It's hard to scrape the money together for life's luxuries (let alone life's necessities) when the bank keeps skimming the cream off the top of your accounts. There are much better options out there than that Dollarmite account you've had since you were eight years old, but who has the time to look? That's what we're here for. We'll show you how to find a fee-free account that won't eat away at your hard-earned cash.
Everyday banking
Personal banking
Avoid the fees and find the best bank account for everyday transactions.
Buying guides
How to find the best account and switch banks
If you're paying high fees, it's time to demand a better deal from your bank – or bid it farewell.
Articles
Regional bank branch closures affect marginalised Australians
A total of 575 bank branches closed between 2017 and 2021, leaving many customers in the lurch.
Commonwealth Bank drops Dollarmites
After long campaign by CHOICE, pin is finally pulled on 'shonky' school banking program.
What's the best online payment method?
Poli, Bpay, Eftpos, credit cards or PayPal – find the payment method that works for you.
Days are numbered for Queensland school banking programs
Following a CHOICE Shonky for CBA's Dollarmites program and a damning ASIC report, Queensland follows the ACT and Victoria and bans school banking.
Campaigning in Canberra: Inside the fight to save our safe lending laws
CHOICE’s banking policy adviser shares a personal account of his recent trip to Parliament to fight for safe lending laws.
'A real victory' as more royal commission recommendations become law
New legislation introduces a 'hawking' ban, stricter breach reporting, waiting periods and more.
Victoria bans bank marketing in schools
CHOICE welcomes the decision to end bank marketing programs such as Dollarmites in Victorian schools.
'Block this harmful plan'
Consumer groups issue an open letter calling on parliamentarians to protect safe lending laws.
The wave of debt that could soon engulf many Australians
The federal government plans to remove responsible lending obligations from credit providers – at a painful cost to borrowers.
Why safe lending laws are too important to lose
The government has proposed axing lending laws that protect every Australian – here's why we can't let that happen.
Removing lending protections will continue bad bank behaviour
At a time when banks should be increasing their obligations to the Australian community, the Government is letting them off the hook.
Banks get low marks on CHOICE COVID-19 banking scorecard
The big four banks have taken some steps to help customers affected by the economic fallout, but it's far from enough.
Our five-point plan for the banks to earn back trust during the COVID-19 crisis
Waive long-term credit card debt, cap rates at 10%, pay compensation now, and more.
Ditch your Dollarmites account
There are better ways for kids to save and learn.
Financial Accountability Regime for banking executives under review
CHOICE backs the FAR but wants to see a basic fairness obligation added to protect customers.
Three big consumer wins from the banking royal commission
Mortgage broker best interests duty, unfair contracts laws extended to insurance, and better regulation for funeral products.
CHOICE calls on schools and parents to ditch Dollarmites
ASIC finds little evidence school banking works.
6 most urgent banking royal commission recommendations
Banking royal commission releases final report
Would you bank with Google, Amazon, Facebook or Apple?
'GAFA' and other neo-banks are shaking up Australia's financial industry. But is neo-banking good for consumers?
3 things we learned from the banking royal commission interim report
Greedy bankers, profit-driven corporates and a poorly resourced corporate regulator: Australia's scandal-ridden financial system.
Bank fees still worth billions
Despite a focus on unfair fees in recent years, some banks continue to gouge customers.
How effective are bank 'customer advocates'?
Toothless tigers or champions for fairness – we investigate.
How to lodge a bank dispute
Should you be seeking compensation for misconduct?
Banks take five years to refund fraud victims
Taking advantage of customers is big business for the banks.
Shockers from the banking royal commission
The lengths banks will go to in the pursuit of loot.
ANZ halts sales of car loans ahead of royal commission hearings
Explicit details on loan fraud are expected to be revealed during the hearings.
New authority to handle financial disputes
Three out-of-date regulators will be replaced by a new dispute handling body launching in November.
Bad home loans first on royal commission agenda
Most public complaints deal with misconduct.
Banks are exploiting loyal customers, report reveals
A federal government report describes the banking sector as institutionally anti-competitive.
Bank's 'significant failures' revealed in royal commission filing
Australia's big four banks have each catalogued 10 years of misconduct.
Loan fraud lands ANZ in trouble
The bank will pay approximately $10 million for fraudulent car loans.
Victims will get a say in banking royal commission
$75m royal commission will take submissions from individuals.
VW's financing arm slapped with a $200k fine for 20 infringement notices
ASIC has penalised the company over shady advertisements.
Royal commission will probe Australia's big four banks
$75m investigation announced as the banks publicly volunteer for an inquiry.
Businesses should be stripped of ill-gotten profits, task force says
ASIC's penalties described as 'too low' and 'inadequate', ahead of calls for change.
Big banks abolish ATM withdrawal fees
Starting today for some banks.
Real-time payments
In an age of instant noodles, instant scratchies and instant coffee, why do payments sometimes take days to reach their destination?
Real-time transfers launching in October with BPay's Osko
The first service to support the New Payments Platform has been revealed.
Aussies losing $11m in fat-fingered net transfers
An estimated 7000 households are affected each year.
Fees, poor service are top pain points for bank customers
CHOICE calls for industry reform before Senate inquiry.
How to check if you have a stake in $1.1b in unclaimed money
Some unclaimed accounts are holding more than a million dollars.
Why banks don't offer online credit card cancellations
You can sign up in minutes, but banks withhold the tools needed to easily cancel.
Bankwest overcharges customers almost $5 million
2 February 2017 | Affected customers have been notified and refunded, says industry regulator.
Aussie battlers could benefit from changes to banking
30 January 2017 | ABA announces plans to make paying off debts easier.
Credit unions and customer-owned banks
Do credit unions, building societies and mutuals love you more?
No Queenslander should have to fear the banks again
Queensland parliamentarians bravely stood up to the big banks. Now we're calling on them to defend safe lending laws.
Adelaide’s cost of living crisis to get worse with safe lending repeal
As the sun sets on South Australia's dream of affordable living, the financially vulnerable need all the protection they can get.
Tasmanians deserve affordable homes and fair loans
Tasmania now has the highest level of mortgage stress in Australia. That's why it needs safe lending laws more than ever.
ACCC considers inquiry into Australian banks' bitcoin behaviour
23 September 2015 | Accounts linked with bitcoin companies have been closed by a range of banks.
Court overturns decision to reimburse ANZ fees
10 Apr 2015 | ANZ bank has won its appeal over late fees on credit card payments.
ATM and EFTPOS card skimming
17 June 2015 | It's up to the banks to pay you back, but it's best not to get skimmed in the first place.
ATM use in decline
18 May 2015 | Consumers are shunning ATMs as they embrace contactless payment technology.
Banking code exposed
Our shadow shop found most Australian banks have trouble following their own code of practice on direct debit cancellations.
Finance comparison sites
They'll give you a lot of information quickly, but be wary.
How to avoid bank penalties
Don't get stung by unfair fees for late payments, overdrawn accounts and bounced cheques.
New credit check system will hurt the poor, consumer groups warn
The government's plan to document every late repayment has been met with criticism from banks and consumer groups alike
Unclaimed money
Hundreds of millions of dollars are waiting to be claimed. Is some of it yours?
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Banking
Independent advice on everyday banking, savings options, term deposits, paying bills and making foreign transactions.
