
‘Disappointing for customers': Banks announce savings rate cuts
In unwelcome news for savers, seven financial institutions have this week announced they are reducing savings rates.
NAB has moved on two of its savings accounts, reducing the rates on its Reward Saver and iSaver products.
Reward Savers will get a new maximum rate of 4.10 per cent, while iSavers will get up to 4.40 per cent for the first four months before the account reverts back to 1.25 per cent.
NAB has moved on its savings accounts 10 days ahead of variable mortgage rates.
BOQ's Future Saver account, which is available to young adults aged 14-35, has dropped from 5.00 to 4.85 per cent.
Macquarie Bank has cut both savings and mortgage rates.
Macquarie savers will now get a maximum 4.25 per cent, while those on a transaction account will get 2 per cent going forward.
Other banks that have already cut savings rates this week include AMP, Great Southern Bank, ME Bank and Hume Bank.
The move on savings accounts follows the Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday announcing it had lowered the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.60 per cent.
Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall says the third RBA rate cut of the year is already hitting savers in the hip pocket.
'We expect more savings rates will fall victim to this latest RBA cut in the weeks ahead; however, banks aren't likely to make a song and dance about them,' she said.
Following the RBA's announcement, Commonwealth Bank was the first of the major banks to tell customers it would pass on the rate cut in full to variable rate home loan customers, effective from August 22.
Shortly after, Westpac said it was passing on the cut in full to their variable rate customers and savers alike.
Westpac savers' interest rates will drop from August 22, reducing the amount they are making off their money, but mortgage holders will have to wait a further four days to get any interest-rate relief.
ANZ announced similar terms for borrowers, also decreasing variable rates by 25 basis points effective August 22.
CBA and ANZ savings rates are still under review, but Canstar says if history is anything to go by, the banks will cut select savings rates next Friday.
NAB will reduce its standard variable home loan rates by 0.25 per cent starting from Monday, August 25.

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News.com.au
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- News.com.au
Rate cuts: The Geelong suburbs seeing biggest price gains
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Gartland Geelong agent Michael Tricarico said new buyers to the market were among the first groups to move, increasing demand in those suburbs. 'There's been a real big influx of investors and first-home buyers and even second-home buyers,' Mr Tricarico said. 'It's quite clear there's been a big increase in terms of open home numbers and therefore people coming through with offers on properties. 'The biggest driver of that is the level of homes on the market – there's not many homes on the market at the minute.' Mr Tricarico said investors and first-time buyers were adding demand to the market, but not necessarily supply. 'You'll find them particularly in suburbs like Hamlyn Heights, and St Albans Park where it's going to be about price, or affordability,' he said. Houses were often bigger, more affordable than more expensive neighbouring areas, and on bigger blocks. 'A lot of those investors and first-home buyers are wanting to buy something on 600sq m or bigger.' 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Mr Costelloe said the industry was losing sales from people who pay a deposit on a block or house-land package, only to then discover the impact of the 3 per cent margin forces them to cancel their purchase. RBA governor Michele Bullock conceded that lower interest rates usually mean property prices go up. 'I'd have to say, though, that the easing so far has been fairly gradual and what we've seen so far is a fairly gradual recovery in housing activity broadly, housing prices, development dwelling investment.'

The Australian
a day ago
- The Australian
Major banks cut savings rates before mortgage relief takes effect
Australia's major banks and financial institutions have cut saving rates in the days following the Reserve Bank moving on interest rates. In unwelcome news for savers, seven financial institutions have this week announced they are reducing savings rates. NAB has moved on two of its savings accounts, reducing the rates on its Reward Saver and iSaver products. Reward Savers will get a new maximum rate of 4.10 per cent, while iSavers will get up to 4.40 per cent for the first four months before the account reverts back to 1.25 per cent. NAB has moved on its savings accounts 10 days ahead of variable mortgage rates. The big banks have started to move on savings rates. Picture: NewsWire BOQ's Future Saver account, which is available to young adults aged 14-35, has dropped from 5.00 to 4.85 per cent. Macquarie Bank has cut both savings and mortgage rates. Macquarie savers will now get a maximum 4.25 per cent, while those on a transaction account will get 2 per cent going forward. Other banks that have already cut savings rates this week include AMP, Great Southern Bank, ME Bank and Hume Bank. The move on savings accounts follows the Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday announcing it had lowered the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.60 per cent. Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall says the third RBA rate cut of the year is already hitting savers in the hip pocket. 'We expect more savings rates will fall victim to this latest RBA cut in the weeks ahead; however, banks aren't likely to make a song and dance about them,' she said. Savers will get slugged before mortgage holders get any rate relief. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Following the RBA's announcement, Commonwealth Bank was the first of the major banks to tell customers it would pass on the rate cut in full to variable rate home loan customers, effective from August 22. Shortly after, Westpac said it was passing on the cut in full to their variable rate customers and savers alike. Westpac savers' interest rates will drop from August 22, reducing the amount they are making off their money, but mortgage holders will have to wait a further four days to get any interest-rate relief. ANZ announced similar terms for borrowers, also decreasing variable rates by 25 basis points effective August 22. CBA and ANZ savings rates are still under review, but Canstar says if history is anything to go by, the banks will cut select savings rates next Friday. NAB will reduce its standard variable home loan rates by 0.25 per cent starting from Monday, August 25.

News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
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