ASB Cuts Interest Rates
ASB has responded to the RBNZ's OCR announcement today, and is reducing interest rates across personal, business and rural lending by up to 0.25%.
ASB's Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says, 'As the easing interest rate cycle continues, we are maintaining support for our customers with lower lending rates. Our variable loans are held by nearly 150,000 New Zealanders across personal, business and rural lending and these rates are the lowest they've been in more than two years.'
'We carefully consider the impact rate reductions have for all our customers. Today's response to the OCR will bring relief to households and businesses while acknowledging the needs of our savers by not passing on the full 25 basis point cut to our savings products,' says Mr. Boyd.
ASB's Housing Variable Rate will drop 20 basis points from 6.64% to 6.44%, while Orbit Variable will move from 6.74% to 6.54%. ASB's Business Base Rate will drop 25 basis points from 11.77% to 11.52% while its Rural Base Rate will also drop by 0.25% from 9.01% to 8.76%.
In response to the OCR decrease, ASB is lowering some of its savings products, including Savings On Call and Headstart, by 20 basis points.
Home Loan* Current Rates New Rates Rate Change
Housing Variable 6.64% 6.44% - 0.20%
Orbit Variable 6.74% 6.54% - 0.20%
Back My Build 4.19% 3.99% - 0.20%
Note - Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers.
*These changes are effective from Wednesday 4thJune 2025 for new lending customers, and Friday 6thJune 2025 for existing lending customers.
Business Loan* Current Rates New Rates Rate Change
Business and Rural Floating Base Rate 4.94% 4.69% - 0.25%
Business Base Rate 11.77% 11.52% - 0.25%
Rural Base Rate 9.01% 8.76% - 0.25%
Corporate Indicator Rate 6.18% 5.93% - 0.25%
Special Purpose Base Rate 4.75% 4.50% - 0.25%
*These changes are effective from Thursday 5th June 2025 for both new and existing customers.
Savings Band Current Rates New Rates Rate Change
Savings On Call & ASB Cash Fund* All Balances 0.90% 0.70% - 0.20%
Savings Plus** No Bonus 0.70% 0.50% - 0.20%
Partial Bonus 0.80% 0.60% - 0.20%
Full Bonus 2.90% 2.70% - 0.20%
Headstart* All Balances 2.90% 2.70% - 0.20%
*These changes are effective from Friday 6thJune 2025 for new and existing customers.
ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website as well support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub.
ASB Bank
Helping you get one step ahead.
In 1847, ASB opened as the Auckland Savings Bank with the pledge: 'to serve the community; to grow and to help Kiwis grow'. And that is very much what ASB is about today.
ASB is a leading provider of integrated financial services in New Zealand including retail, business and rural banking, funds management and insurance.
ASB strives to consistently provide its customers with outstanding service and innovative financial solutions. They're dedicated to providing simple financial products that allow their customers to bank with them how and when they want.
We all have our own ways to measure progress, and our own stories about the things that matter to us. Whatever way you choose to measure progress, and whatever your goals, ASB is there to help you get one step ahead.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
an hour ago
- 1News
Call to rethink tax on KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver members could be significantly better off if New Zealand adopted a taxation model similar to Australia's, an economist says. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub ran some numbers modelling a system similar to Australia's, where contributions and returns are taxed at 15%. In New Zealand, full tax is paid on income contributed to KiwiSaver, and returns in PIE schemes taxed at an investor's prescribed investor rate up to 28%. Eaqub said an "average" KiwiSaver investor starting now could end up $60,000 better off in nominal terms at retirement on a model similar to Australia's. If tax was not paid on contributions or returns, they could be about $1 million better off - and if only taxes on returns were removed the gain would be about $300,000. "In Australia, the context is there's some conversation about whether the tax breaks are too generous for richer people. It's not that it's perfect but the point is in other countries it's heavily incentivised for people to save in their private pension." ADVERTISEMENT But it was not in New Zealand. Kirk Hope, chief executive of the Financial Services Council, which represents KiwiSaver providers, said the Australian model was different because that country has a means-tested pension. "The tax break that occurs in New Zealand occurs when you retire, when you get national super... that is the equivalent of about $500,000. So I think it's hard to do a comparative analysis without acknowledging that there are significant differences between the schemes and what they are trying to achieve." Winter's here, supermarket spying, and TikTok's new feature. (Source: 1News) But he said if the tax on savings for New Zealanders was reduced it would give future governments more "fiscal options" in relation to superannuation. He said New Zealand previously had a system that was EET — or exempt, exempt, taxed, where contributions were tax-exempt, exempt from tax within the scheme and then fully taxed when withdrawn. The Tax Working Group in 2018 acknowledged that the change from that system had potentially created incentives for New Zealanders to direct savings into investments like houses instead. ADVERTISEMENT Hope said it would be expensive to adjust back to EET but there could be other changes that would be more affordable. The tax working group estimated that ignoring behavioural changes, it would cost $200m to $300m a year to move to a system where returns and withdrawals were not taxed, and $2.5b a year to move to an EET system. "The higher initial cost for an EET regime arises from the fact that there will be a substantial deferral period before significant amounts are withdrawn from the scheme, and thus taxed under the third 't'. Although these are very different initial costs, the costs will be the same in the long run on a net present value basis." Hope said providing different forms of tax incentives would be beneficial for savers. He said removing or reducing the employer contribution tax would be particularly useful for low-income people. Kernel Wealth founder Dean Anderson said New Zealand was one of the few countries operating a TTE — taxed contributions, taxed returns and exempt withdrawal — model. "Our future savings would be much better off under an EET approach, where we don't pay tax on the way in but on the way out. ADVERTISEMENT "With low savings rates in NZ, the government should be exploring everything in its powers to grow savings rates, which benefits NZ and Kiwis over the long term. "But it's not a surprise. The recent meek KiwiSaver policy announcement did all the hard work to announce a positive gradual increase to KiwiSaver contributions, yet they fell short by announcing a three-year policy rather than outlining a decade plus long policy of incremental KiwiSaver increases." Ana-Marie Lockyer, chief executive at Pie Funds, said KiwiSaver members were at a disadvantage compared to Australians because there was no upfront tax incentive or concession as in Australia to encourage them to contribute more. "Maybe consideration of a mid-tier flat tax rate on savings up to a certain amount would encourage savings." She said employer contributions were also taxed so investors lost the benefits of compounding, and investors paid tax on bonds and deemed dividends on global equities so they were effectively paying a capital gains tax. "So contrary to the government's stated goal of helping New Zealanders' grow their KiwiSaver balances, these factors mean New Zealanders have less incentives to make voluntary contributions and pay more tax on investment earnings, resulting in smaller balances at retirement relative to our Australian friends."
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
SMEG returns to New World
New World is serving up kitchen style with its latest promotion. This article was prepared by New World and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as advertorial. New World is once again serving up a big dollop of kitchen style with its latest promotion. For the past six years, these eagerly awaited campaigns have been elevating kitchens across the country. This year, New World has once again, partnered with premium brand SMEG to offer a kitchenware collection that combines luxury with everyday functionality. The promotion launches June 9 and runs until August 31, or while stocks last. New World's retail marketing manager Sarah Austin says the SMEG kitchenware range was chosen for its premium quality and useability. As with previous promotions, the range is expected to be hugely popular. 'Our promotions are all about giving customers the chance to add a little bit of wonderful to their weekly shop,' she says. 'We know New Zealanders are familiar with and love the SMEG brand, but treating themselves to quality kitchenware isn't often a priority. This promotion gives New World shoppers the chance to elevate their kitchen space with a touch of luxury and can collect stickers just by doing their usual shop.' The SMEG range is finished in high gloss while the brasier is cast iron, making it ideal for low-and-slow cooking and safe for both the stovetop and oven. The range has been chosen so customers can choose the items they like, without needing to collect the whole set, with one sticker collected for every $20 spent in store and online**. Items can be collected by redeeming between 20 stickers for the utensil rest to 55 stickers for the larger baker. Shoppers can also use a combination of stickers and cash to collect items. The cast iron braiser is a Clubcard exclusive and only available with 45 stickers and a cash top-up. Value is top of mind this year and New World's fresh and improved Clubcard programme offers a truly rewarding shopping experience with our own New World Dollars – a currency that turns everyday shopping into real value. With no minimum spend, customers earn every time they shop and can redeem New World Dollars like cash in-store or online. Combined with exclusive Clubcard deals, prize opportunities, and exciting campaigns like SMEG, it's easier than ever for Kiwis to get more from their grocery shop – all backed by our enhanced app for a seamless, personalised experience and rewards for every dollar you spend. Throughout the SMEG promotion New World teams across Aotearoa will be helping customers to keep track of what stock is available and what's running out. 'We anticipate the promotion is going to be super popular, and it's important to remember it's only while stocks last,' says Sarah. 'Some items will be more sought after than others, so customers should redeem their stickers as soon as they have enough for their chosen pieces, or they may lose out.' You can keep an eye on your local New World's Facebook page for updates on stock availability and take note of the in-store signage about what's available and what might be running low. As we always say, if you really want a particular item, don't sit on your stickers, they are strictly while stocks last.
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Scoop
Kiwi Investment Volumes On Wall Street At Near Record Levels
The latest figures show New Zealanders' ownership of US securities, including shares and bonds, hit US$67.1 billion in March 2025, more than double the value of five years ago. The value of Kiwi's investments in Wall Street has reached a near record high, according to new data from the US Treasury. The latest figures show New Zealanders' ownership of US securities, including shares and bonds, hit US$67.1 billion in March 2025, more than double the value of five years ago.[1] Shares in listed companies are the largest investment, with US$51.3 billion in US stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – a 152% increase over the same month in 2020. US government and corporate bonds account for another US$14.8 billion. Michael McCarthy, Australia and New Zealand CEO of share-trading platform moomoo, says the data highlights the growing scale of international reach and diversification by Kiwi investors. He says New Zealand's low interest-rate environment in recent years has pushed investors to seek higher yields abroad, especially in US equities and tech-heavy indices, which have delivered strong returns post-COVID. McCarthy says fintech platforms are now democratising entry into international markets for younger investors, who have a particular interest in US tech stocks and ETFs. 'We have seen that the relatively strong Kiwi dollar in the earlier post-pandemic period made US investments more attractive and affordable for Kiwi investors. 'There was an awareness that exposure to US assets could provide a hedge against domestic inflation and NZD depreciation, especially relevant given recent macroeconomic volatility. 'We have also seen large institutional investors, such as the NZ Super Fund and KiwiSaver providers, steadily increase their exposure to global equities to diversify risk and chase international growth,' he says. McCarthy says growing local demand from retail investors has seen them launch its trading platform in NZ this week, to lower barriers to entry by offering the lowest fees in the local market for unlimited US trades as well as the widest range of US stocks and ETFs. Founded in Silicon Valley in 2018, moomoo has grown to over 25 million users in the US, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The platform's New Zealand launch follows its entry into the trans-Tasman market, where it recorded the most downloads of any online broker app within its first two years. Kiwi traders will now be able to trade more than 22,000 stocks and ETFs across the US, Australia and Hong Kong, including more than 15,000 US stocks and ETFs for only US$99c per trade (NZ$1.66). McCarthy says the platform has been designed to accommodate both novice and experienced investors. 'One of the unique features of moomoo is its ability to enable 'social investing', whereby the online community of global users are able to support and learn from one another, including sharing investing ideas and insights on stocks. 'This allows everyone from beginners to seasoned investors to learn investment strategies and share this experience with other users around the world. We also offer structured learning experiences and additional educational resources to assist users on their investment journey.' McCarthy says these resources help investors explore market trends, identify opportunities and make informed decisions that align with their risk levels and goals. He says the platform also allows 24-hour US trading, every trading day, eliminating significant time zone barriers to enable local investors to capitalise on opportunities at any time. 'The US Treasury data shows New Zealand has a strong investing culture, and we see growing demand for more sophisticated tools that empower retail investors to navigate global markets with confidence. 'We are able to provide real-time market data, AI-powered analytics, advanced charting tools and curated news from financial media outlets. These features help reduce the complexity of financial markets into intuitive, actionable insights that are integrated into the platform's interface. McCarthy says as part of its New Zealand launch, moomoo is offering new users $0 commission trading on Australian and US stocks for the first 30 days, with free reward stocks for users upon eligible deposits. He says with the moomoo app now available in New Zealand, local investors can also access options trading and dividend reinvestment plans for US stocks, catering to the diverse investment needs of New Zealanders. . Accessed June 1, 2025.
