Comm Bank, NAB to review business rates

Eric Johnston and Peter Martin Borrowers face further pain, with Commonwealth and NAB expected to review mortgage, business rates.

Mark Bouris

Small and non-bank lenders worth a look

Mark Bouris The truth is that you can't influence a rate cut, but you can look for a better deal.

Warning on carbon tax rorts

Adam Cooper The ACCC is warning small businesses to justify prices if they use the carbon tax to rort customers.

Banks must pass on rate cut: ACCI

A leading business group has urged the big banks to pass on a cut in the official interest rate to their borrowers in full.

FINANCE

Dealing with banks in times of crisis

Tony Featherstone Picture this: a family-owned retailer has a $40-million bank loan. The founder has had a good relationship with his banker for years, watched footy with him, and met the bank’s CEO at functions.

No respite for exporters from lower AUD

Local exporters are still battling to remain competitive despite a recent dip in the value of the Australian dollar, a survey suggests.

ENTREPRENEURS

Dodging the doubters: how to get rich despite the sceptics

Alexandra Cain Like many young entrepreneurs, Jack Delosa faced a huge amount of scepticism from friends and family when he bailed out of a commerce/law degree aged 18 to buy into his first business.

Rates put big squeeze on small business

Clancy Yeates Small-business customers have received the least benefit from the latest cycle of interest-rate cuts, new figures show, despite moves by the major banks to target the SME market.

Online boom sparks credit card crimes

Eric Johnston The online shopping boom spawns a surge in credit card fraud, with about one in 15 Australian adults becoming victims last year and total losses blowing out to a record $278 million.

Pay tax at the lowest possible rate

Max Newnham We're opening a cafe in a few weeks' time. How can we maximise our tax claims?

BUSINESS MAXIMS

A question of profits

Business Maxims Operating a business through a company can be a great idea when starting out. But the tax benefit can be outweighed when profits have built up.

FINANCE

Keeping your lenders in the loop

Tony Kaye Having a better relationship with your bank could save you if push comes to shove. Here's how to do it.

Retail likes rate cut

Clancy Yeates and Eli Greenblat Business leaders in the slow lane have applauded the Reserve Bank's interest rate cut.

START-UP

Hot or not? Market research tactics that work

David Wilson So you've had that 'aha!' moment. Here's some tips on finding out whether your inspired idea is as good as you think.

Credit growth 'building up'

Clancy Yeates New lending to business has jumped to levels not seen since the global financial crisis.

Startup

What's your problem?

Whats Your Problem Q. I've started an online store. How do I calculate postage costs for different countries?

Severely late bills hit one-year high

Chris Zappone The number of bills being paid "severely" late by Australian businesses have hit a one-year high, rising by almost 30 per cent in the December quarter.

Business demand for credit at four-year low

Peter Martin Latest NAB business survey shows two-thirds of businesses reported no need for finance in January.

Spending slide spreads: Westpac

Danny John Key parts of Australia's services sector are being hit by the slowdown in consumer spending.