Lending finance; Petrol price; Credit/debit cards
- The Australian Institute of Petroleum reports that the average Australian petrol price fell by 2.2 cents last week. Over the past fortnight prices have fallen by 4.9 cents a litre – the biggest fortnightly fall in 21 months. The national pump price is now holding at a near 11-month low of 119.3 cents a litre.
- Total lending (business, housing, personal and lease loans) rose by 5.2 per cent in July all but reversing the previous months loss. Lending continues to track sideways.
- Loans for construction of dwellings (owner-occupier and investor) fell by $31.8 million to $1.69 billion in July – a 17-month low.
- The average credit card balance stood at a $3,267.70 in July, down $15.30 on June. The average credit card balance is up 5.1 per cent on a year earlier – the fastest annual growth in 29 months.