Personal Finance 17 February 2026 - 26 April 2026

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Rate Rise Hits This Week as Borrowers Face Delayed Mortgage Pain
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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Rate Rise Hits This Week as Borrowers Face Delayed Mortgage Pain

Commonwealth Bank of Australia will raise variable home loan rates by 25 basis points on Friday, lifting its standard owner-occupier rate to 8.80%. The move follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate hike to 4.35% and comes ahead of CBA’s quarterly trading update on May 13. Other major banks, including Westpac and NAB, will also raise mortgage rates this month. Variable business loan rates at CBA will increase from May 15.
May 10, 2026
Why Intuit stock is up again: TurboTax momentum meets Direct File bill risk
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Why Intuit stock is up again: TurboTax momentum meets Direct File bill risk

Intuit shares rose 1.6% to $440.24 in early afternoon trading Wednesday, extending a six-day rally. CEO Sasan Goodarzi reported strong TurboTax growth and dismissed chatbot disruption concerns. Democrats introduced a bill to revive the IRS “Direct File” program, posing potential competition for paid tax software. Trading volume in Intuit stock topped its 50-day average for two straight sessions.
March 4, 2026
VA Debt Relief Program for Veterans? Here’s Why Credit Card Debt Usually Won’t Be Forgiven
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VA Debt Relief Program for Veterans? Here’s Why Credit Card Debt Usually Won’t Be Forgiven

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not offer general debt relief for veterans’ credit cards or private loans, CBS News reported. Relief from the VA applies mainly to debts owed to the agency itself, such as benefit overpayments. Military families are more likely than civilians to carry high credit card balances, according to Armed Forces Bank. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps interest on pre-service debts at 6% for active-duty members.
March 4, 2026
Hargreaves Lansdown’s new fees go live as UK investors eye switching — and couples chase a £1,260 tax break
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Hargreaves Lansdown’s new fees go live as UK investors eye switching — and couples chase a £1,260 tax break

Hargreaves Lansdown’s new fee structure took effect March 1, cutting ISA and SIPP account charges to 0.35% and lowering online share dealing to £6.95 per trade, while adding a £1.95 fee for online fund deals and raising the annual cap on some account charges to £150. Analysts say most customers will benefit, but some, including frequent fund traders and large share portfolio holders, could pay more. An April 5 deadline also approaches for some couples to backdate UK tax relief.
March 2, 2026
IRS reopens after Presidents Day — here’s how to check your refund and dodge long hold times
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IRS reopens after Presidents Day — here’s how to check your refund and dodge long hold times

IRS offices and phone lines reopened Tuesday after closing for Presidents Day, with officials warning of heavy call volume during the busy filing season. The agency urged taxpayers to use its online refund tracker, which updates daily, and reminded filers to have all tax records before submitting returns. Scammers often target taxpayers during this period, the IRS said.
February 17, 2026

Stock Market Today

  • ASX 200 Faces Volatility amid Oil Price Fluctuations
    May 26, 2026, 11:03 PM EDT. The ASX 200 is poised for possible volatility as swings in global oil prices disrupt market sentiment. Oil price fluctuations often influence energy stocks and broader market dynamics. Investors are advised to stay cautious amid uncertain market conditions driven by crude oil price changes, which can affect economic outlooks and company earnings. Traders and portfolio managers should closely monitor developments in oil markets to navigate potential risks and opportunities on the Australian Exchange.