Debt Management

Devil in the detail

Lesley Parker New ''responsible lending'' provisions have made life harder for the dodgy operators among debt consolidation services but recent surveillance by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission...

Line-of-credit loan disastrous

Lesley Parker Good debt turned bad for Pix Jonasson when she and her former husband borrowed to invest in a business and four investment properties.

Foundations of a secure future

Debt is a four-letter word and never more so since the global financial crisis.

Lenders need competition to keep them keen

Mark Bouris AUSTRALIANS look at the Reserve Bank's cash-rate announcement on the first Tuesday of each month and make decisions based on it.

Extra payments a winner

Consumers are being pulled in two directions at once. The Reserve Bank's decision to cut the cash rate by 50 basis points will make home loans more affordable and encourage buyers.

Mortgage insurance should be portable

John Collett Critics say lenders' mortgage insurance is a rip-off and there is not enough competition in the industry to drive prices down.

Lenders are on borrowed time

Penny Pryor Why three-quarters of mortgage holders are ready to switch.

What the great credit card con could cost you

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon The average credit card holder will be in debt until 2056 - but you can lessen the plastic pain.

Lock in and save

John Collett Competition among mortgage lenders is strongest in fixed-rate home loans rather than variable-rate loans.

Borrowers flock to certainty of fixed-rate mortgages

John Collett A fall in fixed rates has increased the portion of home-buyers who buy fixed-rate mortgages.

Reserve should stash its finest cuts

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

Margin loans still on the nose

Margin loans are still out of favour, more than three years after the global financial crisis (GFC) began, with fewer investors than ever inclined to use them - and those that do opting for much more...

More mortgage pain looms

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

Rise in the abuse rate

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon ANZ's interest hike is a signal that consumers should get smart to stop blatant exploitation.

Play your cards right to minimise interest

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

Lock in your reduction

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon With interest rates falling, a little forward planning can make a big difference to your mortgage.

Diving into the property market

THERE is nothing quite like a cut in interest rates or changes to government subsidies to get people thinking about their next major financial move.

Big four finally slash rates

Peter Martin and Clancy Yeates The standoff over home loan interest rates ends, with each of Australia's big four banks finally yielding to political pressure and passing on the Reserve Bank's 0.25 point cut.