RBA cuts interest rates to landmark low 1.50%
As the dust settles from Brexit and the Australian Federal Election, the Reserve Bank is shaking things up yet again, by cutting interest rates to an unprecedentedly low 1.50%.
The inflation data released in July, along with a need to promote economic growth, bolster the weak Aussie job market and keep the Aussie dollar low were cited as some of the main reasons for the cut.
In a statement, outgoing Governor Glenn Stevens said, "Low interest rates have been supporting domestic demand and the lower exchange rate since 2013 is helping the traded sector. Financial institutions are in a position to lend for worthwhile purposes. These factors are all assisting the economy to make the necessary economic adjustments, though an appreciating exchange rate could complicate this."
He added that "the likelihood of lower interest rates exacerbating risks in the housing market has diminished."
While this was by no means an unexpected outcome - at the end of last month, 24 out of 25 economists were predicting the move - some experts are already questioning whether it was the right one. They’re concerned particularly by the squeeze being put on retirees’ budgets by such low interest rates, which is likely to hinder economic activity, rather than promote it.
Exciting times for home loan borrowers
Record low interest rates are good news for at least one group - those borrowing money to buy a home are likely to see serious savings, with some providers already slashing interest rates on home loan products.
The last RBA rate cut in May saw 41 lenders pass on the full 0.25% rate reduction to customers, although others gave the rate cut the cold shoulder, passing on only partial cuts.
Our rate chasers will be keeping you in the loop about which lenders are passing on savings by updating our naughty or nice table below:
####style#### .content-container td img {width:20px;}Provider | Home Loan | Old Rate | New Rate | Effective Date | Rate Change | Naughty or Nice |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANZ | Standard Variable Rate (Owner Occupier) | 5.37% | 5.25% | 12/08/16 | -0.12% | ![]() |
Aussie | Optimizer Plus (LVR>90%, Principal & Interest, Owner Occupier) | 4.32% | 4.07% | 12/08/16 | -0.25% | ![]() |
Bank Australia | Premium Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 4.99% | 4.74% | 05/08/16 | -0.25% | ![]() |
Bankwest | Mortgage Shredder (Owner Occupier) | 5.45% | 5.35% | 23/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
Bendigo Bank | Variable Rate Residential (Owner Occupier) | 5.48% | 5.38% | 29/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
Beyond Bank | Standard Variable Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 5.24% | tba | tba | tba | |
CitiBank | Standard Variable (Owner Occupier) | 5.73% | 5.58% | 23/08/16 | -0.15% | ![]() |
Commonwealth Bank | Standard Variable Rate (Owner Occupier) | 5.35% | 5.22% | 19/08/16 | -0.13% | ![]() |
CUA | Standard Variable Rate Loan (Owner Occupier) | 4.81% | 4.69% | 18/08/16 | -0.12% | ![]() |
Greater Bank | Great Rate Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 4.39% | 4.29% | 08/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
Heritage Bank | Standard Variable (Owner Occupier) | 5.14% | tba | tba | tba | |
HSBC | Variable Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 5.35% | tba | tba | tba | |
IMB Bank | Standard Variable Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 5.09% | 4.99% | 24/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
ING Direct | Mortgage Simplifier (Owner Occupier) | 4.65% | 4.55% | 15/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
loans.com.au | Offset Variable (LVR<80%, Owner Occupier) | 3.89% | 3.79% | 12/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
ME | Flexible Home Loan (Owner Occupier, LVR<80%) | 5.03% | 4.93% | 23/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
NAB | Tailored Home Loan (Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest) | 5.35% | 5.25% | 19/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
Newcastle Permanent | Real Options Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 5.05% | 4.95% | 19/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
RAMS | Full Feature (Owner Occupier) | 5.30% | 5.20% | 23/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
St.George | Standard Variable Home Loan (Owner Occupier) | 5.44% | 5.30% | 23/08/16 | -0.14% | ![]() |
Suncorp | Standard Variable Loan (LVR<90%, Owner Occupier) | 5.50% | 5.40% | 24/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
UBank | UHomeLoan (Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest) | 4.07% | 3.97% | 19/08/16 | -0.10% | ![]() |
Westpac | Rocket Repay Home Loan (Principal & Interest) | 5.43% | 5.29% | 23/08/16 | -0.14% | ![]() |
Head over to our comparison tables to see the rest of the rates on offer and compare home loans side-by-side.
Savers feel the squeeze
Aussies trying to build up a nest egg or living on their savings are not nearly so lucky this month. As the Reserve Bank drops the official cash rate to yet another record low, savers will need to be on the lookout for great deals if they want to maximise the potential of their rainy day fund, and retirees in particular will need to be careful that they’re getting the most bang for their savings buck.
On average, it took lenders 16 days to pass on May’s rate cut to borrowers - and just 11 to pass it on to those stashing their money away in a savings account or term deposit. We’ll be watching to see how quickly the newest interest rate reduction is passed along.
In the meantime, here’s where to park your hard earned cash for the best return:
Best savings accounts
Product | Interest rate | Special conditions |
---|---|---|
ME Online Savings Account | 3.35% | Ongoing bonus rate if you make a weekly Tap & Go purchase with the debit card attached to your ME Everyday Transaction Account |
Bankwest TeleNet Saver | 3.25% | Introductory rate for the first 4 months |
RaboDirect High Interest Savings Account | 3.25% | Introductory rate for the first 4 months |
P&N Bank Hi Saver | 3.20% | Introductory rate for the first 4 months |
CUA eSaver Reward | 3.15% | When you deposit $1,000 into a CUA transaction account each month. |
RAMS Saver Account | 3.15% | With a minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month. |
Top term deposits
Term deposits have taken a beating these past few months, but here are the best rates on offer at the moment:
Provider | Rate | Term |
---|---|---|
Arab Bank Australia | 3.10% | 3 months |
Australian Military Bank | 3.25% | 5 months |
UBan | 3.01% | 6 months |
Big Sky | 3.10% | 2 years |
Qudos Bank | 3.05% | 2 years |
RaboDirect | 3.30% | 5 years |
To find more great places for your stash, check out our saving accounts comparison table, and to keep up to date with the world of finance, don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, the Mozo Banking Roundup.
Read last month's Reserve Bank interest rates update.
Top home loans - last updated 3 December 2023
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Initial monthly repayment6.15% p.a. variable6.15% p.a.Enjoy a competitive variable interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply) Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
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Enjoy a competitive variable interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply) Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
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Package, Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest
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Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.39% 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.
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Offset Home Loan
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Flex Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <80%
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Initial monthly repayment6.19% p.a. variable6.43% p.a.Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process.
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Variable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
Package, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
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Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.51% p.a.Package benefits across Home Loans, Visa Credit Card, Personal Loans and Term Deposits. No package fee for the first year. No application, settlement or redraw fees to pay. Quick and easy application. Free CoreLogic RP Data property reports. *Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply.
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* 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
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