This week in banking - Prospa’s Billion Dollar Milestone
There was plenty going on in the world of Australian banking. Here are our top headlines from the past week, plus a look at key rate changes across home loans and term deposits.
Prospa hits $1 billion milestone
If there were ever a patron saint of business loans, it would be Prospa. The online lender has just cemented its position as one of the more popular options for business owners, announcing it’s delivered more than $1 billion in loans to small businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Just as impressive, Prospa also revealed it’s made a pretty sizeable contribution to the economy, adding $3.65 billion to Australia’s GDP.
Do you have bank-xiety?
Does thinking about your bank leave you with an unshakeable sense of unease? You might have what ME Bank CEO, Jamie McPhee, calls ‘bank-xiety,’ and you’re not alone. A survey of 1,000 Aussies conducted by ME revealed that 95% believe banks lack transparency, and 92% believe that banks often push products and services that are inappropriate or unnecessary.
That said, not many Australians are doing anything about it. In fact, only 14% of those surveyed admitted they had switched banks, or were about to. If you’re among the many that were dismayed by the findings of the Royal Commission but have yet to dump their bank in favour of a more trustworthy one, don't put it off any longer.
Is another economic crisis around the corner?
With the current housing downturn yet to stabilise and levels of household debt reaching distressing highs, there’s a lot of talk about another crash potentially in the works. And while many remain skeptical, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. We ran through some of the things the average Australian should do to make sure they’re able to stay afloat in case disaster strikes.
Variable home loans
Turning to rates, Bank of Queensland introduced a new 2 year intro rate for its Variable Home Loan. Owner occupiers can now receive 3.69% p.a. (4.55% p.a. comparison rate*) for the first 24 months. And loans.com.au has lowered its Offset Variable 90 by 0.32%, putting it at 3.72% p.a. (3.74% p.a. comparison rate*).
Fixed home loans
BoQ has made a number of changes across its Discount Fixed Rate offerings. 2 and 3 year rates for both owner occupiers and investors saw cuts of 0.05%.
Meanwhile, Suncorp made some adjustments to its Fixed Home Loan and the Home Package Plus option. Longer duration terms for owner occupiers saw cuts of up to 0.20%, while 1 year fixed rates for the package deal jumped up 0.20% to 3.69% p.a. (4.90% p.a. comparison rate*).
3 year rates for Macquarie Bank’s Offset Home Loan Package were reduced by 0.10%. Owner occupiers will now receive 3.99% p.a. (4.15% p.a. comparison rate*).
Term deposits
Suncorp has shuffled around its term deposit rates, raising some while cutting others. The 5 month rate saw the biggest drop - 0.40% - leaving it at 2.15% p.a., while the 6 month rate increased 0.05%, putting it at 2.40% p.a.
Gateway Bank decreased its 1 year annual rate by 0.15%. It now sits at 2.70% p.a. And Credit Union SA, G&C Mutual Bank and Heritage Bank made cuts of between 0.10-0.20% to various offerings.
For a look at which term deposits still offer decent value, be sure to check out our term deposits comparison page.
Business loan comparisons on Mozo
Unsecured Business Loan
A straightforward business loan with no hidden Lumi fees or charges. Speedy application and approval process with fast access to funds according to Lumi.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
from 9%-Within same dayUnsecured Business Loan
A straightforward business loan with no hidden Lumi fees or charges. Speedy application and approval process with fast access to funds according to Lumi.
- Interest Rate
- from 9%
- Upfront Fee
- -
- Ongoing Fees
- 2.5% establishment fee of the disbursed amount.
- Late payment fee
- $50.00
- Transaction fee
- $0.00
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $10,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $500,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 4 years
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 6 months
- Minimum annual turnover
- $60,000
- Application speed
- within 24 hours
- Approval speed
- 2 hours
- Funding speed
- Within same day
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- yes
- Other benefits
- Early payout options and early repayment discounts are available. Principal-only payout available after 6 months.
- Other restrictions
- Loans above $300,000 must be secured by property.
Prospa Plus Business Loan
Prospa uses risk-based pricing to determine your interest rate. They look at factors including your industry, years in business, cash flow, creditworthiness and the overall financial health of your business.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
Interest rates vary based on risk.3.5%from 24 hoursProspa Plus Business Loan
Prospa uses risk-based pricing to determine your interest rate. They look at factors including your industry, years in business, cash flow, creditworthiness and the overall financial health of your business.
- Interest Rate
- Interest rates vary based on risk.
- Upfront Fee
- 3.5%
- Ongoing Fees
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Secured
- Minimum loan amount
- $150,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $500,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 3 years
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 3 years
- Minimum annual turnover
- $1,000,000
- Application speed
- 10 Minutes
- Approval speed
- Same-day approval
- Funding speed
- from 24 hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- no
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Unsecured Business Loan
Business Loans from $5,000 to $5,000,000 with high approval rates. Access to funds on loans up to $500,000 in as little as 3 hours. Cash flow friendly repayments and open minded offers.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
On Application3%, starting at $399from 3 hoursUnsecured Business Loan
Business Loans from $5,000 to $5,000,000 with high approval rates. Access to funds on loans up to $500,000 in as little as 3 hours. Cash flow friendly repayments and open minded offers.
- Interest Rate
- On Application
- Upfront Fee
- 3%, starting at $399
- Ongoing Fees
- no
- Late payment fee
- $50.00
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- no
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $5,000,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 1 year
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly, flexible
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 4 months
- Minimum annual turnover
- $144,000
- Application speed
- 10 Minutes
- Approval speed
- within 1 hour
- Funding speed
- from 3 hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- no
- Other benefits
- Daily repayments available.
- Other restrictions
- Fast Business Loans for amounts up to $500,000 are funded in 3 hours, Small Business Loans can take 24 hours.
Fixed Rate Unsecured Business Loan
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
-On applicationVariesFixed Rate Unsecured Business Loan
- Interest Rate
- -
- Upfront Fee
- On application
- Ongoing Fees
- $0
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Transaction fee
- $10 ($50 for staff assisted withdrawals)
- Early repayment penalty
- not disclosed
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $250,000
- Minimum loan term
- -
- Maximum loan term
- -
- Repayment frequency
- -
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- Varies
- Minimum annual turnover
- Varies
- Application speed
- Varies
- Approval speed
- Varies
- Funding speed
- Varies
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- yes
- Other benefits
- LVRs available of up to 100% residential property or 80% owner-occupied non-specialised commercial property for secured loans up to $3 million.
- Other restrictions
- Eligible Westpac customers only. Annual turnover less than $50m.
Read reviews and learn more about Westpac business loans
Business Overdraft
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
10.47% p.a. variableNegotiableVariesBusiness Overdraft
- Interest Rate
- 10.47% p.a. variable
- Upfront Fee
- Negotiable
- Ongoing Fees
- Fees and charges apply
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Transaction fee
- not disclosed
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Overdraft
- Security type
- not disclosed
- Minimum loan amount
- $20,000
- Maximum loan amount
- -
- Minimum loan term
- -
- Maximum loan term
- -
- Repayment frequency
- n/a
- Repayment types
- n/a
- Minimum trading period
- Varies
- Minimum annual turnover
- $75,000
- Application speed
- Varies
- Approval speed
- Varies
- Funding speed
- Varies
- Extra repayments allowed
- n/a
- Redraw allowed
- n/a
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- Must link with a NAB business transaction account and is repayable on demand
Read reviews and learn more about NAB business loans
*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.
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