Money
Borrowing
Analysis
Home loans
Rising interest rates a boon for non-bank lenders as home owners shop around
Swathes of home owners looking to refinance their mortgages are a boon for non-bank lenders, with borrowers looking beyond the big-four banks seeking the cheapest interest rates.
- by Dominic Powell
Latest
Exclusive
Property downsizing
Soaring number of older home owners take out government-backed reverse mortgages
The number of older Australians who have signed up to Centrelink’s Home Equity Access Scheme has increased eightfold since the program was expanded three years ago.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Opinion
Home loans
‘Our fix is about to end and rates are higher. Please help’
Homeowners coming off fixed-interest rate mortgages to much higher variable rates is playing out for many homeowners across the country. It’s been dubbed a ‘fixed-rate cliff’.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
‘Archaic’ lenders mortgage insurance rules hurt borrowers
Experts have warned the rigid and archaic rules around lenders mortgage insurance could prevent borrowers from getting the best deal on their home loans.
- by Dominic Powell
Beware unregulated ‘quick fix’ pay advances
Australians have been warned about using increasingly popular “pay advance” services over concerns they may be exposing themselves to excessive debt and unregulated products.
- by Dominic Powell
Opinion
Home loans
How to wipe out most of your mortgage repayment increases
You can act now and wipe almost as much off your mortgage payments as all the rate increases so far, simply by refinancing to a cheaper lender.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Analysis
Home loans
How home owners can soften fall from brutal ‘fixed-rate cliff’
Home owners wishing to refinance their mortgage are caught between a rock and a hard place: do you bite the bullet and fix at a higher rate, or try to save some cash now by opting for a temporarily lower variable rate?
- by Dominic Powell
Analysis
Credit rating
Repayment holidays to hurt less as credit changes take effect
Australian credit scores are steadily recovering after taking a hit during the pandemic, and new regulations from July 1 should help them rebuild further.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Banking products
How to build a cheaper and better banking strategy
Here’s a safe and smart way to pay down your mortgage, while retaining access to any savings in case of emergency in these tight times.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Interest rates
Recession-like confidence slump shows rate rises are working
Weakening consumer and business confidence are signs that recent official interest-rate rises are working, as the Reserve Bank applies the brakes to an economy it thinks is at risk of overheating.
- by Clancy Yeates
Opinion
Household debt
Don’t panic! Here’s a plan to help keep your finances intact
There is no need for panic. Here’s how to put a clear, calm and conservative plan in place to get through the rest of the year with your finances relatively intact.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon