SMEs are set to have better access to finance, with the Australian government making two key moves this month to free-up lending to small business operators. Firstly, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says he will instruct the corporate watchdog ASIC to tell banks to waive responsible lending standards for small businesses. Mr Frydenberg says while small businesses…

Looking to refinance your home loan? A valuation is a vital part of the process. So today we’ll look at some ways you can help get your home in tip-top shape. When you refinance to try and get a better deal on your home loan, the lender you’re applying with will arrange a valuation to…

The property price caps in each state have been revealed for the federal government’s new first home buyer scheme. Read on to find out the maximum value of a property you can purchase under the scheme. Imagine buying your first home with a 5% deposit and not having to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Sounds…

Are you paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly? New research indicates that how often you’re paid has a pretty big bearing on whether you’re a saver or a spender. The research, conducted by small business platform Xero, shows that Aussies who receive their salaries weekly are more likely to splash their hard-earned cash than those who…

Got a large, overdue tax debt with the Australian Tax Office (ATO)? Then best listen up, because certain tax debt information can now be reported to credit reporting bureaus (CRBs). A new Australian law means the ATO will be able to disclose the tax debt information of a business to CRBs when certain criteria are…

You know that infuriating habit the big banks have of failing to pass on the RBA’s cash rate cuts in full? Well, it’s finally triggered the federal government to order an inquiry into home loan pricing. The inquiry, which is being conducted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), comes just weeks after the…

The ‘pendulum may have swung a bit too far’ when it comes to the tight lending standards currently imposed on small businesses, says the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Since the RBA cut the official cash rate to a new record low of 0.75% on Tuesday, most of the attention has been on whether the…

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to a new record low of 0.75%. But will the banks pass on the interest rate cut in full to you? RBA Governor Philip Lowe said this third rate cut in five monetary policy meetings was made to support…

Three-in-five prospective first home buyers intend to buy soon with a smaller deposit, rather than wait until they have saved a 20% deposit. So how do they plan on doing so? It usually takes between seven to 14 years for first home buyers to save a 20% first home deposit, according to a new report…

More than one-in-five SMEs are having cash flow problems due to business loans being rejected, according to new research. The report, by market analysis firm East & Partners on behalf of Scottish Pacific, also shows just one in 10 SMEs believe they are on top of their cash flow. One of the main culprits? More…