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Westpac cuts savings rates as CBA continues to hold out (for now)

Liz Seatter avatar
Liz Seatter
- 4 min read
Westpac cuts savings rates as CBA continues to hold out (for now)

Australia’s second largest bank, Westpac, has today reduced their savings rates by up to 0.20 per cent.

This comes on the back of savings rate cuts from NAB and ANZ last Friday. CBA is the only big bank that hasn’t cut savings rates following the July RBA cash rate cut.

Westpac eSaver

Effective today, Westpac has cut the ongoing rate on its eSaver account by 0.15 per cent. The eSaver account now gives you 2.16 per cent interest for the first 5 months, then an ongoing rate of just 0.15 per cent.

Intro rate

Ongoing rate

Old rate (pre 2 July)

2.31%

0.30%

New rate (today)

2.16%

0.15%

Change

-0.15%

-0.15%

Westpac Life

Also, effective today, Westpac has cut the base rate on its Life account. However, it has taken the unusual step of increasing the bonus rate by the same amount. As a result, customers who make one deposit a month, and end the month with a higher balance than they started with, will still continue to receive the same maximum rate.

Base rate

Bonus rate

Max rate

Old rate (Pre 2 July)

0.80%

1.30%

2.10%

New rate (today)

0.60%

1.50%

2.10%

Change

-0.20%

+ 0.20%

No change

RateCity.com.au research director Sally Tindall said today’s changes from Westpac were a mixed bag.

“This is a surprising move from Westpac today. Customers with an eSaver will be bitterly disappointed to find out they’ll be earning just 0.15 per cent interest on their savings on an ongoing basis.

“Westpac customers who are regular savers have been rewarded. Customers who can make one deposit a month and keep building up their savings balance will get the same maximum rate. This is a pretty big olive branch in what is an otherwise hostile environment for savers.

“Westpac has bucked the trend today, passing on smaller rate cuts to savers on their main two savings accounts than to their home loan customers.

“All eyes are now on CBA to see what cuts they’ll make to their savings accounts. As the nation’s biggest bank, savings account holders are waiting with bated breath.

“Savings accounts aren’t as straight forward as they used to be. There are plenty of terms and conditions to trip you up but with ongoing savings rates as high as 2.75 per cent, this is a good time to check whether you’ve got the right account for your finances,” she said.

Some of the highest savings account rates on RateCity.com.au

Bank

Max rate

Conditions

Endeavour Mutual Lifestyle Account

2.75%

Deposit $400/mth. Up to age 35

MyState Bank Bonus Saver Account

2.60%

Deposit $20/mth and make 5 transactions from linked account

RAMS Saver

2.55%

Deposit $200/mth and no withdrawals

Australian Unity Active Saver

2.55%

Deposit $250/mth and no withdrawals

HOW THE BIG BANKS SAVINGS ACCOUNTS CURRENTLY STACK UP

Big four savings accounts – conditional rates

Bank

Product

Base rate

Max. rate

How to earn max. rate

ANZ

Progress Saver

0.01%

1.95%

Deposit $10 and no withdrawals per mth.

NAB

Reward Saver

0.11%

1.86%

One deposit and no withdrawals per mth

Westpac

Life

0.60%

2.10%

Make a deposit and end with higher balance per mth

CBA

GoalSaver

0.01%

1.40%*

Deposit $200 and no withdrawals per mth

*For balances under $50K. CBA offers higher rates for higher balances. Note CBA is yet to move savings rates post the July cash rate cut.

Big four savings accounts – introductory rates

Bank

Product

Base rate

Max. rate

Introductory term

ANZ

Online Saver

0.15%

1.95%

3 months

NAB

iSaver

0.11%

2.11%

4 months

Westpac

eSaver

0.15%

2.16%

5 months

CBA

NetBank Saver

0.30%

2.20%

5 months

Note: CBA is yet to announce changes to its savings accounts, post the July cash rate cut.

Disclaimer

This article is over two years old, last updated on July 19, 2019. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent savings accounts articles.

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Product database updated 29 Mar, 2024

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