Westpac, Cba Ratings To Hold Firm

THE other two of the "Big Four" banks, Commonwealth and Westpac, are expected to raise their provisions for bad debts to cover increasing concerns about the slowing economy - but not enough to threaten their critical AA credit ratings.

Getting a personal loan with banks

By looking for the right type of personal loan, you could end up saving yourself hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars.

More Banks Set To Move On Debts

COMMONWEALTH Bank and Westpac are expected to raise their provisions for bad debts to cover increasing concerns about the slowing economy but by not enough to threaten their critical AA credit ratings.

Asset Value Fall Threat To Property

COMMERCIAL property owners grappling with the increasing costs of borrowing from banks, triggered by the subprime lending crisis, could also be hit by falling asset prices, an economist has warned.

Intercity Rivalry Doesn't Stop At Banks - And Sydney Comes Out On Top

There is a mischievous view doing the rounds of the banking industry that if it was not for Melbourne, the share prices of the rest of the majors would be in much better shape. For Melbourne, of course, read ANZ and National Australia Bank. So it will not be any surprise that the quip has emanated from Sydney where Commonwealth, Westpac and St George are based.

Imf Warns Of 'negative Interaction' Between Banks And Global Economy

In a day of bad news, two items stood out for the depth of their significance.

Which banks offer the best home loan?

Finding out which banks offer the best home loan all depends on your needs and affordability.

Read The Warnings As Prime Crisis Hits

Australian banks and super funds are well and truly out of their depth, writes David Hirst.

Another Black Day For Banks

AUSTRALIA's biggest banks continue to suffer in the global economic gloom, as ANZ revealed the extent of earnings losses it expects this year after lending debacles like Bill Express, Centro and Opes Prime.

Australian Banks Hold Their Nerve In Crisis And Keep Dividends Rolling Out

If the banks and investors can hang on, their shares are great long-term buying.

Dollar Slumps After Debt Notice

THE Australian dollar slumped yesterday as fresh details emerged of local banks' exposure to the credit crisis, fanning fears of financial slowdown.

What sort of account do I need?

If you're looking to save your money, ask you banks what sort of accounts they offer.

'ingenious Set-up' Let Lowys Deny Tax Haven

THE chairman of the US Senate committee investigating tax-haven banks took a direct swipe at Westfield Group's executive chairman Frank Lowy before his son Peter Lowy appeared at a committee hearing in Washington on Friday night.

Budgeting with Banks

If your money is split up into certain areas, you'll be able to earn more interest on your savings and avoid transaction fees.

Lowys Accused Of Stonewalling

THE chairman of the US Senate committee investigating tax haven banks took a direct swipe at Westfield Group's executive chairman, Frank Lowy, before his son Peter Lowy appeared at a committee hearing in Washington on Friday night.

Do your banks offer car loans?

Many banks offer personal loans that are specifically designed for people wanting car loans.

Will China Go Bust After The Olympics?

HAVING just given the banks another drubbing, it can't be long before the market turns on resources stocks with a vengeance.

Banks that offer low interest credit cards

When applying for credit cards, it's important to think about how you intend to use it.

Nab Sends A Bleak Message To The World Banking System And Sharemarkets

Other banks will now examine their exposure, conduit exposure especially.

Thinking of a home loan?

Before hitting up your banks for a home loan, sit down and consider if you can afford one just yet.

Accc Gives Thumbs Up To Merger Proposal

THE success of Westpac's $15 billion bid for St George rests largely with the latter's shareholders after the competition regulator yesterday gave preliminary permission for the two banks to proceed with a merger.

Why are the banks rejecting me?

Banks, especially in the current financial climate, can be very strict about who they will lend money to.

Getting the best from banks

Banks are not just a large institution willing to store your money.

Exit-fee Loan Offer No Bargain

BEWARE banks bearing "no exit fee" home loans. Under pressure from the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, to make it easier for customers to switch between banks, National Australia Bank has come up with a cunning plan.

Which banks offer the best personal loans?

Most banks offer personal loans to suit you.

Find out your borrowing power with banks

Think about using a borrowing power calculator to give you a rough guide.

Banks Lean On Staff To Push Loans

BANKS and their smaller rivals are fuelling the credit crisis by forcing staff to push mortgages on people who cannot afford them, a union report says.

Demand Holds Despite Rising Rates

THE latest round of independent interest rate rises by the banks is continuing to sap the strength of the auction market, although demand has proved resilient enough to avoid another sharp fall in sales activity this week.

Get the best home loan from your banks

Finding the right home loan can be a tricky business.

Telling Banks All About You

Despite fears of Big Brother-style snooping, moves are under way to give lenders greater access to consumers' financial details, writes Tom Reilly.

Credit cards with banks

Most banks offer credit cards.

Super Choice Is A Fizzer That Employees Prefer To Ignore

If you think changing banks is a pain in the proverbial, don't even contemplate changing your super fund.

Banks and personal loans

Many banks offer personal loans.

Investors Bid Up Banks Despite Rise In Bad Debts

BANKS were chalking up a record increase in bad debts even before the most recent wave of the credit crisis, figures published yesterday show, amid continuing gyrations in global sharemarkets and oil prices.

Wary Market Wins Back Ground As Bargain Hunters Make A Deposit

THE Australian sharemarket shrugged off renewed US financial jitters to close solidly as retailer Woolworths reported good sales and bargain hunters snapped up the big banks and other beaten-down stocks.

Home loan options with banks

Banks offer home loans with a variety of options to help you find the right home loan to suit your needs.

When All The Feedback Goes One Way, Market Movement Becomes Irresistible

The lead from the US makes it plain - the runs affect markets, not just banks.

Crunch Time For Banks

THE global credit crisis has entered a dangerous phase with the US Government forced to prop up the country's two biggest mortgage lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Editorial Lord Giveth, The Big Banks Taketh Away

GIVEN World Youth Day and this religious environment, you might forgive us for drawing on the adage "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away". Because no sooner had Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan given us a tax cut then the banks took away the proceeds with another rate hike.

Agribusiness Banks

Many banks in Australia are making an effort to help farmers and rural areas during difficult times.

More Banks To Lift Home Rates

NATIONAL Australia Bank and Westpac are expected to add to pressure on home owners and businesses as early as tomorrow, as they prepare to catch up with the latest rises in rates on standard variable home loans with increases of up to 0.15%.

Banks Still Frightening Off Bidders

THE hits just keep on coming. With barely a pause for mortgage holders and buyers to catch their breath from the last round of official and market-driven interest rises, four more banks chose this week to raise lending rates - with another three expected to follow suit shortly.

Big Banks' Interest Moves Take Heat Off Reserve

THE decision yesterday by two of the Big Four banks to increase home loan rates independent of the Reserve Bank reduces the chances of the central bank taking monetary policy action for the rest of this year.

What Transaction accounts are right for you

When you're looking for new account to use on a daily basis, you need to look around for the right sort of accounts that will suit your needs.

Fewer Seek Loans As Rates Edge Up

MORTGAGE holders have a nervous wait to see if the big four banks follow in the footsteps of smaller lenders St George and BankWest, which have increased their variable lending rates independently of the Reserve Bank.

Hard Sell For Power Assets

Government financial advisory jobs are not especially lucrative. But the selling of the NSW-owned power assets for the Treasurer, Michael Costa, will mean that investment banks Lazard and CSFB have to work very hard for their money.

Banks and your business

Banks can help you when you're thinking of opening your own business.

They're Watching You

Changes to the Privacy Act will give banks more powers.

Financial Services Sector Needs To Build Trust In Wake Of Crisis

Unjustified fears have undermined confidence in banks and leading companies, writes John Mulcahy.

Firepower's Phileas Fogg Steals Away

After leading banks on a merry dance, Firepower's boss has vanished, report Robert Wainwright in London and Gerard Ryle.

Which credit card suits your needs?

Banks can offer a variety of credit cards to suit your needs.

Bank Pundits Battle Weary But Bosses Keep Stockpiling

THE idea that you couldn't lose buying the banks has left an army of private investors bloodied and bruised.

Banks Squeeze Small Businesses As Credit Crunch Takes Hold

SMALL- and medium-sized companies are being squeezed by the banks, with interest rates on their loans being raised by even more than the amounts added to home loans as a result of the global credit crunch.

Banks Put Bite On Business

BANKS are squeezing small and medium companies with interest rate rises higher than those on home loans because of the global credit crunch.

Commonwealth Bank Low Rate credit card

Banks offer all sorts of low rates for the personal banking needs of Australians. When looking at credit cards from different banks, it's hard to go past the Commonwealth Bank Low Rate credit card.

Samurai Issues Lose Their Appeal

AN INCREASE in pricing costs and growing investor concern about regional economic prospects have forced mid-tier financial institutions to have second thoughts about raising funds from the Japanese Samurai bond market - recently a good source of credit for Australian banks.

ANZ Balance Visa

Banks offer some fairly good deals on credit cards, but the ANZ Balance Visa is exceptionally good value in terms of its rate.

Banks Give Allco A Break

ALLCO Finance Group shareholders are learning to live with banks on their backs.

Banks Tighten The Screws On Allco

ALLCO Finance Group shareholders are learning to live with banks on their backs.

Garnaut Report Has Rudd Cooling On Warming

ROSS Garnaut could be heading for a "Gary Banks moment".

Banks Back Babcock

TROUBLED investment bank Babcock & Brown has been granted a reprieve from a market capitalisation-triggered review after it renegotiated its $2.8 billion debt facility with its lenders.

B&b Wins Market Trigger Reprieve

A REVISED deal with its banks to cut its borrowing needs to $2.4 billion has secured Babcock & Brown's release from a market capitalisation hook that had threatened to add its name to the list of recent high-profile corporate debt casualties.

Resourceful Investors Take Cake As Bank Interest Wanes

MEMBERSHIP of the "banks are evil" club may well have grown, thanks to the performance of the Australian sharemarket over the past year.

Nightmare Is Over For Babcock & Brown And Now It's Safe As 25 Banks

Babcock has the room it needs to re-engineer for tougher times.