This week in banking news - Holiday debt, new Citi credit card offering, and Aussie property
In this week’s banking recap, we take a look at current sentiment among Aussie homebuyers, Citi’s venture into the buy now, pay later market, and more.
Buckling under holiday credit card debt?
Ever thrown caution to the wind and booked a holiday without regard to how you’ll pay for it? You’re not alone. According to research from Experian, three in five Australians who use their credit card to cover holidays failed to pay it off upon returning home. Those aged 24-35 struggle with holiday debt the most, taking between one month and two years to pay off their balance.
Aussie gift-giving squeezing our wallets
Australia is a nation of gift-givers, but it turns out that our budgeting skills still need some work. A recent study by the Financial Planning Association of Australia found that Aussies are spending a massive $19.8 billion on gifts each year, with impromptu purchases making up almost three quarters of that figure.
Citi jumps on the pay now, pay later bandwagon
Citi Australia made waves this week when it announced it will be throwing its hat in the buy now, pay later ring. Anyone with a Citi credit card will now have the option to pay off purchases they make in instalments over 3, 12, 18 or 24 months. And in lieu of interest, customers will be charged a flat fee representing a percentage of the amount borrowed. This can range from 0.4% for a three month loan to 5% for 24 month loans.
Motorists can now choose repairers
A recent ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will allow motorists to use their preferred repairer as part of their insurance policy, rather than their provider’s choice of repairer. This comes after mounting complaints of under-repairs by insurance-approved workshops.
Westpac housing sentiment
Spring property season is upon us and homebuyer confidence is soaring, or at least that’s the takeaway from Westpac’s latest Housing Sentiment Survey. According to the findings, 51% of Australians are more optimistic about the property market than they were last year, with one in two respondents looking to finally make a purchase.
At the moment, conditions are proving quite favourable for anyone with sights on the property market. Interest rates are currently at record lows and auction clearance rates are improving. If you’re thinking about taking out a home loan be sure to visit our home loan comparison page, or check out some of the options below.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 20 April 2024
-
Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2024
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment5.99% p.a.5.90% p.a.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.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
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.
- variable rate
- 5.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.90% p.a.
- variable rate
- 5.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.90% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- 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
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
-
Offset Home Loan
Package, Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.15% p.a.6.40% p.a.Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareOffset Home Loan
Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.40% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.40% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $350
- Ongoing fees
- $248.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- 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
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Offset Home Loan
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Value Home Lender - 2024
Express Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <90%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.01% p.a.6.14% p.a.Get fast online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
CompareCompareExpress Home Loan
Get fast online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
- variable rate
- 6.01% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.01% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $134
- Ongoing fees
- $10.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Express Home Loan
-
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a.6.16% p.a.Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.
- variable rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
-
Basic Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR 60-70%, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.15% p.a.6.17% p.a.Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 30% Deposit required.
CompareCompareBasic Home Loan
Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 30% Deposit required.
- variable rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.17% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.17% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $350
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- 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
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Your selected interest rates
Your selected interest rates
Your selected interest rates
Your selected interest rates
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.
** 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.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.