| Decline in Mortgage Arrears as Home Prices Set to Rise Sat, 28 Feb: Recent data from Fitch Ratings' Dinkum RMBS Index indicates a decline in Australian mortgage arrears, with 30-plus day arrears falling to 1.13% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This improvement suggests that homeowners are managing their mortgage obligations more effectively, despite ongoing economic challenges. - read more
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| Marinas26 Conference to Highlight AI's Transformative Impact on Marina Operations Sat, 28 Feb: The Marina Industries Association (MIA) has unveiled the comprehensive program for Marinas26, its biennial conference and trade exhibition, scheduled for 24–27 May 2026 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Embracing the 'Future Smart' theme, the event aims to delve into emerging trends and technologies poised to reshape the marina and boatyard sector across the Asia-Pacific region. - read more
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| Major Banks Respond to RBA's Interest Rate Hike with Loan Rate Increases Sat, 28 Feb: In a significant move, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.85%, marking the first rate hike in over two years. This decision has prompted major banks, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Westpac, National Australia Bank (NAB), and ANZ, to adjust their loan interest rates accordingly. - read more
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| Luxury Yacht Segment Thrives Amidst Performance Boat Market Fluctuations Sat, 28 Feb: The latest Q4 2025 Marine Market Report reveals a notable divergence in the Australian marine industry, with the luxury yacht segment experiencing significant growth, while the performance boat sector faces considerable volatility. - read more
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| AIA Australia Introduces Enhancements to Priority Protection Life Insurance Sat, 28 Feb: AIA Australia has announced significant updates to its Priority Protection life insurance suite, effective from 9 November 2025. These enhancements are designed to simplify discounts, improve policy clarity, and support premium affordability for policyholders. - read more
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| Decline in Life and Income Protection Insurance Premiums Benefits Australians Sat, 28 Feb: Recent data indicates a notable decline in life and income protection insurance premiums across Australia, providing consumers with more affordable coverage options. According to the latest Direct Life Insurance Report from Rainmaker Information, direct life premiums have decreased by 7% since 2024. Similarly, direct income protection premiums have seen significant reductions, with average premiums for waiting periods of 30 days and 90 days decreasing by 12% and 13%, respectively. - read more
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| Club Marine Launches Land-Based Insurance for Race Boats Sat, 28 Feb: Club Marine, Australia's leading boat insurance provider, has expanded its offerings to include land-based insurance coverage for race boats. This initiative is designed to support participants in the Australian Offshore Superboat Championship (AOPC) by providing protection for their vessels while on land. - read more
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| Pantaenius Australia Offers New 90-Day Lift Cover for Boat Maintenance Sat, 28 Feb: Pantaenius Australia, a specialist in marine insurance, has introduced a 90-day lift cover policy designed to provide boat owners with third-party liability insurance while their vessels are out of the water for maintenance or survey purposes. - read more
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| Australians File Record 111,373 Financial Complaints in 2025 Sat, 28 Feb: In 2025, Australians lodged a record 111,373 complaints with the financial watchdog, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. This surge underscores growing consumer dissatisfaction and challenges within the financial services sector. - read more
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| Australian Home Insurance Premiums Soar by 51% Over Five Years Sat, 28 Feb: Australian homeowners have experienced a significant surge in home insurance premiums, with an average increase of 51% over the past five years. This substantial rise has placed a considerable financial burden on many households, particularly those in regions prone to natural disasters. - read more
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| AFCA Upholds Policyholder Rights in Income Protection Case Fri, 27 Feb: In June 2025, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) ruled in favour of a policyholder in a dispute over the duration of income protection payments. The case involved Resolution Life Australasia and centred on the insurer's decision to cease payments earlier than the policyholder expected. - read more
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| Swiss Re Advocates for Sustainable TPD Insurance Amid Rising Claims Fri, 27 Feb: In October 2025, Swiss Re, a leading global reinsurer, announced a temporary halt on accepting new life insurance business in Australia. This decision aims to address concerns over the sustainability of Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) products in the market. - read more
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| Suncorp's Strategic Reinsurance Program Enhances Financial Resilience Fri, 27 Feb: Suncorp has successfully finalised its catastrophe reinsurance program for the financial year 2026, achieving a reduction in costs due to improved market conditions. This strategic move is set to bolster the insurer's financial resilience and operational efficiency. - read more
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| Australia's General Insurance Market Poised for Significant Growth Fri, 27 Feb: The Australian general insurance industry is on a trajectory for substantial growth, with direct written premiums (DWP) projected to exceed $144 billion by 2029. This forecast, provided by data and analytics firm GlobalData, reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) driven by increasing demand for coverage in response to the rising frequency of natural disasters. - read more
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| Steady Growth Forecasted for Australia's Personal Accident and Health Insurance Sector Fri, 27 Feb: Australia's personal accident and health (A&H) insurance sector is poised for steady growth, with projections indicating an annual increase of over 4% through to 2030. This positive outlook is attributed to factors such as digital distribution, embedded coverage options, and heightened health concerns among the population. - read more
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| ASIC Calls for Enhanced Claims Handling Practices in Australian Insurance Sector Fri, 27 Feb: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the claims handling processes within the general insurance industry. The findings reveal significant deficiencies that, if unaddressed, could lead to compliance breaches and erode consumer trust. - read more
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| Australian Insurance Industry Accelerates AI Adoption for Improved Service Delivery Fri, 27 Feb: The Australian insurance sector is on the cusp of a technological transformation, with a recent survey by Earnix indicating that over two-thirds of insurers plan to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) within the next two years. This strategic shift aims to enhance operational efficiency and elevate customer service standards. - read more
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| Challenges Persist for First Home Buyers Amid Rising Affordability Concerns Fri, 27 Feb: Despite the implementation of supportive government schemes, first home buyer affordability in Australia has continued to decline. According to Domain's First Home Buyer Report for 2026, the time required for a young couple to save a 20% deposit for an entry-level house has increased across all capital cities. - read more
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| Surge in First Home Buyer Loans Amid Expanded Government Support Fri, 27 Feb: The Australian housing market has witnessed a significant uptick in first home buyer activity, with the number of new loans rising by 6.8% to 31,783 in the December quarter of 2025. This marks the most substantial increase since the December quarter of 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). - read more
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| Perth Property Market Poised for Growth Amid Enhanced First-Home Buyer Support Fri, 27 Feb: Perth's property market is on the brink of significant growth, driven by expanded state and federal incentives aimed at first-home buyers. These policy changes are expected to intensify competition, particularly in the sub-$850,000 price bracket. - read more
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| Understanding APRA's New Debt-to-Income Limits for Mortgages Thu, 26 Feb: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced the implementation of new debt-to-income (DTI) limits, set to take effect from 1 February 2026. This regulatory measure aims to mitigate financial risks associated with high-DTI mortgages in the Australian housing market. - read more
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| Record Growth in Investor Lending Amidst Australia's Tight Rental Market Thu, 26 Feb: Australia's housing market is witnessing a significant surge in investor lending, with new commitments increasing by 13.6% and the total value of investor loans rising by 17.6% to approximately $39.8 billion in the recent quarter. This trend has resulted in investors accounting for 38–40% of all new housing finance over the past year, marking their highest share on record. - read more
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| Non-Bank Lenders Intensify Legal Actions Amid Rising Insolvencies Thu, 26 Feb: Recent data indicates a significant increase in court enforcement actions by non-bank lenders in Australia, coinciding with a reduction in such activities by major banks. This trend highlights a shift in debt recovery practices within the financial sector, particularly as insolvency rates continue to rise. - read more
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| RBA's February 2026 Rate Hike: What It Means for Borrowers Thu, 26 Feb: In a decisive move to address persistent inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85% during its February 2026 meeting. This adjustment marks a significant shift in the monetary policy landscape, reflecting the central bank's commitment to curbing inflationary pressures that have been building over recent months. - read more
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| Inflation Eases to 3.4%: What This Means for Australian Borrowers Thu, 26 Feb: Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a decline in the annual inflation rate to 3.4% as of November 2025, down from 3.8% in October. This unexpected easing has led to speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may delay further interest rate hikes, providing a reprieve for borrowers concerned about rising loan costs. - read more
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