NAB introduces 'lowest ever' variable investment home loan rates
The two home loan rates cut by NAB were its base variable interest rates paying both principal & interest (P&I), and interest only (IO), with up to 80% LVR:
- NAB P&I: Cut to 2.79% p.a. (2.79% p.a. comparison rate*)
- NAB IO: Cut to 2.99% p.a. (2.99% p.a. comparison rate*)
These rates are for new loans only and are 'special offers', meaning they could be withdrawn at any time.
Other recent major changes made by NAB include cutting various variable rates by up to 55 basis points in February and raising fixed interest rates by up to 25 basis points in May.
Buying an investment property or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for investors.
| Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Extra Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.94% p.a. | 5.98% p.a. | $2,978 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 90% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.89% p.a. | 5.80% p.a. | $2,962 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $0 | 80% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.99% p.a. | 6.02% p.a. | $2,995 | Principal & Interest | Fixed | $0 | $0 | 60% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.93% p.a. | 5.93% p.a. | $2,975 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $395 | 70% | Disclosure |
NAB executive of home ownership Andy Kerr said the rate cut is a reflection on the bounce back in investment lending recently.
“The health and financial shock of the pandemic drove a decline in investor interest last year. However, this year we have seen the return of investors as economic conditions have improved," he said.
“We also know price is just one factor when getting a home loan and continue to simplify and improve the home lending experience for all our customers."
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics' lending indicators data shows investment lending drove overall growth, with investment loan approvals up 12.7% to $7.8 billion on the month.
This figure accounted for more than half the month's gains, and was the largest rise since July 2003.
Archistar chief economist Dr Andrew Wilson said increased investor activity was potentially at the expense of first home buyer activity.
"Sharply higher home prices are predictably facilitating changes in buyer activity with first home buyer levels, although still elevated, now declining as significant affordability barriers emerge for this group," he said.
"Conversely, investor activity continues to increase, although still at subdued market-share levels, driven essentially by the prospect of strong capital growth."
However, Dr Wilson also said overall owner occupier growth was still at "record-high levels", but also said recent government stimulus announcements will have minimal impact.
"Supply constraints from the recent surge in residential construction activity however are set to increase building costs and new house prices," he said.
"Activity levels however will decline though 2021 as affordability barriers act to subdue boom-time conditions with home price growth easing but still clearly positive."
BCU increases investment home loan rates
Another rate change this morning was made by BCU, which increased some fixed investment home loan rates by 10 basis points.
The details are:
- Fixed IO 4 Years: Up to 2.59% p.a. (3.68% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Fixed P&I 4 Years: Up to 2.49% p.a. (3.65% p.a. comparison rate*)
BCU also increased its four-year fixed loan for owner occupiers paying P&I by 10 basis points, now up to 2.29% p.a. (3.48% p.a. comparison rate*).
BCU joins ING, CommBank, NAB, Westpac, Citi, UBank, Bankwest, Newcastle Permanent, and Greater Bank, among several others, to increase home loan interest rates recently.