Finance News from Car Loans Australia

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Finance News

First-Home Buyers Navigate Record-Low Affordability to Achieve Homeownership First-Home Buyers Navigate Record-Low Affordability to Achieve Homeownership
03 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's housing affordability has reached unprecedented lows, with typical first-home buying households able to afford only 17% of properties sold last year. This stark reality is primarily due to the surge in mortgage rates between 2022 and 2023, which has significantly impacted purchasing power. - read more
Surge in First-Home Buyer Guarantees Reflects Growing Demand Surge in First-Home Buyer Guarantees Reflects Growing Demand
03 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In October 2025, the Australian housing market witnessed a significant uptick in first-home buyer activity, with 5,778 guarantees issued under the expanded 5% Deposit Scheme. This marks a 48% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, indicating a robust response to the government's initiative aimed at facilitating homeownership for first-time buyers. - read more
New Builds Gain Popularity Among First-Home Buyers Facing Market Pressures New Builds Gain Popularity Among First-Home Buyers Facing Market Pressures
03 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In response to recent interest rate cuts and escalating property prices, Australian first-home buyers are increasingly turning to new builds as a viable pathway to homeownership. The Reserve Bank's decision to lower the cash rate to 3.85%—the lowest in over two years—has enhanced borrowing capacity, yet it has also intensified competition in the housing market. - read more
BlackRock's iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF Tops 2026 Rankings BlackRock's iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF Tops 2026 Rankings
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Investors seeking exposure to Australia's leading companies have a standout option in 2026. BlackRock's iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF has been recognised as the Best Australian Shares Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) by Money magazine's 2026 Best of the Best awards. - read more
2026 Property Market Outlook: States Set for Significant Growth 2026 Property Market Outlook: States Set for Significant Growth
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

As Australia enters 2026, the property market continues to exhibit resilience, with certain states poised for notable growth. Recent research from property analytics firm Cotality indicates that 87% of surveyed real estate and finance professionals anticipate home prices to rise over the year, with nearly half expecting growth exceeding 5%. - read more
Navigating Australia's Financial Reforms in 2026 Navigating Australia's Financial Reforms in 2026
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

As 2026 unfolds, Australians are set to experience several significant financial reforms that will impact various aspects of their personal and business finances. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for effective financial planning and decision-making. - read more
KTM AG Secures Major Funding to Finalize Restructuring Plan KTM AG Secures Major Funding to Finalize Restructuring Plan
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM AG has successfully secured €600 million in funding, enabling the company to fulfill its debt obligations and complete its restructuring plan. This development is particularly significant for Australian riders and dealers who rely on KTM's presence in the market. - read more
APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will implement a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting banks to issuing no more than 20% of new home loans with DTI ratios of six times or higher. This measure applies to both owner-occupier and investor loans, excluding new housing developments. - read more
Japanese Banks SMBC and MUFG Drive Growth in Australian Business Lending Japanese Banks SMBC and MUFG Drive Growth in Australian Business Lending
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a notable shift within Australia's financial sector, Japanese banking giants Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) have emerged as key drivers of growth in business lending. As of July 2025, business lending volumes across Australia's top 10 authorized deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) reached A$925 billion, with SMBC and MUFG leading the expansion. - read more
LMG's Asset Finance Exchange Hits $80 Million Milestone in First Year LMG's Asset Finance Exchange Hits $80 Million Milestone in First Year
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Loan Market Group's (LMG) Asset Finance Exchange (AFX) has achieved a significant milestone, reporting approximately $80 million in settlements within its inaugural year. This accomplishment underscores the increasing demand for asset finance solutions among Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
MitchCap and BIA Collaborate to Boost Financial Literacy in Marine Industry MitchCap and BIA Collaborate to Boost Financial Literacy in Marine Industry
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Boating Industry Association (BIA) and MitchCap have announced a strategic partnership to launch a three-year Industry Financial Skills and Awareness Program aimed at enhancing financial literacy within Australia's marine sector. This initiative is set to provide BIA members nationwide with valuable knowledge, data analytics, and commercial resources to bolster their financial acumen. - read more
BIA and AFTA Forge Partnership to Strengthen Boating and Fishing Sectors BIA and AFTA Forge Partnership to Strengthen Boating and Fishing Sectors
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant move for Australia's outdoor recreation sector, the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) have formalized an agreement to collaborate more closely. This partnership is designed to benefit their combined membership base and bolster support for boat-based fishing across the nation. - read more
Westpac's Bold Move to Strengthen Business Lending Westpac's Bold Move to Strengthen Business Lending
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant strategic shift, Westpac Banking Corporation is intensifying its focus on business lending by restructuring its branch operations and investing heavily in digital platforms. This move aims to enhance support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia. - read more
AFCA Cautions SMEs on Unregulated Lending Practices AFCA Cautions SMEs on Unregulated Lending Practices
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has issued a cautionary advisory to small businesses regarding the potential risks associated with engaging lenders who are not members of AFCA. This warning comes in response to a noticeable increase in complaints from SMEs about lenders operating outside the regulatory framework. - read more
SMEs Seek Financing Solutions Ahead of ATO Debt Rule Changes SMEs Seek Financing Solutions Ahead of ATO Debt Rule Changes
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are proactively seeking financing solutions in response to impending changes in Australian Taxation Office (ATO) debt regulations. Effective July 1, general interest charges (GIC) and shortfall interest charges (SIC) on tax debts will no longer be tax-deductible, prompting a significant uptick in loan inquiries from businesses aiming to manage their tax obligations efficiently. - read more
Australian Banks Predict Interest Rate Increases in 2026 Australian Banks Predict Interest Rate Increases in 2026
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

As Australians continue to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape, recent forecasts from the nation's major banks have sparked concerns about potential interest rate hikes in 2026. This development could have significant implications for household budgets and overall financial planning. - read more
Australian Share Market Experiences Significant Decline Australian Share Market Experiences Significant Decline
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a recent development that has sent ripples through the financial community, the Australian share market experienced a substantial decline, erasing nearly $60 billion in value. This downturn has left investors grappling with widespread losses and seeking to understand the underlying causes. - read more
Monadelphous Achieves Significant Profit Growth Amidst Construction Surge Monadelphous Achieves Significant Profit Growth Amidst Construction Surge
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Monadelphous, a prominent Australian engineering group, has reported a substantial 34.6% increase in profit for the 2025 financial year. This impressive growth is largely attributed to robust construction activity and heightened demand within the energy sector. - read more
Australian Property Prices Set to Reach New Highs in 2026 Australian Property Prices Set to Reach New Highs in 2026
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

As we move into 2026, the Australian property market is poised for further growth, with analysts forecasting that median house prices will surpass $1 million nationally. This projection signals ongoing challenges for first-time home buyers aiming to enter the market. - read more
Adelaide's Property Market Set for Significant Growth in 2026 Adelaide's Property Market Set for Significant Growth in 2026
02 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Adelaide's property market is on track to experience substantial growth in 2026, with forecasts indicating that median house prices could rise by up to 18%. This anticipated surge positions Adelaide as a standout performer in the national real estate landscape. - read more
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