CBA mortgage customer? You may have just been moved to minimum repayments

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Tom Watson

01 May 2020

Commonwealth bank branch and customers content

Starting today, the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) will automatically switch 748,000 home loan customers onto the minimum repayments required to service their loans. 

CommBank customers who are currently making more than the minimum repayments towards their mortgage will be moved to the minimum required between May 1-5, though those already paying the minimum will be unaffected. 

While borrowers who wish to continue to pay more than the minimum will still be able to, they’ll only be able to from May 6 after contacting the bank or making the change themselves online. 

According to the Commonwealth Bank website, the decision is part of a wider initiative to protect the financial wellbeing of customers and put more money back in their pockets during the COVD-19 pandemic. 

“We're currently experiencing an unprecedented period of economic disruption, and it‘s important that we do our part to support our customers and communities through this difficult time,” as per the CommBank site. 

“We've already seen the number of customers reducing their repayments to the minimum increase substantially in March, and this change will assist customers who may require access to the additional cash flow.”

However, the move has been also met by criticism, including thousands of complaints from Commonwealth Bank customers unhappy with the bank’s decision.

“I understand why some customers are frustrated at not having been given a choice up front,” said Mozo Banking Expert, Peter Marshall. “There’s no reason why the bank couldn’t have simply reminded customers who are paying more than they need too that they have the option of reducing their payments, rather than imposing a blanket change.” 

“A lot of people will have made a conscious decision to pay their loan off faster than they need to. And if they have their eyes off the ball - which may well be the case at the moment - and they forget to switch back to their normal repayments, it could very well end up costing them.”

According to Mozo’s extra repayments calculator, paying an extra $100 a month on a $400,000 home loan (3.50% interest rate) over 25 years would result in the loan being paid off 22 months earlier and a saving of $16,403 in interest, compared to a situation where normal repayments were being made.

RELATED: 1,000 CommBank customers have already bought property using First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

Looking for another way to reduce your mortgage repayments? Switching to a lower rate could be just the ticket. To start comparing, check out the great offers below, or check out the Mozo home loan comparison table for the latest rates from 80 different lenders.

Compare home loans

Rates updated daily. Advertiser disclosure.

  • loans.com.au
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge" style="width:60px;">

    1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable

    2.47% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Smart Booster Home Loan

    1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR

    1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable

    2.47% p.a.

    A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required. Winner of two Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.

    Go to site
    Smart Booster Home Loan

    A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required. Winner of two Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.

    • 1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable

    • 2.47% p.a.

    • $520

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • Optional - with 0.10% additional interest

    • $520

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • $1,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan

    Go to site

    Details Close

  • UBank

    1.75% p.a.
    fixed 3 years

    2.22% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    1.75% p.a.
    fixed 3 years

    2.22% p.a.

    $0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.

    Go to site
    UHomeLoan

    $0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.

    • 1.75% p.a.
      fixed 3 years

    • 2.22% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.

    • no

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • $395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 30 September 2022. Receive 1.75% 3 year fixed rate when you apply by 29 April 2021 and settle within 90 days.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan

    Go to site

    Details Close

  • Macquarie

    2.09% p.a.
    fixed 3 years

    2.43% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Basic Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%

    2.09% p.a.
    fixed 3 years

    2.43% p.a.

    Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.

    Go to site
    Basic Home Loan

    Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.

    • 2.09% p.a.
      fixed 3 years

    • 2.43% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $400.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $0

    • 70.00%

    • $150,000

    • $750,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan

    Go to site

    Details Close

  • Athena
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge" style="width:60px;">

    2.19% p.a. variable

    2.19% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    <60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    2.19% p.a. variable

    2.19% p.a.

    Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid off. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees to consider. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.

    Go to site
    Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid off. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees to consider. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.

    • 2.19% p.a. variable

    • 2.19% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $0

    • 60.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    Go to site

    Details Close

  • Tic:Toc

    1.89% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    2.15% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Fixed Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    1.89% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    2.15% p.a.

    Award-winning low rate home loan that could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees, fee-free redraws, unlimited additional repayments and an optional offset account for $10/month. Minimum 10% deposit. Winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Award for Online Home Lender of the Year 2021.^

    Go to site
    Fixed Home Loan

    Award-winning low rate home loan that could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees, fee-free redraws, unlimited additional repayments and an optional offset account for $10/month. Minimum 10% deposit. Winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Award for Online Home Lender of the Year 2021.^

    • 1.89% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 2.15% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $325.00

    • yes - free, up to $20,000 p.a.

    • yes - free

    • Optional - $10 per month

    • $0

    • 90.00%

    • $50,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan

    Go to site

    Details Close

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home loans Awards

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