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

Australians love a good life hack and offset accounts are no exception, but as with all good hacks, it’s worth double checking the details to make sure there's no catch.

Eden Radford -

06 Mar, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

For anyone looking to secure a home loan, the stage 3 tax cuts - and the subsequent increase to your take home pay - could mean your borrowing capacity, gets a bump too.

Eden Radford -

22 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Savings Accounts

Money in the bank from households hit another record high in March, with new figures from APRA revealing Australians stashed more than $8.2 billion in the bank in just one month.

Eden Radford -

30 Apr, 2024 -

4 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

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

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

Navigating a tough financial situation can be tricky - so to help provide some guidance, RateCity spoke to Joanne Edwards, Chief Operating Officer of Wisr, a neo-lender and fintech that is focused on improving the financial wellness of all Australians and helping them make smart decisions.

Eden Radford -

24 Apr, 2024 -

6 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

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

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

Has your term deposit been effectively losing you money in the past? With Australia’s inflation falling faster than expected, it may be getting easier to find term deposits that can keep your money from going backwards. But it’s important to compare the available options and choose a term deposit that will suit your needs and help you reach your savings goals.

Mark Bristow -

12 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Bank Accounts

Do you know that lipstick sales are considered a way to know if we’re in a recession? It’s called the lipstick effect, or the lipstick index, and it’s regarded by some as a helpful way to understand how consumers are responding to an economic downturn.

Eden Radford -

25 Mar, 2024 -

4 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

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

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the time of year when a lot of money gets spent on everything from grand romantic gestures to elaborate weddings. While a personal loan could offer the financial support you need to splurge on your loved ones when the cost of living is high, it’s important to consider your budget and your credit score, and to carefully compare personal loan options before you apply.

Mark Bristow -

08 Feb, 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

Credit Score

Having bad credit may make applying for loans and credit cards feel impossible. But it is possible to recover from a bad credit score, though the length of time it will take may vary. Checking your credit report is often a good start, as is demonstrating your financial responsibility.

Mark Bristow -

28 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Score

Just as a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, an excellent credit score can begin when you’re young. Your track record of managing money can have long-lasting repercussions later in life, making it important for young Australians to start building positive credit habits as soon as they are able.

Mark Bristow -

20 Jun, 2023 -

5 min read

Credit Score

With increased awareness of the threat of cyberattacks, it’s easy to feel concerned about the safety of your personal information. Criminals with access to your details could steal your identity, fraudulently run up debts in your name, and ruin your credit score, making accessing money and credit in the future much harder.

Mark Bristow -

21 Oct, 2023 -

5 min read

bnpl

Not all Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) companies run a credit check when you sign up for memberships, and these checks may not always affect your credit score. However, your BNPL activity could still make an impact on your credit history, which could affect your chances of seeing future credit applications approved. 

Vidhu Bajaj -

14 Jun, 2023 -

4 min read