Savings account snapshot: All the recent rate changes you’ll want to know about
To say March has been a busy month in the world of interest rates, particularly savings account rates, would be an understatement.
But with everything else going on we don’t blame you if your priorities have been elsewhere and you’ve missed some of the many changes that have come about as a result of two separate Reserve Bank interest rate cuts in March.
Unfortunately for savers, the bad news is that there’s been no let up in the savings account rate reductions we’ve been witnessing over the past year.
In fact, according to the latest figures from the Mozo database, the average ongoing interest rate for all savings accounts now sits at just 0.85%.
“Most banks have cut headline rates by 25bp, but there are a few that have made deeper cuts than that,” said Mozo Banking Expert, Peter Marshall.
“Cuts resulting from the first March RBA cash rate reduction have largely come through now, and we haven't seen many follow on from the second cut, but that's not to say they won't happen. Regardless, I expect at call deposit rates to continue to soften for a while.”
Keen to see the details? We’ve wrapped up some of the major changes in recent weeks below.
Introductory rate savings accounts
Refresher: An introductory rate attached to a savings account only applies for a limited time, generally 3-6 months, before it reverts to a lower, ongoing base (or standard) rate.
Snapshot
- AMP boosted Saver Account by 54 basis points
- Macquaire and AMP now offering joint highest intro rate
- Heritage Bank, Rabobank and Citi still competitive despite cuts
Perhaps the biggest savings account news in the past week was AMP’s decision to boost the maximum rate available on its Saver Account by a substantial 54 basis points.
The move means that the Saver Account now has an introductory rate of 2.65% (for balances up to $500,000) - the joint highest rate in the Mozo database. The rate is available for the first six months for new customers, after which it drops down to a 1.05% base rate.
AMP’s Saver Account now joins Macquarie Bank’s Savings Account, with a maximum rate of 2.65%, as the joint highest rate in our database. Macquarie’s rate is available on balances up to $250,000 for the first four months, after which it drops to a base rate of 1.35%.
The majority of the other players with introductory savings rates at the higher end of the Mozo database all cut rates throughout March, with Heritage Bank’s Online Saver, Rabobank’s High Interest Savings Account and Citi’s Online Saver all reduced by between 20 and 25 basis points.
However, the maximum rates on all of these accounts remain above the 2.00% mark and well above comparable big bank offers.
Bonus rate savings accounts
Refresher: An ongoing bonus rate is the rate you can receive by fulfilling bonus criteria such as making a minimum deposit or a certain number of card transactions each month. If these conditions aren’t met the base rate will apply instead.
Snapshot
- Neobanks 86 400 and Up cut rates
- Highest ongoing rate now 2.00%
- Popular online accounts from UBank, ING and ME also fell
Previously offering the joint highest ongoing bonus rates in the Mozo database at 2.25%, neobanks 86 400 and Up Bank both reduced their respective maximum rates by 25 basis points in early March.
While the neobanks weren’t alone in making cuts, it does mean the joint highest ongoing rate in the our database is now 2.00%.
At the time of writing, that 2.00% maximum ongoing rate is available with 86 400’s Save Account, BOQ’s Fast Track Saver, MOVE Bank’s Bonus Saver, MyState Bank’s Bonus Saver Account and Up Bank’s Saver Account. Check out the linked reviews for all the details.
A number of online banks also reduced the maximum ongoing rates available on their popular savings accounts. ING’s Savings Maximiser, ME’s Online Savings Account and UBank’s USaver with Ultra Transaction Account were all cut by between 15 and 25 basis points.
Meanwhile, all four major banks (ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac) made cuts to their respective bonus rate offers by at least 25 basis points during the month.
Base rate savings accounts
Refresher: The base rate (or standard rate) is the ongoing rate you’ll receive on your savings with no strings or conditions attached.
Snapshot
- Neobank Volt cut rate twice, still offering highest unconditional rate
- Macquarie increased offer by 100 basis points
The most significant unconditional savings account news in the past few weeks has been neobank Volt’s decision to cut its Savings Account interest rate twice. Volt Bank first reduced its rate by 25 basis points on March 13th and made a second cut this morning, meaning its rate has dropped from 2.15% to 1.65% in less than a month.
However, with fellow neobank Xinja’s decision earlier in March to freeze new savings customer intakes, the Volt Savings Account still remains the highest ongoing base rate available in the Mozo database.
Meanwhile, Macquarie Bank upped the base rate on its Savings Account by 100 basis points. As we mentioned further above, this account also features an introductory rate of 2.65% for the first four months on balances up to $250,000.
Ready to find a new home for your savings? Start your search by checking out the hot offers in the table below, or head on over to our savings account comparison hub for the latest rates from a range of banks.
Compare savings accounts - last updated 26 April 2024
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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
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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
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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
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the IMB Bank Reward Saver Account
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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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Savings+Bonus
5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
2.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Minimum $100 monthly deposit and no withdrawals to earn bonus interest each month.
Earn a generous interest rate on your at-call savings (T&Cs apply). Interest is calculated daily and paid to you monthly. A $5 monthly membership fee will not apply if your total account balances with First Option Bank exceed $1,000 or you have a credit card or loan with the bank.
CompareCompareSavings+Bonus
Earn a generous interest rate on your at-call savings (T&Cs apply). Interest is calculated daily and paid to you monthly. A $5 monthly membership fee will not apply if your total account balances with First Option Bank exceed $1,000 or you have a credit card or loan with the bank.
- Maximum rate
- 5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 2.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $5.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Minimum $100 monthly deposit and no withdrawals to earn bonus interest each month.
- Access
- -
- Minimum balance
- $1.00
- Other restrictions
- Must become a First Option Bank member to open an account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the First Option Bank Savings+Bonus
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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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