options to consider.

Mark Bristow -

15 Mar, 2024 -

4 min read

Term Deposits

When working out where to invest or deposit your money, should a term deposit get a look-in? While term deposit returns may not be the highest of all investment options, their relative reliability and security could make them worth considering.

Mark Bristow -

12 Apr, 2024 -

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

Credit Cards

Australians lost over $55 million to scams in the first two months of 2024 alone, according to data from ACCC ScamWatch, with investment scams accounting for the overwhelming majority of the money lost by victims.

Eden Radford -

13 Apr, 2024 -

5 min read

Credit Cards

Fraud on payment cards is returning to pre-pandemic levels, with authorities and police warning Australians to be vigilant against scammers over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Mark Bristow -

22 Dec, 2023 -

3 min read

Home Loans

While interest rates are important, Australia’s borrowers, first home buyers, investors and refinancers may also want to compare more than just rates when looking at home loans. When comparing home loan features and benefits, it’s important to consider which of these extras may offer you the most value in your financial situation, and help you to achieve your personal goals.

Mark Bristow -

10 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

The latest APRA data shows money in offset accounts hitting a record high, while mortgage arrears continue to climb.

Eden Radford -

13 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Home Loans

The value of refinanced home loans staged a small comeback in February, with ABS Lending Indicator data recording a $478 million bump.

Eden Radford -

09 Apr, 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

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

Australians are reportedly moving away from personal loans, in a partial reversal of an earlier uptick in lending activity earlier in the year. While new data shows a decline in personal lending overall, there are still competitive personal loans available for borrowers who know where to look.

Mark Bristow -

09 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

The latest lending indicators from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) saw the value of new loan commitments for fixed term personal finance rise 6.1% in August, following a rise of 6.0% in July 2023.

Mark Bristow -

06 Oct, 2023 -

2 min read

Savings Accounts

How big a difference does your savings account interest rate really make? You may be surprised by the effect that a high-rate savings account could have on your wealth, depending on your saving strategy. Just make sure that the account you choose is one that suits your needs and can help you reach your goals.

Mark Bristow -

15 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

How long will you be able to make the most of the interest on your savings account? With economists forecasting interest rate cuts later in the year, the days of making maximum interest returns on your wealth may be numbered. There are a few different savings strategies you could consider, which could better suit some household budgets than others.

Mark Bristow -

10 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

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.

Paul Marshall -

15 Nov, 2023 -

9 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

Superannuation

More and more Australians are approaching retirement age, when it’s time to start accessing their superannuation savings. But many of these older Australians could be paying too much tax on their super investment earnings, which could be fixed by making one change.

Mark Bristow -

24 Aug, 2023 -

3 min read

Superannuation

Most Australians understand the importance of choosing the right superannuation fund.

Nick Bendel -

30 Nov, 2019 -

3 min read

Investment Funds

To celebrate World Investor Week (2 _ 8 October 2017), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have put together a list of tips to become ��_smart investors��_.

Alex Ritchie -

04 Oct, 2017 -

2 min read

Investment Funds

Australia��_s stock market posted solid gains in 2017, thanks to strong growth during the final quarter. The All Ordinaries rose 7.8 per cent over the year.

Nick Bendel -

02 Jan, 2018 -

2 min read

Investment Funds

Diversified investors can expect solid returns this financial year, but not as high as in 2017-18, according to a prominent economist. AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver forecast that diversified funds would earn a yield of about 6 per cent in 2018-19.

Nick Bendel -

07 Jul, 2018 -

2 min read

Bank Accounts

The term ‘financial literacy’ describes the combination of awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial wellbeing. A key to being financially stable, building assets and achieving personal goals, financial literacy is something everybody should have and want.

Paul Marshall -

18 May, 2023 -

7 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

Car Insurance

ASIC commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court last week, claiming some insurers used an algorithm to determine whether or not a customer might renew their policy at different premium levels.

Peter Terlato -

05 Sep, 2023 -

4 min read

Cryptocurrency

The decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies can make investing both a gift and a curse. The real question is, are you interested in risking your funds for short-term gains, or are you aiming to invest for the long haul with aspirations for practical application?

Peter Terlato -

15 Sep, 2022 -

7 min read

Cryptocurrency

Altcoins aim to offer investors a unique store of value or establish some sort of online or real-world application. There is a strong appetite for alternative technology projects but with any cryptocurrency investment there is an inherent risk of failure and collapse. You can mitigate your risks by doing your research and learning more about this growing industry.

Peter Terlato -

21 Sep, 2022 -

6 min read

Car Loans

The new vehicle sales in Australia have continued to climb, with new data showing that four of the past five months have each been record months. 

Mark Bristow -

04 Oct, 2023 -

3 min read