Lumo Finance

03/11/2026

The favourite got up. The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% this afternoon to 4.85%, half an hour before the Cup jumps.

That’s the highest cash rate since December 2008, and the fifth rise this year.

The RBA said inflation “remains elevated” and is now forecast to stay that way through much of 2027. It wasn’t a unanimous call either. Three of the nine board members wanted to hold.

On a $600,000.00 loan, a full pass-on adds $99.18 a month. Most lenders announce their changes within a few days, and they don’t all move by the same amount.

Nobody knows exactly where rates go from here, and anyone who says they do is guessing. What you can control is the rate you’re paying today. If your loan hasn’t been reviewed in the last year or two, now’s the time.

Talk to us: lumofinance.com.au

General information only. Not financial advice.

30/10/2026

The sign out front still says ham off the bone. Inside, it’s a different building.

This is 77 Harold Street, West End, the new home of Lumo Finance. Walls lined, concrete polished, custom desk frames in, and the original rafters and skylights left exposed. We’re aiming to move in early December. Until then, you’ll still find us at Shop 7, 20 Echlin Street.

Our own fit-out has been a good reminder to get the finance sorted before the first invoice lands. Construction and commercial loans pay out in stages, so it pays to have the structure set up before work starts.

Planning a build or fit-out? Start here: lumofinance.com.au

28/10/2026

Inflation is 4.3%.

That is the headline number from the ABS on 28 Oct 2026, up from 4.0% a month earlier. The RBA's preferred measure, the trimmed mean, is 3.6% against a target band of 2% to 3%.

What drove it: fuel up 23.6% over the year, electricity up 12.8%, and housing, the biggest single contributor, up 5.2%.

What it means for your loan: before these figures the big four were split on the 03 Nov 2026 decision. Now all four expect a rise to 4.85%, and markets price it at 87%. Nobody knows for sure until 1:30pm Queensland time on the day. If it happens, each 0.25% adds $91.00 a month on a $600,000.00 loan with 25 years left, according to Canstar.

If you want to know where you stand before Tuesday, send us a message or start at lumofinance.com.au.

Source: ABS Consumer Price Index, September 2026. Bank forecasts via The Adviser, 28 Oct 2026. General information only. Not financial advice.

20/10/2026

Thinking of building?

We can help.

Construction finance works differently to a standard home loan, and the order you do things in matters. The lender releases funds in stages as the build hits milestones, you pay interest only on what has been drawn, and the valuation and fixed price contract need to be lined up before the first payment moves.

Lumo Finance handles residential construction, house and land packages, knockdown rebuilds, commercial fit-outs and development projects. We are also in the middle of our own fit-out at 77 Harold Street, West End, so we know what the inside of a build looks like at the moment.

Planning a build or need a commercial loan? Message us or start at lumofinance.com.au.

18/10/2026

The RBA raised the cash rate again on 29 Sep 2026, from 4.35% to 4.60%. That is the fourth rise this year and the highest the cash rate has been since 2011.

Why: underlying inflation has been sitting around 3.6% for six months, and the RBA needs it under 3%. Higher oil prices from the Middle East conflict and stronger than expected spending have not helped. Governor Bullock did not sugar-coat it. Rates will go up again if that is what it takes.

For a $300,000.00 loan, this rise adds $48.86 a month once your lender passes it on, and most have.

The banks are split. ANZ and Westpac think another rise is coming on 03 Nov 2026. CBA and NAB think the RBA is done for now.

📅 Decision: Tue 03 Nov 2026, 1:30pm Queensland time.

If the repayments are starting to bite, you are not alone. We are here if you want help understanding what all this means for your loan.

Send us a message.

General information only. Not financial advice.

15/10/2026

As heard on ABC North Queensland Mornings. Daniel Perkins sat down with Emma Jones to talk about why 8 in 10 new home loans in Australia now go through a broker, a record 81.6% for the June quarter 2026 according to the MFAA.

Our take: people have lost confidence in getting real help at the bank, and with bank profits as big as they are, more people want someone comparing the market for them.

Also covered:

How brokers get paid
The best interests duty
Who might still be better off going direct

Listen from just after the 40 minute mark:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/northqld-mornings/mornings/107254226

General information only. Not financial advice.

15/10/2026

8 in 10 new Australian home loans now go through a mortgage broker. That’s a record.

Daniel Perkins joined Emma Jones on ABC North Queensland Mornings to talk about why more people are turning to brokers.

The latest MFAA data puts broker market share at 81.6% for the June quarter 2026, up from 77.6% a year earlier.

Our take is that it comes down to two things. People don’t trust that they can walk into a bank and get good help anymore. And they see the profits the banks post every year and think they should be comparing the market to get some of that back. A broker does the comparing and takes the admin off your plate.

Also covered in the interview:

How brokers get paid
The best interests duty
Who might still be better off going direct
Hear the full interview from just after the 40 minute mark. Link in bio.

General information only. Not financial advice.

27/08/2026

Meet Dallas.

With extensive experience in commercial and agribusiness finance, Dallas helps clients navigate complex lending with clear, practical advice.

Whether you're expanding, refinancing or planning your next move, he's here to help.

25/08/2026

Most people only review their home loan when they're forced to.

The reality is:
• Interest rates change.
• Lenders change their pricing.
• Your financial situation changes.

What was the best loan for you two years ago may not be the best loan today.

A loan review doesn't mean you have to refinance. Sometimes it's as simple as negotiating a better rate with your current lender. Other times, it might reveal a better option elsewhere.

Either way, knowing your options costs nothing—and it could save you thousands over the life of your loan.

If it's been more than 12 months since your last review, let's have a chat.

📩 Send us a message or book a free review.

20/08/2026

Please jump on Dallas Davison - Agri Finance Specialist to keep up to speed with all things agri finance.

Finance broking for beef cattle producers in North West Queensland, with lending between $3 million and $50 million. Free guide and short reads on how agri lending actually works.