Household spending hit with narrow rise as interest rates begin to bite

The CommBank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) Index rose by 0.8% in August to 115.5, highlighting the momentum in the Australian economy, higher inflation pressures and the impact of the RBA’s monetary policy tightening. The index – which combines Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) payments data and Google Trends search information – saw increases in the categories on […]

Banks announce rate changes following the RBA cash rate increase to 2.35%

Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to raise the official cash rate by 0.50% per annum (p.a.), most big banks are expected to lift interest rates on variable loans by 0.50% on 16 September 2022. CBA has already confirmed it will lift its home loan variable interest rates by 0.50% p.a., effective 16 […]

CommBank launches Agri Green Loan to support producers’ environmental and climate goals

As part of its commitments to support customers transitioning their business and to invest in environmental projects, Commonwealth Bank today announced the national rollout of its Agri Green Loan. Today’s launch follows a successful pilot, and opens the door for more farmers to access funding — at discounted rates — for eligible purposes that reduce their […]

CBA first to respond to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate increase

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has advised in light of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) cash rate decision on 3 May 2022, CBA will increase home loan variable interest rates by 0.25% p.a. And while the CBA has become the first major bank to pass on the rate rise, all four big banks […]

Challenging conditions for almost everybody except farmers who spend up big

Asset finance lending on new farm machinery was at a 10-year high in financial year 2021 and an all-time record for CBA While many Australian businesses were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic during the financial year ending June 2021, positive conditions in some sectors saw new business lending in asset finance grow at 20% […]