Interest rates up another 50 basis points with more hikes to come
Interest rates up another 50 basis points with more hikes to come
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
As was expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised interest rates by another 50 basis points this month.
The fourth rate hike in as many months, today’s decision takes the cash rate from an emergency low of 0.1% to 1.85%.
Since commencing the tightening cycle back on 5 May 2022, the cash rate has risen by 175 basis points; but despite the rapid hike, the cash rate remains well below the pre-COVID decade average of 2.56%.
The RBA is clearly prioritising fighting inflation over supporting the housing sector and any temporary slowdowns in overall economic activity, as the cash rate approaches a contractionary setting later this year.
If house prices fall and mortgage repayments rise, it might help to limit inflation through wealth effects and may also reduce household spending.
The Reserve Bank of Australia believes that inflation will be back at 2-3% by the end of the year and the cash rate may retreat somewhat through the second half of next year.
The cash rate is forecast to peak at 3.32% in March next year and fall back to 2.99% by the end of 2023.
Today’s rate hike, which is likely to flow through in its entirety to variable mortgage rates within a matter of days, paints a weaker picture for the housing sector.
More rate increases to come
Higher interest rates have already had an immediate downside impact on housing values, with CoreLogic’s combined capital cities index peaking shortly after the first-rate on hike in May.
Since that time, dwelling values across the combined capital cities index are down -2.8% to 1 August, after rising 25.5% through the recent upswing.
According to most bank forecasts, the cash rate could rise at least another 75 basis points before peaking.
With this in mind, the decline in housing values is expected to become steeper and geographically more widespread.
Sydney home values are already falling at the fastest pace since at least the early 1980s, with most of that decline (4.8%) occurring since May’s cash rate increase.
Home prices will be influenced by how quickly interest rates rise and how high they go, as well as the performance of the broader economy, available employment opportunities and demographic trends.
As the cash rate finds a ceiling, housing values should find a floor.
Published:Wednesday, 3rd Aug 2022 Source:
Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at curbing potential risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will implement a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending portfolios. This move is designed to address concerns over escalating property prices and accelerated credit growth. - read more
Afterpay, a leading Australian buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) provider, has raised concerns over certain banking practices affecting its users. Reports indicate that some customers were advised to close their BNPL accounts to qualify for mortgages, only to be subsequently offered credit cards by the same financial institutions. - read more
Australia's major banks-Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac, and ANZ-are undergoing a strategic shift by reducing their reliance on mortgage brokers. This move aims to protect profit margins in the face of low interest rates, rising operational costs, and intense competition in the home loan market. - read more
If you are seeking lower rates, lower fees and more flexibility in your home loan. you are in luck! Our national panel of mortgage brokers is looking forward to an opportunity to assist you. Apply online for a free eligibility assessment and one of our broker network refinance specialists will get on the case to track down the best deal for your individual circumstances. Without any obligation and at no charge to you!
A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. It's derived from your credit history, which includes the total amount of debt you have, your payment history, and other financial behaviours. - read more
Welcome to your essential guide on how to navigate the complex world of personal loans in Australia. Whether you're seeking to finance a major purchase, consolidate debt, or cover unexpected costs, understanding the nuts and bolts of personal loans is crucial. In this conversation, we'll shed light on why being credit-savvy is not just smart, but necessary for anyone considering a loan. - read more
Before diving into the world of loans, it's essential to understand why budgeting is crucial. Budgeting provides a clear picture of your financial status, helping to ensure you can meet future loan repayments without undue stress. - read more
Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare
rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!
All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We respect
your
privacy.
Knowledgebase
Credit Default Swap (CDS): A financial derivative or contract that allows an investor to "swap" or offset their credit risk with that of another investor.
