Too many “risk flags”? New research finds interest-only borrowers are poor money managers
It’s been a tough year for interest-only borrowers with APRA’s crackdown on risky lending, but a recent analysis from Morgan Stanley has found interest-only borrowers guilty of poor money management and a risk to financial institutions.
Reported by Domain , the research found that these borrowers were more likely to fall into debt, give up their savings if they encountered a high cost and sell their property if interest rates rose - making them a higher financial risk.
When it came to keeping higher costs under control, 53% of interest-only borrowers used their plastic or consumer finance, compared to 29% of principal and interest (P+I) borrowers.
RELATED: How I'm Saving $87 a Week (or $4,500 This Year) on My Home Loan
“Interest-only mortgage holders are saving less than P+I customers, with this gap most pronounced for owner occupiers,” said Morgan Stanley analysts.
And although interest-only loans have an on average 40% lower home loan repayment, institutions are continuing to decline applications, bringing the approval rate down from 36% to 30%.
However, given recent statements made by APRA chairman Wayne Byres, this move may still not be enough to amend mortgage risks in the market.
According to Byres, despite the number of institutions turning up the heat on potential first home buyers, there are still fears of banks lending six or more times a borrower's income - potentially adding more fuel to the ‘debt fire’.
“We would like to see the industry devote more effort to the collection of realistic living expense estimates from borrowers and give greater thought to the appropriate use and construct of benchmarks in instances where those estimates are deemed insufficient,” he said.
But Mozo’s Property Expert, Steve Jovcevski, worries that with the bank’s tighter lending criteria, interest-only borrowers could eventually find themselves in hot water.
“Borrowers who took out an interest-only loan five years ago during the property boom are now finding they can’t rollover their loan because of the change in criteria. So if they do transition over to a P+I loan, they’ll have higher repayments at around 40% higher than the I/O payment, which could result in them having to sell or refinance,” says Jovcevski.
If it’s been a while since you last looked at your home loan, there’s a good chance of a more competitive and flexible option out there. Here’s a quick look at a few refinance loan options below, or check out our home loan comparison tool for other options.
Refinance home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (5.93% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.08% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.09% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
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Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- Interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.90% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- Rate discounted by by 0.01% every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30%
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
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Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.19% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (6.11% p.a.*)
3 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.21% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes - partial only
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (5.93% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.08% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.09% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.19% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (6.11% p.a.*)
3 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.21% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes - partial only
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
Get repayment certainty with HSBC’s low 2 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Make up to $10,000 of extra repayments a year. The option to split your home loan between fixed and variable. Plus, score $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan of $250,000. Must apply by 28 February 2023 and settle by 30 April 2023.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.79% p.a. (6.47% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.40% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.35% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.31% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.27% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.14% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$390.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
Home Loan Package
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $7,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.81
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 6.14% p.a. (7.13% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.94% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.81% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.75% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.99% p.a. (6.69% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
7.24% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$160.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $20,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
- no
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- No monthly fee after end of fixed rate term. Lock your fixed rate for 90 days for a fee of $750 per $1m in lending (or part thereof).
- Special offers
- $3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
-
Variable Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,991
Competitive variable rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.98% p.a. (6.02% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- Interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.90% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- Rate discounted by by 0.01% every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30%
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Home Value Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Receive $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan. Minimum loan amount of $250,000, settle within 120 days from applying.
- Interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.99% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $15,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- Interest only payment option is for a maximum of 5 years.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <90%
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.22
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,027
Get online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
- Interest rate
-
6.09% p.a. (6.22% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mortgage Simplifier
- LVR<80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.
- Interest rate
-
6.14% p.a. (6.17% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$250.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $1.00
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- Everyday round up available, a feature that automatically rounds purchases made on INGs Orange Everyday transaction account to the nearest $1 or $5 and transfers the difference against your loan balance.
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about ING home loans
-
Elevate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,056
Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.
- Interest rate
-
6.18% p.a. (6.18% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$498
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- Optional extra - $10 per month
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Aussie home loans
Your selected home loans
Things to consider when taking out a home loan
Repayment facilities - Life is full of unpredictable events, so it’s a good to idea to have the repayment flexibility when you need it. For instance, a redraw facility allows you to withdraw any extra repayments you’ve made in the past, while a repayment holiday gives you a repayment break for a short period of time - but this does extend the lifespan of your home loan.
Fees - While you can’t escape the initial application fee, ongoing service can cost you thousands over the course of your loan. So unless you’re planning on reaping the benefits of your loan’s repayment features, you may be better off sticking to a loan with no ongoing service fees.
The interest rate - Each interest rate - variable, fixed or split - offer different features. For example, a variable rate will change over time but usually has a lower interest rate and offers repayment features, whereas a fixed rate will remain the same for a set period of time but has less features.
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
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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.