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Posts from 2025

Articles published during this year.

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Understanding Home Loan Interest Rates in South Africa – And How Low You Can Go

When shopping for a home loan, most buyers hope to "negotiate the best rate" — and rightly so. Even a small discount on your interest rate can save you hundreds of thousands of rand over the life of your bond. But how do banks actually decide what rate to offer, and why are there limits to how low they can go? Let's un

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Identity Fraud in South Africa: Why You Should Check Your Credit Before Buying a Home

Identity fraud is a growing problem in South Africa, and unfortunately many people only discover it when it's already caused serious damage. At Phoenix Bonds, we've seen cases where clients only realise something is wrong when they apply for a home loan and the bank pulls their credit report.

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How to Talk to Buyers About Using a Bond Originator

As an estate agent, you're often the first person a buyer turns to when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their life. And while buyers may feel confident approaching their own bank directly, or even another bond originator, part of your role is helping them make the smartest choice.

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Why Relationship Banking No Longer Exists in South Africa

Not too long ago, many South Africans had a "bank manager" they knew by name. You could walk into a branch, sit down with someone who understood your history, and negotiate based on loyalty, trust, and the length of your relationship with the bank. That era is gone.

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SARB’s new inflation target and its potential effects on the SA economy

On July 31, 2025, the SARB cut its key policy (repo) rate by 25 basis points to 7%, also marking a shift in its inflation target preference. Going forward, the bank will aim for the bottom of its inflation band (3%–6%), effectively pushing for a 3% target rather than the mid-point of 4.5%.

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