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The deteriorating situation in Europe has increased the chances of a December interest rate cut. Australian banks are coming under increasing pressure from the ensuing European debt crisis, and have become nervous about lending to each other because of their exposure to risky European debt. Consequently, there are concerns about the risks if the Reserve Bank does not cut interest rates, with the next opportunity not until February. The Reserve Bank Governor, Glenn Stevens, ramped up the pressure on European leaders to find a swift solution to the crisis, saying that "the damage to us and everyone else will be unacceptable". It is not immediately clear, though, whether banks will be so eager to pass on the full benefits of any such cuts to consumers. The recent interest rate cut saw every major bank reduce their home loan rates by the full 0.25% with the exception of NAB, who faced strong criticism for their decision to offer less. However, Australian banks are facing higher costs of funding due to the rising cost of lending across global money markets. It is suspected that these costs will be passed onto consumers by not passing on the full benefit of central rate cuts. Therefore, it is predicted that the Reserve Bank's committee will have to cut interest rates by a bigger margin if it hopes to see any monetary benefit reach consumers. One advantage for the consumer is the legislation meaning that home loans can now be transferred without exit fee, ensuring a greater level of competition between retail banks.

The deteriorating situation in Europe has increased the chances of a December interest rate cut. Australian banks are coming under increasing pressure from the ensuing European debt crisis, and have become nervous about lending to each other because of their exposure to risky European debt. Consequently, there are concerns about the risks if the Reserve Bank does not cut interest rates, with the next opportunity not until February. The Reserve Bank Governor, Glenn Stevens, ramped up the pressure on European leaders to find a swift solution to the crisis, saying that "the damage to us and everyone else will be unacceptable". It is not immediately clear, though, whether banks will be so eager to pass on the full benefits of any such cuts to consumers. The recent interest rate cut saw every major bank reduce their home loan rates by the full 0.25% with the exception of NAB, who faced strong criticism for their decision to offer less. However, Australian banks are facing higher costs of funding due to the rising cost of lending across global money markets. It is suspected that these costs will be passed onto consumers by not passing on the full benefit of central rate cuts. Therefore, it is predicted that the Reserve Bank's committee will have to cut interest rates by a bigger margin if it hopes to see any monetary benefit reach consumers. One advantage for the consumer is the legislation meaning that home loans can now be transferred without exit fee, ensuring a greater level of competition between retail banks.

Springhill Group Home News Center - Springhill Group Home Loans : Rates for home loans and savings could swing again The deteriorating situation in Europe has increased the chances of a December interest rate cut. Australian banks are coming under increasing pressure from the ensuing European debt crisis, and have become nervous about lending to each other because of their exposure to risky European debt. Consequently, there are concerns about the risks if the Reserve Bank does not cut interest rates, with the next opportunity not until February. The Reserve Bank Governor, Glenn Stevens, ramped up the pressure on European leaders to find a swift solution to the crisis, saying that "the damage to us and everyone else will be unacceptable". It is not immediately clear, though, whether banks will be so eager to pass on the full benefits of any such cuts to consumers. The recent interest rate cut saw every major bank reduce their home loan rates by the full 0.25% with the exception of NAB, who faced strong criticism for their decision to offer less. However, Australian banks are facing higher costs of funding due to the rising cost of lending across global money markets. It is suspected that these costs will be passed onto consumers by not passing on the full benefit of central rate cuts. Therefore, it is predicted that the Reserve Bank's committee will have to cut interest rates by a bigger margin if it hopes to see any monetary benefit reach consumers. One advantage for the consumer is the legislation meaning that home loans can now be transferred without exit fee, ensuring a greater level of competition between retail banks. It may be the right time to consider Which4U's current savings account rates, in case these are set to fall in the near future. Ashley King Monday, 28 November 2011 13:19 View

The Bank of England plans to cut its support for mortgage lending in the U.K. and nudge banks towards lending more to small businesses, it said Thursday, November 28. The move is an answer to increasing concern that a speedy pickup in housing market activity in Britain could ultimately turn unpleasant, affecting banks and borrowers, and also as longstanding worries that small firms are being starved of credit, hindering economic recovery. What's more, it is a sample of the growing willingness of central banks across the globe to organize customized policies to maneuver their economies, rather than relying exclusively on official interest. The BOE said in its twice-yearly financial stability report that although there is little evidence that quickening activity in Britain's housing market poses an immediate threat to financial stability, "risks may grow if stronger activity is accompanied by further substantial and rapid increases in house prices and a further buildup in household indebtedness." The central bank said property has played "a central role" in many previous economic and financial crises. In the U.K., real estate accounts for 70% of non-financial assets. House prices in the U.K. have climbed speedily in past months, formed worries over the materialization of a new bubble in prices. A government mortgage-support program for would-be homebuyers called Help-to-Buy had pave the way for a boost in mortgage lending, together with an increase in the number of riskier loans on offer that entail merely a small down payment. The BOE said that in response to the pickup in housing-market activity and an ongoing dearth in small-business lending it has decided to overhaul its flagship Funding-for-Lending Scheme, or FLS, which offers banks cheap cash provided they use it to dish out loans to households and businesses. Banks drawing on the FLS will from January no longer benefit from reduced capital requirements on new mortgage lo

Protect Yourself from Predatory Lenders Buying or refinancing your home may be one of the most important and complex financial decisions you'll ever make. Many lenders, appraisers, and real estate professionals stand ready to help you get a nice home and a great loan. However, you need to understand the home buying process to be a smart consumer. Every year, misinformed homebuyers, often first-time purchasers or seniors, become victims of predatory lending or loan fraud. Don't let this happen to you! 11 Tips on Being a Smart Consumer - Before you buy a home, attend a homeownership education course offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved, non-profit counseling agencies. - Interview several real estate professionals (agents), and ask for and check references before you select one to help you buy or sell a home. - Get information about the prices of other homes in the neighborhood. Don't be fooled into paying too much. - Hire a properly qualified and licensed home inspector to carefully inspect the property before you are obligated to buy. Determine whether you or the seller is going to be responsible for paying for the repairs. If you have to pay for the repairs, determine whether or not you can afford to make them. - Shop for a lender and compare costs. Be suspicious if anyone tries to steer you to just one lender. - Do NOT let anyone persuade you to make a false statement on your loan application, such as overstating your income, the source of your down payment, failing to disclose the nature and amount of your debts, or even how long you have been employed. When you apply for a mortgage loan, every piece of information that you submit must be acc