This week, some pretty big cuts happened to interest-only investment loans, with AMP and 86 400 slashing by up to 65 basis points, and Greater Bank by up to 50 basis points.

For example, AMP's packaged investment home loan, paying interest only for two years now has a rate of 2.99% p.a., with a comparison rate of 4.58% p.a. comparison rate.

An AMP spokesperson told Savings.com.au that the new rates are available for new and existing customers.

"We’re facing unprecedented times and we recognise the important role we have to play in supporting home owners, investors and savers through these challenging circumstances," they said.

"AMP Bank launched a range of competitive fixed rates as part of a comprehensive support package for clients."

Switching to interest-only could be a viable alternative to totally deferring a mortgage for six months as COVID-19 hits the wallet.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data released Wednesday revealed a drop in investor home loan commitments by 2.5% in March in seasonally-adjusted terms.

However, the average size of investment home loan refinances grew - in original terms - from $482,451 in February to $485,275 in March.

In the past week alone, more than 100,000 loans have been deferred, and in recent weeks it's become unlawful in many states to evict tenants even if they can't pay rent.

With home loan deferrals, interest is still capitalised in that six month mortgage holiday, meaning you could end up paying thousands more in interest over the life of the loan.

Fixed investment loans are now comparable to their variable counterparts in many cases, with the below table showing variable investment home loans paying principal and interest.

Update resultsUpdate
Filters
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.19% p.a.
6.58% p.a.
$2,589
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
 Featured 90% LVR
  • You MUST already have Solar or a documented plan to install within 90 days to be eligible for this loan
  • Available for refinance or purchase
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
6.29% p.a.
6.20% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
 Featured Apply In Minutes
  • A low-rate variable investment home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.34% p.a.
6.36% p.a.
$2,486
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$350
60%
  • $0 application fee
  • Fast turnaround times
  • Estimate your borrowing power in as little as 1 minute
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

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. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. 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 . View disclaimer.

86 400 home loan rate changes

  • Investment Own Home Loan Fixed IO 1 Year: 45 basis point cut to 2.89% p.a. (3.43% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Investment Own Home Loan Fixed IO 2 Years: 65 basis point cut to 2.69% p.a. (3.36% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Investment Own Home Loan Fixed IO 3 Years: 65 basis point cut to 2.69% p.a. (3.32% p.a. comparison rate*)

A number of 86 400's fixed investment loans paying principal and interest (P&I) were also cut.

AMP home loan rate changes

  • Professional Package Investment Fixed IO 2 Years: 65 basis point cut to 2.99% p.a. (4.58% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Professional Package Investment Fixed IO 5 Years: 49 basis point cut to 3.39% p.a. (4.34% p.a. comparison rate*)

AMP also made cuts to its residential loans of the same ilk. The Professional Package is a packaged loan product and includes redraw, and the ability to access other credit products.

Greater Bank home loan rate changes

  • Great Rate Investment Fixed IO 1 Year: 50 basis point cut to 2.79% p.a. (4.03% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Ultimate Investment IO Fixed 1 Year: 50 basis point cut to 2.79% p.a. (4.24% p.a. comparison rate*)

As seen above, the biggest cuts were to one-year fixed products.

Two and three-year fixed terms across Greater Bank's two key home loan product lines (Great Rate, and Ultimate) were cut by up to 15 basis points.

The main difference between Great Rate and Ultimate is that Ultimate home loans can be packaged with credit cards and insurance products.



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