News archive for May 2017

May 2017

Regional property hotspots: can they rival the Sydney city market?

Regional property hotspots: can they rival the Sydney city market?

Sydney has long been the top property market in Australia, with booming house prices and demand far outstripping supply. But the housing market is showing significant growth outside our capital cities as well, revealed a new report from the Housing Industry Association.

Big bank levy could mean more mortgage rate hikes

Big bank levy could mean more mortgage rate hikes

Major bank customers could wind up paying an extra $40 a month on their home loans, if banks do as they’ve suggested and hike interest rates in order to cover the Budget’s big bank levy.

Westpac drops term deposit rates by as much as 60bp

Westpac drops term deposit rates by as much as 60bp

Stashing cash in a term deposit with a high interest rate is known for being a safe way to grow funds, however savers may be disappointed to hear that over the last two months a number of banks have reduced the value of their deposit accounts.

Budget’s big bank levy could open the door for fintech lenders

Budget’s big bank levy could open the door for fintech lenders

In the 2017 Budget announcement, Treasurer Scott Morrison announced a 0.06% annual levy on key funding sources for Australia’s major banks - a cost that could be passed on to Aussie borrowers and may drive them toward alternate lending sources.

Big banks total half year profits crack $15 billion

Big banks total half year profits crack $15 billion

As expected, the big 4 have totalled a profit of $15.7 billion for the first half of the year. They’re also set to rack up $792 million in extra interest over the next six months thanks to the recent home loan variable rate rises.

CommBank retains AMEX partnership in rewards card revamp

CommBank retains AMEX partnership in rewards card revamp

The Commonwealth Bank’s suite of rewards credit cards are in for a revamp after the major has today announced that it will introduce a range of lower earn rates for American Express companion cards, while scrapping the foreign exchange fee on two of its AMEX premium companion cards.

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011