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.
- loans.com.au
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
2.47% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsloans.com.auSmart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
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.
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.
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1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
-
2.47% p.a.
-
$520
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
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$520
-
80.00%
-
$50,000
-
$1,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
-
- Athena
2.19% p.a. variable
2.19% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsAthena Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.19% p.a. variable
2.19% p.a.
Once again Athena has cut rates in line with RBA! Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Once again Athena has cut rates in line with RBA! Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
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2.19% p.a. variable
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2.19% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
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yes - free
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no
-
$0
-
60.00%
-
$100,000
-
$2,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
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- UBank
2.34% p.a. variable
2.34% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsUBank UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.34% p.a. variable
2.34% p.a.
Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.
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2.34% p.a. variable
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2.34% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
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yes - free
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no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$100,000
-
-
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
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- Virgin Money
2.04% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.73% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsVirgin MoneySpecial Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%, 300k+
2.04% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.73% p.a.
Enjoy $3,000 cashback when you refinance with Virgin Money (T&Cs apply). Additional repayments up to $10,000 per annum. Reverts to the discounted variable rate on expiry of the fixed term.
Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Enjoy $3,000 cashback when you refinance with Virgin Money (T&Cs apply). Additional repayments up to $10,000 per annum. Reverts to the discounted variable rate on expiry of the fixed term.
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2.04% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.73% p.a.
-
$450
-
$10.00 monthly
-
$350.00
-
yes - up to $10,000 per annum
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no
-
no
-
$450
-
80.00%
-
$300,000
-
-
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
$3,000 cashback for new borrowings of at least $300,000 with applications made by 29 November 2020 and settled by 28 February 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
-
-
Hot Deal Cash bonus offer!
Suncorp1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.94% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsSuncorpFixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.94% p.a.
No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.
Fixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus
No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.
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1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
2.94% p.a.
-
$0
-
$375.00 yearly
-
$350.00
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yes - free up to $500 per month
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no
-
no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$150,000
-
-
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home loans Awards
