Mark Bristow

History repeats? Warning signs of Australia's own GFC

Australia’s property market may be in a similar position to that of the United States prior to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), according to one NSW economist.

End of year uptick in balance transfer cards

The number of credit cards offering 0% balance transfers grew slightly at the end of 2017, offering some relief to Australians with post-holiday debt. However, despite this surge in card numbers, there are still fewer interest-free balance transfer cards available than there were in mid-2017.

More Aussies finish 2017 in mortgage stress

The number of Australians in mortgage stress was on the rise at the end of 2017, with mortgage holders in New South Wales at the greatest risk, according to new analysis from Digital Finance Analytics (DFA).

Government encourages Australians to switch and save in 2018

With many Australians concerned about the impact that potential fuel and energy price rises could have on their household budgets, the federal government is encouraging Aussies to make use of comparison tools to get more affordable deals.

Super set to deliver double-digit returns

A December 2017 rally provided enough of a boost to push estimated annual returns on Australian superannuation funds into double digits. This annual return is understood to not only be the sixth positive annual return in a row, but to be well above the annual 10-year average.

What are the pros and cons of having multiple credit cards?

Many people love the convenience offered by credit cards. Rather than saving up cash over time to make a purchase, you can use your card to buy right now.

Early super release rules being reviewed

The Australian government is reviewing the rules surrounding the early release of superannuation, and seeking consultation from the public on when super should be claimed.

Australia ending 2017 on a consumer confidence high

As the year draws towards a close, and the Christmas period approaches, Australians are feeling confident about the current and future economic conditions.

Why do home loans get rejected?

Having a home loan rejected can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’ve put a lot of time and effort into your application. While different banks use different criteria to assess home loan applications, there are a few common issues that could see your mortgage application rejected:

Fees fading for international banking

Some of Australia’s major financial institutions are taking steps towards improving their international services for travellers, eliminating or reducing some of the fees that typically apply to overseas transactions, or for sending money overseas.