Borrowing
Savers better off than borrowers but banks best off of all
Patrick Commins If you're more of a saver than a borrower, chances are you didn't crack open the champagne this month when the Reserve Bank cut interest rates by half a ...
Extra payments a winner
Last week's rate cut gives home loan borrowers a golden opportunity to build equity in their home and pay off their debt sooner, writes John Kavanagh.
Lenders need competition to keep them keen
Mark Bouris AUSTRALIANS look at the Reserve Bank's cash-rate announcement on the first Tuesday of each month and make decisions based on it.
Devil in the detail
Lesley Parker Consolidating your debts may sound like a good idea but it does have risks.
Foundations of a secure future
There's debt and there's debt. Lesley Parker finds out what makes one debt 'bad' and another 'good' - and how to stay safe regardless.
Line-of-credit loan disastrous
Lesley Parker Good debt turned bad for Pix Jonasson when she and her former husband borrowed to invest in a business and four investment properties.
Borrowers flock to certainty of fixed-rate mortgages
John Collett A fall in fixed rates has increased the portion of home-buyers who buy fixed-rate mortgages.
Lock in and save
John Collett Fixed-rate mortgages offer greater certainty as lenders sneak through increases on variable loans.
What the great credit card con could cost you
NICOLE PEDERSEN-MCKINNON The average credit card holder will be in debt until 2056 - but you can lessen the plastic pain.
Lenders are on borrowed time
Penny Pryor Why three-quarters of mortgage holders are ready to switch.
Amex cuts penalty fee
Ben Butler Credit regulator has forced American Express to stop charging punitive interest rates.
Insight
Sean Alymer Interest rates, or at least the official interest rate set by the Reserve Bank, won’t move around much during the next couple of years.
Negotiate to cut your rate
Jason Clout With the big four banks increasing their lending rate, it's imperative borrowers take control of their finances by shopping around for the best loan on offer.
More mortgage pain looms
Eric Johnston and Peter Martin Borrowers face further pain, with Commonwealth and NAB expected to review mortgage, business rates.
Rise in the abuse rate
NICOLE PEDERSEN-MCKINNON ANZ's interest hike is a signal that consumers should get smart to stop blatant exploitation.
Credit card requests down at Xmas
A weak Christmas for credit cards suggests the end-of-year spending malaise may have extended beyond retail stores.
Banks in precarious position on rates
Chris Zappone After two decades of funding ever-increasing home loans, Australia's banks have reached crunch time.
Margin loans still on the nose
High interest rates and poor returns means borrowing to invest in shares can be precarious, writes Lesley Parker.
Banks' could pull back on home loans
Gareth Hutchens Banks could pull back from lending to new home owners after making losses on mortgages.
