This week in banking - Is now the best time to refinance?
In this week’s banking recap, we look at fintech, energy, and the latest reductions made to home loans in the wake of the RBA rate cut.
Aussies flock to smaller lenders post-RBA rate cut
Following the RBA rate cut of last week, we’ve seen 34 lenders make cuts, with 21 of those generously passing on the full 0.25% to their variable home loan customers. All of a sudden, we were looking at rates in the 3.30% range and below from lenders like Athena, Homestar and Reduce Home Loans. So if you’re thinking about refinancing, now is the perfect time.
Reduce Home Loans unveils lowest rate on the market
Reduce Home Loans has emerged as one of the more interesting lenders post-rate cut. Recently, its new Low Rider Home Loan
stunned us with it’s 3.09% p.a. variable rate (3.12% p.a. comparison rate*), currently the lowest variable rate on the market.There is a catch, however. The LVR on the Low Rider Home Loan is 60%, meaning you’ll need to have saved at least 40% of a property’s value to put down as a deposit. That limits this offer to only the most dedicated savers and high income earners.
On top of the fantastic rate, owner occupiers will also be spoilt for features. You’ll be able to choose between weekly, fortnightly and monthly repayments, make free extra repayments, and take advantage of an offset account and redraw facility.
Savings account cuts already underway
Of course, the downside to all this is that rates for deposits are also set to drop. Already we’ve seen 13 providers make reductions to their range of savings accounts since the RBA’s decision. While the outlook isn’t particularly great for savers at the moment, there are still some worthwhile rates out there, so it pays to shop around.
Aussie energy habits cost the country $7.7 billion
The Energy Efficiency Council has found that Australians’ energy-wasting habits are costing households and businesses $7.7 billion each year, not to mention jeopardising our chances of meeting our 2030 emissions goal.
Just as troubling, an analysis of 25 of the largest energy consuming countries revealed Australia was the worst offender among developed nations.
“Energy efficiency is the single, most powerful tool we have to cut energy bills, improve energy security and address climate change,” said CEO of the Energy Efficiency Council, Luke Menzel.
“If Australia replicated best practice from places like the United States, Germany, Japan and China it would be a game changer for energy affordability and the economy.”
Open banking to pave the way for neobanks
Open banking is set to be rolled out in only a few weeks’ time, and it’s slated to be a game changer for neobanks. By providing customers with greater access to their own data, open banking will make it much easier to switch between banks and take advantage of better rates.
Executive Board Director and Co-Founder of Xinja, Van Le said the technology will herald a new era in banking.
“Open banking is the first cab off the rank in the open data movement, which marks a shift of control of personal data away from corporates, to the consumer - in a climate where there is an expectation that corporates - in this case banks - need to show they will use customer data in the interests of the customers, not just themselves.”
If you’d like to read more about the latest developments in financial technology, be sure to check out our fintech hub. And if you’re looking to make the switch to a lower rate home loan in light of all the cuts, head over to our home loan comparison page for a look at some enticing options.
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Promoted
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 0.01% p.a. every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30% p.a..
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan 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 0.01% p.a. every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30% p.a..
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Budget Home Loan
- LVR <80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.04
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.07
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,011
Enjoy a discounted variable home loan from IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Life-of-loan discount off IMB’s standard variable interest rate. Unrestricted additional repayments. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). No monthly fees to pay. Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.
- interest rate
-
6.04% p.a. (6.07% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$350.00
- 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
-
$500.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
The $449 application fee is waived for <80% LVR Owner Occupier Principal and Interest loans.
- 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
Your selected interest rates
*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.
* 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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