Mortgage

Did you defer your loan repayments?

Did you defer your loan repayments?

If you’re one of 900,000 Aussies who deferred their home or business loan due to COVID-19, you could be getting a call from your bank in the next few weeks. Here’s our guide to your options…

Small business relief on loans...

Small business relief on loans...

Australian banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for six months, starting Monday…

Your No 1 Financial Focus, Decade By Decade...

Your No 1 Financial Focus, Decade By Decade...

Everyone has a different life journey they’re on. But getting on top of key financial goals as you follow your own path could see you enjoying a more comfortable lifestyle and being ready for the next chapter to begin. Read our guide to getting all your money matters sorted out, one decade at a time…

Global Debt: Be alert, but not alarmed

Global Debt: Be alert, but not alarmed

As global interest rates bottom, concerns about rising inflation and interest rates, quite naturally, come to the fore, particularly in a time where global debt (country, corporate and personal debt) are an all time high. So as investors, retirees and superannuation members, how concerned should we be? AMP’s Dr Shane Oliver gives 7 reasons to be alert, but not alarmed…

Don't miss out

Don't miss out

In another sign that lenders may be getting "back in the game" for new lending, Bankwest have have just announced a 0.25% base rate reduction on their variable interest only investment loans. If you haven't reviewed your loans lately, you may be missing out, so call us for a second opinion or speak to Mike Hearn at Finance 56.

5 issues to consider before tying the knot...

5 issues to consider before tying the knot...

Before your big day, much of the financial talk may have been around budgeting for your wedding and planning your honeymoon. But while not nearly as exciting, there’s another vital part of your new partnership that should be considered: your future finances.

Finances can be one of the biggest sources of stress and tension in a marriage. However, open communication and careful planning now can help you avoid many problems down the road.

Here are five important areas to examine before you walk down the aisle:

2018: A List of Lists

2018: A List of Lists

Although 2017 saw the usual worry list – around President Trump, elections in Europe, China, North Korea and Australian property – it was good for investors. Balanced super funds had returns around 10%, which is pretty good given inflation was around 2%. This year has started favourably but volatility may pick up as geopolitical threats loom a little larger and US inflation rises. This note provides a summary of key insights on the global investment outlook in simple dot point form...

Alert: Residential Property Deductions

Alert: Residential Property Deductions

The ATO have now made the following changes to residential property deductions, applicable from 1st July 2017...

Mistakes To Mastery (Free eBook)

Mistakes To Mastery (Free eBook)

Life doesn’t revolve around money. Lots of other things - like family, friends, and health - can be much more important to you than your bank balance. But some personal goals are hard to achieve if you don’t have much money. That’s why the FPA have put together this handy guide to getting to grips with the do’s and don’ts of your finances...

Superannuation: Housing Measures Passed

Superannuation: Housing Measures Passed

Two very important housing affordability measures were passed on December 7th - the First Home Super Saver Scheme & Downsizer Contributions...

Income & Dividends: The search for yield

Income & Dividends: The search for yield

For some time now, the investment world has been characterised by a search for decent yield paying investments. This “search for yield” actually started last decade but was interrupted by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the Eurozone debt crisis before resuming again in earnest...

The $A: THIS IS NOT 2007!

Contrary to our expectations, the Australian dollar has recently broken out of the $US0.72 to $US0.78 range of the last 15 months or so on the upside and spiked above $US0.80, its highest in over two years.

So what gives? Why has the $A broken higher? Is it an Australian dollar or US dollar story? What will be the impact on the economy? Is it on its way to parity again or will the downtrend resume?  Read more here.

RATES ON HOLD

The RBA has opted to leave the official cash rate on hold at 1.5%.

As lenders continue with their out of cycle rate increases, at its board meeting today the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged.

This follows new data released yesterday that indicates the strong Sydney and Melbourne property markets may be close to peaking following APRA's intervention into the levels of interest only and investment lending the banks are funding.

It also appears the Reserve Bank is waiting to gauge the impact of next Tuesday's federal budget on overall economic sentiment.