Insight

Sean Alymer Interest rates, or at least the official interest rate set by the Reserve Bank, won’t move around much during the next couple of years.

Negotiate to cut your rate

Jason Clout With the big four banks increasing their lending rate, it's imperative borrowers take control of their finances by shopping around for the best loan on offer.

More mortgage pain looms

Eric Johnston and Peter Martin Borrowers face further pain, with Commonwealth and NAB expected to review mortgage, business rates.

Comments

Rise in the abuse rate

NICOLE PEDERSEN-MCKINNON ANZ's interest hike is a signal that consumers should get smart to stop blatant exploitation.

Credit card requests down at Xmas

A weak Christmas for credit cards suggests the end-of-year spending malaise may have extended beyond retail stores.

Banks in precarious position on rates

Chris Zappone After two decades of funding ever-increasing home loans, Australia's banks have reached crunch time.

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Margin loans still on the nose

High interest rates and poor returns means borrowing to invest in shares can be precarious, writes Lesley Parker.

Banks' could pull back on home loans

Gareth Hutchens Banks could pull back from lending to new home owners after making losses on mortgages.

Westpac stalling on repayment cuts

Michael Evans Westpac home loan customers are still waiting for the bank to pass on two pre-Christmas interest rate cuts.

Play your cards right to minimise interest

A swift transfer to a low-interest option offers a solution, writes Penny Pryor.

Comments

Reserve should stash its finest cuts

POTTS SPOT Europe's troubles, Australians squirrelling away cash - it all points to another drop in interest rates.

Bank customers act against St George, Bank SA

St George and Bank SA are the latest Australian banks to be taken to court by customers angry at the fees they are charged.

Return of traditional mortgages

Line-of-credit home loans have proved costly for many borrowers, writes Lesley Parker.

Most Aussies expect a rate cut next month

Two-thirds of Australians are expecting an interest rate cut when the RBA board meets on February 7.

Rates to fit our banks' bill

Ian Verrender Bad news for banks - Australian consumers and businesses are saving rather than borrowing.

Prices slowly emerging from the doldrums

Simon Johanson After almost two years of gloom, house prices in Sydney and Melbourne are showing some signs of improvement and real estate agents hope lower interest rates will accelerate the trend.

A handy home-loan summary

Mortgage payment guides are useful tools for buyers but beware their oversimplification, writes John Kavanagh.

Wary home buyers lock in fixed-rates

Peter Martin Financial markets are banking on more rate cuts over the next six months, but many home buyers appear not to care.

Banks face home loan suit

Chris Vedelago Australia's banks could face a massive new class action over mortgage lending practices.

Plastic debt swells to record $50 billion

Clancy Yeates Australian credit card debt has struck a new record high of $50 billion, ballooning by almost a third in the past five years.