Scrooge: Will the RBA Lift Rates Before Christmas?

Homeowners could yet face a pre-Christmas interest rate rise from commercial banks, after evidence they are in their strongest market position for nearly a decade.

While the funding squeeze on wholesale money markets has forced non-bank lenders to lift their prices, banks, with their large deposit bases, have been keeping prices low in an attempt to steal customers.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the strategy has paid off, with the market share of banks, by value of loans extended, rising to 84.9 per cent in October, the highest in seven years.

As banks continue to hold regular weekly internal meetings to set their standard variable mortgage rates - which so far have remained unaffected by the credit squeeze - some economists think a move before Christmas is likely.

The chief economist at Deutsche Bank, Tony Meer, said banks were likely to put rates up by between 10 to 15 percentage points above the official rise in interest rates last month.

An economist at JP Morgan, Helen Kevans, is tipping a rise of between 10 to 25 percentage points above movements by the Reserve Bank.

"It is becoming increasingly likely that major Australian banks will attempt to alleviate the current pressure on their spreads by passing on the significant rise in funding costs to borrowers," she said.

The prospect of higher rates, along with the official rise last month, has already deterred some new borrowers.

And even if the RBA keeps rates on hold before Christmas, they could still spoil the New Year by increasing them before 31 December. Marquette Turner believe the latter to be more likely

Simon Turner, Marquette Turner

How to Have a Hassle-Free Christmas

Entertaining friends and family during the festive season is a lot of work.

Aside from the planning that goes into a festive event, post-party cleanup can be a full-time job. If you feel the holiday tension, you aren’t alone: Nearly half of Australians report experiencing stress during the holidays, according to a Gallup survey.

Help keep your Christmas hassle-free with Marquette Turner's time-saving party-preparation and clean-up tips:

House Guests:
Resist the temptation to wait on out-of-town guests hand and foot. As the host, you need to relax and enjoy the spirit of the season and the cheer that comes with houseguests.

When your houseguests offer to help with meals, graciously say “yes” and allow them to prepare their favorite side dish or dessert. Take them up on offers to help set the table or clean dishes. This offers extra time to catch up with your guests while you’re all in the kitchen and dining area contributing to a great celebration.

Highlight your home’s best assets:
Instead of tirelessly trying to make every room of your home spotless, concentrate on the areas where guests will spend the most time.

Focus on the bathroom:
Your guests will likely visit this room before they head home. Pay attention to little details like refilling soap dishes and having fresh hand towels.

Have a solid plan:
When creating a guest list, consider your options ahead of time. Buffet-style meals are easier for larger groups, while you can better host a sit-down dinner with six or fewer guests.

The holiday feast is not a time to try out an all-new recipe. The key to being a less stressed hostess is building your menu around foods you are comfortable making.

Cook ahead:
Make dishes in advance of the big celebration to cut down on the time spent in the kitchen when your guests arrive. Many hors d’oeuvres, desserts and side dishes can be made and frozen until ready to serve.

Control mishaps:
A good host handles disasters with grace. Do not fear the dreaded gravy stains on the white linens or the cranberry sauce spilled on grandma’s white blouse. Use the internet to find the quick solution.

Good luck and happy holidays!

Simon Turner, Marquette Turner