Big Four banks make major call following RBA interest rate decision
Australia's other major banks have also confirmed they will pass on the RBA's full 0.25 percentage point cut to their standard variable home loan rates. ANZ and CommBank will both implement the reduction from August 22, while NAB customers will see the change take effect on August 25. Westpac will be the last of the Big Four to introduce the rate cut on August 26.
All nine board members voted in favor of a cut and there was no discussion of a jumbo 50 basis point cut, Ms Bullock said. The RBA's decision will save borrowers with a $600,000 mortgage almost $90 a month in repayments and a cumulative $272 per month since cuts began in February. The move brings the cash rate to its lowest level since May 2023, with the average variable mortgage rate expected to fall to 5.5 per cent.
But for many borrowers, the financial boost was behind estimates. Most economists had expected the RBA to deliver rate relief in its July meeting. In a shock 6-3 decision, the board kept rates on hold, citing a need to wait for more inflation data to ensure price growth was coming down sustainably to target. The local share market lifted modestly and the Aussie dollar fell following the decision, while money markets were pricing in two more cuts by March.
Vanguard senior economist Grant Feng predicted one more cut by the end of 2025, as growth showed signs of recovery and the unemployment rate stabilizing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the decision was 'very welcome relief for millions of Australians'. 'The three interest rate cuts we've seen this year would not have been possible without our collective efforts to get inflation down,' he said.
The RBA has just cut interest rates for the third time in six months. Today's quarter of a percentage point cut brings the cash rate to 3.60 per cent and will make a meaningful difference to millions of mortgage holders around the country.
In quarterly forecasts produced by RBA staff and released alongside the cash rate decision, productivity growth was revised down by 0.3 per cent over the medium term.
That would flow through to lower GDP growth, lower living standards and make it harder to get inflation under control.
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Consider bonds as a strategic alternative to term deposits Bond investments can offer stable income, capital protection, and greater flexibility than traditional deposits. In a rising rate environment, bonds may deliver higher yields and compare favourably against typical bank term deposit rates, especially for those seeking predictable returns. Capital Guard AU offers a range of Australian fixed-income solutions, including secure fixed-income bonds and tailored portfolios designed to help investors access the best Australian bond rates available. A Cautious Shift Toward Fixed Income Capital Guard has observed a growing preference among Australians for steady, income-generating assets over market-linked growth. This shift reflects both economic conditions and a demographic trend, as more individuals seek to convert accumulated savings into predictable income streams. 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