This Month
Dodgy kickbacks, faked tax returns found in RAMS, Westpac alleges
Westpac said it would effectively shut down the 33-year-old RAMS brand this week amid an ASIC probe into the business.
- Lucas Baird
- Updated
- Westpac Banking Corporation
Westpac shuts down RAMS Financial amid regulatory probe
The bank said on Tuesday that it would close the RAMS business to new home loans immediately after a strategic review, ending its 33-year history as a challenger brand.
- Lucas Baird
Investor borrowing picks up to a two-year high
Vacancy rates have risen and rent growth is slowing, but Australia’s tight housing market is attracting investors, especially as confidence about interest rates grows.
- Michael Bleby
ANZ knocks NAB off the home lending podium
ANZ is now the country’s third-biggest lender to households, boosted by the acquisition of Suncorp’s bank this week.
- Lucas Baird
July
‘Risks elevated’: APRA holds banks’ mortgage rate buffer at 3pc
APRA said an uncertain economy, geopolitical instability, high household debt and inflation remain key risks for banks, compelling it to keep the loan buffer intact.
- Updated
- James Eyers and Jonathan Shapiro
Home transaction growth will be ‘modest’ this year
Steady transaction volumes in the first two quarters of this calendar year show consumers are cautious, especially without a rate cut, PEXA data indicates.
- Michael Bleby
Trim mortgage ‘risk weights’ to help first home buyers: Barrenjoey
Barrenjoey called on APRA to allow banks to reduce mortgage “risk weightings” for first-time borrowers and for ASIC to drop HECS debt from responsible lending.
- James Eyers
Mortgage stress tests give advantage to big banks’ smaller rivals
But analysts warn that the green shoots – a growing market share – for non-bank lenders may lead them into difficult waters if rates continue to rise.
- Lucas Baird
Mortgage cliff turns into ‘a wave’ that is already subsiding
The tailing off of refinancing is fuelling a rosier outlook for housing delinquencies as borrowers come to terms with higher-for-longer interest rates.
- Lucas Baird
Has the CBA share price peaked?
After the Commonwealth Bank’s latest record, analysts and fund managers are wondering whether the hyper-rally in bank stocks can be sustained.
- James Eyers
The worst way to give your kids money, according to banks
What every parent considering gifting or lending cash to their kids for a home deposit must know.
- Lucy Dean
Home loan size hits record $626,055 as Perth, Brisbane power up
Owner-occupiers are, on average, taking out larger loans than ever before despite the fact the cash rate is sitting at a 12-year-high.
- Nick Lenaghan
Four ways to build wealth with your tax cuts
Whether you’re trying to pay off your mortgage early or boost your super, put your extra income to good use.
- Duncan Hughes
Russia ends housing mortgage subsidy that stoked a property boom
With state support ending for most eligible groups, the real estate market that’s been one of the key drivers of Russia’s wartime economy faces uncertainty.
- Chris Miller
Rising interest rates are bad news for bank stocks
Another cash rate increase would do more damage to arrears than it would help net interest margins, according to Morgan Stanley.
- James Eyers
June
Lending rules ‘locking out’ house buyers: ANZ CEO
The banks have become increasingly strident in their criticism of lending rules, warning it is preventing access to home loans except for the wealthy.
- James Eyers
The Jarden verdict on CBA’s digital home loan
The new mortgage product is not a credible threat yet to mortgage brokers, analysts say.
- Lucas Baird
How stage three tax cuts can save you $322,000 on your mortgage
Directing tax savings to a mortgage can pay off handsomely over the long term.
- Lucy Dean
Households cut into mortgage repayments as family budgets tighten
Existing mortgages are blowing out amid broader pressure on household spending and little indication that the Reserve Bank will lower rates.
- Lucas Baird
ECB’s historic rate cut | D-Day remembered | Private credit boom goes public
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
