News Archive for November 2020

It may seem like everyone is overseas, however, domestic travel is on the rise in the last 12 months with a 37% increase on spend reported by the Australian Government Tourism Research of Australia.

For many Australians, the first experience they have with managing and saving money comes with using a bank account or savings account from one of the big four banks.

Christmas is officially a month away, which means Aussies across the country are getting their wish lists in order and wallets ready. To make Christmas shopping a little more worthwhile this year, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform, Zip has launched a new campaign that gives back to its customers. Zip Pay customers who use ‘Tap and Zip’ will receive 3% back on all transactions (up to a maximum of $30 per transaction) at any physical or online stores that accept Visa. Tap and Zip launched in late October and is a feature that lets Zip users make a contactless payment with their smartphone. It can be used for everyday spending on things like groceries, public transport and petrol. “Consumers are increasingly turning away from traditional models of credit because they aren’t fit for a purpose,” said chief customer officer at Zip, Steve Brennen. “Throughout the pandemic, more than 800,000 credit cards have already been cancelled by Australians looking for better ways to pay.” Just keep in mind that the bonus 3% back offer is only available until 8 January, 2021.

All in this week’s best banking news: editor’s pick.

All manner of things can impact your car insurance, from your driving history to your age and even where you park your car. As you might expect, a big factor is the kind of car you drive.

Borrowers are being urged to beware of the banks' fixed rate home loan offers after analysis by Mozo.com.au found that some banks are luring in borrowers with ultra low fixed rates that revert to extremely uncompetitive variable rates once the fixed loan term ends.

Australians have long enjoyed North American pop culture, from TV shows, to movies and music. Now we’re also indulging in the (in)famous Black Friday sales.

After a tough year for many businesses, things are looking up at long last. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that revenue rose for 24% of businesses this month. Indeed, with more Australians now out and about, Christmas could present a great opportunity for your business to boost its sales even further so you can start off the new year strong and in the green. “One in five (22%) businesses indicated they have capital expenditure plans over the next three months, with about three quarters (73%) of these businesses expecting to spend the same or more than what is usual for this time of year,” ABS’s head of industry statistics, John Shepherd said. Whether you’re looking to purchase more supplies or build out your digital presence to attract online shoppers, having extra funds at the ready could make all the difference over this busy holiday season. That’s when an alternative non-bank business loan comes in. With applications that take just minutes and funding in 24-48 hours, these business loans are an easy way to secure the finance you might need over summer. With that said, there are a number of different loan options out there, some of which might suit your business needs better than others. Scroll down for four types of business finance to help you get the ball rolling for December …

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales ramping up and Christmas not far off, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has urged online shoppers to be extra vigilant. According to the ACCC’s Scamwatch, online shopping scams have increased by a massive 42% in 2020. The platform revealed that it has received over 12,000 reports of scams this year, equaling nearly $7 million in losses so far. The ACCC’s deputy chair Delia Rickard says that due to COVID-19 restrictions, more people have turned to shopping online. She says that scammers are now narrowing in on people doing Christmas shopping, including those jumping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. “Scammers create fake websites that look like genuine online stores, offering products at very low prices and victims will either receive a fake item or nothing at all,” Rickard said. “They also post fake ads on classified websites, often claiming they are travelling and someone else will deliver the goods, but the item never arrives and the victim can no longer contact the seller.”Similarly, the losses due to scams on popular second hand websites like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree have skyrocketed to $4.5 million (an increase of 60%).

No matter how much Aussies love Christmas, getting prepared financially for the holiday season always seems to fall off the priority list. But with Christmas a month away, many unprepared Aussies typically lean on a credit card to get them through the festive season. But what if there was another way to pick up your Christmas goodies, without the debt hangover? It’s no surprise that Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have taken off in Australia and is here to stay, with its payment flexibility, easy access and of course, zero interest. In fact, according to Mozo's 2021 Buy Now Pay Later Report, 42% of BNPL users have been using the service for more or three years.

For anyone looking to protect their belongings, the terms renters insurance and contents insurance may seem familiar. Indeed, both will pop up in an online search when looking for insurance for your personal items.

From one extreme weather event to the next. Last summer Australia experienced devastating bushfires, while this year the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that extreme wet weather events will be on the cards as a result of La Niña.

With summer only days away, many Aussies may have already started gearing up for another scorching three months. And between swapping out your bed sheets and picking up some new shorts, switching energy plans might be another thing to add to your to-do list. But if you’re keen to make the process a little more worthwhile, why not opt for a plan that’s got more than just competitive rates. Whether you’re a rewards lover or are keen to hook up a mate, we’ve rounded up four hot energy offers we think are worth taking a look at.

This year Aussies will be more likely to buy Christmas gifts for themselves than for their grandparents, according to new research from ebay.com.au and buy now pay later budgeting tool Afterpay.

Borrowers are flocking to comparison sites to hunt out bargain home loan deals in the wake of the Reserve Bank's latest rate cut, putting the big banks under pressure to keep their mortgage customers.

Planning to spread the cost of Christmas using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)? Well, just in time for the holiday spending season, credit card giant American Express has announced a new partnership with BNPL powerhouse Afterpay. According to Amex, customers can now use their credit cards to earn rewards points on Afterpay payments. All they need to do is set up their card as a payment option. The truth is, using your credit card for BNPL can be tricky business, so it’s important to know exactly how to manage your repayments and avoid further debt.

As the holiday season approaches, you might be thinking about packing up the car and scooting off for some much needed R&R. The last thing you probably want to be pondering as you get behind the wheel is demerit points. However, as the Christmas break equals ‘double demerits’ in the ACT, NSW, QLD and WA, it is worth knowing exactly what they are and whether or not they affect your car insurance.

If you’ve started filling Christmas stockings, you might want to put contents insurance on your holiday list and check it twice.The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show a 3% increase in the number of burglary victims between 2018 and 2019. This contributes to the fourth consecutive yearly rise in overall robbery.While there isn’t much fresh data on break-ins during the holiday period, the ABS does note 72% of burglaries happen at a residential address. So if you’re storing big-ticket presents like jewellery, sports equipment or expensive tech under your bed, it could be the season to investigate insurance.

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic crisis have forced business to re-examine, if not completely overhaul the way they operate, and few sectors have pivoted as emphatically as the banking sector.Today, the Australian banking world looks a lot different than it did a year ago. From mortgage deferrals to new payment methods, rock-bottom interest rates to stricter credit controls, we look at some of the ways banks have adapted in 2020.

Home loan interest rates just keep dropping, reaching new low levels following the Reverse Bank’s November rate cut.

Methods for calculating car insurance costs are complicated. Every insurer can approach it as they choose, applying different weights to various factors.

Just in time for Christmas, Instagram launches it’s brand new ‘Shop tab’ feature, which allows users to shop their favourite brands from right within the app.

When the RBA announces it will be reducing the official cash rate, many Aussies are left anxiously waiting for their home loan lender to make a move and follow suit. This is not surprising given that mortgages are usually the highest expense for any household.But what about the rates on our credit cards? New Mozo research has found that credit card providers have profited a whopping $6.4 billion by failing to pass on 4.40% in cash rate cuts over the past eight years. “The failure to provide rate relief to credit card customers after the RBA cuts the official cash rate has become a bad habit and a multi billion dollar business,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont. “At a time when credit card providers are faced with increasing competition from Buy Now, Pay Later services, something as simple as providing interest rate relief could be the difference between retaining customers or not.”Mozo’s data shows that the average credit card interest rate is also 164 times higher than the cash rate at 16.39%. However, while $20 billion dollars worth of balances are continuing to accrue interest across the country, Aussies have been making the effort to reduce their credit card debt, as balances have fallen by an impressive 46% since 2012.

Prospective first home buyers have more than doubled in 2020, according to new research from Westpac.

Whether you prefer the convenience of living close to work or you’re one of the growing number of Australians looking for a ‘sea change’, it’s no secret location sits high on the priority list for many home buyers.But it goes without saying that properties aren’t worth the same from suburb to suburb. Median house prices could go from as high as $1,154,406 in Sydney to a much lower $145,500 in Broken Hill, according to the latest figures from the Domain House Price Report. By default, that also means saving a 20% house deposit could either take many years of hard work or be a considerably easier task, depending on the location.For instance, 20% of Sydney’s median house price would currently be $230,881. Whereas for a house in Broken Hill, you could aim to raise just $29,100 - about eight times less - before your 20% deposit is complete. To help you decide how much you’ll need for a deposit for your ideal suburb, our data experts have pulled together an interactive map of median house prices across Australia. From Townsville in Queensland to Broome in Western Australia, hover over the various markers to view what a 20% deposit would look like in each location.

After years of misery, the drought spell may finally be breaking for New South Wales, with 82% of the state now declared drought free.But farmers aren’t just rejoicing with a celebratory dance in the rain. New research shows they’re also using this good fortune to fast track their business’ growth. For one, there’s been a surge in agribusinesses buying new farming equipment to prepare for this year’s crop season. The value of business loans lent out for agricultural machinery is up by over 100% in NSW since this time last year, according to figures released by the Commonwealth Bank today. “We’re seen asset finance for ag machinery, particularly tractors and harvesters, increase significantly,” Commbank’s executive general manager of regional and agribusiness, Grant Cairns said. “Across the country, new asset financing for tractors is up 119% - the highest volumes we’ve seen in the past three years, and financing for harvesters is up 108%.”Cairns said those huge percentage jumps aren’t surprising, given how many incentives farming businesses have right now to invest. “Nationally, farm values are up, commodity prices are holding firm, interest rates are at record lows, seasonal conditions have been good, there is strong consumer and retail demand for fresh produce and there’s Government incentives like the instant asset write off scheme,” he said. For context, the instant asset write-off (now extended till 30 June 2021) allows businesses earning up to $500 million per year to claim immediate tax deductions on multiple asset purchases - capped at $150,000 each. This means the write-off would be able to cover ‘big ticket’ items like tractors and harvesters, giving farmers the opportunity to shave off a chunk of their 2020/21 tax bill.RELATED: Small business loan approval sits at 70%: how to apply for yoursThinking of making an investment for your own business? If you need a hand funding your next piece of machinery, get started with one of the equipment finance options below.

With summer right around the corner energy retailer Alinta Energy has reduced electricity prices on its HomeDeal plan this week for customers in New South Wales and Victoria. New South Wales residents within the Ausgrid distribution zone could see reductions of up to 25% off the reference price*, while Victorians in the CitiPower distribution area can expect to see rates reduced by up to 19% off the reference price.** A quick recap: the energy reference price refers to the Default Market Offer (DMO) and is a price cap on what energy retailers can charge on standing offers. Victoria offers the same, however it is recognised as the Victorian Default Offer (VDO). According to Alinta Energy’s general manager of sales and marketing Jane Mills, the decision to reduce prices is a response to record low wholesale electricity prices. “We’re in an environment where wholesale electricity prices are falling and we are going to compete hard for customers off the back of that,” she said. “Our new HomeDeal rates are available to new customers signing up via web or phone or to existing customers who would like to review their plan via phone.” Aside from newly discounted rates, the HomeDeal energy plan features no lock in contracts or exit fees, flexible payment options and access to Reward Shop discounts.  Alinta has also slashed rates on their BusinessDeal plan for small business customers, cutting electricity rates of up to 26% off the reference price in NSW (Ausgrid distribution zone) and up to 15% off the VDO price in VIC (CitiPower distribution zone).  The retailer has also launched small business gas products across NSW, SA and SE-QLD, with Victoria soon to follow on 14 December, 2020. Want to find out how the Alinta Energy HomeDeal energy plan stacks up to other offers in the market? Head on over to our energy comparison tool!  *Based on a customer who consumes 3900 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network. **Based on a customer who consumes 4000 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the CitiPower network

All in this week's best banking news: editor’s pick.

Homeowners may spend thousands of dollars in home renovations to increase the value of their property.

December heralds parties, presents and good cheer. But anyone who plays Christmas host or commits to innumerable secret santas knows all this festive fun adds up.

December is fast approaching … wild, right?  Christmas will be here before we know it, so rather than be caught with a less-than-competitive credit card when shopping for gifts, now could be the time to snag a better deal. “Spreading the cost of Christmas is a must for many Aussies, especially given the year we’ve had,” Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont says. “By opting for a credit card offering 0% interest on purchases, you can avoid paying interest on purchases for anywhere from 6 to 17 months depending on the card you select. This can give you a much needed breather and a chance to repay your festive season spending before being hit with expensive interest charges.”

After the utter mayhem that ensued when borders closed and travellers scrambled to get refunds on flights, research shows that 60% of Aussies have become disenchanted with travel insurance*.

Suncorp officially pulled the trigger on a series of home loan interest rate drops this morning, pushing a few offers below 2.00% in light of the latest Reserve Bank rate cut. This includes a massive 40 basis points shaved off the 2-year fixed rate of its Suncorp Fixed Home Loan (Home Package Plus) Special Offer, which now sits at 1.89% (2.94% comparison rate*) - the lowest among comparable rates in the Mozo database.Or if you’re after a slightly longer term, Suncorp’s 3-year fixed rates also fell sharply by 50 basis points today to 1.99% (2.90% comparison rate*).Note that these rates are only available to borrowers with loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) of up to 80%. For LVRs between 80-90%, your rate would jump slightly to 2.09% (3.07% comparison rate*) for 2-year terms and 2.19% (3.03% comparison rate*) for 3-year terms. On the variable rates front, Suncorp went against the grain of many lenders who left their variable rates unchanged and passed on 14 basis points to its customers. This brings the Suncorp Back to Basics variable loan down to a new low of 2.54% (2.55% comparison rate*). For comparison, that’s a whopping 78 basis points less than the average variable rate in the Mozo database of 3.32%.Interested to know what other features and fees Suncorp’s home loans are offering besides competitive rates? Read on for the details …

As 2020 comes to a close, the time is ripe for businesses to tie up loose ends, including any unpaid invoices, and to get cashflow ready for the holiday season.There might also be a resurgence in sales to prepare for, as research from Westpac and the Melbourne Institute shows consumer sentiment soared to a seven-year high this month. With this in mind, you may want to have extra funds ready in your back pocket just in case you need to buy more stock or hire more employees. “In these turbulent economic conditions, the ability to anticipate demand can be difficult - even at Xmas, which is traditionally a busier season for retail and other upstream industries,” business lender Octet’s head of marketing, Duncan Khoury says. “Invoice finance (otherwise known as debtor finance) can be useful by giving you quick, painless access to the funds tied up in your unpaid invoices, which are often business’ biggest untapped asset.”So if your slow-paying customers still haven’t responded to your nudge on their shoulders, invoice finance could be a great alternative solution. This type of business loan is secured against your outstanding business invoices, granting you up to 85% of your invoice amount upfront (you receive the rest, minus any fees or charges, once your customer pays). That way, you won’t be left high and dry if, say, you’re a wholesaler and new orders suddenly come in from a whole bunch of retailers. Approval speeds are also quick with online lenders like Octet, helping you stay ahead of the end-of-year rush. You may only need to wait 24-48 hours before you can start withdrawing funds from your invoice finance facility.Ready to compare your invoice finance options? We’ve made it super easy for you by rounding up a few eye-catching deals offering fast and flexible funding to Australian businesses.

In a rates dream for home borrowers, Australia's challenger lenders are competing to roll out ultra-low variable and fixed home loan rates from under 2.00%, offering potential savings of tens of thousands of dollars for borrowers who are prepared to compare and switch.

As Christmas approaches after a stressful 2020, an extended break from work could be on the cards. Perhaps you’ll be road tripping around your state, staying with family or heading to a holiday home.

In an effort to keep households on top of their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency for the state, the Victorian government yesterday unveiled a $797 million energy package. Almost one million Victorians will receive a one-off $250 payment to help pay for their energy bills. Those that are eligible for the payment include concession card holders, anyone receiving JobSeeker, youth allowance or the pension. According to Energy Minister, Lily D'Ambrosio, this package is the “biggest household energy efficiency package in any state's history.”"It will make a significant difference to people's power bills, it will put money back into the pockets of Victorians, it will create thousands of jobs and, of course, reduce our emissions," she said.The $250 payment will be available online from 1 February to 31 January 2022. Information on how to register can be found here on the Victorian Govt's Energy Site.

From bee stings to clumsy tumbles, our pets love to get themselves into sticky situations. But if your furry friend was to land in serious trouble, would you be able to keep up with the financial demand of their vet bills? Introducing the 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Award Pet Insurance Provider of the Year, Pet Insurance Australia. With more than 10 years of experience, Pet Insurance Australia can help give pet owners the peace of mind they need during stressful situations. To get a more detailed look of Pet Insurance Australia and their award winning policies, we sat down General Manager, Ali Osmani.

This just in: You can now find the best car insurance in Australia in 2021 here.

As we reach the end of 2020, many Australians - particularly millennials and zoomers - find themselves with a shifted sense of what the future holds, especially following the economic fallout of COVID-19.

The NSW government has detailed plans to phase out stamp duty, as part of a proposed overhaul which could inject as much as $11 billion into the economy over four years.Announced as part of the NSW 2020/21 budget measures, the changes would give home buyers the choice between paying stamp duty or the significantly lower annual property tax.NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet did not mince words in a speech announcing the changes, calling stamp duty “a relic from a bygone era” that is largely incompatible with a more modern tax system. “It is holding our economy back at a time we need to be going full throttle,” he told parliament earlier today.“That’s why we believe that reform is the best way forward. Our proposal would give more people the opportunity to own their own home, and more freedom to live in the home that’s right for them.”If the plan is implemented, the current stamp duty concessions available to first home buyers would also be scrapped in favour of a $25,000 grant, which can go towards refurbishing the property.RELATED: NSW Government to distribute $100 vouchers to get Aussies Out & About“The model proposed could bring tens of thousands of dollars of relief to the average home buyer and turbocharge economic growth,” said Perrottet.“This model would give NSW a realistic pathway to achieving the most important state economic reform of the last half century. Over time it could generate 75,000 new jobs and add an extra $3,300 of income for every household in NSW.”The NSW government has announced other stimulus measures, including giving all adults in NSW $100 worth of digital vouchers in a bid to encourage spending at restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues.For information about the assistance available to households, along with tips to keep your finances in good health amid the current crisis, browse our guide to coronavirus and your finances.

As anyone with loved ones overseas can attest to, spending Christmas away from family is tough. But with travel bans and border closures still in place, that may be the reality for many Australians this year. Still, there’s no need to hit ‘cancel’ on celebrations just yet. Besides navigating time zones to Skype call your nan or sister on Christmas Day, if you’re looking to treat your loved ones to something extra special this festive season, cash is a popular gift option. Given the convenience, speed and low cost of international money transfers, it’s little surprise that they’ve become an attractive avenue for migrants looking to support - or in this case, pleasantly surprise - family back home. In fact, in 2019, Australians sent a whopping $7.44 billion across the globe according to the World Bank.  But before you send off your first batch of cash, it’s worth doing your research on things like how to pick the right provider for your transfer and the biggest traps you’ll want to avoid. To keep you in the know, we’ve answered some of the burning questions you might have about Christmas money transfers below.

The NSW government will be handing out $100 worth of vouchers to be spent on dining and entertainment in a bid to help the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19.The Out & About (Dine and Discover) voucher scheme will distribute four $25 vouchers to all NSW residents over the age of 18. Two will be designated for restaurants, cafes and clubs, and two for entertainment venues such as cinemas and art galleries.Importantly, the program does not allow for spending on retail products, alcohol, gambling or cigarettes.The four vouchers cannot be combined and each voucher is single-use, meaning it will expire even if the cost of the outing is under $25.Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the scheme will help revitalise small businesses across NSW, who have seen activity plummet due to social distancing measures and an erosion of consumer confidence. “We want to encourage people to open up their wallets and contribute to the stimulus effect,” he said.“The dining and entertainment industries were among the hardest hit by the pandemic and I would encourage people to use this scheme once it is up and running and to make sure they spend a bit extra on the way through too.”RELATED: NSW government announces plans to phase out stamp dutyTo be eligible for the voucher scheme, businesses must register with Service NSW and be designated COVID-safe.The vouchers will be made available in early 2021 via the Service NSW mobile app. But a trial of the program is due to commence in the Sydney CBD in December.The government could also take its cues from similar programs rolled out in the UK, in which use of vouchers is limited to less busy days throughout the week.

In August, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) announced that wholesale electricity prices were at their lowest point in years. Flash forward to November and the latest AER Wholesale Markets Quarterly Report shows that this is still the case across the nation. The report found that not only have wholesale energy prices continued to fall but the average prices were below $55 per MWh in all regions. To put that into perspective, the report found that the average price in Queensland was $34 per MWh and $54 per MWh in Victoria. In August, those prices were $56 and $84, respectively. “COVID-19 continues to impact households and businesses, so any reduction in energy prices across eastern Australia is welcome relief for many Australians,” said Energy Minister, Angus Taylor. “Cheaper energy brings benefits across the Australian economy, which is why the Government will continue to take strong action to bring down the cost of energy for all Australians.”

With interest rates at an all time low, now might be the time to reevaluate our motivations when it comes to choosing a savings account. After all, these days savings accounts come with a lot more features than an interest rate. Think round ups, spending insights and so forth.

Many Australians are paying a premium to own their property and for a growing number that high cost has become a bridge too far. In fact, research from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority in August shows there is $229 billion worth of loans in Australia on temporary repayment deferrals, accounting for around 8.5% of total outstanding loans.

The Reserve Bank cut official interest rates to 0.1% in early November, but instead of the usual reductions to variable home loan rates it looks like the majority of lenders are slashing fixed rates instead.Since March, the average 2-year fixed rate among providers we track has fallen from 3.13% p.a. to 2.48% p.a. It’s no longer rare to see fixed rates hovering around the 2% mark — in fact, a handful have already dipped below it.So for anyone in the market for a home loan or thinking about changing the terms of their existing one, the fixed rate options currently available can be enticing. But there are a few things you should know before making a move.

With Christmas less than two months away, it won’t be long until the country starts buzzing with shopping. In fact, many Aussies might have already gotten a jump on their Christmas shopping, as new Citi research shows that the estimated credit card spend for October is 3% higher than September. The top three spend industries are supermarkets (10.3%), household goods retailing (8.85%) and business services (7.06%), Citi reports. Interestingly, hotels, spas and resorts have held a spot as the 11th highest spend category, which head of credit cards at Citi Australia, Choong Yu Lum says could show how many households are planning to spend at the end of the year.  “The credit card industry continues its path to recovery with ‘spend’ increasing month on month. Customer spend patterns reflect a trend towards leisure time and holiday seeking, with behaviour showing consumers are on board with the easing of isolation restrictions and are ready for a break,” he said.

All in this week’s best banking recap: editor’s pick.

Savers may be feeling a little despondent after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the cash rate again in November.

Increasingly Aussie households are playing a role in reducing our nation’s carbon footprint and the numbers support this.According to Origin Energy 44% of Aussies made the switch over to solar power to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions, while 65% said their motivation was to reduce their reliance on buying electricity from the grid. And the good news is, installing solar panels has many other benefits besides supporting a cleaner future.The retailer found that reducing a household’s energy bill was the biggest motivation (90%) for installing solar panels, with a whopping 92% of Aussies feeling extremely or very satisfied with the energy bill savings their panels have produced. Half of Aussies who had solar panels installed also feel less guilty about running their heating and cooling appliances.

Since the Reserve Bank’s (RBA) decision last week to reduce official interest rates to yet another record low, attention has been on the home loans market to see which banks would follow suit. While responses have been varied, with some focused on slashing variable rates and others on moving fixed rates, one thing is clear: even cheaper home loans are now on the table, especially for borrowers with loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) as low as 60%.LVR refers to the portion of the property value that you owe your lender. So a 60% LVR means you’ve either saved a 40% deposit (if you’re a new customer) or built up 40% in home equity (if you already have a mortgage).Over the past few months, there’s been an interesting trend of lenders serving up their top rate discounts to customers with LVRs of up to 60%. In light of the November RBA cut, these discounts have only gotten bigger. Take Reduce Home loans, for instance, who shaved 12 basis points (bp) off its Rate Cutter Variable loan, available only to borrowers with LVRs of 60% or less. This loan was already one of the most competitive offers in the Mozo database, but now it’s fallen even further to just 1.77% (1.83% comparison rate*).

Whether you’re redoing the bathroom or planning your wedding, taking out a personal loan can help make your dreams a reality.

Whether you’ve had your sights set on a new set of wheels, renovating your home, taking that road trip around the country or perhaps consolidating your debt into a low rate repayment, now might be the time to consider getting yourself a personal or car loan to reach those financial goals.But where do you begin? With so many options out there, shopping around can be daunting, but comparing loans is a must! So a great place to begin your search are with the winners of the Mozo Experts Choice Awards for personal and car loans.“We compared a massive 334 personal lending products on offer from 88 Australian financial institutions and found a vast difference in interest rates from provider to provider,” said Peter Marshall, Mozo Experts Choice Awards judge.  “Our in depth analysis highlighted why it is so important to shop around, and with a myriad of smaller online lenders out there competing for your business, you could be paying more than you need to by not comparing your options beforehand.”Personal Loan Provider of the Year

With the end of the financial year now approaching, it could be a good time to think about making an upgrade on your car or motorbike. Car shopping can be a stressful time if you don't have the finances to cover some new wheels, but a low cost car loan could be a handy option for you.

Thinking of buying a new car in 2024? You’re not alone in wanting to switch things up. Uptake for new car loans is on the rise as the cost of living stings consumers, and it’s more important than ever to secure the best deal on your car loan.

The idea of borrowing money on credit has been around since the earliest marketplaces. Indeed, money lending can be traced back as far as the Roman Empire and ancient Greece. What has changed over time is how loans work. Modern day lenders are subject to many more regulations, and loans can be firmly categorised as either secured or unsecured. Plus with the introduction of Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) and the phasing in of Open Banking in recent years, your personal story is crucial to your personal loan. In other words, the amount you need to borrow, together with your credit history, will help determine what loan you choose. In the following report, we’ve broken down the current marketplace, looking at the best personal loans in 2020 compared to a year ago. We also share tips on improving your credit score and how to save money on your loan overall.

If you read finance news around the web, you’ll know that a lower official cash rate - like our newly struck upon benchmark of 0.10% - aims to stimulate household spending and housing investment. In other words, the lower cost of borrowing money means household wealth and cash flow should increase.But not all rate cuts are equal. For example, if you backtrack to the GFC in 2008, the Reserve Bank cut the official rate from 7.25% down to just 3% in less than a year. This rather dramatic series of cuts is said to have helped Australia stay out of a recession back then, notably making home loans much cheaper. It’s not really certain however, how an already very low rate dropping to near-zero will shift our mindsets ... or our money. Ultimately if you need to borrow money right now, you should still do your homework.

Whether you have comprehensive car insurance, third-party property or third-party fire and theft, car insurance can be a valuable asset, but it doesn't cover every scenario.

By now, you’ve probably heard that the Australian cash rate has hit an all-time low after the Reserve Bank of Australia brought it down to 0.10% on the 3rd of November 2020. You might be wondering how this could impact you.

Remember pre-pandemic commuting? Trains and buses were packed Monday to Friday, morning and night, in cities all across the country.

It’s November and you know what that means - sales! In fact, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just two weeks away, coming on the 27 November and 30 November. For many shoppers, they’ll be turning to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) as a payment option for the range of discounted items on offer. These platforms allow shoppers to make purchases upfront at no cost, and then pay back what they owe in the form of interest-free installments. In Australia there are a bunch of BNPL providers, including Afterpay, Zip, Klarna, Humm, OpenPay and Bundll. “Buy Now Pay Later could be an interest-free option for Aussies looking to snag a deal this Black Friday, leading up to Christmas,” Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont says. “However it’s all about being responsible. If you opt to use Buy Now Pay Later during these sales, ensure you are fully equipped to pay back each instalment on what you buy to avoid late fees and spiralling into debt.”

With Victoria’s second wave of infections behind us and the economy slowly returning to normal, findings from ME Bank show property market sentiment has almost bounced back to pre-COVID-19 levels.According to its latest Quarterly Property Sentiment Report, 38% of Australians feel positive about the direction the market is heading, up from 29% in April and almost on par with October 2019 (42%).So far, the market has proven to be remarkably resilient. Recent data from CoreLogic showed home values returning to positive month-on-month growth last month, with every capital city besides Melbourne posting an increase in values.This has buoyed sentiment among homeowners, with 65% predicting house prices will increase or stay the same where they live, and a shrinking number (20%) expecting prices to decline over the next 12 months.Attitudes towards housing affordability have also improved slightly, though Australia’s sky-high prices remain a concern for a majority (88%) of Australians.

Cuts to home loan rates in response to last week’s RBA rate cut continue to flow through, with Newcastle Permanent the latest lender to bring fixed rates below the 2% mark.Effective today, its Premium Plus Package Fixed Rate Special will offer 1.98% p.a. (3.81% p.a. comparison rate*) on 1-year terms and 1.99% p.a. (3.34% p.a. comparison rate*) on 5-year terms. The new 5-year rate reflects a cut of more than 100 basis points, and at the time of writing is the lowest rate among comparable owner occupied loans in our database.Last week, Newcastle Permanent CEO Bernadette Inglis said the move “is a continuation of our commitment to support our customers over the long term and offer some financial certainty during these uncertain times.”RELATED: Which banks have cut home loan rates following the November RBA rate cut?Despite the generous cuts to fixed rates, Newcastle Permanent has made clear that its range of variable rate home loans will remain unchanged for the time being. This has been the case for most lenders following last week’s reduction to the cash rate, with only nine lenders among the 86 we track opting to cut variable rates in line with the RBA.We’ve included an overview of the new fixed rate home loan below, but if you want to see how they stack up against other offers on the market, be sure to visit our home loan comparison page, where you’ll be able to filter your search by rate and type.

Whether you’re considering your first home loan or well into paying off a current mortgage, recent interest rate reductions could impact you. But it does depend on the type of home loan you’ve taken out and with which lender.

Exchange rates are looking favourable for Australians sending money overseas as the Aussie dollar rose off the back of US election results. Right now, the AUD is trading just below 73 US cents, according to the XE Currency Converter - up from around 71 US cents at the start of election week. This is the first time since mid-September that the currency has broken past 72.5 US cents. While the gap between US$0.71 and US$0.73 seems almost negligible, for larger international money transfers (IMT), this could be a difference of hundreds of dollars.IMT provider OFX’s senior corporate manager, Matt Richardson said Joe Biden winning the presidency boosted the market appetite for risk (known as ‘risk on’ sentiment). As a result, investors flocked to purchase stocks and high-yield currencies like the AUD, raising the value of these riskier assets. “The democrat led government is expected to implement significant Coronavirus relief programs and alleviate tensions with key global allies, creating a ‘risk on’ environment across financial markets,” Richardson said. “The Australian dollar has advanced against a basket of major counterparts in the midst of [this] ‘risk on’ move, creating an opportune time for those settling costs overseas to reduce the AUD expenditure or maximise their foreign currency return.“Conversely those sending funds back down under [would] suffer a higher cost or smaller return on the back to the AUD appreciation.” In other words, bigger savings are now on the table for individuals and businesses sending funds from Australia to countries like the US and the UK, thanks to stronger AUD/USD and AUD/GBP exchange rates. But you may lose out if instead you’re moving money from the US and UK to Australia.

One week on from the Reserve Bank’s November rate cut, ING has announced that it will be reducing rates on a number of its fixed home loans by between 5 and 60 basis points.

According to Savvy’s recent survey on Australian car buying sentiment, two-thirds of Australians still feel uncomfortable with purchasing a car online.

With housing prices and rental yields on their way back up, many Australians are keen to snag a piece of the investment property market pie. In fact, 26% believe now is the best time to invest, according to recent ING research. But if you’ve been struggling to raise the standard 20% deposit, the big question for you may be whether it’s a good idea to climb the property ladder with as little as 5% saved up. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

When talking about accessibility, our minds often turn to the physical world first –  railings, ramps or signage, for example. Indeed, in the banking world, these more tangible features are present and often advertised the most when financial institutions promote themselves as ‘inclusive’ organisations.

All in this week’s best banking news: editor’s pick.

It’s been three days since the Reserve Bank reduced the official cash to a new low of 0.10%, yet the response from home loan lenders could be described more as trickle than a flood.

Following this week’s RBA rate cut, the big banks are scrambling to lock in quality borrowers with substantial cuts to fixed rates. But all four have withheld relief to existing variable rate customers.One day out from the RBA’s decision to lower official interest rates to 0.1%, CommBank announced it will be making cuts of between 10 and 100 basis points across its fixed rate suite, taking 4-year fixed rates just below the 2% mark.The other major banks followed suit, with all but ANZ crossing the 2% threshold on 4-year terms. But all four opted to keep variable rates, which typically move in line with the cash rate, unchanged.According to Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont, the big banks are hoping to attract and retain borrowers with the capacity to meet ongoing repayments.“As the pandemic drags on and the job market continues to take a beating, the decision by the nation’s biggest lenders to only cut some fixed home loan rates is a clear indication they are under pressure and looking to shore up their loan book,” she said.Lamont advises borrowers to weigh their options carefully before locking in a fixed rate, especially considering the RBA has made clear that official interest rates will remain at record low levels for some time.“Predictable monthly repayment might be tempting now, but borrowers should feel no urgency to lock in a rate,” she said. RELATED: Which banks have cut home loan rates following the November RBA cut?Besides the new fixed rates from the big banks, the best value is to be found among smaller lenders such as Illawarra Credit Union (1.99% p.a. for 2 years, 2.93% p.a. comparison rate*) and Homestar (1.98% p.a. for 1 year, 2.41% p.a. comparison rate*). On the variable rate front, online lenders Athena and Homestar moved to cut rates immediately after the Reserve Bank’s decision, continuing a tradition that has been largely upheld by the two over the last six RBA rate cuts.Currently, Reduce Home Loans offers one of the best variable rates at 1.99% p.a. (2.05% p.a. comparison rate*). Meanwhile, the lowest variable rate among major banks is 2.69% p.a., offered by Commonwealth Bank (2.70% p.a. comparison rate*) and NAB (2.69% p.a. comparison rate*).To see how these stack up against other offers on the market, visit our home loan comparison page, where you’ll be able to filter your search by rate and type.

As it turns out, bus seats and public phone boxes aren’t the only things we’re looking at differently in 2020. With less places to go and less stuff to spend money on, it would seem that a lot of Aussies have really started to up their savings game since March.

If saving money on your home loan in 2021 is what you’re after, then you've come to the right place. Discovering a great value home loan could mean the difference between tens of thousands of dollars saved in interest over the course of your loan, but in practice it can be hard to find the best option amongst the dozens of different lenders and rates on the market.

The official cash rate has been reduced once again, this time by 15 basis points to a new record low 0.1% following the Reserve Bank Board’s November meeting yesterday afternoon.As usual, the ball is now in lenders' courts, with homeowners across the country waiting eagerly for news of changes to their home loan rates.So, how have Australia’s largest banks - ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac - responded to this latest rate cut? We’ve wrapped up their moves below.

So, you’ve got an advert up on Gumtree, a piece of paper in the windscreen with the price and your eye on a shiny new set of wheels. The time has almost come to say goodbye to your old car ... almost. You still have to sort out your car insurance.

Less than 24 hours after the RBA’s decision to cut rates, lenders have already begun to announce whether they’ll be passing on the cut to their customers. According to new Mozo research, the decision to cut the official cash rate this time around will also depict winners and losers across the country. Mozo found that home loan holders with stable incomes will be the biggest winners post RBA rate cut, as they’re in a top position to refinance their mortgage to some of the best rates on the market. “Another cut to official interest rates will be great news for many home loan customers, with historically low interest rates offering significant opportunities to switch lenders and reduce their monthly repayments,” said Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont.   Mozo calculated that the average variable home loan rate now sits at 3.19%, down form 3.34% from last month. This means that a $400,000 loan for an owner occupier making principal and interest repayments could see a $33 monthly saving on their mortgage. Peering into the database, Well Home Loans currently offers the leading variable home loan rate at a super low 2.17% (2.20% comparison rate*), followed by Reduce Home Loans at 2.19% (2.23% comparison rate*) and Tic:Toc offering 2.19% (2.20% comparison rate*). “Perhaps the biggest challenges for people with a mortgage looking to save will be getting comfortable with the names of smaller lenders who continue to offer the most competitive interest rates,” said Lamont. On the other hand, avid savers will once again take a hit, with 76 of deposit-takers cutting rates this year and dropping the highest 6 month term deposit to 1.20% from Judo Bank, 54 basis points above the average rate of 0.66%.

Credit cards come in all shapes and sizes and if you’ve decided to pick one up for yourself, you might have already started comparing your options. If you like to keep your spending on the frugal side and have ruled out a rewards card, you could be tossing up between a low rate or no annual fee credit card.While both are budget-friendly choices, the type of spender you are can help determine which is the better pick for you. So if you’d like to find out the difference between a low rate and a no annual fee credit card, check out our explainer below.

Last Updated: 8:54am, November 11

Athena and Homestar have passed on a 15 basis point interest rate cut to home loan customers, becoming some of the first mortgage lenders to do so following this afternoon’s November Reserve Bank Board meeting.

With Christmas just around the corner, SendFX is giving out a special treat to Australians sending money overseas.For a limited time, if you register a free account with SendFX and make transfers over AU$1,000, you could be rewarded with a $100 EFTPOS gift card. This offer began on 31 October and will run for two months until the end of December. Once you’ve made your first transfer, the gift card should arrive in 30 days or less, allowing you to redeem $100 in credit at any checkout that accepts EFTPOS.  Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont said for the one third of Aussies born overseas, international money transfers (IMT) have always a way to send income and support family back home, but this Christmas, they could also be a way to stay connected.“Christmas reunions won’t be the same this year as travel bans and social distancing measures keep us separated from loved ones overseas. That’s why cash gifts are such a savvy way around all those restrictions - they keep the tradition of exchanging presents on Christmas Day alive, plus they’re a lot more practical and welcome at a time when many are still struggling financially,” she said.

Listed rates are "standard variable rates" of selected lenders where available.

Article updated on 5 November 2020.

We’ve endured yet another month dominated by savings account interest rate cuts.

For the first time since March all eyes and ears will be seriously tuned in to the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy decision tomorrow, as the possibility of a reduction to the official cash rate looms large.

As anticipation continues to grow amongst Aussies awaiting the RBA announcement, speculations of a Melbourne Cup day rate cut are in the air. According to new Mozo research, should the RBA cut rates on Tuesday it’ll be the big banks who will feel the heat. Mozo found that the Big Four banks’ tactic of ‘slow and steady’ to pass on interest rate cuts in the past has seen them rake in big bucks. In fact, by delaying the effective dates the big banks profited $109 million this year alone. That figure then jumps to a staggering $1.2 billion if you consider when the RBA began cutting rates in 2011. “With so many mortgage customers under pressure, if we see another cut to official interest rates next week we need the banks to end their longstanding practice of profiteering at their customers’ expense,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont.  “With the progressive winding back of Jobkeeper and Jobseeker support payments and the banks mortgage holidays coming to an end, it’s critical the banks pass on this latest cut without delay.”However, these big players weren’t alone in their efforts, as Mozo found that 58 banks delayed the effective dates of their rate cuts after the first official RBA cut for the year in March.A total of 69 lenders passed on the first rate cut in full back in March, while 12 only chose to pass on a partial cut.

It’s November folks! Which means three things: