December savings snapshot: Large cuts round out the year
It’ll come as no surprise to scrupulous savers that savings account interest rates have taken yet another month-on-month plunge.
December has a less-than-merry outlook with the average ongoing savings rate in Mozo’s database now sitting at 0.48%*.
This is after the Mozo researchers recorded 44 cuts to ongoing bonus rates and 16 cuts to introductory rates over the last month.
Introductory savings take a hit
If you’ve been bank hopping to seek out a more attractive introductory rate for your nest egg, there’s more bad news. These short-term interest rates have seen even more substantial reductions recently.
On average, affected introductory savings rates saw cuts of 23 basis points (bp) compared to an average of 16bp for ongoing bonus rates.
The top intro offer in Mozo’s database, the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account, is a relatively high 1.75%. Meanwhile, the average introductory rate has fallen to 0.84%*.
Savers chasing introductory dreams should always remember to keep an eye out for low revert rates after the initial period (the Rabobank rate falls to 0.30% after the first four months).
Other ways to save this Christmas and beyond
You might not be feeling particularly jolly in light of this news, but regardless of interest rates there’s always something you can do to help boost your savings (beyond Christmas miracles).
Some 2020 savings suggestions from the Mozo team include:
- Planning budget-friendly holiday activities. Yes, the festive season can be costly but there are ways to have fun for free (or close to it). So investigate everything from summer freebies to adventure investments.
- Getting proactive with your savings plan. High interest rates are great, but there’s more than one way to make your money work for you. Read about round ups, savings buckets, debt clearing and more.
- Switching banks if you’re not getting bang for buck. Inertia is real, whether it’s about purchasing a Secret Santa gift or changing bank accounts. If you can identify and get beyond some common misconceptions about switching banks, you could be set to save a whole lot more dough.
If you’re ready to make the switch, check out some of the high interest savings accounts below.
Compare high interest rate savings accounts - last updated 18 September 2021
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Regular Saver - 2021
Bonus Saver Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2021 in the Regular Saver category. No monthly account fees and no minimum balance requirements.
CompareCompareBonus Saver Account
Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2021 in the Regular Saver category. No monthly account fees and no minimum balance requirements.
- Maximum rate
- 1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
- Access
- BPay, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bonus Saver Account
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Boost Saver with Go Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Intro bonus rate of 1.50% for first 3 months, reverting to 1.20% after. Deposit $2,000 each month and make 5 eligible payments from your Go Account. If you are between 18 and 25 deposit $1,000.
Enjoy a savings account bundled with a spending account. No monthly fees. New customers can earn up to 5000 bonus Virgin Money points on purchases (conditions apply). Benefit together with a joint account
CompareCompareBoost Saver with Go Account
Enjoy a savings account bundled with a spending account. No monthly fees. New customers can earn up to 5000 bonus Virgin Money points on purchases (conditions apply). Benefit together with a joint account
- Maximum rate
- 1.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Intro bonus rate of 1.50% for first 3 months, reverting to 1.20% after. Bonus interest only applies when you deposit $2,000 into your Go Account and make 5 debit card purchases, direct debit or BPAY payments in the previous month. If you are between 18 and 25 you need to deposit $1,000 and fulfil the other criteria.
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Bank and savings account only accessible through iOS or Android app. Bonus introductory interest rate of 1.50% available for accounts opened by 30 Nov 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Boost Saver with Go Account
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Online Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $500,000)0.35% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
CompareCompareOnline Saver
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
- Maximum rate
- 1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $500,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.35% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Online Saver
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Grow Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
0.65% p.a. (for $0 and over)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Make at least 1 deposit and no more than 1 withdrawal, including internal transfers or external payments.
Earn a maximum interest rate of 0.65% per year. Pay no monthly fees. Set up in-app savings goals. Benefit with joint account options.
CompareCompareGrow Saver
Earn a maximum interest rate of 0.65% per year. Pay no monthly fees. Set up in-app savings goals. Benefit with joint account options.
- Maximum rate
- 0.65% p.a. (for $0 and over)
- standard interest rate
- 0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Make at least 1 deposit and no more than 1 withdrawal, including internal transfers or external payments.
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Savings account only accessible through iOS or Android app.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Grow Saver
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Savings Maximiser
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.35% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000For customers who have an Orange Everyday and in each month deposit at least $1,000 into a personal ING account, make at least 5 settled card purchases using the linked ING debit card and grow the account balance.
No ING fees. Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria.
CompareCompareSavings Maximiser
No ING fees. Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria.
- Maximum rate
- 1.35% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- For customers who have an Orange Everyday and in each month deposit at least $1,000 into a personal ING account, make at least 5 settled card purchases using the linked ING debit card and grow the account balance higher at the end of the month (excluding interest) than it was at the end of the previous month.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must be linked to an Orange Everyday transaction account to receive the bonus rate. Where multiple Savings Maximiser Accounts are held, the bonus rate is only applied to one nominated account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Maximiser
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High Interest Savings Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)0.25% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Kick start your savings with the 4 month introductory variable rate. No fees, no minimum balance, no minimum monthly deposit and no minimum term.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Savings Account
Kick start your savings with the 4 month introductory variable rate. No fees, no minimum balance, no minimum monthly deposit and no minimum term.
- Maximum rate
- 1.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
- standard interest rate
- 0.25% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening, reverting to standard variable rate. Rate shown is for Personal customers and is subject to change. Different rates apply to Business/SMSF customers.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the High Interest Savings Account
*Correct at the time of publishing.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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