Our Scans · (FS.6.06) Personal Finance · Weekly Summary

• [New] With 85% of lenders expecting mortgage originations to rise in 2026, the increased confidence in tech-enabled financing tools is giving buyers more flexibility, which can help your home sell faster when listed strategically. The AI Journal
• [New] The PropTech initiative aims to increase the real estate sector's contribution to Dubai's GDP, reduce property operating costs, speed up mortgage approvals, and expand employment opportunities within the PropTech field. Economy Middle East
• [New] The revised pension eligibility rules affecting citizens across Australia introduce new timelines that could alter when older residents can begin receiving federal retirement support. Yachiyo Japanese Bistro
• [New] Write-off rates on UK mortgages are expected to fall to 0.001% in 2025 (from 0.004% in 2024) with the EY ITEM Club forecasting a marginal rise to 0.002% in 2026 and 0.003% in 2027 and 2028, as a number of homeowners on fixed rate mortgages refinance onto deals with higher mortgage rates. EY
• [New] While housing affordability is likely to remain a challenge for the near future, lower interest rates and recovering real income growth should lead to a pickup in housing demand, and mortgage growth is forecast to rebound to 3.2% in 2027 and outpace current growth by 2028. EY
• [New] The Fed has confirmed it will conclude its quantitative tightening program in November, which should help put downward pressure on rates as the Fed increases demand for Treasuries and Mortgage-Backed Securities. Nationwide Mortgage Bankers
• [New] Currently, mortgage rates are at their lowest point in 2025, and even a slight decline could improve affordability and stimulate housing demand. Coldwell Banker Blue Matter
• [New] Social Security change in 2026 may impact retirement age. WXIA
• [New] Robust corporate earnings may indicate the possibility of continued wage growth in 2026. ING Think
• [New] By 2026, 30% of consumers will use generative AI tools for high-risk decisions such as personal finance and healthcare. Forrester
• [New] Mercer's survey of over 1,700 U.S. employers projects the health benefit cost per employee to rise by 6.5% on average in 2026. Walterboro Live
• [New] Singapore Airlines has already begun planning the gradual retirement of its A 380s by 2026, signaling its focus on next-generation efficiency and sustainability. Simple Flying
• [New] By 2030, the U.S. is projected to face a shortfall of millions of workers as 30.4 million peak boomers will reach retirement age and 9.5% of the workforce will be 65 or over. Medium
• [New] The retirement of coal and the rise of new technologies will reshape regional generation mixes and drive innovation in grid reliability and energy sustainability. / USA Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Features & Ev
• [New] Following expected growth of 3.2% (net) in 2025, UK mortgage lending is forecast to slow in 2026 (2.8% net growth), as stretched affordability and a squeeze on real incomes drive a dip in housing demand. EY
• [New] The flexible super access rules being introduced across Australia will support individuals who need to adjust their retirement timelines due to personal or financial reasons. Restaurant Caleb
• [New] 74% of Australians supported extending the performance test to retirement products and 84% called for greater transparency so retirees could compare how their fund performs. Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Last updated: 01 December 2025