How do banks assess you for a home loan? And how do you work out what you can afford?

An RMIT expert runs through the process of getting a home loan. Ama Samarasinghe says the key to staying stress-free is to budget for reality, not hope

Weekend briefing: Animal spirits ignore economic data

US services sector loses expansion impulse; Canadian minimum pay rises; Toronto real estate sales rise but prices fall; record China travel; plenty of nickel; UST 10yr at 4.12%; gold & silver rise again, oil holds; AU$1 = 66.1 USc;

India's economy is stronger than Trump thinks

Shang-Jin Wei explains how India can turn recent setbacks into opportunities and extend its growth miracle

America’s crypto apocalypse

Hilary Allen foresees grave risks from recent US legislation deregulating stablecoins - and from the ideology it reflects

Property values gain pace heading into spring, driven by record-low listings

As the expanded Home Deposit Guarantee launches, the supply squeeze fuels sharp price growth. September housing markets had their strongest price rise since October 2023

Five megatrends shaping the rise of non-bank finance

The IMF points out half of all financial assets worldwide are now held and intermediated by companies that are not classified and regulated as banks

This time the RBA holds its fire

Despite growing signs of inflation rising and strongish labour markets, the RBA has held its cash rate target at 3.6% as widely expected

ING cuts some fixed home loan rates sharply

Ahead of the RBA's rate review, ING has shifted its one and two year fixed home loan rates down

Two challenger banks shift their term deposit rates

Challenger banks maintain their good premiums for savers over all the big four pillar banks with their latest rate shifts

August CPI rises 3%, at the top of the RBA's comfort zone

The battle to keep inflation under control and within the RBA's target range isn't won. In fact the pressure rose in August to its highest level in almost a year

‘Last period premium’ amount was misleading

ASIC takes court action alleging RACQ sent half a million misleading insurance renewal comparisons

Protecting SMSFs from below-standard private credit operators

Following warning signs from a new review, ASIC is moving to raise standards in the private credit sector, and has issued a series of stop orders against some current operators

Two big banks change rates for savers

NAB and Westpac change their bonus saver rates, but others still offer a better deal

Can you save by converting to a fixed rate home loan?

We look at the rationale for converting your variable rate mortgage to a fixed rate. There are good savings if you do that now, even if the RBA makes another rate cut before the end of 2025

The best places to park funds in the short term

We highlight the 4% rates and above, still available for a short term fixed deposit that avoids the risks of an intervening 'variable' rate change

Workers receiving a larger slice of the ‘economic pie’

Workers are receiving a larger slice of the ‘economic pie,’ with growth in costs moderating and demand remaining soft enough to help ensure these lower costs are passed on

Why gold may be losing its shine as a safe-haven investment

Gold is now firmly established as another investment asset - its role is as part of a diversified portfolio and not as a hedge