Westpac follows ANZ’s lead with interest-only home loan rate increases
20 Jun 2017
Westpac has increased rates on interest-only mortgages by 0.34%, following changes from fellow big bank ANZ which hiked interest-only rates by up to 0.30% earlier this month, in what is becoming a growing trend among home loan lenders.
Westpac’s rate increase applies to both investors and owner-occupiers, bringing the standard variable rate on interest-only lending up to 6.30% and 5.83% respectively, as of June 30.
On a $600,000 loan over a 25 year term, this 0.34% increase to 5.83% p.a. could cost a home buyer an extra $36,827 in interest, according to Mozo’s home loan repayment calculator.
On the other hand, rates on owner-occupier loans with principal and interest repayments were decreased by 0.08%, bringing the standard variable rate down to 5.24%. Given the same loan conditions as above - a $600,000 loan amount over 25 years - this represents a saving of $8,508.
The move was aimed at least in part to nudging customers toward making principal and interest repayments on their home loans instead of just paying down the interest, in response to APRA’s tightened regulations around “risky” lending, introduced earlier this year.
George Frazis, Chief Executive of Westpac Consumer Bank, said, “We hope the rate reduction will encourage owner occupier customers with interest only home loans to switch to principal and interest repayments, helping them to pay down their home loan in this low interest rate environment.”
He also said there would be no switching fee for interest-only home loan customers to make the change to principal and interest repayments.
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The changes are part of a growing trend that has taken hold since APRA announced regulations which limit the flow of new interest-only lending to 30% of a bank’s total new residential lending and also placed restrictions on the volume of low-deposit lending.
Earlier this month, CommBank subsidiary Bankwest and big bank ANZ both made similar adjustments to their home loan interest rates, increasing rates on interest-only borrowing, while making cuts on principal and interest loans.
Before that, in May, a number of lenders made moves that followed the same pattern of cuts for principal and interest borrowing combined with rate hikes for interest-only loans, including big bank NAB, which also quadrupled deposit requirements for interest only loans.
With so many shifts in the market, borrowers will need to do their research to ensure they’re getting the best deal around. If you’re looking for a mortgage to fund the purchase of your dream home, make sure you compare home loans using our handy tool, or check out some of the top offers below.
Top home loans
Rates updated daily. Advertiser disclosure.
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
2.21% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close details
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Smart Booster Home Loan
2 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
2.21% p.a.
New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
Smart Booster Home Loan
New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
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1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
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2.21% p.a.
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$520
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
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$520
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80.00%
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$50,000
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$1,000,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
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1.95% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.27% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsUHomeLoan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.95% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.27% p.a.
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
UHomeLoan
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
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1.95% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.27% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free up to $20,000 during fixed rate term
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no
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no
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$0
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80.00%
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$100,000
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$2,000,000
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Fixed
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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$395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 30 September 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Home Loan Innovation - 2021
- Investor Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close details Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Home Loan Innovation - 2021
- Investor Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.
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1.99% p.a. variable
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1.99% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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no
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$0
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60.00%
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$100,000
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$2,000,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
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1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsVariable Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
Refinance only. Super-fast digital application process. Zero upfront fees. No on-going service fees. Free 100% offset sub account. Comes with Visa debit card and the ability to use digital wallets; Apple and Google Pay. 25% deposit required.
Variable Home Loan
Refinance only. Super-fast digital application process. Zero upfront fees. No on-going service fees. Free 100% offset sub account. Comes with Visa debit card and the ability to use digital wallets; Apple and Google Pay. 25% deposit required.
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1.99% p.a. variable
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1.99% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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yes - offset sub account
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$0
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75.00%
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$100,000
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$2,500,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan
Details Close
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.32% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsBasic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%
2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.32% p.a.
No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.
Basic Home Loan
No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.32% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$400.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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no
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$0
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70.00%
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$150,000
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$750,000
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Fixed
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Monthly
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