Mark Bristow

ASIC shifts strategy from financial literacy to capability

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is proposing updates to its National Financial Literacy Strategy, including shifting the focus to financial capability and outcomes rather than financial literacy alone.

More Aussies own less of their homes

The number of Australian mortgage-holders with little or no real equity in their properties has grown over the past 12 months, according to figures from Roy Morgan Research, placing them at considerable risk if they must sell or prices decline.

CBA puts focus on service, not sales

The Commonwealth Bank is continuing its recent charm offensive by changing how it pays its frontline staff. Rather than offering tellers financial incentives to make sales, the new system will reward the delivery of superior customer service in CBA branches.

How do mortgage brokers get paid? | RateCity

How much does a mortgage broker cost? How do brokers make their money? And can this affect which home loans your broker recommends? For the answers to these questions and more, read on:

Is Australia's future housing supply at risk?

An unprecedented number of Australian dwellings are currently in the development pipeline, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). With the average length of time between dwelling approval and commencement increasing, there is a growing risk that these projects could end up abandoned, potentially affecting Australia’s future building activity and housing supply.

NAB and CBA lead Big Four in CCR

Both National Australia Bank (NAB) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) have announced that they will participate in Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) in 2018, allowing more Australians the opportunity to improve their credit ratings by exercising positive borrowing habits.

More owner occupiers sell at a profit than investors

Australia’s housing market continues to make money for owner occupiers and investors, with 9 out of 10 resold properties making a profit in the June 2017 quarter.

Banking with your digital assistant

If you’ve ever asked a friendly disembodied voice to schedule an appointment, answer a trivia question, or just to tell a silly joke, then you may also be happy to ask your digital assistant for financial advice. With this in mind, National Australia Bank (NAB) has teamed up with Google to launch a new app for the Google Assistant platform.

New home sales not enough to reverse downward trend

Sales of new homes increased over August according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), though this was not enough to undo the slowdown seen across the nation this year.

Dwelling approval figures back up RBA on rates

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that dwelling approvals rose in August 2017. According to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), these figures support the recent decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to keep rates on hold for the fourteenth consecutive month.