Home loan rates drop after RBA cuts again

All four big banks have said they will cut their home loan interest rates, after the Reserve Bank cut its cash rate to a record low of one per cent.

Reserve Bank of Australia offices in Sydney.

All of the big four banks have announced interest rate cuts after the RBA reduced its rate again. (AAP) Source: AAP

All four of the big banks have announced they will pass on the interest rate cut, but only one of them is passing it on in full, as the Reserve Bank calls for more infrastructure spending and job creation policies.

ANZ was widely criticised last month when it passed on just 0.18 percentage points of the Reserve Bank of Australia's 0.25 percentage-point cut, so this time the bank is passing on the full amount.

The Commonwealth Bank later announced it was passing on the RBA's rate in full for its interest-only standard variable rate home loan, but will only cut its principal and interest variable rate home loans by 0.19 percentage points.

Meanwhile, the NAB announced it would make a 0.18 percentage-point cut to its home loan interest rates.

The NAB and the CBA passed on June's RBA rate cut in full.

Westpac will reduce most variable home loan rates, including those for owner-occupier mortgages, by 0.2 percentage points, although interest-only investors will get a reduction of 0.3 percentage points,

The bank made a similar move in June, with interest-only investors getting a reduction of 0.35 percentage points

The Reserve Bank's two consecutive cuts have taken the cash rate to a record low of one per cent.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the other big banks must fall in line.

"The government expects all banks to pass on the benefits of sustained reductions in funding costs," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe gave a speech in Darwin on Tuesday night where he said easing monetary policy wasn't the only way to push the economy forward.

"One option is fiscal support, including through spending on infrastructure," he said.

"Another option is structural policies that support firms expanding, investing, innovating and employing people. A strong, dynamic, competitive business sector generates jobs."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the rate cut was a "cry for help" from the Reserve Bank.

Labor wants a planned 2022 change to the 32.5 per cent tax threshold - from $90,000 a year to $120,000 - brought forward, while also putting off further changes planned for 2024.

"If that's good policy in 2022, let me tell you, today's decision by the Reserve Bank screams that that's good policy in 2019," Mr Albanese told Sky News.

But Mr Frydenberg, who says the five years worth of tax cuts must be "passed in full".


Share
3 min read

Published

Updated

Presented by Justin Sungil Park
Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


Follow SBS Korean

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Korean-speaking Australians.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Korean News

Korean News

Watch it onDemand