This week in banking news - interest rates, travel insurance, liar home loans and saving for Christmas

By Tara McCabe · · 3 min read
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  • The outcome of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s December meeting
  • Why Aussies are saving all year long to pay for Christmas
  • Liar home loans on the rise
  • Find out which Aussie fintech company just launched travel insurance
  • How to choose the right travel insurance for your Christmas holiday
  • Discover how ANZ is helping Aussies this silly season

All in this week's banking recap.

The Reserve Bank of Australia meet for the last time in 2019

After making cuts to the official cash rate in June, July and October this year, the RBA decided not to make any further cuts in its December meeting on Tuesday. This means that the official cash rate will remain at 0.75% for now.

As Mozo Banking Expert, Peter Marshall suggested, the RBA may have been reluctant to make any hasty decisions this time around, which would move the official cash rate closer to zero. Depending on how the economy fares over Christmas, however, experts predict that there may yet be another cut in February 2020.

Aussies scrimping and saving all year long to pay for Christmas

In other news, a report by Airbnb this week found that one in five Aussies find Christmas to be the most financially stressful time of the year. In fact, 36% even claimed that they have to save money all year round, just to be able to pay for it.

On top of that, 17% said they would spend a huge amount on presents and entertainment this year.

Survey reveals Aussies guilty of lying on home loan applications

A recent survey conducted by investment bank UBS revealed that a large number of Aussies are guilty of fibbing on their home loan applications. The survey found that borrowers were guilty of telling lies about their income and their expenses and debts to try and increase their chances of being approved.

But of course, lying on your application could reap more problems than rewards, as the survey found. Telling what seems like a little white lie on your application, could end up causing more problems for you and your home loan in the future.

Fintech Pelikin launches travel insurance product

Just in time for Christmas, Aussie fintech Pelikin, this week launched its very own travel insurance product. Pelikin describe this new travel insurance product as perfect for younger travellers looking to have a great time.

The travel insurance policy can also be tailored to suit the needs of the individual traveller, with three different levels of cover on offer.

How to choose the right travel insurance for your Christmas holiday

Speaking of vacations, with Christmas holidays just around the corner, we took a look at how to pick the best travel insurance for your festive getaway.

So if you’re one of the two million Aussies planning a trip abroad this summer, you might want to note down some of these great travel insurance tips. Some of the things you might want to think about when choosing a travel insurance policy include, what pre-existing conditions are covered, whether you’ll need extra cover and how to avoid a medical disaster.

ANZ offers brand new bonus points on rewards credit cards

And in more Christmas news, ANZ are starting off the silly season with new bonus points offers of up to 150,000 points on a whole lot of its rewards credit cards. 

So if you were torn between two different rewards credit cards for your seasonal purchases, why not check out what ANZ has to offer. Or take a look at the credit cards below to see if there’s another piece of plastic that might better suit your wallet.

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Last updated 24 November 2024 Important disclosures
  • Apply By 14 Jan 2025
    American Express Qantas Ultimate Card

    Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.

    Purchase rate
    23.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $450
    Rewards program
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
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    Details
  • American Express Explorer® Credit Card

    Receive 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.*

    Purchase rate
    23.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $395
    Rewards program
    Membership Rewards
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    Details
  • NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer

    Spend with confidence with a low variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 24 months. Unpaid balance transfer reverts to variable cash advance rate. 3% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget when you pay your account in full by the due date. Minimum credit limit $1,000. Low annual fee. T&Cs, fees, charges and eligibility criteria apply.

    Purchase rate
    13.49% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
    Annual fee
    $59
    Rewards program
    -
    Compare
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    Details
  • Citi Rewards - Rewards Points Offer

    100,000 bonus Citi reward Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months from approval. That’s $400 when you Pay with Points! Earn up to 1 Citi reward Point per $1 on eligible transactions. Access up to 3 months complimentary International Travel Insurance and up to 14 days Domestic Travel Insurance with a Citi Rewards Credit Card when meeting eligibility criteria. Apply for a credit limit from $2,000 up to $100,000. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under licence from Citigroup Inc.

    Purchase rate
    21.49% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $199 $99 in the first year
    Rewards program
    Citi Rewards Program
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    Details
  • Kogan Money Black Card

    Get 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for 9 months with a 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate. $0 annual fee to pay. Earn 2 rewards points per dollar on your eligible purchases at Kogan.com & 1 rewards point per dollar on your everyday purchases, almost anywhere (T&Cs apply). FREE Kogan First membership valued at $129/year. Add up to 4 additional cardholders at no cost.

    Purchase rate
    0% p.a. for 9 months then 21.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    0% p.a. for 9 months and then 22.74% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
    Annual fee
    $0
    Rewards program
    Kogan Rewards Points
    Compare
    Go to site
    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards

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