A wide variety of rates were increased, including 'Breakfree' packages, and non-packaged loans, for investors and owner occupiers.

Some of the more noteworthy changes included: 

  • Breakfree Residential Fixed 1 Year 80%: 30 basis point increase to 2.29% p.a. (3.36% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Breakfree Residential Fixed 3 Years 80%: 40 basis point increase to 2.79% p.a. (3.37% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Breakfree Investment Fixed 1 Year 80%: 20 basis point increase to 2.59% p.a. (3.91% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Breakfree Investment Fixed 3 Years 80%: 30 basis point increase to 2.99% p.a. (3.85% p.a. comparison rate*)

On Thursday NAB increased fixed rates, following Westpac and CBA which increased last week.

The major banks also increased rates on fixed loans in September-October.

Big four banks weren't alone in increasing rates, however, with Bank of Queensland, Bendigo and Adelaide Banks, and Tic:Toc following on Friday morning.

The bulk of rate increases applied to home loans for investors and owner occupiers, fixed between one and five years, hiked by between 11 and 50 basis points.

Variable rates back in vogue

The cuts haven't stopped for variable rates however, continuing the trend seen in recent weeks.

On Friday Bank of Queensland slashed investor and owner occupier home loans by up to 30 basis points.

BoQ-owned ME Bank also did similar, cutting by between 9 and 14 basis points.

On Thursday, ING cut variable rates by between 10 and 20 basis points.

So why is this happening?

This is basically the opposite of what was seen in 2020 when variable rates largely remained untouched and fixed rates got all the attention.

This was due to banks, particularly majors, tapping into the RBA's Term Funding Facility.

That's now ended and since then wholesale funding rates - called the 'swap' rates - have shot up (graph below), explaining why banks are increasing fixed mortgages again.

What could happen is largely a return to the status quo. Pre-pandemic, fixed loans made up less than one fifth of new mortgages, but now make up nearly half, but this percentage is slowly returning to 'normal'.

Anyone with a slightly cynical mind might also feel that banks are enticing borrowers back to variable rates because they are easy to hike when they see fit - such as if the RBA hikes its cash rate before 2024.

Having nearly half the mortgage book on fixed rates doesn't allow them that flexibility.

Fixed rates to rise sharply: ANZ

ANZFixedRates.jpg


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Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
5.69% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,899
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$530
90%
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Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
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  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
Disclosure
6.09% p.a.
6.11% p.a.
$3,027
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
  • No annual fees – None!
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  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
  • Redraw freely – Access your additional payments when you need them
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Disclosure
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.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Photo by Elekhh on Wikimedia Commons





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