Brooke Cooper

1 week ago | yourmortgage.com.au | Brooke Cooper

The final home loan rate cuts spurred by the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) 20 May cash rate drop appear to have been passed on. La Trobe Financial was among the slowest movers, passing savings onto most home loan borrowers from 16 June. Interestingly, no lender appears to have refused to pass on the RBA's cut to their broader mortgage book – leaving Virgin Money alone in having done so so far this cycle.

2 weeks ago | yourmortgage.com.au | Brooke Cooper

Among those moving this week were BCU Bank, P&N Bank, and Beyond Bank, while CommBank and its digital lending brand Unloan dropped surprise variable rate cuts. Their moves sees them advertising some of the lowest variable interest rates for property investors in the Your Mortgage database.

2 weeks ago | yourmortgage.com.au | Brooke Cooper

The vast majority of Australian home loan holders turn to the services of mortgage brokers, but the nation's largest lenders may be taking a step back from the service providers and towards digital-only mortgage channels. The big four banks appear to be accelerating their push toward direct-to-consumer lending. Moving away from what S&P Global Ratings calls a "love-hate relationship" with brokers has the potential to benefit borrowers, according to the ratings agency’s latest report.

2 weeks ago | yourmortgage.com.au | Brooke Cooper

The Queensland Government has extended its $30,000 first home owner grant – previously set to fall to $15,000 in a matter of weeks – for another 12 months. The grant is available to those building or buying a new home with a total value of less than $750,000. Initially boosted from $15,000 to $30,000 in November 2023, it was expected to assist around 12,000 first home buyers before expiring on 30 June.

3 weeks ago | yourmortgage.com.au | Brooke Cooper

Westpac was the last of the major lenders to lower mortgage rates following the Reserve Bank's May decision, unveiling variable rates as low as 5.59% p.a. (5.60% p.a. comparison rate*). But it wasn't alone. Several small and mid-tier lenders – including ING – also reduced their home loan rates, with some now advertising variable rates as low as 5.43%. Bank Australia, meanwhile, continues to lead the market with its green-focused home loan rate.