ING, BOQ and Virgin Money join the rate cut party
The RBA cut official interest rates on Tuesday, prompting several banks to take the axe to their range of variable home loan interest rates.
While lenders are able to make changes at their own discretion, there was plenty of pressure to pass on the full cut to customers, particularly from RBA Governor Philip Lowe.
Following the RBA’s announcement, the usually measured Lowe called for no half measures.
“My usual practice in answering this question has been to explain that there are a range of other factors that influence mortgage pricing, and then say ‘it all depends,’” he said.
“Today, though, I would like to break with my usual practice and provide a clearer answer. And that is: Yes, this reduction in the cash rate should be fully passed through to variable mortgage rates.”
BOQ and Virgin Money among the latest to cut
While there have been a few holdouts, most notably ANZ and Westpac, several banks and lenders have followed through and passed on the full 0.25% to their customers.
Bank of Queensland was among the latest to do so, citing easing funding costs, the broader economy, and customer expectations as key reasons for the decision.
“We believe the responsible decision at this moment in time is to get behind our home lending customers and ensure they enjoy the benefits of reduced cost of funds,” said Lyn McGrath, Group Executive of Retail Banking at BOQ.
The reductions will apply to all BOQ variable home loan interest rates, save for those linked to the Clear Path Owner Occupier (principal and interest), which will only be reduced by 0.15% p.a. The changes will come into effect 25 June.
Virgin Money, part of the BOQ Group, announced it would also be cutting interest rates, but just short of the full 0.25%. As of June 25, all Virgin Money variable home loans for existing Owner Occupiers and Investors will be reduced by 0.22%.
ING customers can also expect to benefit
ING has also decided to pass on the full rate cut, hardly a week after cutting headline rates for its Orange Advantage Loan and Mortgage Simplifier by 0.17%.
As of 25 June, all ING variable rate home loans for both new and existing customers will be reduced by 0.25% p.a.
When the new rate comes into effect, Owner Occupiers paying principal and interest on an ING Mortgage Simplifier home loan will see some sizeable reductions in their monthly repayments.
On a $400,000 loan over 30 years (LVR <80%), rates as low as 3.38% p.a. (3.41% p.a. comparison rate*) will save borrowers $56 a month, or $672 over a year.
If you want to keep track of which banks have passed on the full cut and which haven’t, be sure to check in with our Naughty or Nice table. And for a look at some quality variable rates, check out the examples below or head over to our variable rate home loan comparison page.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - rates updated daily
Smart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a.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.
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.
- variable rate
- 1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 2.47% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
Basic Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR<80%, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.64% p.a.2.64% 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.
Basic 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.
- variable rate
- 2.64% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 2.64% 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
- $749,999
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.34% p.a.2.34% p.a.Enjoy a super low rate. $0 fees to consider. Fast and easy online application. Free redraw and free extra repayments. Flexible payment terms. Min 20% deposit required.
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Enjoy a super low rate. $0 fees to consider. Fast and easy online application. Free redraw and free extra repayments. Flexible payment terms. Min 20% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 2.34% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 2.34% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.19% p.a.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.
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.
- variable rate
- 2.19% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 2.19% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Low Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <60% LVR
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.14% p.a.2.16% p.a.Get smart, flexible and cost-effective rates from homeloans.com.au. Complimentary 100% offset account and free online redraw. Unlimited additional repayments. Zero application or annual fees. Fast online application process.
Low Rate Home Loan
Get smart, flexible and cost-effective rates from homeloans.com.au. Complimentary 100% offset account and free online redraw. Unlimited additional repayments. Zero application or annual fees. Fast online application process.
- variable rate
- 2.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 2.16% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Low Rate Home Loan
Back to Basics Special
LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.44% p.a.2.45% p.a.No monthly account keeping fee, no ongoing annual fee and no loan establishment fee on new lending of $150,000 or more.
Back to Basics Special
No monthly account keeping fee, no ongoing annual fee and no loan establishment fee on new lending of $150,000 or more.
- variable rate
- 2.44% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 2.45% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- 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
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Back to Basics Special
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
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