never put all your money with one bank. split it. look at any gvt guarantees and only invesst up to that amount in any one bank. imo keep away from brokers offering bond funds. stay real and in control.
st george imo, was in trouble like hbos but the gvt and rba encouraged (read told) westpac to take it out. only my guess opinion. it was all to easy. takeovers do not usually work that easy, especialy banks ! (there was speculation in the press before wpt talked to st george )
gvt bonds are best. now anyway. lenders of last resort. some pay gross so is good for non taxpeayers. state gvts bonds are guaranteed by canberra. don't forget that. so all state gvt bonds are ok in oz.
stay with your own currency unless you feel it's going zimbawe style. then take aboard bonds in the majors, or buy gold. as long australia as doesn't overspend, you should be republic within a few yrs. prob after queenie has died. maybe before so she can attend the celebrations. she will and she'll love it. believe me. she's a lovely lady.
a good link for fixed interest but PLEASE only stick to gvt bonds atm unless you realy know what you're doing.
