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.

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.

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.

Spending slide spreads: Westpac

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

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.

Credit growth 'building up'

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

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.

BUSINESS MAXIMS

Help! Our debt is crippling us

Max Newnham Q. We have incurred a debt to the ATO of more than $100,000. The interest is making it nearly impossible to pay off.

Wages neither hot, cold

Peter Martin Wages are growing at a ''Goldilocks'' pace - faster than inflation, but not fast enough to concern the Reserve Bank.

Silence on rising rates for business loans

Gareth Hutchens Outpouring of criticism and bank bashing replaced with total lack of reaction.