Each week, Loan Finance Online delivers a concise, trustworthy roundup of Australia's key business and economic stories. We unpack major headlines, policy updates, market moves, and consumer trends, highlighting what mattered and why. Expect plain-English context, practical takeaways, and a calm, clutter-free recap you can trust. Perfect for busy Australians who want the essentials fast, so you stay informed and ready for the week ahead.
This Week:
RBA lifts the cash rate to 4.85% on 3 November, the highest in 18 years, with lenders passing through 0.25 percentage point rises from 13 November across mortgages and other credit. Savings rates near six per cent, but bonus conditions and base-rate traps persist. New incentives, including supermarket-linked loyalty points and renewed talk of no‑deposit loans, return to the market, with a reminder to focus on total loan cost and LVR risks. Practical tips include stress‑testing budgets, checking lender notices, using calculators, and reviewing account conditions.
Hello and welcome to the Loan Finance Online Weekly News Wrap, Im Paige Estritori, and its Saturday, 7 November 2026.
First up, on Tuesday, 3 November, the RBA — thats the Reserve Bank of Australia — lifted the cash rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.85 per cent, the highest in 18 years. The board wasnt unanimous and said further moves are possible if inflation stays sticky. For households and small businesses, that means higher repayments and tighter borrowing assessments. Take a moment to stress‑test your budget, review features like offsets and redraw, and compare options carefully before you switch.
Meanwhile, lenders are passing the increase through. The big four say variable mortgage rates will rise by about 0.25 percentage points from Friday, 13 November, with other lenders moving too, and business and personal loan rates stepping up. If youre on a variable rate, check your banks notice and the new comparison rate, then run updated repayment estimates with a calculator. If cash flow is tight, contact your lender early to discuss hardship support.
On the flipside, savings rates are edging towards about six per cent after the hike — but the highest rates often come with strings attached. Miss a minimum deposit, make too many withdrawals, or forget a monthly hoop and you can fall back to a token base rate. Read your accounts conditions closely and decide whether a bonus saver or an offset linked to your home loan is the better fit for how you actually bank.
Finally, incentives and novel offers are back in the spotlight. A major supermarket launched a home‑loan partnership offering loyalty points for settling and keeping a mortgage, and theres fresh debate about no‑deposit — or 100 per cent — loans. Perks can be tempting, but focus on total loan cost over time, not freebies. A high loan‑to‑value ratio, or LVR, can leave you exposed to negative equity and higher interest costs if prices dip.
Thats it for this week. For plain‑English explainers, calculators and the latest finance updates, visit loanfinanceonline.com.au.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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