RBA interest rates to stay at 1.50% over Christmas
The Reserve Bank board’s last meeting of 2017 brought no change to the official cash rate, with the record low 1.50% locked in now until the board meets again in February next year.
The result was no surprise for the majority of analysts, with predictions widely placing the next change no sooner than mid-2018.
In his statement, RBA Governor Philip Lowe said employment figures were strong, though inflation remained sluggish.
“Inflation remains low, with both CPI and underlying inflation running a little below 2 per cent. The Bank's central forecast remains for inflation to pick up gradually as the economy strengthens," he said.
As for interest rates in 2018, Mozo Data Manager Peter Marshall said the Reserve Bank will be playing the waiting game for a while still.
“If inflation, GDP, and retail sales figures don't improve the RBA could be tempted to start considering further rate cuts. However, high levels of household debt at the moment mean they will be wary of lower rates prompting people to take on even more debt,” Marshall said.
“I believe the RBA will sit on its hands as long as possible even if conditions are less than ideal. That means we're likely in for a long period with rates at current levels, with the possibility of any increases off in the distant future for now.”
No major changes for owner-occupier home loans
It’s been a quiet month for owner-occupiers, with very few changes to home loan rates. Most of the changes that did occur were very minor cuts to variable rates.
Investors on the other hand have had some good luck, with several lenders increasing LVRs on investment loans. These borrowers also benefited from a few minor rate cuts to fixed rates.
Take a look at some of the best home loan rates around below:
Best variable rate home loan offers- Homestar Variable Rate Loan - 3.54% (comparison rate: 3.59%)
- Loans.com.au Essentials Variable 80 Homebuyer Special - 3.54% (comparison rate: 3.56%)
- FreedomLend Variable Home Loan - 3.54% (comparison rate: 3.55%)
- Tic:Toc Variable Home Loan - 3.58% (comparison rate: 3.59%)
Head over to our comparison table to see other top variable rate home loans.
Best fixed rate home loan offers- 1 year - 3.49% - Greater Bank (comparison rate: 4.47%)
- 2 year - 3.65% - IMB Bank (comparison rate: 4.84%)
- 3 year - 3.69% - Auswide Bank (comparison rate: 4.87%), Move (comparison rate: 3.96%)
- 4 year - 3.99% - Greater Bank (comparison rate: 4.48%)
- 5 year - 3.99% - Greater Bank (comparison rate: 4.47%) Suncorp (comparison rate: 3.88%)
Check out other fixed rate home loan options in our comparison table.
Bah humbug: Savers still down in the dumps
Aussies trying to build up a rainy day fund have been struggling with low rates for a while now and things aren’t looking much brighter this month. Although there were only a handful of changes to both savings account and term deposit rates, nearly all of them were decreases.
But it’s not all storm clouds for savers. For those who know where to look, there are still a few market leaders offering returns of up to 3.00%.
Check out some of the top offers below:
Best savings accounts- AMP Bett3r Save Account - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $2,000 per month into linked Bett3r Pay Account)
- ME Online Savings Account - 2.95% (when you make a weekly Tap & Go purchase with your ME Everyday Transaction Account Debit MasterCard)
- UBank USaver - 2.87% (with a minimum deposit of at least $200 per month to linked transaction account)
- Australian Unity Active Saver - 2.80% (with a minimum deposit of $250 and no withdrawals in the month)
- RAMS Saver Account - 2.80% (with a minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month)
Check out our savings account comparison table to find other high interest options.
Best term deposits- 1 year - 2.80% - Police Bank, ME
- 2 year - 2.90% - Police Bank, QBANK
- 3 year - 3.10% - QBANK
- 4 year - 3.15% - RaboDirect
- 5 year - 3.25% - RaboDirect
Check out other great term deposit options with our term deposit search tool.
Read last month's Reserve Bank interest rates update.
Top home loans - last updated February 25, 2021
Smart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable2.47% 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.
CompareCompareSmart 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.
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.47% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- 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 Smart Booster Home Loan
Basic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.56% p.a.Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
CompareCompareBasic Home Loan
Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
- interest rate
- 2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years
- comparison rate
- 2.56% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $750,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.34% p.a. variable2.34% 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.
CompareCompareUHomeLoan - 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.
- interest rate
- 2.34% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.34% 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
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- 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 UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.19% p.a. variable2.19% p.a.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.^
CompareCompareCelebrate Variable Home Loan
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.^
- interest rate
- 2.19% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.19% 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
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- 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 Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%, 300k+
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
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.
CompareCompareSpecial 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.
- interest rate
- 2.04% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.73% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $450
- Ongoing fees
- $10.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to $10,000 per annum
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $300,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $3,000 cashback for new borrowings of at least $300,000, applications by 26 Feb 2021, settled by 28 May 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
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