| TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Fri, 02 Jan: In a strategic move to make life insurance more relevant to younger Australians, TAL has expanded its Health Sense Plus program to encompass income protection policies. This initiative allows advisers to offer clients enhanced value through a straightforward preventative health engagement. - read more
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| APRA Calls for Sustainable Reforms in Income Protection Insurance Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has expressed concerns regarding the sustainability of income protection insurance, following significant losses within the industry. Over a five-year period, insurers have reported losses totaling $2.5 billion on this product. - read more
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| HCF Life Recognised for Excellence in Income Protection Insurance Fri, 02 Jan: HCF Life, part of Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund, has been honored with the 'Best for Income Protection Insurance (Direct)' award by WeMoney for the third consecutive year. This accolade underscores HCF Life's commitment to providing competitive and customer-focused insurance products. - read more
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| Significant Drop in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Fri, 02 Jan: In a notable development for Australian businesses, commercial insurance rates have experienced a significant decline. According to Marsh's Global Insurance Market Index, the Australia-Pacific market saw an 8% drop in commercial rates during the fourth quarter of 2024, marking the most substantial decrease globally. - read more
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| Rapid Growth of Australian Insurtech Sector Signals Industry Transformation Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian insurtech sector is experiencing rapid growth, introducing innovations that are set to transform the insurance landscape. A recent report titled 'Insurtech Down Under: Trends, Tech and Triumphs' highlights the sector's expansion and its potential to enhance efficiency, security, and customer engagement within the industry. - read more
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| IAG CEO Predicts Ongoing Insurance Premium Rises Fri, 02 Jan: Insurance Australia Group (IAG), a leading insurer in Australia, has reported a significant 91% increase in net profit for the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year, reaching $778 million. This substantial profit growth is largely attributed to favourable weather conditions during the period. - read more
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| Climate Change's Impact on Home Insurance Costs Fri, 02 Jan: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has highlighted that climate change is playing a significant role in the rising costs of home insurance premiums across Australia. The insurer's recent report indicates that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events are elevating risks for homeowners, leading to higher insurance costs. - read more
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| Significant Insurance Premium Increases Reported by Choice Fri, 02 Jan: Consumer advocacy group Choice has released a report highlighting substantial increases in home and contents insurance premiums across Australia. The report indicates that some insurers have raised their rates by over 30% in the past year, significantly outpacing the average premium increase of 16%. - read more
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| First-Home Buyers Drive Surge in Affordable Housing Market Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian housing market is experiencing a significant shift, with first-home buyers increasingly entering the affordable housing sector. This surge is largely attributed to the government's expanded 5% deposit scheme, which has made homeownership more accessible to a broader demographic. - read more
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| Rentvesting: A Strategic Approach for First-Home Buyers Fri, 02 Jan: In the face of escalating property prices and intense competition, Australian first-home buyers are increasingly turning to 'rentvesting' as a viable strategy to enter the property market. This approach involves renting a residence in a preferred location while simultaneously purchasing an investment property in a more affordable area. - read more
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| Investor Activity Intensifies Competition for First-Home Buyers Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian housing market is witnessing a significant surge in property investor activity, leading to intensified competition for first-home buyers. Over the year leading up to June, property investors borrowed a record sum of nearly $130 billion to purchase homes, marking a substantial increase supported by recent interest rate cuts. - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Named Money Minder of the Year 2025 Thu, 01 Jan: In the 2025 Consumer Finance Awards, Macquarie Bank has been honoured as the Money Minder of the Year by Money magazine. This accolade highlights the bank's exceptional performance in managing Australians' savings and term deposits. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank Recognised as Business Bank of the Year 2025 Thu, 01 Jan: In the latest Consumer Finance Awards, Commonwealth Bank has been named Business Bank of the Year 2025 by Money magazine. This recognition reflects the bank's unwavering support for Australia's small and medium enterprises (SMEs). - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Honoured as Investment Property Lender of the Year 2025 Thu, 01 Jan: Macquarie Bank has been awarded the Investment Property Lender of the Year 2025 by Money magazine, acknowledging its significant role in supporting Australia's property investors. - read more
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| Scooter Sales Rise as Australian Motorcycle Market Faces Downturn Thu, 01 Jan: In the first nine months of 2025, Australia's motorcycle market experienced a 2.2% decline, with total sales reaching 63,988 units. However, the scooter segment defied this trend, recording a 4.6% increase in sales and now accounting for 5.7% of the total market. This growth underscores a shift towards more efficient and affordable urban transportation options. - read more
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| OnDeck Australia Sees Significant Growth in Broker-Originated SME Loans Thu, 01 Jan: OnDeck Australia has reported a remarkable 246% year-on-year increase in broker-originated small business loans funded in November 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. This substantial growth underscores a renewed confidence among Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in seeking financial support through broker channels. - read more
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| AFCA Issues Caution to SMEs on Unregulated Lending Practices Thu, 01 Jan: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has issued a warning to small businesses regarding the risks associated with engaging unregulated lenders. This caution comes in response to a notable increase in complaints related to lenders not covered by the Credit Act and who are not members of AFCA. - read more
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| So Money Launches New Lending Solutions for Self-Employed and SMEs Thu, 01 Jan: In response to Australia's expanding small business sector, non-bank lender So Money has introduced new lending solutions tailored for self-employed borrowers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This strategic move aims to simplify the income verification process and provide more flexible financing options to a traditionally underserved market. - read more
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| Preparing for Summer Storms: Elders Insurance's Advice to Farmers Thu, 01 Jan: As the Australian summer approaches, Elders Insurance has issued a cautionary advisory to farmers, emphasising the heightened risk of storm-related damages during this season. Recent data indicates a significant increase in insurance claims due to summer storms, underscoring the need for proactive measures to safeguard agricultural assets. - read more
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| New Partnership Offers Insurance Savings for Sustainable Farmers Thu, 01 Jan: In a significant move towards promoting sustainable agriculture, WFI Insurance has partnered with AgCarE to offer premium reductions to farmers who achieve AgCarE certification. This collaboration aims to enhance financial, environmental, and social outcomes for Australian farmers and rural communities. - read more
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| IAG Highlights Climate Change's Impact on Rising Insurance Costs Thu, 01 Jan: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has issued a warning to Australians, indicating that home insurance premiums are expected to rise due to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, a trend attributed to climate change. This development underscores the pressing need for both mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the evolving risks. - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Recognised for Excellence in Investment Property Lending Thu, 01 Jan: Macquarie Bank has been honored as the Investment Property Lender of the Year in Money magazine's 2025 Consumer Finance Awards. This accolade highlights the bank's commitment to providing flexible and tailored loan products for property investors. Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
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| Surge in Mortgage Refinancing as Homeowners Seek Better Rates Thu, 01 Jan: The Australian mortgage market has witnessed a significant surge in refinancing activity, with nearly 100,000 loans refinanced in the June 2025 quarter. This marks the highest level since September 2023 and reflects homeowners' proactive responses to recent interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
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| RBA's October 2025 Review Highlights Australia's Financial Resilience Thu, 01 Jan: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has released its October 2025 Financial Stability Review, providing a comprehensive assessment of the nation's financial health. The report underscores the resilience of Australia's financial system, even amidst elevated global uncertainties. Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
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| Australian Lenders Tighten Policies on Trust and Company Lending Thu, 01 Jan: In a significant shift within Australia's financial sector, major lenders Macquarie Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) have recently implemented stricter policies regarding lending to trusts and companies. These changes reflect a broader trend towards more cautious lending practices in response to regulatory concerns and market dynamics. Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
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