Personal Finance 17 February 2026 - 26 April 2026

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

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

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is set to raise variable home loan rates by 25 basis points this Friday, bumping its standard owner-occupier principal-and-interest reference rate up to 8.80% from 8.55%. Borrowers are inching closer to the full weight of this year’s Reserve Bank tightening. The bank said existing customers can check their new rate in NetBank and the CommBank app starting Saturday. Timing is key here. Plenty of mortgage holders haven’t yet felt the full brunt of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s three rate hikes this year. Canstar’s data insights director Sally Tindall told NewsWire that banks work out interest daily, but, as she put it, “they don’t ask you for that extra money straight away.” The latest bump is
May 10, 2026
NS&I Relaunches Green Savings Bonds at 3.82% — But Savers Can Still Beat the Rate
···

NS&I Relaunches Green Savings Bonds at 3.82% — But Savers Can Still Beat the Rate

National Savings & Investments is back with Green Savings Bonds, this time offering 3.82% gross/AER—up from the earlier 2.95%. UK savers now have the chance at a higher fixed-rate, government-backed product. The reissued bonds run for three years and landed in the spotlight this Sunday, marking another move from the state-backed group behind Premium Bonds. Timing’s crucial here: cash savers are once more considering if they should fix rates ahead of the Bank of England’s April 30 verdict. The Bank Rate sits at 3.75%, and UK inflation is currently 3.3%. The central bank has cautioned that higher energy costs could push price growth up in the near term.
April 26, 2026
VA Debt Relief Program for Veterans? Here’s Why Credit Card Debt Usually Won’t Be Forgiven
···

VA Debt Relief Program for Veterans? Here’s Why Credit Card Debt Usually Won’t Be Forgiven

There’s no broad VA debt relief program covering veterans’ credit cards, personal loans, or private medical debts, CBS News reported Tuesday. For the most part, veterans have to seek assistance elsewhere, as the VA typically only offers relief for debts owed directly to the government, like benefit overpayments. Another point from CBS News: being a veteran doesn’t mean your credit card debt disappears through any federal program. Borrowers making just minimum payments are especially vulnerable, given that average card APRs remain stuck above 21%. High rates can make balances balloon fast.
March 4, 2026
Hargreaves Lansdown’s new fees go live as UK investors eye switching — and couples chase a £1,260 tax break
···

Hargreaves Lansdown’s new fees go live as UK investors eye switching — and couples chase a £1,260 tax break

As of March 1, Hargreaves Lansdown rolled out its updated fee structure for investment accounts—some charges went down, but investors will also see fresh fees introduced for particular trades. This shift comes at a critical moment—March typically sees UK savers reassess ISA and pension options ahead of the April 5 tax-year cut-off. Even minor fee tweaks can compound significantly as time goes on.
March 2, 2026
IRS reopens after Presidents Day — here’s how to check your refund and dodge long hold times
···

IRS reopens after Presidents Day — here’s how to check your refund and dodge long hold times

The IRS switched its offices and phone lines back on Tuesday, following a Presidents Day closure that left taxpayers scrambling for assistance in the thick of filing season. An agency spokesperson confirmed everything was shut down Monday, Feb. 16, then back to standard hours on Feb. 17. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/national-international/is-the-irs-open-on-presidents-day-details-on-2026-hours/3766830/ Why it matters now: Right after the holiday, questions on refunds, filing rules, and identity checks usually spike, often overwhelming the agency’s helplines. Throw in new tax provisions and a wave of early refund-seekers, and even minor hiccups can spiral into big delays.
February 17, 2026