Thursday July 31, 2008
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.
Thursday July 31, 2008
By looking for the right type of personal loan, you could end up saving yourself hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars.
Thursday July 31, 2008
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.
Wednesday July 30, 2008
In a day of bad news, two items stood out for the depth of their significance.
Wednesday July 30, 2008
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.
Wednesday July 30, 2008
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.
Wednesday July 30, 2008
Australian banks and super funds are well and truly out of their depth, writes David Hirst.
Wednesday July 30, 2008
Finding out which banks offer the best home loan all depends on your needs and affordability.
Tuesday July 29, 2008
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.
Tuesday July 29, 2008
If the banks and investors can hang on, their shares are great long-term buying.
Tuesday July 29, 2008
If you're looking to save your money, ask you banks what sort of accounts they offer.
Tuesday July 29, 2008
THE Australian dollar slumped yesterday as fresh details emerged of local banks' exposure to the credit crisis, fanning fears of financial slowdown.
Monday July 28, 2008
If your money is split up into certain areas, you'll be able to earn more interest on your savings and avoid transaction fees.
Sunday July 27, 2008
HAVING just given the banks another drubbing, it can't be long before the market turns on resources stocks with a vengeance.
Sunday July 27, 2008
Many banks offer personal loans that are specifically designed for people wanting car loans.
Saturday July 26, 2008
When applying for credit cards, it's important to think about how you intend to use it.
Saturday July 26, 2008
Other banks will now examine their exposure, conduit exposure especially.
Friday July 25, 2008
Before hitting up your banks for a home loan, sit down and consider if you can afford one just yet.
Thursday July 24, 2008
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.
Thursday July 24, 2008
Banks, especially in the current financial climate, can be very strict about who they will lend money to.
Wednesday July 23, 2008
Banks are not just a large institution willing to store your money.
Tuesday July 22, 2008
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.
Tuesday July 22, 2008
Most banks offer personal loans to suit you.
Monday July 21, 2008
Think about using a borrowing power calculator to give you a rough guide.
Sunday July 20, 2008
Despite fears of Big Brother-style snooping, moves are under way to give lenders greater access to consumers' financial details, writes Tom Reilly.
Sunday July 20, 2008
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.
Sunday July 20, 2008
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.
Sunday July 20, 2008
Finding the right home loan can be a tricky business.
Saturday July 19, 2008
Most banks offer credit cards.
Saturday July 19, 2008
If you think changing banks is a pain in the proverbial, don't even contemplate changing your super fund.
Friday July 18, 2008
Many banks offer personal loans.
Friday July 18, 2008
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.
Thursday July 17, 2008
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.
Wednesday July 16, 2008
Banks offer home loans with a variety of options to help you find the right home loan to suit your needs.
Wednesday July 16, 2008
The lead from the US makes it plain - the runs affect markets, not just banks.
Tuesday July 15, 2008
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.
Tuesday July 15, 2008
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.
Monday July 14, 2008
Many banks in Australia are making an effort to help farmers and rural areas during difficult times.
Monday July 14, 2008
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%.
Sunday July 13, 2008
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.
Saturday July 12, 2008
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.
Friday July 11, 2008
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.
Thursday July 10, 2008
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.
Wednesday July 9, 2008
Banks can help you when you're thinking of opening your own business.
Wednesday July 9, 2008
Changes to the Privacy Act will give banks more powers.
Wednesday July 9, 2008
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.
Tuesday July 8, 2008
Unjustified fears have undermined confidence in banks and leading companies, writes John Mulcahy.
Monday July 7, 2008
After leading banks on a merry dance, Firepower's boss has vanished, report Robert Wainwright in London and Gerard Ryle.
Monday July 7, 2008
Banks can offer a variety of credit cards to suit your needs.
Sunday July 6, 2008
THE idea that you couldn't lose buying the banks has left an army of private investors bloodied and bruised.
Friday July 4, 2008
BANKS are squeezing small and medium companies with interest rate rises higher than those on home loans because of the global credit crunch.
Friday July 4, 2008
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.
Friday July 4, 2008
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.
Friday July 4, 2008
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.
Wednesday July 2, 2008
Banks offer some fairly good deals on credit cards, but the ANZ Balance Visa is exceptionally good value in terms of its rate.
Wednesday July 2, 2008
ALLCO Finance Group shareholders are learning to live with banks on their backs.
Wednesday July 2, 2008
ROSS Garnaut could be heading for a "Gary Banks moment".
Wednesday July 2, 2008
ALLCO Finance Group shareholders are learning to live with banks on their backs.
Tuesday July 1, 2008
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.
Tuesday July 1, 2008
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.
Tuesday July 1, 2008
Babcock has the room it needs to re-engineer for tougher times.
Tuesday July 1, 2008
MEMBERSHIP of the "banks are evil" club may well have grown, thanks to the performance of the Australian sharemarket over the past year.