Mon, 9th Feb 2026

This week's episode on Financial Services Online offers the latest updates on Australia's finance industry, focusing particularly on first-home buyers. Amid record-low affordability, only 17% of properties sold were affordable to first-home buyers in the previous year. To navigate this, buyers have been utilizing the Home Guarantee Scheme which allows a 5% deposit purchase. In response to rising property prices, buyers are gravitating towards apartments, townhouses, and locations outside major cities. The show also highlights a 48% increase in the 5% Deposit Scheme's usage and the growing popularity of investing in new constructions. Lastly, the podcast presents a segment on Australian Shares, highlighting BlackRock's iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF, recently recognized for its market-leadership in Money magazine's 2026 Best of the Best awards.n