With the events unfolding in Ukraine considered by the RBA to be a "major new source of uncertainty”, the RBA in its March statement outlined it is prepared to be patient in raising the cash rate.
Banks on the other hand continue to show no sign of reticence in increasing fixed home loan rates, recording another week of hikes by up to 60 basis points across both principal and interest (P&I) and interest-only (IO) loans.
Westpac was the first of the big-four to react, increasing fixed rates by up to 30 basis points.
This marks the third time this year the major lender has increased fixed home loan rates after hikes in both January and February.
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said the RBA should not waiver because of uncertainties posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Central banks have the responsibility to ensure that high inflationary expectations do not become embedded in the system - risking a wage /price spiral," Mr Evans said.
"Despite the uncertainties of the war this task should not be compromised."
Bank of Queensland
BOQ increased a range of fixed rate home loans for both owner occupiers and investors by up to 35 basis points. Highlights across BOQ's home loan portfolio included:
- Residential Fixed P&I 3 Years: 25 basis point increase to 4.14% p.a. (3.50% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Residential Fixed P&I 5 Years: 30 basis point increase to 4.24% p.a. (3.62% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Fixed IO 3 Years: 35 basis point increase to 4.84% p.a. (3.82% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Fixed IO 5 Years: 35 basis point increase to 4.84% p.a. (4.05% p.a. comparison rate*)
UBank
NAB owned digital lender UBank, recorded its first rate increase for the year across fixed rate home loans for both owner occupiers and investors. This increase saw loans lift by up to 35 basis points. Highlights across UBank's home loan portfolio included:
- UHomeLoan Fixed P&I 3 Years: 35 basis point increase to 3.24% p.a. (2.40% p.a. comparison rate*)
- UHomeLoan Fixed P&I 5 Years: 30 basis point increase to 3.69% p.a. (2.74% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment UHomeLoan Fixed IO 3 Years: 35 basis point increase to 3.54% p.a. (2.66% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment UHomeLoan Fixed IO 5 Years: 30 basis point increase to 3.89% p.a. (2.98% p.a. comparison rate*)
86 400
NAB owned digital lender in 86 400 increased a range of fixed rate home loans for owner occupiers and investors by up to 35 basis points. Some highlights across 86 400's home loan portfolio included:
- Own Home Loan Fixed P&I 3 Years ≤80%: 35 basis point increase to 3.24% p.a. (2.70% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Own Home Loan Fixed P&I 3 Years 80-85%: 35 basis point increase to 3.54% p.a. (3.22% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Own Home Loan Fixed P&I 3 Years: 35 basis point increase to 3.24% p.a. (2.78% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Own Home Loan Fixed IO 3 Years: 35 basis point increase to 3.34% p.a. (2.77% p.a. comparison rate*)
ME Bank
ME Bank increased a range of fixed rate home loans for owner occupiers and investors by up to 45 basis points. Highlights across ME Bank's home loan portfolio included:
- Member Package Flexible Fixed OO 3 yrs P&I: 20 basis point increase to 3.29% p.a. (2.89% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Member Package Flexible Fixed OO 5 yrs P&I: 25 basis point increase to 3.74% p.a. (3.23% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Member Package Flexible Fixed OO 3 yrs IO: 20 basis point increase to 3.89% p.a. (3.04% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Member Package Flexible Fixed OO 5 yrs IO: 45 basis point increase to 4.34% p.a. (3.48% p.a. comparison rate*)
Greater Bank
Off the back of a fixed rate hike last week, Greater Bank continued the theme this week increasing a range of home loans for owner occupiers and investors by up to 20 basis points. Some highlights included:
- Ultimate Fixed 1 Year: 20 basis point increase to 2.19% p.a. (3.76% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Great Rate Fixed 1 Year: 20 basis point increase to 2.19% p.a. (3.54% p.a. comparison rate*)
At one stage the Great Rate one year fixed loan had an advertised interest rate of 1.59% p.a. - the lowest in the market in Savings.com.au market research.
Teachers Mutual Bank
Teachers Mutual Bank increased a range of fixed and variable rate home loans for owner occupiers and investors by up to 60 basis points. Highlights of fixed rate increases across Teachers Mutual Bank's portfolio included:
- Your Way Plus P&I Fixed 5 Years 60-80%: 40 basis point increase to 3.89% p.a. (3.32% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Your Way Plus IO Fixed 5 Years 60-80%: 60 basis point increase to 4.29% p.a. (3.41% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Your Way P&I Fixed 5 Years: 40 basis point increase to 4.04% p.a. (4.23% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Your Way IO Fixed 5 Years: 60 basis point increase to 4.44% p.a. (4.39% p.a. comparison rate*)
Highlights of variable rate increases across Teachers Mutual Bank portfolio included:
- Investment Your Way Home Loan Standard Variable IO: 20 basis point increase to 4.99% p.a. (4.79% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Your Way Home Loan Standard Variable IO: 20 basis point increase to 4.69% p.a. (4.49% p.a. comparison rate*)
Australian Mutual Bank
Australian Mutual Bank increased a range of fixed rate home loans for owner occupiers and investors by up to 44 basis points. Some highlights included:
- Residential Fixed 3 Years: 40 basis point increase to 2.88% p.a. (2.76% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Residential Fixed 5 Years: 44 basis point increase to 3.58% p.a. (3.07% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Fixed IO 3 Years: 40 basis point increase to 3.33% p.a. (3.29% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Fixed IO 5 Years: 44 basis point increase to 4.03% p.a. (3.50% p.a. comparison rate*)
- First Home Buyer Fixed 2 Year Special Offer: 25 basis point increase to 2.38% p.a. (2.63% p.a. comparison rate*)
Further customer-owned institutions in Gateway Bank, Firefighters Mutual Bank, Beyond Bank and UniBank all increased fixed home loan rates across their portfolios by up to 60 basis points.
Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.
Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Additional Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.04% p.a. | 6.06% p.a. | $3,011 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 90% | 4.6 Star Customer Ratings |
| Promoted | Disclosure | |||||||||
5.99% p.a. | 5.90% p.a. | $2,995 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $0 | 80% | Apply in minutes |
| Promoted | Disclosure | |||||||||
6.09% p.a. | 6.11% p.a. | $3,027 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $250 | 60% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.69% p.a. | 6.16% p.a. | $2,899 | Principal & Interest | Fixed | $0 | $530 | 90% |
| Promoted | Disclosure |
Image by Roman Odintsov via Pexels
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