Invest
The winners and losers from banks’ discount rates
When it comes to discounted home loan products, some borrowers will gain the benefits but others will pay the price.
The winners and losers from banks’ discount rates
When it comes to discounted home loan products, some borrowers will gain the benefits but others will pay the price.
That’s according to the latest data from comparison service RateCity. It shows there are more than 170 home loan products on the market targeting new customers, but loyal customers are likely to pay the price.
“Australians are a loyal bunch. More than three-quarters of us have home loans with a big four bank. But when it comes to your home loan, loyalty doesn’t pay,” research director at RateCity Sally Tindall said.
“Banks are hungry for new business and they are offering discounts worth hundreds, even thousands, of dollars per year to lure customers in. Six out of 10 of the biggest lenders in the country are doing it, so it’s likely that millions of variable customers are being taken for a ride.”
RateCity noted that a customer with the Base Variable Rate Home Loan paying principal and interest at NAB could be paying up to 0.48 percentage points more than a new customer today. Assuming this customer borrowed $400,000 in August 2017, they would be paying more than $110 extra a month and $1,320 a year.
Heritage Bank recently adjusted its rates to offer new borrowers a discount of up to 0.23 percentage points, while ANZ slashed the rate on its no-frills product by 0.34 percentage points for new customers.
Savers paying a variable rate are entitled to haggle, Ms Tindall added.
According to RateCity, these are the lowest ongoing variable home loan rates.
Company |
Product |
Advertised rate % |
Reduce Home Loans |
Rate Lovers Variable Home Loan (Amounts <$750k, LVR <80%) |
3.44 |
Easy Street Financial Services |
Standard Variable Home Loan (New Money Offer) |
3.49 |
Homestar Finance |
Variable Rate Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (Amounts <$750k, LVR <70%) |
3.49 |
Freedom Lend |
Freedom Variable Home Loan Special Offer |
3.49 |
Property
North platform adds household reporting feature to boost adviser efficiency
AMP's North platform has launched consolidated household reporting across multiple client accounts, helping financial advisers streamline their client review processes. Read more
Property
What Adds The Most Value To Properties?
Wondering how to up the value of your property? Properties are worth a lot of money in general, but there’s always a way to maximise value. The good news is that most of the things you can do to ...Read more
Property
Centuria reports strong growth in alternative real estate sectors for FY24
Centuria Capital Group has reported significant growth in alternative real estate sectors for the 2024 financial year, driving stable performance and increased guidance for FY25. Read more
Property
How to leverage equity in your home for investment or renovation
Home equity, the value of your property minus any debts owed, is a powerful financial resource many homeowners in Australia can utilize to further their financial goals. Whether you're looking to ...Read more
Property
Exploring REITs: Real estate investment without buying property
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a compelling investment alternative for those interested in the real estate market but may not want to endure the complexities and capital requirements of ...Read more
Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more
Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more
Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more
Property
North platform adds household reporting feature to boost adviser efficiency
AMP's North platform has launched consolidated household reporting across multiple client accounts, helping financial advisers streamline their client review processes. Read more
Property
What Adds The Most Value To Properties?
Wondering how to up the value of your property? Properties are worth a lot of money in general, but there’s always a way to maximise value. The good news is that most of the things you can do to ...Read more
Property
Centuria reports strong growth in alternative real estate sectors for FY24
Centuria Capital Group has reported significant growth in alternative real estate sectors for the 2024 financial year, driving stable performance and increased guidance for FY25. Read more
Property
How to leverage equity in your home for investment or renovation
Home equity, the value of your property minus any debts owed, is a powerful financial resource many homeowners in Australia can utilize to further their financial goals. Whether you're looking to ...Read more
Property
Exploring REITs: Real estate investment without buying property
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a compelling investment alternative for those interested in the real estate market but may not want to endure the complexities and capital requirements of ...Read more
Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more
Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more
Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more