10 most read stories of 2018

The last 12 months have been full of big news stories and discussion, with one topic in particular taking up most of the headlines.

The Royal Commission into banking and financial services sparked conversations across the industry and beyond into broker remuneration, lending practices and competition.

Despite it being this year’s ‘hot topic’ the Royal Commission is not directly among the most read stories of this year.

Here are the top ten, in order:

1. Kogan launches home loan offering
   After plans were originally announced in September, the online retail giant officially launched into the home loan space
2. New bank launched in Sydney
   A new bank declaring it would be a real alternative to the big four was unveiled at an event in Sydney
3. Mortgage brokers banned for loan fraud
   Three mortgage brokers were permanently banned by ASIC after being involved in providing false documents to a major bank
4. Major lender breaches responsible lending
   The big four bank admitted the charges and agreed to a $35million penalty to resolve the Federal Court proceedings
5. Brokers earn $142k on average per year
   Originally published in April 2017, this story continued to be read throughout this year
6. Deposit guarantee company collapses
   The group had offered products helping borrowers and investors buy residential and commercial properties
7. ING increases interest rates
   The bank announced it was increasing home loan interest rates for investors, having increased them for owner occupiers a few months before
8. Non-major announces branch closures
   The bank released a statement announcing the closure of more than two thirds of its branches on the east coast
9. CBA to demerge mortgage broking businesses
   The major bank announced it would be demerging from Aussie Home Loans back in June
10. Lender's second rate hike in 6 months
    The bank increased its variable rates at the end of August, just after Westpac did so