NAB ravaged by bad debts but profits are rising

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK slipped into a small loss over the past six months after its profits were ravaged by bad debts and a series of one-off charges, including looming tax headaches in New Zealand.

Big four banks snare all the nation's home mortgages

COMPETITION in the home loan market has collapsed, with the big four banks now writing almost every new mortgage as small lenders are squeezed out of contention.

Bank loan guarantee a 'barrier'

THE Productivity Commission chief has singled out the Government's bank borrowings guarantee as an impediment to competition. Commission chairman Gary Banks has proposed "unhitching" banks from the guarantee as soon as possible.

Second Mortgages For Further Investments

Second mortgages can be a convenient source of investment capital, but you must be careful not to overextend yourself.

Applying for bad credit second mortgages

Second mortgages for people with a bad credit history are generally quite rare, as it is difficult to maintain the first mortgage if you are irresponsible with credit.

Second mortgages for investments

Second mortgages used to gain investment capital for stock purchases or the purchase of investment properties will often be both fixed rate and interest only.

Affording second mortgages

Second mortgages are very often taken out for property investment, which will usually mean that interest only loans are desirable.

Second mortgages during rate rises

Second mortgages may offer a good source of extra funds to invest with, but they are only advantageous if the money you make using second mortgages will outstrip the costs of the mortgage.

Are second mortgages a smart option for you?

If you are having trouble with your finances right now, then second mortgages may not be the best idea to help you out of dire straits.

Use second mortgages to advance your investments

Second mortgages can be useful as a means of increasing your investment ability.

Consider second mortgages when looking for investment capital

If you've paid off a large proportion of your mortgage and have built up equity, then you may wish to consider second mortgages as a means of financing new investments.

Lenders Face Second Wave Of Property Bad Debts

THE nation's leading financial institutions may be facing a second wave of bad debts totalling hundreds of millions of dollars as shaky property developers and embattled companies buckle under the weight of the subprime credit crisis.

Credit Crisis To Dent Australian Mortgages

THE GLOBAL credit crisis has finally arrived on the doorstep of the average Australian, with most home owners almost certain to pay more interest on their mortgages.

The National Zeitgeist

Google has analysed Australians' most common search terms for the year, revealing South Australians topped our searches for "beer", "wine", "chocolate" and "Wii" (the fun and games state?). Queenslanders, who led "beach" searches, also topped on "second mortgages". Social sites dominated the top 10 fastest-rising searches with Facebook (first), YouTube (second), MySpace and Bebo. Top celeb searches were Paris Hilton (1), Britney Spears (2), Vanessa Hudgens (3) and - wait for it - John Howard. AFL ...