Economy

FHLDS allows for pre-approval extension amid COVID-19
3 April 2020
FHLDS allows for pre-approval extension amid COVID-19

Lenders will be allowed to extend their pre-approval period for borrowers using the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme given the coronavirus pandemic, the NHFIC has said.

Negative interest rates out of the question: RBA
2 April 2020
RBA

The Reserve Bank has “no appetite” for negative interest rates, with the current cash rate locked in for an “extended period”, the central bank has confirmed.

Construction spikes before virus shock
2 April 2020
Construction spikes

The number of dwellings approved for construction in February jumped by almost 20 per cent when compared with January, highlighting the strength of the market prior to the coronavirus hit

COVID-19 will have ‘dramatic effect’ on mortgage process
1 April 2020
COVID-19 will have ‘dramatic effect’ on mortgage process

The rapid move to support digital mortgages amid the coronavirus pandemic “will have a dramatic effect” on how people will transact on mortgages in future, the CEOs of NAB and ANZ have ...

Wage subsidy to ease mortgage stress, ‘minimise’ defaults
1 April 2020
Scott Morrison

Mortgage holders will be breathing a “sigh of relief” following the federal government’s announcement of a new $130-billion support package, according to analysts.

Government announces historic $130bn support package
31 March 2020
parliament house

The federal government has committed an additional $130 billion in support to protect jobs threatened by the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. 

New interventions to hit housing turnover
31 March 2020
suburbs

New government-led interventions in the housing market in response to the coronavirus outbreak are set to further hinder transaction activity, according to Domain.

Auction ban drives up withdrawal rates
31 March 2020
Auction ban drives up withdrawal rates

The number of owners withdrawing their property from auction soared to 40 per cent last week, following the introduction of a ban on auctions and open homes, according to CoreLogic.

Government to screen all foreign investment
31 March 2020
The Treasury

The government has introduced new regulations that will see all foreign investments in Australia screened for approval, regardless of the value or nature of the foreign investor.

Non-banks lower risk appetites
30 March 2020
Non-banks lower risk appetites

The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have prompted more non-bank lenders to make changes to their credit policies, which include a tightening of risk appetite.