Mark Bristow

Cheaper car loans fail to offset rising transport costs

Australia’s transport costs were up over the 2017 December quarter, with rises to the cost of fuel, tolls and insurance outpacing falls in the cost of car loans, servicing and registration, according to the Australian Automobile Association (AAA).

Will South Australia stay strong through 2018?

South Australia’s property market experienced a strong finish to 2017, according to new figures from the Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA), though housing affordability remains an important issue.

Set financial goals and talk them through, says NAB

If you struggle to achieve your financial goals, maybe you should try discussing them with the person who knows you best – yourself. According to a new study from National Australia Bank (NAB), Australians that talk to themselves about their financial goals are 29% more likely to achieve them than those who don’t.

Counting the cost of overseas fees in 2017

Australian travellers lost $442 million in overseas bank fees and charge over 2017, according to new research from ING. At the individual level, this breaks down to paying $155 per person, per trip, for the convenience of accessing their finances internationally.

Banking organisations respond to Productivity Commission

Australia’s banking organisations have responded to the release of the draft report from the Productivity Commission (PC) on competition in Australia’s financial sector, looking closely at issues affecting both their members and Australian bank customers.

Rising costs affecting vulnerable households

Pensioners and other recipients of government benefits have been the most affected by rising prices for goods and services, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Brisbane housing forecast to shine

The Aussie capital with the best-performing housing market over the next few years may not be the usual suspects of Sydney or Melbourne, but rather Brisbane, thanks to more affordable housing and strong jobs growth and interstate migration.

75% of Aussie capitals see dwelling values drop in January

The latest hedonic home value index from CoreLogic found that six out of the eight Australian capital cities experienced a drop in dwelling values over the first month of 2018, and unless something changes, the market may continue to soften over the course of the year.

Low CPI's effect on rents, interest rates

While the pace of Australian inflation remained steady over the December 2017 quarter, rental inflation dipped to a 25-year low over the same period. While some industry commentators forecast interest rates remaining on hold in the immediate future, others feel that these inflation figures could be a sign of rate hikes on the horizon.

ASIC accuses CBA of unconscionable conduct

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has taken the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to the Federal Court over allegations of unconscionable conduct and market manipulation.