Tag: Consumer Finance
Policy failure: counting the cost of switching banks
Australian consumers face substantial problems and costs if they want to switch a loan from one lender to another. Post a comment.[MORE]
August car sales slump 12pc
There was a big drop in the number of new vehicles sold in August. [MORE]
Service industry activity hits record low
A report by the Australian Industry Group and Commonwealth Bank shows activity in the services sector has hit a record low.[MORE]
GDP slows in June quarter
The economy expanded at the weakest pace in more than three years in the June quarter.[MORE]
Business, industry groups urge more rates cuts
Business and industry groups have welcomed today's interest rate cut, but have urged the Reserve Bank not to stop at one.[MORE]
RBA needs to cut rates more than once: REIWA
The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) says a cut in official interest rates today will not be enough to revive Perth's flagging property market.[MORE]
SA Govt hinders housing affordability: Oppn
The SA Opposition says high stamp duty is hindering housing affordability. [MORE]
Harder to buy SA housing
The Real Estate Institute (REI) says it is not surprised that housing affordability in South Australia has fallen sharply.[MORE]
Swan urges other banks to follow RBA, Wizard's rates cut
Wayne Swan says banks should consider dropping their interest rates lower than any cut announced by the Reserve Bank this week.[MORE]
Banks 'may follow Wizard's rate cut'
Mortgage providers are under pressure to follow Wizard Home Loans, after it cut its variable home loan rate by 0.25 per cent.[MORE]
WA living costs soar
Western Australia's peak welfare body says the cost of basic living expenses for families on average incomes soared by more than $61 a week over the past 12 months.[MORE]
Big four banks lower fixed rates
The big four banks have dropped their fixed interest rates as the pressure on funding costs ease.[MORE]
Woodside posts record profit
The WA based petroleum company Woodside has posted a record half year profit of more than $1 billion.[MORE]
Qld Govt urges RBA to cut rates by 0.5pc
The Queensland Government has urged the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut interest rates by 0.5 per cent next week.[MORE]
Plibersek welcomes NAB's promised rates cut
Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek has welcomed the National Australia Bank's promise to match any interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) later this year.[MORE]
Babcock and Brown shareholders look for someone to blame
Feature
Some analysts believe Babcock and Brown management has not been held to account for the company's troubles.[MORE]
Other banks should follow NAB's rate cut promise: Swan
Wayne Swan says National Australia Bank's promise to pass on a future interest rate cut is a major victory for commonsense.[MORE]
Companies warn shareholders of predatory offers
Some of Australia's biggest companies are calling for legislative changes so they can better protect their investors from predatory share offers.[MORE]
Survey finds sharp fall in economic growth rate
There is further evidence of a slow-down in the Australian economy, which could help build the case for an interest rate cut next month.[MORE]
Govt gets tough on 'unscrupulous payday lenders'
The Queensland Government says it will crack down on any payday lenders who are side-stepping new laws which are meant to curb exorbitant interest rates.[MORE]
Some banks could cut lending rates now: Nelson
Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has suggested some banks could be in a position to cut lending rates now, before any moves by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).[MORE]
Housing affordability still at 24-year low: HIA
Housing affordability remains at a 24-year low after independent increases in borrowing rates by the banks during the last quarter.[MORE]
Unsolicited credit letters under fire
A new report has taken aim at unsolicited letters from banks, retailers and other lenders offering pre-approved higher limits on credit cards. [MORE]
Baby boomers hog housing market: survey
A survey says people in older generations have made it increasingly harder for younger generations to buy homes.[MORE]
Banks will be 'judged harshly' if rate cuts not passed on
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is keeping up the pressure on the major banks over interest rates, saying their reputation will be damaged if cuts in the official cash rate are not passed on to customers.[MORE]
