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Latest news: Credit and Debt

Debt business booming as households struggle with bills

Debt business booming as households struggle with bills

Australia's largest listed debt buyer and collector and consumer finance provider, is on track for more record earnings as households grapple with tough times.

'Can't be repeated': revolt over card ban blackout

'Can't be repeated': revolt over card ban blackout

'Can't be repeated': revolt over card ban blackout

'Can't be repeated': revolt over card ban blackout

Federal ministers knew for months the tax office was considering no longer accepting credit card payments when a ban on surcharges came into effect.

Mortgage demand slump deepens despite price drop

Mortgage demand slump deepens despite price drop

Mortgage demand slump deepens despite price drop

Mortgage demand slump deepens despite price drop

The housing sector continues to show signs of strain as mortgage demand and new home loan applications plummet, new data shows.

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ATO credit card backflip a sign of 'good government'

ATO credit card backflip a sign of 'good government'

The opposition leader is calling for Anthony Albanese to put the treasurer "out of his misery and sack him" following a backflip on a ban on credit surcharges.

Mortgage applications for first homebuyers drop sharply

Mortgage applications for first homebuyers drop sharply

Mortgage applications were down 14 per cent in August, compared to August 2025, with applications by first-time homebuyers down 20.1 per cent.

State keeps top-tier credit rating despite massive debt

State keeps top-tier credit rating despite massive debt

Australia's most populous state is the only one with a coveted Triple-A credit rating from a major agency, despite reaching similar debt levels to Victoria.

Tax changes get tick of approval from ratings agency

Tax changes get tick of approval from ratings agency

Tax hikes on property investors will help keep budget pressures under control, ratings agency S&P Global says in a check-up of Australia's fiscal health.

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US growth leads to record profit for debt collector

US growth leads to record profit for debt collector

US growth leads to record profit for debt collector

US growth leads to record profit for debt collector

Credit Corp made a $105.5 million profit in 2025/26, up 12 per cent from the year before, after taking more US customers to court.

Harvey Norman fined $35m for 'seriously misleading' ads

Harvey Norman fined $35m for 'seriously misleading' ads

Harvey Norman fined $35m for 'seriously misleading' ads

Harvey Norman fined $35m for 'seriously misleading' ads

A finance giant and a major retailer beamed thousands of unlawful, misleading ads into Australians' loungerooms, causing "financially unquantifiable" harm.

Buy now, pay later rules reveal hidden financial stress

Buy now, pay later rules reveal hidden financial stress

Buy now, pay later rules reveal hidden financial stress

Buy now, pay later rules reveal hidden financial stress

Australia's buy now, pay later segment is maturing in its first year governed by consumer credit laws after roughly a decade in a regulatory wilderness.

Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds

Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds

Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds

Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds

Economic echoes of the post-COVID-19 period indicate global volatility will not break Australia's hunger for credit, lowering the odds of recession.

Popular buy now, pay later company sees bad debts rise

Popular buy now, pay later company sees bad debts rise

Popular buy now, pay later company sees bad debts rise

Popular buy now, pay later company sees bad debts rise

Shares in buy now, pay later group Zip have soared after the company posted record quarterly earnings and lifted earnings guidance for the full year.

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

As fuel costs soar, more consumers are choosing to buy now and pay later - and the biggest spenders may come as a surprise.

Credit card points schemes in firing line after tweaks

Credit card points schemes in firing line after tweaks

Credit card points schemes in firing line after tweaks

Credit card points schemes in firing line after tweaks

Savvy punters who have been cashing in on credit card rewards schemes might have to find a new life hack after the central bank changed the payments game.

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Aussies tapping more credit as arrears value swells

Mortgage and credit card applications are surging and so are their associated debts, which could be bad news for borrowers as the RBA eyes further rate rises.

Zip shares zapped on earnings miss, rising bad debts

Consumers are increasingly tapping alternative credit, but a major provider has been punished on the stock market for not living up to growth expectations.

Big businesses getting bigger amid two-speed recovery

Business credit growth implies Australia's economy is resilient, but insolvency numbers continue to remain high, and in some sectors are growing.

Debt group sees upside in higher credit card balances

Debt collection business Credit Corp, which also owns lender Wallet Wizard, expects its profit to grow by up to 17 per cent as cost-of-living pressures bite.

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'Struggling in silence': Aussies' shame driving up debt

Nearly half the nation started the new year in debt, but research shows countless Australians are unwilling to discuss their finances, even with loved ones.

Loan defaults bad for business as NAB profit takes hit

Business lending is growing for NAB but so is the level of bad debt from that customer segment, pumping the brakes on profits at the big four bank.

Timeline set for easing of student debt burden

Some three millions Australians carrying a student debt will enjoy a 20 per cent reduction in what they owe before Christmas.

US to support Argentina with $20b rescue plan: Bessent

The US plans to extend a $US20 billion swap line to Argentina and is ready to buy the country's foreign bonds.

Crunch time for Star despite narrowing full-year loss

Uncertainty continues to swirl around Star Entertainment Group's future after the struggling casino operator posted another significant full-year loss.

Postie banks on stolen cards for $1.4 million delivery

Bank customers in well-to-do suburbs have been swindled after a postal worker allegedly earmarked envelopes with credit cards and handed them to associates.

HECS debt relief nears as Labor eyes further uni reform

University students and graduates will soon save up to $1300 a year as the government's HECS relief bill reached an important milestone.

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