After its big four compatriots NAB and ANZ announced some rate movements two weeks ago, Westpac has joined the cutting party.
Westpac's biggest cuts were to its 'Flexi First Option' home loan, as a special offer, from 15 to 24 basis points. The details are:
- Flexi First Option P&I 70%: 24 basis point cut to 2.69% p.a. (2.70% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Flexi First Option P&I 95%: 24 basis point cut to 2.79% p.a. (2.80% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Flexi First Option P&I 70%: 15 basis point cut to 3.09% p.a. (3.10% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Investment Flexi First Option P&I 80%: 15 basis point cut to 3.19% p.a. (3.20% p.a. comparison rate*)
Westpac also made cuts to various 'Premier Advantage' fixed packaged home loans by up to 20 basis points.
Keep in mind special offers can be withdrawn at any time.
Market-wide, banks are edging ever closer to the elusive home loan that starts with a 1.
On Monday, HSBC cut its residential home loans fixed for two years paying principal and interest (P&I) down to 2.09% p.a (2.98% p.a. comparison rate*)
This represents a cut of 16 basis points.
Borrowers must have a maximum loan to value ratio (LVR) of 80% i.e. a 20% deposit.
Elsewhere, it was a fairly subdued week for home loan rate changes, with Bankwest and Bank Australia being two other major players to cut.
Bankwest home loan rate changes
Bankwest made a couple of cuts to fixed home loans for owner occupiers paying P&I:
- Complete Home Loan Fixed Rate 2 Years: 45 basis point cut to 2.24% p.a. (3.57% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Fixed Rate 2 Years: 45 basis point cut to 2.44% p.a. (4.39% p.a. comparison rate*)
Bank Australia home loan rate changes
Bank Australia made quite a few cuts to home loans by 50 basis points for both owner occupiers and investors willing to fix for five years. Some key cuts are:
- Basic Fixed 5 Years 70% LVR: Down to 2.84% p.a. (3.10% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Residential Premium Package 5 Years 70-90% LVR: Down to 2.79% p.a. (3.38% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Inv Basic Fixed 5 Years 80% LVR: Down to 3.14% p.a. (3.35% p.a. comparison rate*)
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