Savers receive fresh slap in the face as rate cut trend continues in 2021
2020 was a tough year for Australian savers. The financial impact of COVID-19 aside, three cuts to the official cash rate from the Reserve Bank helped further accelerate the ongoing decline in savings account rates.
Given that the cash rate now sits at a historic low of 0.10% you could be forgiven for thinking that the drop in savings rates would ease in 2021 though, but sadly for savers, that hasn’t been the case so far.
Since the start of the year there have been 34 cuts to at-call savings rates being tracked in the Mozo database, with the most recent reductions adding to a total of 202 savings rate cuts overall since the RBA’s November rate move.
The result? In the past 12 months the average ongoing savings account rate in our database has more than halved - dropping by a considerable 53 basis points from 0.97% to 0.43%.
Deposit safety still a pull factor
Among the banks to have cut savings rates so far in 2021 are three of the four major players: NAB reduced rates on its iSaver and Reward Saver accounts, Westpac trimmed rates on its Life and eSaver accounts, while the Commonwealth Bank made a reduction on its NetBank Saver.
As a result, the average ongoing big four savings rate is now just 0.19%, and the highest ongoing rates (available to all adults^) are as follow:
Ongoing rate | Monthly conditions | |
ANZ - Progress Saver | 0.50% (on balances over $0) | Yes |
CBA - GoalSaver | 0.45% (on balances over $0) | Yes |
NAB - Reward Saver | 0.40% (on balances over $0) | Yes |
Westpac - Life | 0.40% (on balances over $0) | Yes |
It turns out that interest rates might not be the number one priority for all savers though, especially in uncertain times.
New Mozo research has revealed that 52% of Australian savers believe that the major banks offer a safer option to store their money, while only 7% believe that it is more advantageous to bank with a smaller bank during the current economic climate.
While the demise of neobank Xinja in December may be weighing on some minds, Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont, says that savers shouldn't forget about the Financial Claims Scheme which acts as a government-backed safeguard for Australian deposit customers.
“With the recent news of a neobank going under, it’s perhaps unsurprising that many savers are willing to forgo a better return on their money in exchange for the perceived security of the top end of town,” says Lamont.
“But when it comes to deposits under $250,000, the reality is your money is protected by the government deposit guarantee scheme. So failing to bank the extra interest you can earn through a smaller deposit taker doesn’t really add up.”
Online banks among the rate leaders
What about those savers who are searching for a more lucrative rate and are happy to deposit their savings in a non-major bank though?
Well when it comes to the savings accounts with the highest interest rates currently in the Mozo database, there’s plenty of choice - from large institutions like Macquarie and ME, to neobanks like 86 400 and Up.
As the table below shows, the Savings Maximiser account from online bank ING is certainly has the standout rate at present though, sitting well above our average ongoing rate of 0.44%.
Highest ongoing savings account rates^ - Mozo database (February 1, 2021)
Ongoing rate | Monthly conditions | |
ING - Savings Maximiser | 1.35% (on balances up to $100,000) | Yes |
86 400 - Save Account | 1.20% (on balances up to $50,000) | Yes |
Macquarie - Savings Account | 1.20% (on balances up to $250,000) | No |
ME - Online Savings Account | 1.20% (on balances up to $250,000) | Yes |
MyState Bank - Bonus Saver Account | 1.20% (on balances up to $250,000) | Yes |
“As ever with personal finance products your best option is to compare all rates and move your money to where you can get the best value,” says Lamont.
RELATED: 5 easy savings tactics to try in 2021
Ready to find a more rewarding savings account to match your savings ambitions? Compare over 200 different accounts over at the Mozo savings account comparison hub, or check out some of the great offers in the table below.
^While the Westpac Life (18-29 years old) account currently offers the highest ongoing savings account rate in our database, it is only available to those aged between 18 and 29 years of age.
Compare savings accounts - last updated 29 March 2024
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Savings Account
5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus variable rate is available for the first four months.
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareSavings Account
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus variable rate is available for the first four months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Macquarie Savings Account
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Kick Start Savings - 2024
High Interest Savings Account
5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Savings Account
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.
- Maximum rate
- 5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
- standard interest rate
- 4.40% 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 Rabobank High Interest Savings Account
-
Reward Saver Account
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
CompareCompareReward Saver Account
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0% 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 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
- Access
- ATM, EFTPOS, Visa Debit, Cheque book, BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking, Bank@Post
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the IMB Bank Reward Saver Account
-
Reward Saver
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.30% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Earn a high interest bonus rate if you hold an eligible transaction account and meet the bonus rate conditions (T&Cs apply). Only requires $1 to open. Free e-banking transactions. No monthly service fees to pay. Access your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app. Not applicable to business customers.
CompareCompareReward Saver
Earn a high interest bonus rate if you hold an eligible transaction account and meet the bonus rate conditions (T&Cs apply). Only requires $1 to open. Free e-banking transactions. No monthly service fees to pay. Access your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app. Not applicable to business customers.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.30% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Grow your balance each month and must have linked Bendigo Everyday or Student Account to be eligible.
- Access
- BPay, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bendigo Bank Reward Saver
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- High Interest Savings - 2024
AMP Saver Account
5.40% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
1.20% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Enjoy a bonus rate when you deposit at least $1000 per month with the AMP Saver Account.
No account fees. Unlimited transactions when linked to an AMP Bank transaction account. Easy online access to your money. Option to link your savings account to an everyday transaction account. 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareAMP Saver Account
No account fees. Unlimited transactions when linked to an AMP Bank transaction account. Easy online access to your money. Option to link your savings account to an everyday transaction account. 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.40% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 1.20% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Ongoing total variable bonus rate of up to 5.40% per annum applies if customers deposit $1,000 in the previous month. Available only on balances up to $250,000.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Ongoing total variable bonus rate up to 5.40% p.a. is earned on the balance the month after you deposit $1,000 and is paid the following month, on balances up to $250k. Max balance per customer name is $5 million.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the AMP Bank AMP Saver Account
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High Interest Save Account
5.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Save Account
No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.
- Maximum rate
- 5.10% 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
- Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Account can only be opened through iOS or Android app, but may be accessed through internet banking.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ubank High Interest Save Account
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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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