ME Bank and Virgin Money slash Lenders Mortgage Insurance
As lenders compete for home loan customers amid continued rate cuts, some are offering significant reductions on Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
Today, ME Bank announced a 25% cut to LMI for first home buyers combined with discount variable rates on the ME Flexible Home Loan.
LMI is typically required on loans with a Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) below 80% (that is, when the deposit is less than 20% of the value of a property). Allowing borrowers with lower deposits to avoid this could cut thousands of dollars from the overall cost of a home loan.
“We’ve combined our lowest-ever variable rate, no ongoing fees and our fully featured home loan product with an innovative LMI discount to help first home buyers smash through the deposit hurdle,” ME general manager of home lending, Andrew Bartolo said.
To access ME's reduction and attractive new interest rates, borrowers must have a minimum 5% deposit, intend to live in the property, and start paying back the principal loan amount plus interest. Unlike many first home buyer offers, borrowers can still apply if they have previously or currently own a residential investment property.
The top 2.58% p.a. rate will be reserved for customers with a LVR under 80%. However, those with smaller deposits will still see substantial interest rate drops from ME’s current 4.31% p.a. headline offer. These start from:
- 2.79% p.a. for borrowers with an LVR between 80% and 90%
- 3.59% p.a. for those with an LVR over 90%
RELATED: St.George reduces Lenders Mortgage Insurance to just $1 for first home buyers.
Virgin Money is going one step further and making LMI $0 for eligible borrowers, whether they’re first-time buyers or upgrading to a new property.
To be eligible, home buyers must apply for a Reward Me Home Loan (OO, P&I) with a deposit of at least 15% of the property’s value. This offer also comes with discounted rates, including:
- Variable rates starting from 2.89% p.a.
- Fixed rates starting from 2.49% p.a.
Home loan customers considering Virgin Money’s offer can apply until 29 November, but must have their loan settled by 30 May next year.
At ME Bank, borrowers can apply from today until 20 November, 2020, and need to settle by 26 February, 2021.
If you want to scan more mortgage options, check out the offers below or head to Mozo’s first home loan comparison page.
-
Promoted
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2025
- First Home Buyer Loan - 2025
Variable Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 10% min deposit
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.78
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.82
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,215
- $0 application fee to pay
- Unlimited additional repayments
- Apply in as little as 15 minutes
- interest rate
-
5.78% p.a. (5.82% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$495.40
- 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
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free online, fees apply for assisted redraws
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$1.00
- Offset account
-
yes - optional for $10 per month - comparison rate does not include this fee.
- Split account
-
-
- Other restrictions
-
Settlement fee comprises of upfront fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies. Comparison rates displayed do not take into account the Optional Offset Account monthly fee.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Home Loans home loans
Go to site -
Promoted
Basic Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 10-20% deposit
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,382
- interest rate
-
6.14% p.a. (6.16% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$350.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$400.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Macquarie home loans
Go to site -
Promoted
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 5% min deposit
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.49
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.91
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,084
- No ongoing annual fees
- Make up to $25,000 extra repayments during a fixed period, fee free (T&Cs apply)
- Lock in for up to 5 years.
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.69% p.a. (5.98% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.49% p.a. (5.91% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.59% p.a. (5.90% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 6.49% p.a. (6.19% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 6.49% p.a. (6.23% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$300.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$395.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$20,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to $25,000 during fixed period
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Additional repayments allowed up to $25,000 during the fixed period.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about BCU Bank home loans
Go to site -
Promoted
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- First Home Buyer Loan - 2025
Variable Home Loan 90
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 10% min deposit
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.79
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.83
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,220
- No monthly or ongoing fees
- Option to add an offset for 0.10% p.a.
- interest rate
-
5.79% p.a. (5.83% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$530.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$2,000,000
- 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
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Offset sub-account available for additional +0.10%. $300 discharge fee and $250 discharge documentation fee applicable if loan doesnt go to full term.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about loans.com.au home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 5% min deposit
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.49
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.91
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,084
- No ongoing annual fees
- Make up to $25,000 extra repayments during a fixed period, fee free (T&Cs apply)
- Lock in for up to 5 years.
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.69% p.a. (5.98% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.49% p.a. (5.91% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.59% p.a. (5.90% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 6.49% p.a. (6.19% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 6.49% p.a. (6.23% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$300.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$395.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$20,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to $25,000 during fixed period
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Additional repayments allowed up to $25,000 during the fixed period.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about BCU Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2025
2-Year Discounted - Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.94% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.89
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,174
- interest rate
-
5.94% p.a. (5.89% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$175.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
-
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$300,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$2,000,000
- 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
-
Valuation and legal fees covered up to $1,000. Anything above this charged at cost. Only available through the exclusive link. Capital city or major regional centre only.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 5% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Cashback
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.00
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,174
- Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
- Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties
- Split loan available
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.89% p.a. (6.05% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.69% p.a. (6.00% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.69% p.a. (5.98% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.03% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.03% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.99% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$799.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$6.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to 1 year in advance
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$500.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Monthly fee only applies to fixed period of loan.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
$4,000 cashback for loans $750,000 and above with a maximum LVR of 80%, settled within 90 days of application for refinancers or 180 for purchase loans. $3,000 for loans between $500k and $749k, $2,000 for loans between $250k and $499k.
Read reviews and learn more about IMB Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 10% min deposit
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.81
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,197
- $0 application fee to pay
- Additional repayments up to $20,000/year
- Apply in as little as 15 minutes
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.99% p.a. (5.84% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.74% p.a. (5.81% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (5.86% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (5.95% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (5.98% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.78% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495.40
- 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
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free, up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free online, fees apply for assisted redraws
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$1.00
- Offset account
-
yes - optional for $10 per month - comparison rate does not include this fee.
- Split account
-
-
- Other restrictions
-
Settlement fee comprises of upfront fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies. Comparison rates displayed do not take into account the Optional Offset Account monthly fee.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Home Loans home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Complete Package Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
6.28
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,197
- 100% offset account
- Make additional repayments at any time
- Get a fee-free credit card (T&Cs apply)
- interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (6.28% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$375.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
-
$175.00
- Package
-
Complete Package
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
-
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$3,500,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$0.00
- Offset account
-
yes
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Valuation and legal fees covered up to $1,000. Anything above this charged at cost.
- Other benefits
-
Fee-free low-rate credit card.
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2025
- First Home Buyer Loan - 2025
Variable Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 10% min deposit
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.78
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.82
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,215
- $0 application fee to pay
- Unlimited additional repayments
- Apply in as little as 15 minutes
- interest rate
-
5.78% p.a. (5.82% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$495.40
- 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
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free online, fees apply for assisted redraws
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$1.00
- Offset account
-
yes - optional for $10 per month - comparison rate does not include this fee.
- Split account
-
-
- Other restrictions
-
Settlement fee comprises of upfront fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies. Comparison rates displayed do not take into account the Optional Offset Account monthly fee.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Home Loans home loans
Go to site
Your selected home loans
* 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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