Compare Credit Cards
- Credit Cards Home
- Balance Transfer Rate
- Low Interest
- No Annual Fee
- Reward Credit Cards
- Business Credit Cards
- Gold & Platinum
- Debit Cards
Compare Banking
Compare Loans
Compare Insurance
- Insurance Home
- Health Insurance
- Home Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Motor & Bike Insurance
- Travel Insurance
Investment Providers
Links
Competition For Australian Deposits Less Intense
The battle for deposits amongst Australian lenders seems to be petering out, with only two of the country’s top online savings accounts passing on November’s interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia, to their customers in full.
Despite failing to pass on the interest rate increase to depositors, bank’s continue to make the argument that higher funding costs are the reason behind higher interest rates which have been passed onto borrowers in excess of official rate hikes by the central bank.
Most of Australia’s online banks have declined to pass on the 25 basis point rate hike to their customers, with some of them even doing the opposite and cutting their promotional rates.
Virgin Money cut its promotional rate by 24 basis points for its online savings account at the start of the week, when this cut is bundled together with the 25 basis point rate hike enacted by the central bank, the effective rate cut equates to 49 basis points.
Bankwest continues to offer the highest promotional online interest rate of 7 per cent despite failing to pass on the interest rate increase to its customers.
ANZ did pass on the rate hike to its customers and currently offers a 6.25 per cent interest rate to all its savings accounts, whilst Westpac and CBA did so only for their highest interest accounts.
Since the financial crisis in 2008, a dramatic battle for deposits erupted between Australian banks, as they sought to diversify away from wholesale international funding markets which are volatile and froze during the crisis, to a more stable depositor based funding.
The latest moves by lenders not to pass on rate hikes to their depositors implies that the intensity of competition between lenders is levelling off.
Compare Australian Savings Accounts Deals
NAB Abolishes Fees On Everyday Accounts
Australian banking major National Australia Bank (NAB), has announced the abolishment of monthly account service fees for two of its everyday banking accounts effective from January next year. The lender will also scrap the $25 fee for exceeding the limit of its credit cards.
>> Read more
Study Finds Australians Losing $10 Million A Day In Interest On Accounts Held With Big Four Banks
Australian depositors are losing approximately $10 million a day in interest payments, because of the mistaken belief that small regional banks are in danger of collapsing as a result of the global financial crisis.
>> Read more
Australian Banks To Raise Variable Interest Rates As Early As Wednesday
In response to Tuesday’s surprise 25 basis point increase in official interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia, Australia’s lenders will begin lifting their variable rates of interest as early as Wednesday.
>> Read more
Citibank To Challenge Big Four In Australian Credit Card And Mortgage Lending With Virgin Money Deal
US banking giant Citibank, has signalled its intention to become a major retail banking player in Australia, and wrest away market share from the incumbent Big Four banking groups. The lender on Monday announced a deal with Virgin Money that will give it a marketing platform to distribute credit cards, collect retail deposits and originate mortgages.
>> Read more
BankWest Launches Innovative High Interest Online eSaver Account
BankWest has launched an innovate new online savings account that pays a bonus rate of interest every month so long as the account holder does not run any transactions. The account known as Bankwest Smart eSaver pays a base interest rate of 3.25 per cent, with BankWest committing to pay an interest either in line or above the official cash interest rate.Depositors will be able to earn the bonus or “smart rate” of 5 per cent during any month the account holder make no withdrawals (all rates correct at time of posting).
>> Read more
SmartyPig An Online Savings Account For Australia’s Generation Y
Australian Banking Major ANZ has teamed up with US based company SmartyPig to launch an online savings product with a difference. According to the website, ANZ SmartyPig “is a unique savings program designed to make saving social, goal-oriented and fun. SmartyPig uses the power of social networking and retailer value boosts to help people reach their savings goals faster.”
At time of publishing the interest rate that SmartyPig accounts pay is an extremely competitive 4.5 per cent which is paid once a quarter with no fees. The idea behind the account is relatively simple. Individuals set savings goals with a specific purchase decision in mind, which can be as little as $500 for a Blue Ray DVD player, or $5000 for a holiday to Bali.
>> Read more