UK Edition

Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Markets Brief

News, business, world affairs and market coverage

Companies

Personal loans booming as cost of living drives Australians to borrow record amounts

Markets Brief gilt-and-policy note (2026-06-06): National debt helpline calls have increased alongside growth in new personal loans, which charged an average 9% interest in MarchFollow our Australia news… Primary source: original at Guardian Banking (theguardian.com).

National debt helpline calls have increased alongside growth in new personal loans, which charged an average 9% interest in March

Australians are borrowing record amounts in personal loans as a long-term buildup in living costs wipes out savings buffers.

New personal loans issued by banks reached a record $5.1bn in the first three months of 2026, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Continue reading...