Fixed rate cut frenzy! Why most lenders aren’t slashing variable rates
This month, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) made the extraordinary decision to cut it’s official cash rate twice - in response to the outbreak and spread of COVID-19.
However, Aussie home loan lenders have responded to the latest “emergency rate cut” a bit differently than they usually would.
According to the Mozo database, the majority of lenders who have cut rates since the most recent RBA decision have dropped their fixed rate offerings, while only a handful have slashed variable rates.
Currently, the lowest 3 year fixed rate in our database sits at 2.09% (2.41% comparison rate*), pushing rates closer to dropping below the 2.00% line.
Mozo’s Banking Expert, Peter Marshall, says this is to be expected in a very low interest rate environment as banks attempt to maintain their net margins while still offering their deposit customers interest.
“The government has also made a pool of funds available to banks, fixed at a rate of 0.25% for up to three years - these factors have resulted in many lenders choosing to cut fixed rates,” he said.
“While we have not yet seen any fixed rates slip below the 2.00% mark, I expect that it will happen. And if it does it would be a great time to consider fixing all or part of a mortgage as it’s unlikely rates will go lower than that.”
Amongst the lenders that have responded to the recent RBA rate change, ALL of the big four slashed their fixed mortgage rates.
And currently ANZ are offering the lowest 2 year fixed rate of 2.19% (4.00% comparison rate*) for owner occupiers with an LVR of 80%, compared to 2.29% offered by CommBank (3.87% comparison rate*) , Westpac (3.45% comparison rate*) and NAB (3.91% comparison rate*).
“Given that fixed rates are becoming cheaper than variable rates it’s easy to understand the appeal that we will see more borrowers opting to fix,” Marshall said.
“It’s always important to keep in mind that there may be break costs if you need to leave the loan early, although if rates are increasing when you want to break those costs will be minimal.”
Also remember that reversion rates on home loans are generally higher than the rates you locked in, and in some cases higher than standard variable rates.
RELATED ARTICLE: Need a fix while working from home? Do it to your mortgage!
Want to compare some killer fixed mortgage rates? Take a look at the table below or jump over to our home loan comparison tool for even more options!
Fixed Rate Home Loans 2020 - last updated January 23, 2021
Special Offer Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.70% p.a.Limited time 3 Year Fixed Rate Special Offer for purchase or refinance. Rate lock option available. No monthly or ongoing fees.
CompareCompareSpecial Offer Fixed Rate Home Loan
Limited time 3 Year Fixed Rate Special Offer for purchase or refinance. Rate lock option available. No monthly or ongoing fees.
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.70% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Offer Fixed Rate Home Loan
UHomeLoan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.22% p.a.$0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
CompareCompareUHomeLoan
$0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
- interest rate
- 1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.22% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $395
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 31 March 2020. Receive 1.75% Receive 1.75% 3 year fixed rate when you apply by 26 February 2021 and settle within 90 days.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan
Basic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.19% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.53% p.a.Flexible loan structure – create up to six loan accounts with different rate and repayment types. Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
CompareCompareBasic Home Loan
Flexible loan structure – create up to six loan accounts with different rate and repayment types. Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
- interest rate
- 2.19% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.53% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $750,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.19% p.a.
fixed 3 years3.03% p.a.No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get up to $3,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.
CompareCompareFixed Home Loan Special Offer
No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get up to $3,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.
- interest rate
- 2.19% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 3.03% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $375.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $500 per month
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
Discount Fixed Rate
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.
fixed 4 years2.90% p.a.Have the certainty of fixed repayments with a competitive rate from BOQ. Flexible repayment options available and make up to $5,000 in additional repayments annually. $3,000 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ (min. $250k lending, max 80% LVR, T&Cs apply).
CompareCompareDiscount Fixed Rate
Have the certainty of fixed repayments with a competitive rate from BOQ. Flexible repayment options available and make up to $5,000 in additional repayments annually. $3,000 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ (min. $250k lending, max 80% LVR, T&Cs apply).
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.
fixed 4 years
- comparison rate
- 2.90% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $450
- Ongoing fees
- $10.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $5,000 p.a
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $3,000 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ, min $250,000, 80% LVR or less. Apply before 26 February 2021, settle by 28 May 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Discount Fixed Rate
Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, Home Loan Package
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years3.64% p.a.A People’s Choice 3 year fixed home loan allows you to enjoy a simple, non-complicated home loan with a competitive rate. There are no restrictions to the number of loans you can combine on a package. Lock in a competitive fixed interest rate with People’s Choice.
CompareCompareFixed Rate Home Loan
A People’s Choice 3 year fixed home loan allows you to enjoy a simple, non-complicated home loan with a competitive rate. There are no restrictions to the number of loans you can combine on a package. Lock in a competitive fixed interest rate with People’s Choice.
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 3.64% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $395.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $10,000 p.a
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.