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Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Westpac drops fixed rates by up to 0.3%

15/09/2008 4:30:00 PM.  | 
Westpac Banking Corporation will drop its fixed mortgage interest rates for both new and existing customers by up to 0.3 per cent from Tuesday.

Fixed interest home and residential investment loan rates will decline across all terms by between 0.2 percentage and 0.3 percentage points, the bank said.

Its one-year fixed mortgage rate will fall to 8.29 per cent, from 8.59 per cent.

Fixed mortgage rates for three, four and five year terms will be cut by 0.2 per cent to 7.99 per cent.

The new rates are available to new mortgage customers wanting a fixed rate and existing customers wanting to shift to a fixed rate mortgage.

Westpac's move comes one week after Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Glenn Stevens made comments about the decoupling of mortgage interest rate movements from changes in the official cash rate.

"There isn't any law that says banks can only adjust interest rates when we (the RBA) do," Mr Stevens told a House of Representatives Economics Committee hearing last Monday.

Westpac has seen a decline in its short term funding costs measured by the 90 day bank bill rate, enabling the savings to be passed on, a Westpac spokesman said.

"Fixed rate loans are set against the yield curve so as you see declines in short term funding - in the 90 day bank bill rate - you can pass on those savings, which we do. It's something we're continually looking at."

But overall funding continues to climb as long-term funding can only be renewed at increasingly higher cost, he added.

Westpac has cut interest rates on fixed rate mortgages three times since July.  These moves have produced a combined decline of up to 1.3 per cent.

Interest rates for credit cards are still under review, a Westpac spokesman said.

Last Thursday ANZ said it will drop its fixed interest mortgage rates for new customers by up to 0.2 per cent on Monday.

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YOUR SAY

Looks like Julie's sister got in first with a shovel.Boy what a smack!!!!!!!!!... Lance Freestone, on Duel of the Jules! Gillard and Bishop get catty

Well done Kevin.Keep that downward pressure on interest rates coming.Australians just love your lower petrol prices and interest rates.Always knew Howard was a liar .Libs... Lance Freestone, on Another big rate cut tipped for Tuesday

Didn't this Liberal admit that she chased her sister with an axe when younger? Now she's an old battle-axe but still no more refined. Maybe... Beyond Ajoke, Voterland on Duel of the Jules! Gillard and Bishop get catty

Very edifying Bolts to see Bishop motioning like a cat.Good stuff ! Thats the way you want to see the potential deputy PM react to... Lance Freestone, on Duel of the Jules! Gillard and Bishop get catty

Never underestimate the stupidity of the electorate !... J Youngster, Sydney on Even Gillard would beat Turnbull: poll