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ANZ cuts new customer variable rates as existing borrowers face 8th hike in 8 months

Laine Gordon avatar
Laine Gordon
- 4 min read
ANZ cuts new customer variable rates as existing borrowers face 8th hike in 8 months

ANZ has today cut the rates on its basic home loan for new customers, as existing variable borrowers face their eighth hike in as many months.

Australia’s fourth largest lender has dropped the rate on its Simplicity Plus home loan by up to 0.10 percentage points for owner-occupiers and up to 0.20 percentage points for investors.

However, these discounts are reserved for new customers with big deposits.

Today's changes from ANZ for owner-occupiers paying principal and interest

ANZ Simplicity PlusOld rateNew rateChange
Loan-to-value (LVR) 70% or less4.69%4.59%-0.10%
LVR 80% or less4.79%4.69%-0.10%
LVR over 80%5.73%5.73%No change

Source: RateCity.com.au.

ANZ is not discounting new customer variable rates in isolation. Since the RBA hikes began in May, analysis from RateCity.com.au shows 38 lenders have cut at least one variable rate for new customers, including all four big banks.

During this time, the majority of existing variable rate customers have seen their rates rise by 2.75 percentage points.

Big four banks – how much more are existing customers paying after just one year of loyalty?

If someone took out one of the big four banks’ lowest variable rates in November 2021 – just 12 months ago – they would now be on a rate that is, on average, 0.42 percentage points higher than what is on offer to new customers, almost two standard RBA hikes more.

On a $500,000, 25-year loan today this difference could equate to an estimated $2,097 extra in interest over the next year.

Existing customer vs new customer variable rates

Assumes borrower took out the bank’s lowest rate loan in Nov 2021 and has not negotiated since

Estimated existing customer rateNew customer rateDifference

% points

CBA5.04%4.57%+0.47%
Westpac4.94%4.49% for 2 yrs then 4.89%+0.45% for 2 yrs
NAB5.04%4.74%+0.30%
ANZ5.04%4.59%+0.45%

Source: RateCity.com.au. Rates are for owner-occupiers paying principal and interest on the big four banks’ lowest variable rates. New customer rate includes Westpac’s introductory rate and CBA’s package loan rate.

RateCity.com.au research director, Sally Tindall, said: “ANZ has cut its lowest variable rate in order to stay in the refinancing game.”

“While the bank’s lowest variable rate is still above its rivals, CBA and Westpac, with a $4,000 refinancing cashback it’s likely to tempt some new borrowers in the door,” she said.

“ANZ borrowers might see these new customer discounts as a betrayal of their loyalty, but they’re actually a gift, because they can use these new advertised rates to negotiate a cut for themselves.

“Refinancing is at near record highs, at the same time thousands of fixed-rate loans are poised to roll back into the market. It’s no wonder the banks are taking the knife to their sharpest variable rates in a bid to attract these potential new customers.

“Since May, most variable borrowers have seen their rates rise by 2.75 percentage points, yet 38 lenders have cut variable rates for new customers.

“Test out your bank’s loyalty by seeing what rate it’s offering new customers for the exact same loan. If you haven’t negotiated your rate in a while, you’re likely to find there’s ample evidence on their website to haggle for a cut,” she said.

The 5-minute loyalty test:

  • Look up what rate you’re paying and check how much of your loan you’ve paid down.
  • Check what your bank is offering new customers for the exact same loan.
  • See what other lenders might be willing to offer factoring in how much of your home you own.
  • Pick up the phone and haggle.

Big four bank lowest variable rates

LenderAdvertised rate
CBA4.57%
Westpac4.49% for 2 yrs then 4.89%
NAB4.74%
ANZ4.59%

Source RateCity.com.au. Rates are for owner-occupiers paying principal and interest. LVR restrictions apply. CBA’s lowest rate is a package loan with a $395 annual fee.

Lowest variable rates on RateCity.com.au

From lenders that have announced November RBA hikes

LenderAdvertised rateLVR required
Bank First4.19%60% or less
Auswide Bank4.21%75% or less
Hume Bank4.24%60% or less
Bank Australia4.24%90% or less

Source RateCity.com.au. Rates are for owner-occupiers paying principal and interest. LVR restrictions may apply.

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Product database updated 07 May, 2024

This article was reviewed by Research Director Sally Tindall before it was published as part of RateCity's Fact Check process.