Thu, 9th Jan 2025

In this week's Financial Services Online Weekly Finance News Wrap, Paige Estritori discusses Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's controversial new $2.50 fee for in-branch cash withdrawals, introduced as part of a digital transformation initiative. Bendigo's move, aimed at reducing monthly account charges, has faced criticism due to the impact on customers preferring traditional in-person services, despite a net reduction in fees. Also covered is the ongoing Australian housing affordability crisis, despite a 4.25% increase in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Housing prices have surged with mortgage service reaching high 47% of household income, making affordability the lowest since the 2008 crisis. As the property market sees a shift towards lower-priced investments, experts predict a moderate 3% price rise in 2025. The influence of future RBA decisions was also highlighted.