In the last week before the 4 July monetary policy decision, several banks adjusted term deposit rates.
Again, there's uncertainty about the direction the RBA will go, as inflation begins to ease.
Earlier this morning, Westpac Chief Economist Bill Evans finalised his call that next Tuesday will see rates go up by 25 basis points once again.
The markets are increasingly pricing in a pause in July rather than a thirteenth rate hike, with the Aussie dollar at just $0.66 USD, which suggests investors are not anticipating interest rates in Australia to increase.
A cut doesn't seem likely any time soon though, so term deposit providers continue to jostle with one another for market share, and rates continue to climb.
Judo increases rates by up to 37 basis points
| Term length | Deposit size | Payment frequency | Interest rate (Percentage point change) |
| Three months | $1,000-$999,999 | End of term | 5.05% p.a (+0.35) |
| Six months | $1,000-$999,999 | End of term | 5.32% p.a (+0.37) |
| Nine months | $1,000-$999,999 | End of term | 5.25% p.a (+0.2) |
| One year | $1,000-$999,999 | End of term | 5.30% p.a (+0.25) |
| Two years | $1,000-$999,999 | Annually | 5.10% p.a (+0.1) |
Judo increased rates on three separate occasions this week, to now offer the highest available rates in Australia for three month, six month, nine month and one year term deposits, per Savings.com.au's market research.
The neobank has consistently been among the market leaders during the high rate period, and reaffirmed its position at the pinnacle this week.
Judo offer higher rates on six month terms than one year, which reflects expectations that interest rates will begin to head down in the long term.
Firstmac increase rates by up to 65 basis points
| Term length | Deposit size | Payment frequency | Interest rate (Percentage point change) |
| Three months | $5,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 5.00% p.a (+0.25) |
| Six months | $5,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 5.30% p.a (+0.4) |
| One year | $5,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 5.30% p.a (+0.3) |
| Two years | $5,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 5.00% p.a (+0.65) |
Firstmac also moved this week to offer a market leading rate of 5.30% p.a for one year term deposits.
The 5.30% p.a return on six month terms would have been a market leader were it not for Judo's latest increase, announced early on Friday.
Firstmac is also one of the first providers to offer three month term deposit returns of 5% p.a, although once again, rates at Judo are slightly ahead.
ING increase rates by up to 25 basis points
| Term length | Deposit size | Payment frequency | Interest rate (Percentage point change) |
| Three months | $10,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 4.75% p.a (+0.15) |
| Six months | $10,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 4.95% p.a (+0.15) |
| Nine months | $10,000-$5,000,000 | End of term | 4.95% p.a (+0.15) |
| Two years | $10,000-$5,000,000 | Annually | 4.90% p.a (+0.25) |
Last week, ING made a 65 basis point increase to three month term deposits, and hiked up rates once again this time around.
ING also offers a 5% p.a return on one year terms, but did not increase this week.
CommBank increase rates by up to 30 basis points
| Term length | Deposit size | Payment frequency | Interest rate (Percentage point change) |
| One year (Special offer) | $5,000-$1,999,999 | End of term | 4.75% p.a (+0.2) |
| Thirteen months | $5,000-$49,999 | End of term | 4.25% p.a (+0.3) |
| Thirteen months | $50,000-$1,999,999 | End of term | 4.25% p.a (+0.25) |
| Eighteen months | $5,000-$1,999,999 | End of term | 4.25% p.a (+0.25) |
After a 20 basis point increase to its special offer one year term deposit products, Commbank now offers the highest rates available at the big four banks.
The special offer rates are available to existing personal or Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) customers.
Commbank economists anticipate a pause to rate increases next week.
The 5% club
- G&C Mutual increased rates by up to 60 basis points, including a 5.10% p.a return on three year products and 5.00% p.a on 2 years.
- The Mutual Bank increased rates by up to 75 basis points. including a one year term deposit returning 5%
- Bank First increased rates by up to 30 basis points. and is another to now offer one year terms with a 5% return.
- MyState also hit 5% for one year terms after a 25 basis point increase
Other movers
- RACQ increased rates by up to 25 basis points
- Summerland Credit Union varied rates by up to 25 basis points
- Bankwest varied rates by up to 50 basis points
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Harry O'Sullivan
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