ING Direct tempts owner occupiers with fresh cuts to fixed rate home loans

Borrowers in the market for a longer term fixed loan may be pleased to hear that ING Direct has recently reduced rates on two of its fixed rate loans by as much as 20 basis points for three and five year terms.

The new low rates, which are available to owner occupiers repaying both the principal and interest, were applied shortly after the RBA announced it would keep the cash rate on hold for June.

The lowest fixed rates available from ING Direct are now on offer for those looking to split their loan, between variable and fixed. Owner occupiers who sign up with the Orange Advantage, will be able to leave a portion variable, while having access to three and five year rates 20bp and 10 basis points lower at 3.79% and 4.19% respectively, on the remainder of the loan.

Those who want to fix the entire portion of their loan will also enjoy lower rates, as ING Direct sliced 20bp off its Fixed Rate Loan’s three year rate bringing it to 3.89%, along with 10 basis points off its five year rate to 4.29%.

For a borrower paying both the principal and interest on a three year rate of 3.89% with a $500k mortgage, that’s a saving of $660 annually compared to the previous rate at 4.09%.

At the same time as dropping fixed rates for owner occupiers however, ING Direct hitched its three year investor loan rate up by 20bp to 4.39%.

Does this signal the start of a new trend?

ING Direct’s decision to slash fixed rates this week follows other lenders who also dropped rates recently for owner occupier borrowers, including Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank. In fact over May the Mozo database, saw more rate reductions applied to fixed rate loans for owner occupiers than increases.

According to Mozo’s Product Data Manager Peter Marshall, while the market is currently in favour of owner occupiers paying off both the principal and interest, the same can’t be said for investors - especially those with interest only loans.

“The regulations around interest only lending that APRA introduced earlier in the year, which require banks to limit their interest only lending to 30% growth, have really resulted in a shift in the market.”

“What we are seeing more and more of is the banks widening the gap between what’s on offer for owner occupiers compared to investors, particularly when it comes to fixed rate loans. So if you’re a borrower who lives in your own home now could really be the time to consider fixing.”

To see some of the cheapest fixed rate loans available check out the offers below or head to Mozo’s fixed rate comparison table to compare deals today.

Best longer term fixed rate loans for homeowners: