SBS Finance Group

SBS Finance Group Your Trusted Mortgage Brokers for Home Loans and Wealth Management. Home Loans Specialists

Home Loans; Property Investments; Research and Negotiation

Australia’s $1bn zero-interest loan boost for SMEsAustralian banks have begun rolling out zero-interest loans for small ...
04/05/2026

Australia’s $1bn zero-interest loan boost for SMEs

Australian banks have begun rolling out zero-interest loans for small and medium-sized businesses under the Federal Government’s new $1 billion Economic Resilience Program (ERP), designed to ease pressure from rising fuel costs and global supply-chain disruptions.

Delivered through the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, the scheme offers eligible businesses with annual turnover under $100 million access to loans of up to $5 million, with terms of up to two years. Applications officially opened on 20 April 2026.

The program is focused on critical industries heavily exposed to recent market shocks linked to Middle East conflict and global input cost spikes such as freight, logistics, fuel, fertiliser, plastics and manufacturing sectors.

Major lenders including ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank have confirmed participation, with support positioned to help viable businesses manage cash flow without the burden of interest costs. Standard bank fees still apply, and loans must be repaid in full.

Banks are also encouraging businesses under pressure to reach out early, with options such as repayment deferrals, restructuring and temporary working capital support available alongside ERP funding.


SBS Finance Group

Banks brace for bad credit spikeTwo of Australia's major banks are preparing for a possible rise in bad debts amid the o...
30/04/2026

Banks brace for bad credit spike

Two of Australia's major banks are preparing for a possible rise in bad debts amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

National Australia Bank (NAB) has increased expected credit impairment charges to $706 million for the first half of its financial year – around $300 million higher than initially anticipated. Westpac has issued a similar warning. Both expect the energy shock, higher inflation and slowing economic growth to create a challenging environment for borrowers.

This could signal tighter conditions ahead for businesses, with higher input costs, reduced consumer spending and increased lender scrutiny placing pressure on cash flow and debt servicing capacity.

What can you do to mitigate these risks?

* Review cash flow buffers to ensure there’s capacity to absorb rising costs.
* Assess current debt obligations and engage with lenders early to discuss potential repayment adjustments.
* Identify and reduce non-essential expenses.
* Work with your accountant to stress-test your financial position.

Taking early steps can help ease financial pressure and reduce the risk of defaulting on debt.


SBS Finance Group

Are your employees worried about AI taking their jobs?A Finder survey found that nearly 1 in 10 (9%) Australians think t...
14/04/2026

Are your employees worried about AI taking their jobs?

A Finder survey found that nearly 1 in 10 (9%) Australians think their job will 'definitely' be replaced by artificial intelligence, while a further 21% have concerns, but are not sure it will happen.

That's around 4.2 million people who worry that AI will threaten their livelihoods.

Gen Z professionals are the most concerned, with 38% who think they're going to be replaced by AI, followed by 34% of millennials.

But the concern isn’t just about machines eliminating jobs, it's also about roles slowly shrinking, hours being cut and fewer opportunities in the job market.

If your business is considering AI technology to improve cost efficiency, taking a transparent approach can help prepare employees for changes and potentially ease job security anxiety.


SBS Finance Group

02/04/2026

Spreading a message of Love & Hope.
Happy Easter Everyone! 🐣😍

Rising interest rates: What small businesses need to know in 2026As of March 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia has ado...
31/03/2026

Rising interest rates: What small businesses need to know in 2026

As of March 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia has adopted a more aggressive stance, lifting interest rates to 4.10%, with further increases expected going forward.

For small businesses, this means preparing for sustained financial pressure throughout the year.

Higher borrowing costs will impact loans, overdrafts and profitability. At the same time, consumers facing mortgage strain are likely to cut back on discretionary spending, slowing revenue growth.

Add rising energy, wage and insurance costs, and margins may feel increasingly tight. Ongoing global conflict is also pushing up fuel prices, increasing transport and supply chain costs.

Lenders are becoming more cautious, placing greater emphasis on cash flow and affordability.
To beat the odds: review your debt structure, streamline operations, and prioritise strong cash flow management.


SBS Finance Group

Fraudulent chargebacks are rising. This is what small businesses need to knowSmall business owners are increasingly repo...
30/03/2026

Fraudulent chargebacks are rising. This is what small businesses need to know

Small business owners are increasingly reporting losses from fraudulent chargebacks, where customers dispute legitimate online transactions to claim refunds.

Even when businesses provide proof of purchase and delivery, some transactions are still reversed, resulting in lost revenue and unrecovered goods.

With “card-not-present” e-commerce transactions expected to surpass in-store purchases next year, the risk is growing.

This shift is driving renewed calls for stronger protections against online shopping fraud.

What can you do?

Ensure clear transaction records, use verified payment gateways, implement delivery confirmation systems and regularly review dispute processes.

Prevention and documentation are your strongest tools.

Review your internal controls now to protect cash flow and minimise risk in an evolving digital marketplace.


SBS Finance Group

Address

311 Castlereagh Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SBS Finance Group posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to SBS Finance Group:

Shortcuts

Share

Category