![The Greens are pushing for full bank account portability, saying it will boost competition.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/x/r/e/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gw7fdm.12uqus.png/1495634288762.jpg)
Money features
![The downsizing provisions will help some retirees, but the impact on the age pension is an issue.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/g/e/8/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwdpu2.png/1495765180205.jpg)
Downsizing provisions are a mixed bag
While far from ideal, the budget initiative to allow older Australians to deposit up to $300,000 each in superannuation when they downsize their home is welcome.
![The big banks' funding advantage has halved because of new regulation, according to Macquarie University researchers.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/s/9/8/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwdprq.png/1495763543238.jpg)
Why the banks should absorb the cost of the levy
I know of no other industry where the taxpayer underwrites borrowings – it's a unique arrangement and one that the banks can't characterise as "just another cost", writes Mark Bouris.
![Green alternative: Investors are being matched with borrowers to install solar panels.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/w/d/n/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwcp4x.png/1495691992853.jpg)
RateSetter matches investors with borrowers for clean energy
Investors will be able to lend to borrowers to install clean energy in their homes, such as solar panels, after a tie-up between peer-to-peer lender RateSetter and the government's Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
![Avoiding more "Schuld": The reluctance of Angela Merkel's government to invest if it means taking on more debt aces off ...](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/y/u/s/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwclm1.png/1495674281342.jpg)
Why German speakers are prone to be penny pinchers
Once again, it's the German speakers who pinch their pennies.
![Analysis of 10 years' worth of performance data confirms many industry funds outperform their 'retail' rivals.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/4/a/z/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwc4uu.png/1495677879591.jpg)
Super funds for bank employees among the best performers
The banks have some of the best-performing super funds of all, at least for their employees.
![Illustration: Matt Davidson](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/c/c/z/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwbt6t.png/1495669926079.jpg)
Meet the real high taxpayers. They're not high earners
The budget pushed low-income earners' marginal tax rate up towards 100 per cent.
![Paris is full of delights, but it's hard to enjoy when your laptop is stolen.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/a/4/j/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwa41e.png/1495421676294.jpg)
'What having my laptop stolen in Paris taught me about the housing crisis'
Ultimately all my swearing and carrying on isn't going to change anything.
![Super funds are on track to deliver a bumper return.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/1/6/k/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw8q50.png/1495634241838.jpg)
A good financial year for super fund members is almost a certainty
Double-digit returns for super funds remain on the cards this financial year despite global sharemarkets likely to be negative over May.
![Ten-year-old Grace Gregson from year 5 at Seaforth Public School, <i>Crinkling News</i> founder and editor Saffron ...](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/6/n/5/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw951a.png/1495596256017.jpg)
Crowdfunding is a force for good, but it's not like going shopping
Crowdfunding platforms democratise the funding of good ideas, but supporters need to go in with their eyes open.
![Fairfax Media's share price surged on the back of interest from two US private equity firms.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/l/4/j/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw8h3d.png/1495157643876.jpg)
Fairfax Media best pick of the week as bidding war hots up
Our tipsters are left in the red in week two of the four-week Shares Race, following the midweek sell-off on Australian and global sharemarkets.
![Peter Costello, chairman of the Australian Future Fund, speaking at the Australian Shareholders' Association National ...](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/6/7/g/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7mfy.png/1495076033957.jpg)
Public servants gain from Future Fund decision
​The federal government's recent decision to postpone drawing from the Future Fund is welcome news for members of its defined benefit funds.
![Phil Hopper has borrowed money from his parents for his business, Liberty Signs in Frenchs Forest.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/8/2/i/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7tis.png/1495160868355.jpg)
Document loans to family and friends to protect cash and relationships
Your money kindness towards loved ones might be well meaning, but it is fraught with risk.
![Troy Carter was instrumental in the early days of Lady Gaga's success.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/6/l/4/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7k39.png/1495161492484.jpg)
Troy Carter overcame 'financial PTSD' to launch Lady Gaga
What could you achieve if your negative financial experiences from the past were not holding you back?
![Remember: An investment's tax benefits are the cream on the cake.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/p/8/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7lft.png/1495206701987.jpg)
The one thing most investors get wrong
There is anecdotal evidence that regulatory measures and budget proposals are having an effect on the housing market, which is a sad reflection on the mentality of the average property investor.
![Safety has long been the selling point for the Volvo.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/w/v/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw4wjt.png/1494924588079.jpg)
'Trading shares is now a poor man's game'
The popularity of exchange-traded funds is overstated in Australia, but they play an important role.
![The Tax Office needs to do more to help reduce the unpaid super problem](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/2/u/v/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw3k5c.png/1494741940140.jpg)
The nation's unpaid super bill is now $5.6b a year and rising
Unpaid superannuation is a huge and growing problem. Industry Super Australia estimates employers are failing to pay billions in compulsory super contributions to 2.6 million employees.
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Portrait of Tom and Irene Han at their North West Sydney home. The retired couple intend to ...](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/5/l/b/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw4d2h.png/1495012727402.jpg)
Budget incentives for downsizers only benefit the well-off, experts say
Before selling, you need to consider how the age pension thresholds under the assets test work.
![Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon presenting to high school students.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/6/d/u/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw4y6g.png/1495424097034.jpg)
The basic money quiz no high schooler has aced. Can you?
Young or older, my quick "smart money" quiz reveals where you are all set for success – and where there are dangerous holes in your financial understanding.
![Writer Nina Hendy wishes she had discussed her father's estate planning while he was fit and healthy.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/5/1/k/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw51sq.png/1495006150911.jpg)
'My dad rewrote his will just before he died of cancer'
​My father updated his will, I have absolutely no idea what he was trying to document.
![UBank's goal is to deliver simpler, better, smarter banking to customers.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/t/r/c/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw4x0x.png/1494948299394.jpg)
NAB-owned UBank launches robot to sell home loans
In a first for an Australian bank, NAB-owned UBank has launched an artificial intelligence "chatbot" for home loans.
![Jeremy Becker, 23, did his research before buying his first car, a second-hand former fleet vehicle.](/web/20170526025606im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/c/i/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw2a6t.png/1494924560717.jpg)
No lemons: how to buy a second-hand car
Luck plays a role in buying a great second-hand car, but you also make your own luck with careful research and investigation.