http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/Check for regular updates on the latest news and tips relating to money, loans, mortgage, broker and finance.en-ushttp://www.moneyhotline.com.au/news.xmlHalf of all Australians who are eligible for bonus payments from Centrelink in the second week of December are planning to save the money or pay down bills according to a survey from the Australian Retailers Association.http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/debts-to-take-centrelink-bonuses-127Total private credit growth picked up in September by 0.7 per cent as bank lending to business grew 1.1 per cent, up from 0.7 per cent in August. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/less-lending-means-rate-cut-likely-128Switching bank accounts to get a better deal is now easier following the introduction on Friday of a new account switching service. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Chairman, Mr Tony DAloisio, said Authorised Deposittaking Institutions (ADIs), which include banks, credit unions and building societies, would now provide accountswitching services to consumers that are switching their personal transaction accounts.http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/-account-switching-made-easier-125Buyers are enjoying price falls in the affluent suburbs of the capital cities of ten to almost forty per cent.http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/buyers-market-at-top-end-of-town-126Most of the rise in delinquent business loans on the books of Australian banks relates to propertyrelated lending, the Reserve Bank of Australia said in the halfyearly Financial Stability Review. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/business-lending-looks-sound-121There will be no housing price collapse in Australia and inflation remains the biggest single hurdle to continued economic growth says the International Monetary Fund. The IMF has warned the Reserve Bank of Australia against cutting interest rates too fast and is believed to have told the RBA that it had underestimated the possibility of the commodity price boom fuelling inflation for consumers.http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/leave-rates-where-they-are-says-imf-122Treasurer Wayne Swan yesterday welcomed an IMF report supporting the government view that Australia is well placed to weather the global financial crisis.http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/australia-well-placed-to-ride-financial-storms-123The profits of foreign banks operating in Australia fell in the March 2008 quarter, possibly reverting to more usual levels after inflated earnings during 2007. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/credit-crunch-impacts-the-foreign-banks-124The Australian banking system is strong enough to weather the current problems affecting the global financial system says the Reserve Bank of Australia. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/aussie-banks-look-strong-120Home loan borrowers should watch out particularly for the big sting from deferred establishment fees which come into play these days if you leave a variable home loan early, typically within the first 35 years. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/look-out-for-deferred-establishment-fees-119Home lenders entice borrowers to their home loans with attractive low introductory rates. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/be-careful-of-honeymoon-intro-rates-117Diners Club will offer its 300,000 Australian card holders a revolving credit facility on their card as competition in the credit card market intensifies with the launch of a number of new products from retailers, airlines and banks.http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/-new-credit-cards-shake-up-market-115Australians still lose at least $36 million a year to online scams such as the Nigerian scam despite years of expert warnings about online security. http://www.moneyhotline.com.au/newsview/jail-for-victims-on-online-scammers-116