Surprise, Surprise, Surprise – Interest Rates On Hold
Filed under: Home Loans, Interest Rates, Investment Loans, Low Doc Loans
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced that it is leaving interest rates on hold at 3.75%. In a surprise move that stunned most economists the RBA wants to see if the effects of earlier rate rises.
More to come…
February 2010 Rate Rise Likely – What will the Banks do?
New inflation data has indicated that the Reserve Bank of Australia will most definitely raise rates at the February meeting. Some economists are predicting a 0.50% rat rise but the general consensus feel it will be 0.25%.
I have heard mixed reports as to what the banks will do. As stated in a earlier post that banks are still concerned about high funding costs. The RBA and other commentators suggest their is no need for the banks to raise rates beyond the RBA recommendation. We will just have to wait and see.
Access Economics have claimed that the major banks are likely to under cut the Reserve Banks reccomended interest rate increases as a PR campaign to win back customers. You can read the full story here.
I am never sure that the majors will miss a profit opportunity and coupled with reports of higher funding costs I think it is highly unlikely the majors will increase rates less than the Reserve Banks recommendation.
Your Mortgage For 2010 – Where are we heading?
It looks like for steam ahead for the Australian economy and this generally means that it looks like interest rates are on the way up. Currently, the RBA have interest rates at 3.75% and economists are predicting a rise to 4.75% before the end of 2010.
Here is a summary of what we can expect for 2010 from the latest news headlines.
- We can expect higher interest rates at the end of the year. Some economists are predicting a rate rise of at least 1 percent
- Banks are still going to complain about higher funding costs and are likely to increase rates higher than the recommended increases stated by the Reserve Bank of Australia. However, this may limit cash rate hikes implemented by the RBA
- Rents are likely to rise in 2010 due to the housing shortage
- Loan defaults are likely to rise as interest rates increase catching out many first home buyers
- Many more to come….
As for the predictions mentioned above they are more likely to happen than not, however, the economy is a living breathing beast and where it leads it is any ones guess.
Interest Rates Steady at 3%
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left interest rates on hold this month, as anticipated by many economic experts.
The RBA have left room to move for further rate cuts if the Australian economy retracts.
We have to wait and see how the Australian economy stands up to this current global financial crisis. For now we should enjoy the lowest interest rates in 50 years and see what the future has install.
Current Lender Specials
Filed under: Current Mortgage Specials, First Home Buyer, Home Loans, Interest Rates
Below are current specials offered by various lenders.
Commonwealth Bank – 3 Year Rate Saver – $0 loan service fee for new borrowing
Homeloans – $0 upfront for their Premium Full Doc Loan
St George Basic Variable – Low rate at 4.99%, no up front and ongoing fees for new customers only.
Westpac – .20% discount on all fixed rates under Premier Advanatge Package. Nil upfront fee for Flexi First Option Home Loan for first home buyers.