Investment property, credit cards, old smartphones: This week’s best banking news
- A quarter of Aussies keen to snag an investment property despite the pandemic
- How switching credit cards could save Australians $2.1 billion
- Unused smartphones in Australia equate to $7.8 billion, says EBay
- Meet Azimo! The new international money transfer fintech
- How to lower your energy bill before summer
- Suncorp says goodbye to foreign exchange fees
All in this week’s best banking news: editor’s pick.
Investment properties: One in four Aussies eager to buy in current climate
Despite the economic impacts of the global pandemic, Australians are still keen to get a foothold in the investment property market.
In fact, a new ING survey of 2,075 Aussies found that 44% saw property as the most solid investment option. Plus, it revealed that 26% say now is a prime time to buy.
And a bunch of young potential home buyers were among the pack. A quarter of millennial respondents indicated they were saving for a property and half were positive about their chances due to low home loan interest rates and a dip in house prices.
Read full article: One in four Australians eager to buy investment property, despite recession for comments from ING’s head of home loans, Julie-Anne Bosich.
Australians could pocket $2.1 billion by changing credit cards
Fresh Mozo data has revealed that if Aussie credit card users switched their high rate card to the market-leading low rate option, we’d collectively save $2.1 billion.
Our team crunched the numbers and found that the highest credit card rate on the Mozo database, 24.99%, is a massive 17.50% than the lowest rate on offer.
“At a time when travel linked rewards on high interest rate credit cards largely grounded due to the pandemic, getting value through this premium card category has become more challenging,” Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont said.
“So if you’re carrying a balance forward on your premium credit card, you're not missing out on much at the moment by switching to a leading low rate card and reducing your monthly repayments.”
Read full article: Aussies could save $2.1 billion by switching credit cards and find out the lowest rates on the market right now.
How old smartphones stack up to $7.8 billion collectively
In Australia, there are 33 million mobile phone connections, according to consumer data researchers at Statista. That’s more phones than people.
Digital marketplace powerhouse eBay estimates that the total amount of unused smartphones in Ausse households equates to a massive $7.8 billion.
It says that if people were to sell well-preserved devices they could make $386 or more, rather than trading in for an upgrade. This year, 76,626 second hand smartphones have been sold on eBay so far.
Read full article: Do you have an old smartphone sitting in a drawer? It's one in a pile worth $7.8 billion for more stats about what you can do with your old smartphone.
Australia welcomes new international money transfer fintech, Azimo
This week, digital payments platform Azimo was welcomed onto the Aussie international money transfer scene.
The UK-based fintech has been operating in Europe since 2012 and now aims to offer Australian customers competitive exchange rates and fast transfer speeds.
Through the platform, Azimo customers are able to transfer funds to over 200 countries and territories. Plus, it says that most of its transfers will arrive within 24 hours.
Read full article: Azimo joins Australian fintechs in fight for cheaper international money transfers for an in-depth rundown of what’s on offer.
How switching energy providers could save you hundreds this summer
Ever heard of a default offer or market offer on your electricity bill? If not, it’s something to know about.
A default offer refers to the highest amount an energy retailer can charge a customer for electricity. While on the other hand, a market offer is an energy plan advertised by a retailer which includes things like discounts and incentives, so is often cheaper.
The good news is that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that out of the 1.5 million electricity bills in Australia, there are less households on default offers. However, if you are one of the minority, you may want to make the switch.
“We often talk about the lazy tax and how much extra it could be costing Aussies who don’t make the effort to shop around on households expenses, like their energy bill,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont.
“Recent Mozo research found that in New South Wales alone, switching from the average to the cheapest electricity plan could save households $286 a year.”
Read full article: Electricity bills: How to switch and save before summer hits for more on electricity rates and fees, and to see what discounts are available right now.
Suncorp cuts foreign exchange fees on its bank account product
Last weekend, major bank Suncorp said adios to its 3.00% foreign exchange fee on its Everyday Options account.
While it’s unlikely you’ll be able to use your debit card overseas any time soon, it does still come in handy if you tend to shop on international websites.
Suncorp joined a crew of banks that already offer bank accounts without this fee, including Up, HSBC and Citi.
Read full article: ICYMI: Suncorp has cut fees, including for foreign exchange to weigh up other bank account options without foreign exchange fees.
Want to compare bank accounts right now? Check out some killer offerings below!
Compare bank accounts
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Everyday Account - 2024
Orange Everyday
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, PayTo
0% p.a.
The everyday bank account that could pay you for paying bills. Get 1% cashback on eligible utility bills (up to $100), $0 ING international transaction fees, and up to 5 rebated ATM withdrawals a month here or overseas (T&Cs apply) and no monthly fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
CompareCompareOrange Everyday
The everyday bank account that could pay you for paying bills. Get 1% cashback on eligible utility bills (up to $100), $0 ING international transaction fees, and up to 5 rebated ATM withdrawals a month here or overseas (T&Cs apply) and no monthly fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, PayTo
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- None
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Access 1% cashback on eligible utility bill payments (up to $100 per financial year), rebates on ATM fees for the first 5 fee incurring withdrawals (domestic). When you deposit at least $1,000 from an external bank account and make at least 5 card purchases using your ING debit card each month.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Orange Everyday
-
Everyday Options Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID
0.01% p.a.
Enjoy 0% foreign currency conversion fees on Visa Debit card purchases. Plus make an eligible purchase using your linked Visa Debit card to earn cashback at participating merchants. $0 monthly account keeping fees & the option to open up to 9 sub-accounts. Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882). The SUNCORP brand and Sun Logo are used by Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited) under licence and Suncorp Bank is not part of the Suncorp Group.
CompareCompareEveryday Options Account
Enjoy 0% foreign currency conversion fees on Visa Debit card purchases. Plus make an eligible purchase using your linked Visa Debit card to earn cashback at participating merchants. $0 monthly account keeping fees & the option to open up to 9 sub-accounts. Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882). The SUNCORP brand and Sun Logo are used by Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited) under licence and Suncorp Bank is not part of the Suncorp Group.
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID
- interest rate
- 0.01% p.a.
- ATM networks
- Suncorp
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
Balances from $1: 0.01% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from own-bank ATM, atmx ATM, Big 4 banks ATM, EFTPOS, counter withdrawals, counter deposits, phone and internet
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Everyday Options Account
-
Glide Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay
0% p.a.
Unlimited free internet transactions. Super fast transfers & use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No account keeping fees. Access Any Major Bank & MyState Bank ATM Fee-Free.
CompareCompareGlide Account
Unlimited free internet transactions. Super fast transfers & use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No account keeping fees. Access Any Major Bank & MyState Bank ATM Fee-Free.
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- MyState
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free internet transactions.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Glide Account
-
Everyday Global Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Wallet
0% p.a.
Enjoy $0 monthly account fees and international fees, with no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Buy, hold and spend in 10 currencies (AUD included) and earn 2% cashback for purchases under $100 (T&C’s apply). Mozo's Experts Choice 2024 winner for Exceptional Everyday Account.^
CompareCompareEveryday Global Account
Enjoy $0 monthly account fees and international fees, with no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Buy, hold and spend in 10 currencies (AUD included) and earn 2% cashback for purchases under $100 (T&C’s apply). Mozo's Experts Choice 2024 winner for Exceptional Everyday Account.^
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Wallet
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- HSBC
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from HSBC ATMs, EFTPOS, phone, internet, BPAY and direct debits
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Everyday Global Account
Your selected interest rates
Your selected interest rates
Your selected interest rates
Your selected interest rates
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Bank Account Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.