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The Government today announced $15 billion in stimulus investment to enable small banks and non-banks to supply low-cost loans to customers and small business.
This coincides with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) making an unprecedented emergency cash rate cut to 0.25%, as well as a $90 billion Term Funding Facility (TFF) for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), taking place no later than 16 April.
In a joint statement on the $15 billion investment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said smaller lenders are critical to Australia's lending markets, providing competition and driving innovation.
"The government’s actions will enable customers of smaller lenders to continue to access affordable credit as the world deals with the significant challenges presented by the spread of coronavirus,'' they said.
Facilitated by the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM), the $15 billion will go into wholesale funding markets used by small banks and non-banks, buying assets such as residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS).
The Treasurer said the AOFM will also be able to invest in a range of other asset backed securities and warehouse facilities.
The $15 billion investment, which is expected to begin by April, nearly matches the $17.6 billion in stimulus measures announced for consumers last week.
Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe today welcomed the government's support for asset-backed securities via the AOFM.
"This support is important as it will help non-bank financial institutions and small lenders to continue to provide credit to Australian households and businesses."
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said the $15 billion initiative parallels similar moves from the AOFM during the Global Financial Crisis.
"It will be of particular support to issuers of Mortgage Backed Securities," Mr Evans said.
On the $90 billion funding facility announced by the RBA, Mr Evans said it was 'pleasing' to see.
"ADIs will be able to obtain funding for up to 3% of existing outstanding credit," he said.
"The objective is to support small and medium sized business.
"ADIs will still be required to take on the credit risk associated with these facilities, but may consider switching more expensive facilities for existing borrowers into these facilities, providing a cash flow boost to small and medium sized businesses."
Looking for an owner-occupier home loan? Below are some variable home loans with the lowest interest rates in the market.
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Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
FEATUREDUNLIMITED REDRAWSSPECIAL OFFER | Smart Booster Home Loan Discounted Variable - 2yr (LVR < 80%)
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Smart Booster Home Loan Discounted Variable - 2yr (LVR < 80%)
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Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
FEATUREDAN EASY DIGITAL APPLICATION | Neat Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 60%)
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Neat Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 60%)
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Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
FEATURED100% FULL OFFSET ACCOUNTNO APPLICATION FEE OR ONGOING FEES | Low Rate Home Loan - Prime (Principal and Interest) (Owner Occupied) (LVR < 60%)
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Low Rate Home Loan - Prime (Principal and Interest) (Owner Occupied) (LVR < 60%)
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Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
NSW/VIC/SA METRO & INNER REGIONAL AREAS$5000 CASHBACK. T&Cs APPLY. | Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest)
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Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest)
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- Fast turnaround times, can meet 30-day settlement
- For purchase and refinance, min 20% deposit
- No ongoing or monthly fees, add offset for 0.10%
Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the Product Provider’s web site. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of May 25, 2022. View disclaimer.
Australian banks punching above their weight
Today, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) also temporarily adjusted bank capital expectations.
'Common Equity Tier 1' capital reached $235 billion at the end of 2019, and many banks are maintaining capital levels above minimum requirements.
For the big four banks - ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac - there is a requirement ratio of at least 10.5% of risk-weighted assets.
For smaller banks, a lower ratio applies, but for the big four, their ratio has been 11.3% at the end of 2019.
APRA Chair Wayne Byres said the authority envisages banks may need to tap into their large buffers to facilitate ongoing lending.
“APRA has been pursuing a program to build up the financial strength of the system for many years, when banks had the capacity to do so," he said.
"As a result, the Australian banking system is well-capitalised by both historical and international standards.
“APRA’s objective in building up this capital strength has been to ensure it is available to be drawn upon if needed in times such as this.
"Today’s announcement reflects the underlying strength of the system: even if the banking system utilises some of its current large buffers, it will still be operating comfortably above minimum regulatory requirements."
Disclaimers
The entire market was not considered in selecting the above products. Rather, a cut-down portion of the market has been considered. Some providers' products may not be available in all states. To be considered, the product and rate must be clearly published on the product provider's web site. Savings.com.au, yourmortgage.com.au, yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au, and Performance Drive are part of the Savings Media group. In the interests of full disclosure, the Savings Media Group are associated with the Firstmac Group. To read about how Savings Media Group manages potential conflicts of interest, along with how we get paid, please visit the web site links at the bottom of this page.
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