RBA holds interest rates steady at 1.50% for Easter
Unsurprisingly, the Reserve Bank announced today that interest rates would stay put at 1.50% for April.
This was the popular prediction for this month’s decision, with most economists expecting that Australia won’t see another official cash rate change until late this year, or even 2018.
In his statement, Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe said there were a number of positive economic indicators and that, “The outlook continues to be supported by the low level of interest rates."
Steep property prices have been a concern for regulation authorities lately, but given the widespread out-of-cycle rate hikes by banks and recent lending restrictions imposed by APRA it’s likely the Reserve Bank will avoid making a move for the near future.
In his statement, Lowe said, "Growth in household borrowing, largely to purchase housing, continues to outpace growth in household income. By reinforcing strong lending standards, the recently announced supervisory measures should help address the risks associated with high and rising levels of indebtedness."
Mortgage rate hikes multiplying like bunnies
The Reserve Bank may be standing still, but the same cannot be said for banks. In March, Mozo recorded interest rate hikes from 32 lenders, including all four big banks. Add to this tightened restrictions on lending for interest-only borrowers and investors, and things aren’t looking bright for home loan hopefuls.
And all indications seem to point toward more rate hikes on the horizon, so before you jet off for an Easter break, make sure you check that your home loan is the best deal for you. To get you started, here are some of the top home loan offers in the market:
Best variable rate home loan offers
- Homestar Owner Occupier Loan - 3.49% (comparison rate: 3.53%)
- FreedomLend Variable Home Loan - 3.53% (comparison rate: 3.53%)
- loans.com.au Essentials Variable - 3.59% (comparison rate: 3.61%)
And for those looking to lock in a great rate before any more rate hikes happen, there are still some good fixed rate offers around:
Best fixed rate home loan offers
- 1 year - 3.59% - Greater Bank (comparison rate: 4.42%)
- 2 year - 3.59% - Select Encompass Credit Union (comparison rate: 4.12%)
- 3 year - 3.59% - Easy Street (comparison rate: 4.01%)
- 4 year - 3.75% - BCU (comparison rate: 4.24%)
- 5 year - 4.10% - BCU (comparison rate: 4.37%)
Need help finding the best mortgage offer for you? Drop a line to our resident home loan negotiator and he'll help you haggle a great deal.
Where does this leave savers?
Savings interest rates have stagnated a bit lately, with no really notable changes to mention. So those looking to really make the most of their rainy day funds will need to get proactive about finding a great deal.
Here are some of the best savings account offers around for your stash.
Best savings accounts
- ME Online Savings Account - 3.05% (when you make a weekly Tap & Go purchase with your ME Everyday Transaction Account Debit MasterCard)
- AMP Bett3r Save Account - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $2,000 per month into linked Bett3r Pay Account)
- Australian Unity Active Saver - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $250 and no withdrawals in the month)
- ING DIRECT Savings Maximiser - 3.00% (when you also have an Orange Everyday and deposit $1,000 each month)
- RAMS Saver Account - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month)
- Newcastle Permanent Smart Saver Account - 3.00% (when you increase the account balance by $150 (excluding interest) and make no more than two withdrawals in the month)
Head over to our savings account comparison table to see some of the other deals around.
For savers looking to lock in a great rate, there are still some decent deals around if you know where to look. Check out these term deposit offers:
Best term deposits
- 1 year - 3.00% - Teachers Mutual Bank, Unibank
- 2 year - 3.20% - Greater Bank
- 3 year - 3.30% - Greater Bank
- 4 year - 3.40% - Greater Bank
- 5 year - 3.50% - Greater Bank
Take our term deposit search tool for a whirl if you’re looking for a different term or offer.
Read last month's Reserve Bank interest rates update.
Top home loans - last updated February 27, 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 Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.
fixed 4 years3.45% p.a.Ability to split your loan between fixed and variable. $2,000 cashback offer for investor & owner occupied home loans over $250k with LVR ≤80% when refinancing to Newcastle Permanent. Limited time offer extended, T&Cs apply
CompareCompareSpecial Fixed Rate Home Loan
Ability to split your loan between fixed and variable. $2,000 cashback offer for investor & owner occupied home loans over $250k with LVR ≤80% when refinancing to Newcastle Permanent. Limited time offer extended, T&Cs apply
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.
fixed 4 years
- comparison rate
- 3.45% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $395.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $25,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $2,000 cashback when you refinance your home loan from another financial institution when you apply by 31 March 2021 and are funded by 31 May 2021, min $250k, LVR
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Fixed Rate Home Loan
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
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