The big four Australian banks have long held a dominant position in the mortgage market, but even among them, things are far from equal. According to a recent assessment by investment bank Nomura, based on figures released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, NAB and ANZ continue to dominate the home lending market, with Commonwealth steady and Westpac falling behind. […]
Strong Christmas sales are expected on both sides of the Tasman, with consumer confidence growing in Australia and steady in New Zealand. According to the latest figures from Roy Morgan Research, an increasing majority of households believe now is a good time to purchase white goods, entertainment products, electronics, and other major household items. The Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Rating […]
After being told for almost half a century that fat is bad for us, a number of health experts are doing an abrupt about-face. Surprisingly, the consumption of heal thy fats can actually help to lower the risk of heart disease, along with boosting the immune system, regulating weight, and decreasing the chance of diabetes. However, it is important to […]
Despite consistent worriers and “good old days” nostalgia, Australia is in good financial shape heading into 2014. The latest insight into the state of the nation comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), who have just released the Measure of Australia’s Progress (MAP) report. Economic data from the report was largely positive, with consumer sentiment also rising according to […]
Christmas is an important part of global culture, both as a secular holiday and a defining element of the Christian religion. However, even though this special time of year is celebrated by millions of people around the world, not all Christmas traditions are the same. From pagan celebrations based on pre-Christian holidays through to strange European and Asian customs, Christmas […]
Australian home loan approvals are on the rise, with recent September results growing faster than expected. Approvals have been rising steadily for most of the year despite a fall in August, with the property market strengthening throughout most of 2013. It’s not all clear sailing for the housing sector, however, with warnings of risky lending by the RBA and the […]