| Austal Limited's $100 Million Loan Fuels U.S. Shipbuilding Expansion Sun, 26 Oct: In a significant development for the Australian marine industry, Austal Limited has secured a $100 million loan from Export Finance Australia (EFA). This funding is designated to support the expansion of Austal's shipbuilding operations in Mobile, Alabama, specifically for the Final Assembly 2 (FA2) project. This initiative aims to enhance the company's capacity to construct vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. - read more
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| Marinex Underwriting Enters Australian Market to Offer Specialized Marine Insurance Sun, 26 Oct: Marinex Underwriting, a new marine underwriting agency, has launched in the Australian market to address complex marine insurance needs. Backed by global specialty insurance distributor Amwins, Marinex is a shared equity agency co-founded by industry veterans Janelle Karnib, Chris Kelly, and Ainsley Smith. - read more
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| Australian SMEs Shift Towards Non-Bank Lenders for Growth Financing Sun, 26 Oct: In a notable shift within the Australian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, a recent survey indicates that 57% of SMEs anticipate an average revenue growth of 8% by March 2024. This optimism is accompanied by a growing preference for non-bank lenders, with 47% of SMEs now seeking financing outside traditional banking institutions. This marks a 50% increase since March 2022, highlighting a significant trend towards alternative lending solutions. - read more
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| Cash Flow Concerns Escalate for Australian SMEs Amid Economic Strains Sun, 26 Oct: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are currently grappling with significant cash flow challenges, as highlighted by a recent survey commissioned by the Commonwealth Bank. The findings reveal that nearly 80% of SMEs have experienced cash flow impacts over the past 12 months, primarily due to declining revenue, low cash reserves, and seasonal fluctuations. - read more
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| KPMG Forecasts Economic Hurdles for Australian SMEs Amid Rising Costs Sun, 26 Oct: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing a challenging economic landscape, as outlined in KPMG's Quarterly Economic Outlook released in July 2024. The report projects sluggish economic growth coupled with rising operational costs, factors that could significantly compress profit margins and impede business expansion for SMEs. - read more
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| Netstrata's Insurance Practices Raise Industry Concerns Sun, 26 Oct: Recent revelations have cast a spotlight on Netstrata, a prominent strata management firm in Australia, for imposing insurance brokerage fees significantly higher than industry norms. This development has ignited a broader discussion about the need for transparency and reform within the strata management sector. - read more
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| PICA Group Highlights Potential Risks to Strata Industry Viability Sun, 26 Oct: Bobby Lehane, CEO of PICA Group, has issued a cautionary statement regarding the future of the strata management sector in Australia. He emphasized that eliminating insurance commissions could pose a significant threat to the industry's viability, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by the aged care sector. - read more
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| Queensland Strata Owners Advised to Leverage Initiatives for Premium Reduction Sun, 26 Oct: Strata property owners in North and Central Queensland are being encouraged to take advantage of new federal and state initiatives designed to reduce insurance premiums and improve cyclone resilience. These programs offer financial incentives for property upgrades that can lead to significant savings on insurance costs. - read more
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| Financial Secrecy in Australian Relationships: A Growing Concern Sat, 25 Oct: Recent research has unveiled a concerning trend among Australian couples: a significant portion are engaging in financial activities without their partners' knowledge. A survey conducted by Finder, involving 1,017 respondents—591 of whom are in relationships—found that over one in four (27%) are secretly accumulating debt, opening bank accounts, or gambling, all unbeknownst to their partners. - read more
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| Australia's Savings Crisis: Millions at Financial Risk Sat, 25 Oct: A recent survey has brought to light a concerning financial reality for many Australians: 43% of the population, equivalent to approximately 9.2 million people, have less than $1,000 in their bank accounts. This statistic underscores a significant vulnerability, as even minor unexpected expenses could lead to financial distress for a substantial portion of the community. - read more
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| Australians Embrace Financial Planning: 2025 Goals Revealed Sat, 25 Oct: As 2025 approaches, a significant majority of Australians are proactively setting financial goals to enhance their economic well-being. A recent survey conducted by Finder, involving 1,062 respondents, revealed that 75% of Australians—equivalent to approximately 15.6 million people—have established financial objectives for the coming year. - read more
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| Rising Car Loan Delinquencies Signal Financial Strain Among Australians Sat, 25 Oct: Recent data indicates a concerning rise in car loan delinquencies across Australia, with a 13% increase in vehicle repossessions over the past six months. This trend underscores the growing financial pressures faced by many Australians, as inflation and high interest rates continue to impact household budgets. - read more
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| Westpac Divests Auto Finance Loans in Strategic Move Sat, 25 Oct: In a significant strategic shift, Westpac Banking Corporation has announced its decision to sell its auto finance loan book to Resimac Group. The transaction, valued between A$1.4 billion and A$1.6 billion, aligns with Westpac's ongoing strategy to streamline operations and focus on core banking services. - read more
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| CBA's Loan Practices Under Scrutiny Amid Problem Gambler Case Fri, 24 Oct: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is currently under scrutiny for issuing personal loans totaling approximately $13,500 to an individual identified as a problem gambler. This situation has ignited a broader discussion on the responsibilities of financial institutions in assessing loan applications, particularly from individuals exhibiting signs of financial distress due to gambling. - read more
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| Rate Money's New Offer: Lower Rates for Self-Employed Australians Fri, 24 Oct: In a move to support self-employed Australians facing increasing operational costs, non-bank lender Rate Money has announced significant reductions in interest rates across its 'Evolve Easy Doc' loan range. Effective from June 30, 2025, these adjustments aim to provide more affordable financing options for small business owners and independent professionals. - read more
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| Beforepay's New Personal Loan: A Safe and Affordable Option for Australians Fri, 24 Oct: Beforepay Group Limited, an ethical-lending fintech company, has announced the launch of its new personal loan product, marking a significant expansion in its suite of financial services. This initiative aims to provide Australians with safe and affordable borrowing options, particularly for those seeking larger loan amounts over extended periods. - read more
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| CIL and TAFE Queensland Collaborate to Elevate Caravan Repair Training Fri, 24 Oct: In a significant move to bolster the safety and reliability of caravan travel across Australia, leading insurer CIL has partnered with TAFE Queensland to enhance training programs for caravan repair professionals. This collaboration aims to equip the next generation of repairers with the skills necessary to meet the evolving demands of modern caravan designs. - read more
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| Snowy River Caravans Achieves Historic Double Victory in Q3 2025 RV Market Fri, 24 Oct: In a landmark achievement, Snowy River Caravans has emerged as the frontrunner in Australia's recreational vehicle (RV) market, securing the top position in both the imported and RVMAP categories for the third quarter of 2025. This historic double victory underscores the brand's growing prominence and consumer appeal within the industry. - read more
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| Adelaide's Jayco Dealership Hosts Second 'Built Here. Backed Here' Caravan Expo Fri, 24 Oct: In response to the increasing influx of imported caravans into the Australian market, Adelaide's Jayco dealership recently hosted the second 'Built Here. Backed Here' Caravan Expo. This event, held over the weekend of October 11-12, 2025, aimed to spotlight and promote Australian-made caravans and campers, reinforcing the value of local manufacturing. - read more
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| Understanding the RBA's Insights on Mortgage Stress and Banking Stability Fri, 24 Oct: The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) recent Financial Stability Review sheds light on the current state of mortgage stress among Australian borrowers. The report reveals that approximately 5% of mortgage holders are spending more on essential living expenses and mortgage repayments than their income allows. This situation is projected to peak above 6% by mid-2024 if inflation remains high and interest rates increase by an additional 0.5%. - read more
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| Analyzing the Recent Uptick in Mortgage Arrears Across Australia Fri, 24 Oct: Recent data indicates a rise in mortgage arrears among Australian borrowers, attributed to the cumulative effects of higher interest rates and persistent inflation. According to Fitch Ratings, the proportion of homeowners more than 30 days late on mortgage repayments increased by 23 basis points in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 1.35%. This rise is nearly three times the historical average for this period, suggesting that prolonged financial pressures are impacting household budgets. - read more
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| The Resurgence of Property Investor Lending in Australia's Housing Market Fri, 24 Oct: Australia's property market is witnessing a significant resurgence in investor lending, reaching levels not seen since 2017. Recent data reveals that in the three months leading up to June 2025, 38% of new housing loans were secured by property investors, amounting to nearly 50,000 loans with a combined value close to $33 billion. This marks a substantial increase from previous years and underscores a renewed confidence among investors in the housing sector. - read more
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| Affordable Electric Vehicles: New Low-Interest Loans for Eligible Australians Fri, 24 Oct: The Australian government has launched a new initiative to make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to a broader segment of the population. This program offers low-interest loans to individuals earning less than $100,000 annually, as well as essential workers, facilitating the purchase of new and used EVs priced up to $55,000. - read more
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| ASIC's Comprehensive Review of Australia's Motor Vehicle Finance Sector Fri, 24 Oct: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced a thorough review of the motor vehicle finance sector, focusing on strengthening consumer protections and ensuring industry compliance with responsible lending obligations. This initiative aims to address potential risks and improve the experiences of borrowers across Australia. - read more
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| Bank Australia Shifts Focus to Electric Vehicle Financing Fri, 24 Oct: In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Bank Australia has ceased offering loans for new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles as of February 2025. This policy change aligns with the bank's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. - read more
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