This week in banking - 320,000 Aussies defer mortgage repayments and 5 other things you don’t want to miss!
- Home loan deferral boom: 320,000 apply for repayment relief
- 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Awards: International Money Transfer winners!
- As NSW restrictions lift, on-site auctions to recommence
- 27% of Aussie credit cards holders aren’t happy with their plastic
- Energy price cuts due to COVID-19
- April snapshot: what happened in savings account, term deposits and home loans
All in this week’s banking recap.
320,000 Aussies defer home loan repayments amid pandemic
According to recent data released by the Australian Banking Association (ABA), 320,000 Australians have applied for mortgage deferrals due to COVID-19.
Since March, banks have been offering financial relief packages to customers affected by the pandemic, some of which include repayment deferrals up to six months.
The latest numbers also showed that 170,000 businesses deferring business loans and an additional 37,000 borrowers freezing repayments across other loan types.
This totalled to an estimated $6.8 billion in loan repayment deferrals.
Read full article: COVID-19 property moves: 320,000 Aussie homeowners defer mortgages to find out what ABA chief executive Anna Bligh says about the latest stats.
International Money Transfer: 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Awards
This week, the 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Awards winners for international money transfer (IMT) were revealed, and the big banks weren’t among them.
Mozo’s expert judges analysed 30 different IMT providers for this year’s awards, including both bank and non-banks online specialists.
Topping the charts for best value International Money Transfer were SendFX, WorldFirst, and InstaRem.
But if you are a bank loyalist, the 2020 winner for best product offered by a bank was no other than Citibank!
Read full article: Mozo reveals best international money transfer providers for 2020 and check out expert judge Peter Marshall’s insights into this year’s winners.
On-site auctions to return in NSW
Following a six week pause, this weekend the NSW property industry will be resuming property inspections and on-site auctions.
While real estate agents had been finding online alternatives, like virtual property tours and auctions, the opportunity to go back to face-to face dealings is likely to be good news for them and home sellers.
During the weeks of lockdown, auction clearance rates dropped to below 40%, however this new change should help in boosting the confidence of the market.
Read full article: On-site auctions to recommence as restrictions ease in NSW to read what Mozo’s property expert Steve Jovcevski thinks about what the change will do to the state’s property market.
Feeling iffy about your current credit card? 27% of Aussies are too!
Earlier in the week, J.D. Power research released its 2020 Australia Credit Satisfaction Study, revealing that over a quarter of Aussie credit card holders aren’t happy with their plastic.
A large 27% of customers claimed they were dissatisfied with their current credit card, with 16% saying it no longer met their needs and 11% saying they need more credit.
19% of respondents said that as a result of the pandemic they can no longer pay their minimum monthly credit card repayment.
Read full article: Happy with your credit card? 27% of Aussies aren't during COVID-19.
COVID-19: Energy prices cut
Looking for a COVID-19 silver lining? We may have found one.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed this week that wholesale electricity and gas prices have plummeted since the outbreak of COVID-19.
“One rare positive to come from this pandemic is that wholesale electricity and gas prices are falling significantly,” said ACCC chair, Rod Sims.
“As Australia comes out of this crisis we will need our energy prices to fall significantly if we are to have the recovery we need.”
Mr Sims says that with the latest price changes, the energy market needs to put further financial assistance in place to help struggling businesses that rely on energy.
Read full article: Energy price cuts: The one benefit of COVID-19 no one saw coming for some tips on how businesses can cut energy costs now.
April snapshot: savings accounts, term deposits and home loans
Amongst all the latest coronavirus updates, it can be hard to keep up with where interest rates are at across banking products.
So here’s a glimpse into what savings account, term deposits and home loans interest rates look like now:
| Savings Accounts | Average ongoing rate: 0.75% | Highest ongoing rate: 2.00% |
|---|---|---|
| Term Deposits | Average one year rate: 1.39% | Highest one year rate: 1.95% |
| Home Loans | Average variable rate: 3.44% | Lowest variable rate: 2.39% (2.39% comparison rate*) |
Read full articles for the full April round-up:
- April savings account snapshot: Further cuts leave BOQ sitting pretty at 2.00%
- Term deposits April snapshot: Judo Bank leads the way
- April home loans snapshot: Here's where fixed and variable rates now stand
Need to sort out your finances this month? Check out our May 2020 Financial Checklist, or take a look at some killer savings accounts on offer below!
Savings Accounts 2020 - last updated 6 December 2023
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- No Strings Savings - 2023
Savings Account
5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus variable rate is available for the first four months.
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareSavings Account
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus variable rate is available for the first four months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Account
-
Reward Saver Account
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
CompareCompareReward Saver Account
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
- Access
- ATM, EFTPOS, Visa Debit, Cheque book, BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking, Bank@Post
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Reward Saver Account
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Reward Saver
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.30% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Earn a high interest bonus rate if you hold an eligible transaction account and meet the bonus rate conditions (T&Cs apply). Only requires $1 to open. Free e-banking transactions. No monthly service fees to pay. Access your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app. Not applicable to business customers.
CompareCompareReward Saver
Earn a high interest bonus rate if you hold an eligible transaction account and meet the bonus rate conditions (T&Cs apply). Only requires $1 to open. Free e-banking transactions. No monthly service fees to pay. Access your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app. Not applicable to business customers.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.30% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Grow your balance each month and must have linked Bendigo Everyday or Student Account to be eligible.
- Access
- BPay, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Reward Saver
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Kick Start Savings - 2023
- No Strings Savings - 2023
High Interest Savings Account
5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Savings Account
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.
- Maximum rate
- 5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
- standard interest rate
- 4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening, reverting to standard variable rate. Rate shown is for Personal customers and is subject to change. Different rates apply to Business/SMSF customers.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the High Interest Savings Account
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High Interest Save Account
5.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Save Account
No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.
- Maximum rate
- 5.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Bank and saving account only accessible through iOS or Android app.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the High Interest Save Account
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- High Interest Savings - 2023
Bonus Saver Account
5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Glide transaction account.
Start saving and earn interest with just a $20 deposit and make 5 eligible transactions each month. No fees or penalties for withdrawing money.
CompareCompareBonus Saver Account
Start saving and earn interest with just a $20 deposit and make 5 eligible transactions each month. No fees or penalties for withdrawing money.
- Maximum rate
- 5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Glide transaction account.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bonus Saver Account
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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