Commonwealth Bank raises fixed rates again, this time by up to 50 bp
For the second time in three weeks, Commonwealth Bank hiked fixed rates across home loans, lifting 2-year interest rates (OO, P&I) as much as 50 bp. This move follows the continued April trend of rate-hike fever, which has affected all four big banks.
The major bank also raised 3- and 4-year rates by 40 basis points and 5-year rates by 20 basis points. Rate hikes will affect both P&I and IO home loans for owner occupiers and investors.
RELATED : Why do investors pay more for a home loan?
The table below shows the new fixed rates on the CBA basic home loan for owner occupiers making P&I repayments.
CBA Fixed Rate Home Loan (OO, P&I) - 12 April 2022
| Term | Increase | Current rate |
| 1-year |
0 bp
|
3.14% p.a (4.57% p.a. comparison rate*)
|
| 2-year | 50 bp | 3.94% p.a. (4.59% p.a. comparison rate*) |
| 3-year | 40 bp | 4.34% p.a. (4.64% p.a. comparison rate*) |
| 4-year | 40 bp | 4.54% p.a. (4.70% p.a. comparison rate*) |
| 5-year | 20 bp | 4.64% p.a. (4.74% p.a. comparison rate*) |
These new rates now represent CBA’s lowest fixed rate home loan option. Comparing their lowest rates with the other Big Four, we can get an idea about where the latest changes place them among the pack.
Big Four fixed rate home loans comparison (OO, P&I) - 12 April 2022
| Bank | Lowest 2-year rate | Lowest 5-year rate |
|
ANZ
|
3.39% p.a. (3.07% p.a. comparison rate*)
|
4.49% p.a. (3.60% p.a. comparison rate*)
|
| NAB | 3.59% p.a. (4.48% p.a. comparison rate*) | 4.59% p.a. (4.68% p.a. comparison rate*) |
| Westpac | 3.44% p.a. (4.52% p.a. comparison rate*) | 4.79% p.a. (4.75% p.a. comparison rate*) |
| CommBank | 3.94% p.a. (4.59% p.a. comparison rate*) | 4.64% p.a. (4.74% p.a. comparison rate*) |
After the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) abandoned its patient stance this month regarding a future rise in the official cash rate, lenders have been scrambling to boost rates back to pre-pandemic levels.
While variable home loans have only seen modest hikes compared to surging fixed home loans, home-buyers may yet see further price jumps by the end of the year.
Given this latest surge, and the increasing frequency of rate hikes, now may be the perfect time to move on a home loan.
If you’re in the market for a home loan, head over to our fixed rate comparison tool to get started.
We’ve also rounded up other property trends to watch out for in 2022, as well as a new guide to off-market buying for those seeking a competitive edge.