Morning Briefing: Major bank increases variable rates for investors

A major bank has announced changes to its investor and interest-only home lending rates

Morning Briefing: Major bank increases variable rates for investors
ANZ will increase rates on variable home loans for investors and interest-only home loans. 

Variable interest rates for investors will increase by 0.25%pa from 5.60%pa to 5.85%pa, effective 31 March. 

The bank will also introduce new variable interest rates on interest-only home loans. 

For new lending, investor variable rate home loans (interest only) will increase by a further 0.11%pa from 5.85%pa to 5.96%pa. Owner-occupier variable rate home loans (interest only) will increase by 0.20%pa from 5.25%pa to 5.45%pa. Both are effective from 22 April.

For existing lending increases applied to new lending will apply from late July to existing investor and owner-occupier variable home loan customers who choose to repay interest-only. ANZ stated it will be writing to existing interest-only variable home loan customers from May to provide them with advance notice of the change and the option of switching to repay principal and interest on their loan at a lower interest rate without incurring a fee. 

Variable interest rates for the 80% of owner-occupier borrowers who repay principal and interest on their standard variable home loan remain unchanged at 5.25%pa. 

ANZ group executive Australia, Fred Ohlsson said, “The changes we are making in home lending affect investors and borrowers who only repay interest on their loan. These changes reflect a need to closely manage our regulatory obligations, our portfolio risk and the competitive environment. 

"We recognise the day-to-day challenges that home-owners face with their house-hold budgets. We believe this is a balanced decision that reflects the range of regulatory and risk factors, and the pressures on family budgets. 

“This is why we are providing our customers with interest-only home loans additional notice and the option to switch to repaying principal and interest to take advantage of the lower rate,” Ohlsson said.