Articles tagged with 'Mortgage Rates'

Rate cuts needed to lift mood

17 April 2024 - The enthusiasm that followed the change in government, mainly from property investors, has waned as homeowners and buyers hang out for interest rate cuts, says Kiwibank.

More pain in store for mortgage holders

16 April 2024 - The latest Reserve Bank figures show 59% of existing mortgages will move onto higher interest rates in the next 12 months.

Interest-only loans spurned as mortgage arrears increase

4 December 2023 - Alongside increased credit demand, mortgage arrears are up 25% year-on-year as households across the country continue to roll from low to high fixed interest rates.

Mortgage interest payments rising rapidly

2 May 2023 - Interest being paid on housing loans across the country in the March quarter hit a high of $3.835 billion, beating the previous high of $3.548 billion in December.

No sense of reality in bank's low rate offers

3 March 2023 - There is a mix of acceptance and irritation among advisers at a series of cheap mortgage deals done by banks 'on the side.'

ANZ changes its call on OCR hikes

20 October 2021 - ANZ has changed its forecasts for the OCR adding in to additional hikes and expecting the cash rate to hit 2%.

Mortgage interest rates: Big step up predicted

7 October 2021 - Mortgage interest rates could be pushing 4% by the end of next year – on one and two year rates – and 4.5% into 2023, says CoreLogic.

Mortgage rates expected to be at 4% plus within a year

1 October 2021 - ASB economists expect mortgage interest rates to be at just over 4% in a year.

Growth in house prices to fall significantly next year

27 September 2021 - House price inflation is expected to fall back to single-digit levels next year.

Advisers angered by new BNZ pricing conditions

24 September 2021 - BNZ has introduced new pricing conditions for the broker channel and will no longer guarantee mortgage rate offers during their five day validity period. 

Investors continue to shy away from buying more property

23 September 2021 - A net 56% of mortgage advisers are seeing fewer investors stepping forward for mortgage advice, data from the First Mortgage Trust and Tony Alexander September survey shows.

October rate increases to follow recent moves

23 September 2021 - Banks are poised to raise interest rates further next month despite a wave of increases in recent weeks.

Westpac and BNZ follow with lockdown rate hikes

20 September 2021 - Westpac and BNZ are the latest big banks to make significant mortgage rate increases, hiking prices by up to 30 basis points.

Major rate hikes at big four banks

16 September 2021 - ASB has hiked mortgage rates by up to 30 basis points this morning, a significant move likely to trigger further market increases. ANZ has also raised pricing on a range of fixed terms.

Mortgage rates have troughed: ASB

15 September 2021 - Mortgage rates have hit their low point in this cycle and the next move is up despite the latest Covid outbreak, say ASB economists.

OCR hike likely despite lockdown: ANZ

13 September 2021 - The Reserve Bank is likely to stick to its guns and hike the official cash rate by 25 basis points next month despite Auckland's ongoing lockdown, according to ANZ economists.

Government torpedoes fail to sink housing market

13 September 2021 - Despite the Government’s best intentions and policy shifts Kiwi’s positive expectations of house price growth are hard to sink.

Special mortgage rates flat in August

8 September 2021 - Special mortgage rates held steady in August following a significant increase between June to July, according to new Reserve Bank data.

ANZ hikes rates ahead of RBNZ decision

17 August 2021 - ANZ has raised its fixed home loan rates by between 10 and 30 basis points ahead of the Reserve Bank's expected rate hike tomorrow.

Long-term mortgages becoming more attractive

10 August 2021 - Fixing long-term home loans could be a more attractive strategy for borrowers as the Reserve Bank plans sharp rate hikes, according to a new report.

Reserve Bank gets serious about 'risky lending'

3 August 2021 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is looking at ways to tighten up mortgage lending standards in another effort to slow down a rampant housing market.

Client concern over rate rises

20 July 2021 - Clients have raised concerns with advisers about the rising interest rate environment, with home loan rates expected to increase further over the rest of the year.

Kiwibank cuts two-year rate, raises others

16 July 2021 - Kiwibank has slashed its two-year fixed mortgage by six basis points but has raised its variable rate, revolving credit rate, and 1,3,4, and 5 year terms.

Rate hikes: ANZ, BNZ and Westpac follow ASB

16 July 2021 - ANZ, BNZ and Westpac have followed ASB in hiking short and long-term mortgage rates as home loans move up from record lows.

OCR reaction: higher interest rates expected

14 July 2021 - Economists predict the Reserve Bank will soon opt to lift the official cash rate as inflationary pressures grow.

ASB hikes rates across the board

14 July 2021 - ASB has become the first major bank to hike interest rates across the board as New Zealand's economic outlook improves.

Investors urged to bolt in long-term rates

13 July 2021 - With high inflation just around the corner, ANZ Bank, the country’s biggest mortgage lender, says mortgaged property investors would be wise to fix at least some of their borrowings at longer-term rates.

Housing market ‘stronger than a month ago’

12 July 2021 - Independent economist Tony Alexander has broken down the rampant housing market into layers to help investors understand where the market is headed.

Mortgage strategy dilemma

9 July 2021 - Borrowers could be better off fixing low-cost short term mortgages and rolling them over a five year horizon, despite expectations of rising interest rates, according to ASB.

Housing streaks past $1.5 trillion but growth stalling

1 July 2021 - Growth in house prices is starting to fall but at a snail’s pace.

Housing price growth slows: CoreLogic

1 July 2021 - House price inflation began to slow in June according to CoreLogic data, declining to 1.8% over the past month.

Borrowers can handle higher interest rates: ASB

29 June 2021 - Kiwi households should be able to cope with rising interest rates but recent first home buyers could face a squeeze, according to ASB.

Fix rates now bank urges

23 June 2021 - Dampening investor demand isn’t slowing the monthly pace of house price inflation, says ANZ’s latest Property Focus.

Short term rates continue to drop

8 June 2021 - New Zealand's biggest lenders continue to cut short term fixed rates despite the growing prospect of a higher official cash rate in 2022.

Long-term rates an attractive strategy

26 May 2021 - Mortgage borrowers could be better off locking in long-term loans ahead of potential increases in the official cash rate in 2022, according to economists at ANZ. 

Heartland launches 1.85% mortgage

12 May 2021 - Heartland Bank has slashed its one year fixed mortgage and sharpened its floating rates as the lender puts more pressure on the big four.

SBS one-year rate down to near market lows

10 May 2021 - Downward pressure continues in the mortgage market – SBS Bank has slashed its one-year fixed home loan to 2.19%, the third lowest rate in New Zealand.

Fixing still in borrowers best interests

22 March 2021 - The entire structure of average mortgage rates sits at record lows – but ANZ is warning borrowers nothing lasts forever.

Time to lock in long-term rates?

8 March 2021 - Record low mortgage rates will remain in place for much of this year, but some borrowers could be better off locking in long-term loans, say ASB economists.

Rising rates to end housing boom

3 March 2021 - Westpac economists predict rising mortgage rates will put an end to the NZ housing boom.

Have mortgage rates troughed?

11 February 2021 - The strength of the New Zealand economy could mean home loan rates have troughed in this cycle, according to economists at ASB. 

Sub 2% for HSBC

10 February 2021 - HSBC has launched a 1.99% mortgage rate for 12 and 18-month fixed home loans, one of the cheapest ever offered in New Zealand.

The Co-operative pushes for first home buyers

28 January 2021 - The Co-operative Bank is taking on the big four with a new 2.09% mortgage rate for first home buyers, amid strong competition for prime borrowers.

ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank slash rates

22 January 2021 - ASB and BNZ have joined their big four rivals in slashing their one year special rates to 2.29%, while Kiwibank has also made cuts, as downward pressure continues in the home loan market. 

Mortgage price wars heat up

20 January 2021 - ANZ has followed Westpac in slashing its one year special rate to 2.29%, the joint lowest "big four" rate in the market. 

Lowest-ever big bank rate from Westpac

11 January 2021 - Westpac has launched the lowest ever big four bank rate, unveiling a new one-year mortgage at 2.29%.

How low will one and two-year rates go?

16 November 2020 - While the official cash rate looks less likely to go negative, economists predict one and two year fixed mortgages will fall to about 2% in the next year.

How low could mortgage rates go?

28 October 2020 - With the Reserve Bank poised to offer more support to the economy, ASB economists predict home loan rates will plummet further into the new year.

The $50 billion idea that will push down home loan rates

23 October 2020 - ANZ economists predict the Reserve Bank's funding for lending programme (FLP), designed to push down interest rates, could hit $50 billion.

Negative OCR still needed - Westpac

20 October 2020 - Despite fears of an overheated housing market, Westpac economists believe the Reserve Bank will still need to lower the official cash rate next year.

Something’s gotta give on prices

16 October 2020 - House prices are on a relentless march upwards and BNZ is warning that “over-zealous investors” could push them to non-sustainable levels.

Market correction? Don’t hold your breath.

14 October 2020 - The economic fallout from Covid-19 was supposed to lead to a housing market correction. It hasn’t – and now ASB says prices are only going to keep climbing.

Q&A: Why Heartland launched a sub-2% rate

12 October 2020 - Heartland has launched New Zealand's lowest ever mortgage rate. Here's why the group is taking on the big banks.

Heartland launches market-leading 1.99% mortgage

12 October 2020 - Heartland has relaunched its direct-to-consumer mortgage with a record-low one year rate of 1.99%. 

Four ways low rates have boosted the market

9 October 2020 - Independent economist Tony Alexander says there are four ways that low interest rates can explain the "current and coming market strength".

Are returning Kiwis really a market driver?

6 October 2020 - Returning New Zealanders have been touted as a major driver of housing demand going forward, but some think the flood has ended – and that will impact on the market.

Southland is tops for investors

25 September 2020 - It seems you can’t just beat Southland for high performing investment properties, with the region coming up trumps yet again in a new REINZ report.

What the Reserve Bank's latest move means for housing

24 September 2020 - The Reserve Bank’s programme to lend directly to retail banks could be ready soon. If it is, that’s likely to mean lower interest rates on loans – and more support for the housing market.

High demand keeps pushing prices up

18 September 2020 - Treasury might be expecting house prices to fall - but market data suggests otherwise, with Trade Me Property’s August data the latest to show rising prices and high demand.

COMMENT: Never a right time to invest – why buyers need to act now

16 September 2020 - New Zealanders who are apprehensive about buying property should be spurred on to take the jump as record low mortgage rates and a lesson from the current world backdrop settle in, argues iConsult’s Satyan Mehra*.

Expect house prices to keep rising - Westpac

14 September 2020 - House prices are set to keep going up rather than down, one of the big banks now says – after reversing its earlier predictions of price declines.

Interest rates, not bargains, driving investors

9 September 2020 - Investors’ hopes of picking up a property bargain in the post-Covid market are fading, the latest joint survey from REINZ and economist Tony Alexander...

Sub-2% mortgages to boost house prices: ASB

26 August 2020 - Home loan rates will plummet to 2% in the next year, with low rates set to push up house prices, according to ASB.

Covid-19 return could derail market boom

14 August 2020 - The housing market was booming in July with price and sales up nationwide, new REINZ data shows, but the return of Covid-19 raises questions of how the market will fare going forward.

COMMENT: It’s not all doom & gloom

30 July 2020 - Uncertainty still casts its shadow over the property market but there are factors that could see a brighter outlook than some expect, writes CoreLogic's Kelvin Davidson.*.

Covid crisis will impact on market - in time

21 July 2020 - ASB continues to expect a 6% decline in nationwide house prices – even though the Covid-19 prompted economic adjustment to date been less severe than most expected.

ASB eases servicing criteria

20 July 2020 - ASB Bank has eased its lending servicing criteria after cutting home loan rates for high LVR borrowers last week.

Investors not rushing to sell

9 July 2020 - There is no rush of investors looking to sell their properties in the post-Covid-19 market, according to the second joint survey from REINZ and economist Tony Alexander.

Why the future is not bleak for the housing market

3 July 2020 - Uncertainty continues to cast its shadow over the housing market but economist Tony Alexander has put together a list of reasons which offset the negatives and mean the market remains well-supported.

Are sub-2% mortgages on the way?

30 June 2020 - Mortgage rates could fall below 2% as the government and Reserve Bank move to push down borrowing costs, according to a leading fund manager.

Kiwibank ramps up pressure on rivals

26 June 2020 - Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich says the bank's home lending enquiries have risen by 30% since it cut floating rates, and has called on rivals to follow suit.  

SuperCity yields improving

25 June 2020 - Investors take note - record low mortgage rates mean the yields on Auckland rental properties are starting to look more attractive.

Resimac cuts specialist floating rates

23 June 2020 - Non-bank lender Resimac has slashed rates across its range of specialist home loans, while also cutting its servicing rate. 

QE could push mortgage rates even lower: ASB

17 June 2020 - Further quantitative easing from the Reserve Bank would push mortgage rates even lower, according to economists at ASB.

Kiwibank cuts 1% from floating rates, rivals cut fixed rates

11 June 2020 - Kiwibank has slashed 1% from its floating rate home and business loans, while ANZ and ICBC have made further cuts to their mortgage offerings.

TSB relaunches price-match offer

29 May 2020 - TSB has revived its home loan price-match offer, vowing to offer rates in line with the big-four banks.

Tough servicing tests remain

29 May 2020 - Advisers have called on banks to lower servicing test rates as home loans plummet to record lows.

Reserve Bank governor believes rates can go lower

27 May 2020 - Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr believes banks have "room to go" to push home loan rates below current record lows.

Price expectations spiral down

27 May 2020 - Housing confidence has been dealt a hefty blow by the Covid-19 crisis with house price expectations plummeting to new lows.

Kiwibank smashes record with 2.65% home loan

22 May 2020 - Mortgage rates continue to plummet to record-lows, with Kiwibank launching a one-year home loan at 2.65%.

Markets price in negative interest rates

18 May 2020 - Financial markets have priced in an increased chance of a negative official cash rate after the Reserve Bank mooted the idea last week.

OCR reaction: Reserve Bank open to lower, negative rates

13 May 2020 - Economists say that the Reserve Bank has left the door open to lower or even negative rates, as it kept the official cash rate on hold in its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) today.

Westpac goes sub 3%, The Co-operative Bank cuts rates

12 May 2020 - Westpac has slashed its two year special home loan to 2.99%, becoming the latest major bank to drop below the 3% mark, while The Co-operative has also cut mortgage rates.

Out now: Latest issue of TMM

8 April 2020 - Covid-19 means we have to find new ways of doing things. With our printers being forced to close as a "non-essential" service, we are sending...

Bank margins under pressure: KPMG

1 April 2020 - Bank margins are under pressure amid record low interest rates and lenders may not be able to cut mortgage rates much further, according to a new report from KPMG.

Westpac latest to cut fixed rates

23 March 2020 - Westpac is the fourth bank to cut fixed rates after last week's official cash rate cut, dropping its one year term to 3.09%.

Kiwibank cuts one year fixed rate

19 March 2020 - Kiwibank is the second bank to slash fixed rates after the Reserve Bank's OCR cut, dropping its one year to 3.09%.

ANZ launches record-low major bank rate

18 March 2020 - ANZ has slashed its fixed rate mortgages, launching the lowest ever one year rate offered by a major bank.

Banks weigh up fixed rate cuts

17 March 2020 - Most borrowers are yet to benefit from the Reserve Bank's OCR cut, but banks say they are weighing up cuts to fixed rate mortgages. 

What coronavirus means for property investors

16 March 2020 - Welcome to Fortress New Zealand. The coronavirus crisis means that strict travel bans are now in force and a recession is expected. So what does that mean for property investors going forward?

Banks pass on floating rate cuts after OCR decision

16 March 2020 - Major banks have passed on rate cuts of 0.75% to floating rate borrowers following the Reserve Bank's emergency rate decision.

OCR cut: advisers predict slowdown

16 March 2020 - The Reserve Bank's decision to lower the official cash rate to 0.25% is good news for borrowers, but advisers fear Covid-19 will significantly slow activity in the housing market.

Mortgage rate drop will be minor: ASB

10 March 2020 - Borrowers will only see "minor" decreases in mortgage rates if the Reserve Bank cuts the official cash rate, according to economists at ASB. 

Will mortgage rates fall much further?

9 March 2020 - An official cash rate cut looks increasing likely amid the Covid-19 outbreak, but economists doubt mortgage rates will drop much further than current levels.

When will mortgage wars end?

19 February 2020 - Aggressive price competition for mortgages may come to an end soon as the Reserve Bank's new capital rules kick in, according to a report from KPMG.

Low rates until 2022

17 February 2020 - ASB economists predict the next OCR tightening cycle will start in early 2022, with interest rates on hold throughout this year and next year.

Rising house prices glossed over in MPS

13 February 2020 - New Zealand’s housing market is rebounding strongly but the Reserve Bank barely mentioned it in Wednesday’s Monetary Policy Statement (MPS). That’s left one economist asking why.

BNZ targets investor market

24 January 2020 - BNZ has dropped investor home loan rates to the same level as owner-occupier rates, as competition for a resurgent investor market heats up.

Highest sales in December for three years

16 January 2020 - New Zealand’s property market ended the decade on a high with new REINZ data putting sales at their highest volume in years and median prices up around the country.

COMMENT: What lies ahead in 2020?

3 January 2020 - It’s that time of year when we are all contemplating what the year ahead has in store… So here’s GRA managing director Matthew Gilligan’s property market predictions for 2020.

Strong market upturn picked for 2020

18 December 2019 - Expect price growth to hit 7% by April 2020 as the housing market continues its emphatic upturn, Westpac’s chief economist says.

Record prices see upturn gathering pace

13 December 2019 - New Zealand’s housing market resurgence continues to gain momentum with the latest REINZ data showing record prices around the country.

Buyer sentiment at seven year high

9 December 2019 - Housing market expectations have improved significantly in ASB’s latest Housing Confidence Survey – and record low interest rates are playing a major part in that.

Putting the RBNZ's new capital rules into perspective

6 December 2019 - There's been a lot written about the Reserve Bank's new capital rules for banks and some of it seems to miss the mark. Here's Tarawera Publishing managing director, Philip Macalister's, take after hearing from the governor yesterday.

Rate cuts continue despite RBNZ decision

2 December 2019 - Lenders continue to cut mortgage rates as the property market heads into the summer, despite the Reserve Bank's decision to keep the official cash rate on hold. 

Mortgage rates may be at cycle low: ASB

20 November 2019 - Take note, investors: It is "quite possible" fixed rate mortgages have hit their lowest point in this cycle, according to economists at ASB.

Mortgage rates may be at cycle low: ASB

18 November 2019 - It is "quite possible" fixed rate mortgages have hit their lowest point in this cycle, according to economists at ASB.

Kiwibank slashes one-year mortgage to new low

15 November 2019 - Kiwibank has cut its one-year fixed term to 3.39%, a new low, despite the OCR remaining on hold.

Record low rates fuel market resurgence

6 November 2019 - A widespread resurgence in value growth of late means that all eyes are now on the Reserve Bank’s next OCR call which could give the market another push.

Westpac predicts OCR will be put on hold

31 October 2019 - Westpac economists have broken ranks with rival commentators by predicting the Official Cash Rate will be put on hold next week.

Mortgage rates fall by 1.2% in 18 months: ASB

29 October 2019 - Mortgage rates have fallen from 0.6%-1.2% over the past 18 months, but borrowers should plan to deal with higher interest in the long run, according to ASB.

LVR loosening likely - ANZ

23 October 2019 - LVR restrictions were never meant to be a permanent feature of New Zealand’s housing market and ANZ economists argue that some further relaxing of them could soon be on the cards.

Return to market form

15 October 2019 - There’s been a rallying of the market with the latest REINZ data showing both sales volumes and median house prices noticeably up with the onset of Spring.

Price wars continue with ANZ rate cuts

14 October 2019 - Borrowers are set to enjoy even lower mortgage rates after ANZ slashed its fixed rate options to new lows.

Avanti latest to cut rates

4 October 2019 - Avanti is the latest non-bank to cut mortgage rates for borrowers, as prices continue to drop across the market.

Signs of life in market

2 October 2019 - They might be tentative but there are signs the property market is strengthening with new QV data showing that most main urban areas have seen a lift in values.

Resimac cuts rates and lowers servicing test

1 October 2019 - Non-bank lender Resimac has cut floating and fixed mortgage rates as well as easing its servicing test for borrowers.

LVR limits slow down investors

26 September 2019 - LVR speed limits continue to have a "strong effect" on investors, according to CoreLogic, after the latest Reserve Bank data showed a drop in investor borrowing.

Upward pressure on mortgage rates: ANZ

24 September 2019 - Borrowers still face upward pressure on mortgage rates despite a lower-for-longer outlook on the Official Cash Rate, according to economists at ANZ.

No stopping Capital price rises

23 September 2019 - There’s no sign of a slow-down in Wellington’s property prices with Trade Me Property’s latest data showing that asking prices continue to rise solidly.

Bluestone cuts variable rate

19 September 2019 - Non-bank lender Bluestone has passed on cuts of up to 40 basis points after the Reserve Bank’s Official Cash Rate cut last month.

Sales fall highlights sluggish market

13 September 2019 - The Reserve Bank’s dramatic OCR cut in August was meant to prompt a pick-up in the housing market but new REINZ data shows sales have slumped again.

Decline in value growth slows

4 September 2019 - Property value growth nationwide has been waning for months. But now QV’s latest data suggests the rate of decline is starting to ease up.

Hints of market resurgence

3 September 2019 - Lower interest rates are prompting renewed interest in the property market with Realestate.co.nz reporting a surge of activity in August.

Mortgage servicing rate cuts

2 September 2019 - Several banks have cut their servicing rates recently, with more expected to follow, and advisers believe such changes will mean more for borrowers than low rates do.

Spreads between lenders widens

30 August 2019 - For something new today we have produced a graph comparing Special rates from three New Zealand-owned banks, Kiwibank, SBS and TSB as well as HSBC. It shows there is a wide range of rates on offer.

Are property investors returning to the market?

26 August 2019 - Property investors are said to be returning to the housing market, CoreLogic says but, if they are, it’s not evident in the Reserve Bank’s latest mortgage lending data.

Housing market confidence growing

26 August 2019 - The housing market could be turning a corner as a new ASB survey shows that price expectations and buyer confidence are both on the rise.

Low rates boost NZ’s housing affordability

21 August 2019 - Declining house prices and low interest rates have improved housing affordability across New Zealand over the first half of 2019, a new report from Moody’s Investors Service shows.

A tale of two cities prices

20 August 2019 - Asking prices in Auckland continue to decline while Wellington’s asking prices are still running hot, according to the latest Trade Me Property Price Index.

ASB: Rates may not get much lower

19 August 2019 - Mortgage rates are unlikely to move in "lock-step" with future Official Cash Rate cuts and will only fall "slightly" from current levels, according to economists at ASB Bank. 

Stronger market on the cards

13 August 2019 - Those predicting a property market crash might have to reconsider as the latest REINZ data reveals signs of an improving market nationwide, including an increase in sales activity.

Advisers call for servicing test rethink for borrowers

12 August 2019 - Advisers believe banks should adapt their servicing tests for borrowers after the Official Cash Rate plunged to 1%.

Improvements in affordability nationwide

9 August 2019 - Lack of affordability has long been a problem for New Zealand’s housing market, but a new report suggests the tide could be turning.

OCR cut could prompt housing market upturn

8 August 2019 - The Reserve Bank’s decision to slash the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.5% to a historic low of 1.0% has shocked the financial community, but what could it mean for the housing market?

Investor confidence in property softens

5 August 2019 - There have been some positive housing market developments of late but they haven’t served to boost investor confidence about residential rental property.

Auckland consents hit all time high

30 July 2019 - The Super City has seen the number of new dwelling consents being issued surge to a record high - but economists believe house building activity is nearing its peak.

OCR cut almost certain: BNZ

29 July 2019 - The Reserve Bank is “almost certain” to cut the Official Cash Rate to a record new low next week, according to BNZ economists.

It’s all about supply

19 July 2019 - New Zealand’s housing shortage is getting worse, not better, and that’s why huge price falls are unlikely going forward, according to Kiwibank economists.

It’s not just about mortgage rates

24 June 2019 - Historically low mortgage rates might boost the housing market but they are not the only factor at play in the market, according to ASB economists.

Regional markets step up the pace

14 June 2019 - [UPDATED] Price growth in regional housing markets has stepped it up again with Gisborne accelerating at the front of the pack, new REINZ data shows.

Market rebound coming - Westpac

13 June 2019 - The cancellation of a capital gains tax combined with lower mortgage rates will be game changing for the housing market, believes Westpac’s chief economist.

Manage your value expectations

6 June 2019 - Property owners thinking of selling up are being told to manage their expectations as the latest QV data highlights that New Zealand’s housing market is slowing, but steady.

Golden rates age set to last

28 May 2019 - There’s no need to worry about interest rates in connection to mortgage debt for the next few years, according to Kiwibank’s chief economist.

Don’t count on a market upturn

17 May 2019 - It’s been a spectacular run for the market but this property cycle has done its dash and recent positive developments aren’t likely to cause a major upturn, one top economist says.

NZ sales on downbound train

14 May 2019 - There’s no escaping the downward trend in sales exposed by new REINZ data but some commentators believe last week’s OCR cut could counter the fall.

OCR cut to boost market

9 May 2019 - New Zealand has never seen the Official Cash Rate (OCR) go so low. Now commentators are saying it will reignite the cooling embers of the property market.

Regional value stars in slow market

1 May 2019 - Looking for growth areas in a modest market? New QV data shows that smaller, regional markets like Gisborne and Horowhenua are turning in the best performances.

New flames to fan housing market

18 April 2019 - The demise of the capital gains tax proposal and record low mortgage rates will led to a pick-up in housing demand and boost the market, ASB economists say.

Low mortgage rates vs CGT

16 April 2019 - Plunging mortgage rates will stimulate the housing market but it is the prospect of tax change that will have the bigger market impact, Westpac’s chief economist says.

Small banks take fight to the big guys

18 March 2019 - In rates news Kiwibank has brought back its two-year Special of 3.99% (Westpac pulled its one-year 3.99% rate last week). Meanwhile, TSB has extended its...

Record profit for banks, but mortgage rates could rise: KPMG

13 February 2019 - New Zealand’s banks made a bumper $5.77 billion profit last year, but could be forced to push up mortgage rates because of the Reserve Bank’s capital adequacy proposals, says KPMG.

Some rates up, some down; What to expect from the Reserve Bank this week

11 February 2019 - Interesting rate changes to report today. HSBC has resumed its competitive position with some sharp fixed rate home loans. Meanwhile Kiwibank has gone...

HSBC drops rates to 3.95%

8 February 2019 - HSBC is the latest lender to drop rates, cutting its one, two and three year interest rates to 3.95%

OCR Preview: caution expected from the Reserve Bank

8 February 2019 - Economists do not believe the OCR will change next week, but predict the Reserve Bank will take a cautious stance on future growth, with a number of headwinds for New Zealand and the global economy.

The outlook for 2019

3 January 2019 - 2019 is set to be a year of massive change as the Government’s suite of housing and tax policies start to bed in. Here’s what property market commentators have to say on the coming year…

RBNZ proposals will slow credit growth: Kiwibank

17 December 2018 - Reserve Bank proposals for banks to hold significantly more cash on their balance sheets will lead to slower credit growth and rising interest rates, Kiwibank economists have warned.

Rates fall boosting housing market - Westpac

15 November 2018 - Mortgage rates have fallen to record lows recently and the housing market is perking up as result – but it won’t last, Westpac’s chief economist says.

House buyer sentiment hits 5 year high

12 November 2018 - Growing numbers of New Zealanders think the times are improving for those wanting to buy a house, ASB’s latest Housing Confidence Survey shows.

COMMENT: Have we hit the bottom?

25 October 2018 - It looks like New Zealand's property market may have reached a floor, and the worst could be over for property market activity, argues CoreLogic's head of research Nick Goodall. 

Housing affordability improves

18 October 2018 - Falling house prices and historically low mortgage rates have led to an improvement in housing affordability around New Zealand.

HSBC does the limbo again

8 October 2018 - HSBC has lowered the bar on home loan rates and is gone even further below the 4% mark. I has taken another 14 points off its already market leading rate...

Alternative lending options

2 October 2018 - There are no rate changes today so we wanted to share this article with you. It's about a second mortgage option and where to potentially take a deal when...

Rates continue to tumble; Mike Pero and co swap war for love

1 October 2018 - First up rates news. ANZ have shaved four basis points off its one-year rates. That may not seem like much but it puts them at the top of the table, behind...

Big start to the week; New owners at MX

24 September 2018 - Lots of news to kick off the week. First up, an Australian dealer group has taken a 50% stake in Mortgage Express. Here's the first of our stories on who...

Kiwibank one-year special to rise

31 August 2018 - Kiwibank's one-year fixed home loan special, at 3.99 percent, is set to end this weekend, as the bank reverts to its standard interest rate.

First home buyers strong, investors return in July

29 August 2018 - The latest Reserve Bank lending data shows first time buyer activity remained strong in July, with property investors making a tentative comeback.

Rates keep falling

20 August 2018 - The latest Reserve Bank OCR announcement has significantly changed the outlook for interest rates. Last week we saw some big cuts to long term rates, today...

Owner-occupiers better protected; Latest house price stats

17 July 2018 - There's some interesting research out from the Reserve Bank which shows people with owner-occupied mortgages are better protected from risks now thanks...

More rate cuts; Are Special rates misleading?

2 July 2018 - The week starts with more home loan rate cuts. Those to join the party are Kiwibank and SBS. Both lenders have matched the market leading 4.19% rate for...

Interest rates not likely to move for a long time

29 June 2018 - Yesterday's OCR announcement was no change as expected, but there is now a greater chance that the next move, whenever it is, may actually be a cut. To...

ANZ matches leader

21 June 2018 - ANZ has reduced some of its fixed rate home loans, matching the cuts which ASB made last week.  [Here's how ANZ stack up on the two-year term] ...

Lender cuts rates; Guilty verdict over $54mill mortgage fraud

18 June 2018 - There are no rate changes from lenders in our table, however one of the peer to peer lenders, Lending Crowd, has cut some of its rates. [DETAILS HERE] In...

ASB cuts and moves up the table; Kepa has new CEO

14 June 2018 - ASB and Sovereign have cut the rates on one and two year home loans as well as to the 18-month term. Its two-year Special rate matches the move made by...

NZCU Baywide widens lending criteria

7 June 2018 - Hawke's Bay credit union NZCU Baywide has increased its LVR limit to 95% and will now lend borrowers up to $600,000.  [Read On] ...

RESIMAC makes cuts on big growth; Reviewing the new-look RBNZ

11 May 2018 - Non-bank lender RESIMAC has unveiled a series of interest rate cuts on its home loan products after experiencing record growth in April.  [READ ON] New...

Applause for OCR call

10 May 2018 - New Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has earned plaudits from economists for his first OCR announcement this morning – even though the decision itself was not a surprise.

OCR Unchanged; What Orr said

10 May 2018 - Adrian Orr has made his first OCR comments. Here is what he said. [READ ON] His first press conference starts at 10am and we will live stream it. You can...

What's likely to be in this week's OCR announcement

7 May 2018 - This week we get the first OCR announcement from new Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr. To find out what economists are expecting  [READ ON] Later...

A floating rate rises; New mortgage cover

30 April 2018 - In somewhat of a surprise move HSBC has increased its floating and variable rates by 10 basis points. It's the first time we have seen a floating rate...

The problem with interest-only; CWG feedback wanted

28 March 2018 - In the news today we take a look at the problems advisers are having with Interest-only loans. [Read On] Regulation is the big issue facing financial advisers...

Spirit of caution in OCR call

22 March 2018 - Don’t expect interest rates to start rising anytime soon as the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave the OCR at 1.75% today makes it clear they remain on hold.

Kiwibank cuts Special only

12 March 2018 - Kiwibank has moved to lower its two-year rate, but the 16 basis point cut is only being made to its Special rate. The standard carded rate remains at 5...

There's more to a home loan than the rate

27 February 2018 - HSBC has launched a market-leading headline rate but limited cashback component, say brokers.

Lending criteria to ease, rates to rise

22 February 2018 - Tight bank lending conditions are expected to ease as credit growth continues to slow, global ratings agency Standard & Poors says.

New leading 5-year rate; Bagrie is back

20 February 2018 - SBS has joined in the part and made some cuts to a number of fixed rates. While the shorter term durations match competitors it has taken the lead in the...

Westpac shaves one-year rate

7 February 2018 - Westpac has joined in and taken 14 basis points off its one-year Special rate.  [Here is the rates table sorted on the one-year term lowest to highest] ...

The first rate change for the year

22 January 2018 - SBS has become the first lender to make a change to home loan rates this year with a slight drop to its one-year Special. It's not quite the lowest in...

Non-bank lender changes hands

15 January 2018 - Welcome to the first newsletter of the year. It's still pretty quiet in lending land at the moment.  Over Christmas we found out that General Finance,...

Ups and downs to end the week

8 December 2017 - We've had two banks makes changes to rates. The Co-operative Bank has taken 16 basis points of both its four and five year rates. ASB, and Sovereign, have...

Revealing stats from specialist lender

4 December 2017 - Specialist lender RESIMAC has just turned five. In this news story we look at some of the interesting lending stats from the first five years. [READ ON] ...

Westpac makes a little change

1 December 2017 - The week winds to its conclusion with Westpac making a small reduction in its two-year Special rate. It joins BNZ and The Co-operative Bank which have...

Westpac takes the cap off; Kiwibank cuts

24 November 2017 - It continues to be very quiet in terms of changes to home loan rates. However, Kiwibank has today taken 10 basis points off two of its special rates, but...

New look; BNZ rolls out electronic lodgement

14 November 2017 - We've given our newsletters a bit of a revamp to make them easier to ready. This week there have been a couple of rate changes; BNZ and SBS have both made...

Kiwibank cuts mid and long term rates

30 October 2017 - Kiwibank has reduced its three and five year fixed rates 10 and 30 basis points respectively. To see how its three-year rate now stacks up against its...

Westpac meets the market with two-year rate

25 October 2017 - Westpac has changed its two-year Special rate, but all it does is bring it into line with the majority of its competitors - details here ...

One low rate replaced with another - details here

24 October 2017 - HSBC's super low special rate of 3.87% has ended, however TSB has rolled out a market leading three-year rate of 4.79%. Here's the table sorted on that...

ASB's turn; New (old) lender returns

3 October 2017 - ASB and Sovereign have cut their one-year Special rate to 4.39%. Also, an Australian non-bank lender is returning to the New Zealand market [Read On] ...

HSBC launches sub 4% home loan rate

2 October 2017 - After a week of no home loan rate changes we now have three banks moving - and one big time. HSBC has introduced an 18-month which is less than 4% special,...

Three terms lowered at The Co-operative Bank

20 September 2017 - The Co-operative Bank has lowered interest rates on its 18-month, two and three year fixed rates. The changes leave it handily placed on the rates table...

ANZ changes

19 September 2017 - ANZ has decreased three rates and added one new special. Its standard two and three year rates are down six and 10 points respectively. Likewise it has...

SBS down; BNZ up

18 September 2017 - BNZ has hiked its two-year Classic rate 10 basis points while SBS has gone in the opposite direction and taken 10 points off its two-year fixed rates....

A rise against the falls

11 September 2017 - We have seen some rates fall slightly in the past week or so, but now Kiwibank has hiked its one-year Special 10 basis points. It does have a pretty big...

New norm for two-year Specials

4 September 2017 - BNZ has today shaved 10 basis points off its two-year Classic home loan product, matching other banks who have cut this rate recently. In this space Westpac...

Two-year cut labelled pre-Election Special

28 August 2017 - Kiwibank has lowered its two-year Special rate 14 points to 4.65%, calling it a pre-Election special. Its carded rate sits at 5.15%. As you will see here,...

One four year fall

21 August 2017 - We start the week with SBS lowering its four-year Special to 5.49%.  It's an interesting move as four year rates never seem that popular and not all...

One little change

18 August 2017 - The Co-operative Bank has joined others and lowered its two-year fixed rate. [Details Here] ...

Suddenly two-year rates get interesting

17 August 2017 - Today ANZ and Westpac have cut their standard and Special two-year fixed rates. ANZ has taken 10 points off each term which put it into a pretty handy...

DTIs dead in the water; Co-op Bank lowers rates

16 August 2017 - Prime Minister Bill English has ruled out allowing the Reserve Bank to bring in debt-to-income ratios. It had suggested limiting loans to no more than...

Co-Op bank goes long while others short

2 August 2017 - The Co-operative Bank has pushed its four and five year rates down by 10 basis points each for its Owner-Occupied and Standard products. This is contrast...

Finally, mortgage rate moves

1 August 2017 - It's been a long time between drinks, but we have finally seen some rate changes. Kiwibank and SBS have hiked their floating rates. Kiwibank's change brings...

ASB follows suit and raises rates

7 July 2017 - ASB and its related entities, Bank Direct and Sovereign, have added 10 basis points to its two, four and five year fixed rates. The increases are to standard...

Hawkish talk foreshadows rate rises

5 July 2017 - Tightening talk is coming from central banks around the world – although not New Zealand’s – and that means more interest rate movement is on the cards.

One up, one down

3 July 2017 - Two banks have moved in opposite directions on their one-year fixed rates. ANZ has increased its standard and special rates 10 basis points while Kiwibank...

Game of watch and wait for OCR

22 June 2017 - Watchful caution is guiding the Reserve Bank’s policy so it will need strong evidence before it makes any change to the OCR, economists say in response to this morning’s OCR call.

TSB's close to market leading rate; OCR preview

19 June 2017 -  Any change to OCR on Thursday would stun economists who are unanimous in thinking that it will be left firmly on hold. [Read On] TSB has dropped...

Verdict in on this week's OCR call

16 June 2017 - Any change to the OCR on Thursday would stun economists who are unanimous in thinking that it will be left firmly on hold.

One little change

31 May 2017 - NZCU Baywide has made changes to its home loan rates, lifting them slightly. ...

RBNZ renews push for DTIs

31 May 2017 - UPDATED: Ongoing risks posed by the housing market mean the Reserve Bank is set to start consulting on the addition of debt-to-income ratios (DTIs) to its policy toolkit.

No changes, so what's the best rate?

22 May 2017 - There continues to be very few changes to home loan rates at the moment. What's the best option currently? Here's what Westpac said in today's economic...

Monthly payment option on reverse mortgages

11 May 2017 - Growing demand for reverse mortgage loans has prompted Heartland Bank to offer its customers a monthly advance payment option.  

Surprise at RBNZ’s OCR outlook

11 May 2017 - The Reserve Bank’s decision to hold the OCR at 1.75% was expected, but economists are surprised at its projection the OCR will remain on hold until late 2019.

Westpac follows ANZ

10 May 2017 - Westpac has increased some home loan rates today and they are very similar to ANZ's moves yesterday. Increases range for six basis points for its two-year...

ANZ and Kiwibank increase rates

9 May 2017 - ANZ has made a raft of changes to rates with terms of 18 months or more. Increases range from six basis points for its two-year rate to 24 points for its...

One lender goes and another removes super low rates

5 May 2017 - Kiwibank-owned NZ Home Loans have decided to no longer advertise interest rates on its website or provide them to comparison sites like Good Returns.  "Our...

Interest-only loans under the spotlight

12 April 2017 - Australia’s interest-only loan crackdown could lead to a tightening up on the rules in New Zealand.  [Read On] ...

Rate rises not prompting action

10 April 2017 - Most mortgage holders expect interest rates to rise this year – but they aren’t planning to do anything about it, new BNZ research reveals.

Lending growth will slow – S&P

6 April 2017 - Recent increases in mortgage rates are set to continue, but this will help ease the risks house price inflation poses to New Zealand banks, Standard & Poors says.

The mortgage rate creep continues

6 April 2017 - Westpac has inched its floating and revolving credit rates up 10 basis points. It seems the lending strategy at the moment is lots of small incremental...

Rate hikes continue to trickle through

4 April 2017 - Today we have Kiwibank inching its one-year rate up 10 basis points. ...

Reaction: OCR - 'Nothing to see here'

23 March 2017 - Interest rates look set to remain low for some time following a Reserve Bank OCR announcement this morning which was as expected and determinedly neutral, according to economists.

OCR left on hold: Here's why

23 March 2017 - The Reserve Bank has left the OCR unchanged. Here is what governor Graeme Wheeler said. [READ ON] ...

ANZ makes just one change

17 March 2017 - ANZ has increased its one-year Special rate 10 basis points today. ...

TSB raises rates

14 March 2017 - TSB has today raised a number of its carded and special rates. ...

What have we learnt this week?

10 March 2017 - Home loans rates have continued to rise and are likely to continue their upward trend. Economists says that on the back of recent data the US Federal Reserve...

Auckland affordability a credit negative - Moodys

8 March 2017 - Poor housing affordability in Auckland is a credit negative for New Zealand covered bonds backed by mortgages in the city, according to a global ratings service.

More changes

8 March 2017 - Home loan rate changes continue to roll through on a daily basis at the moment. The key change today is to a number of rates offered by The Co-operative...

Kiwibank follows suit but still competitive

7 March 2017 - Kiwibank has raised its floating and revolving credit rates by 15 basis points. It has also increased a couple of fixed rates. Its floating rate sits at...

ANZ takes floating rates higher

6 March 2017 - ANZ has this morning increased its floating rates by 10 basis points the increases apply to its Flexible Home Loan and Business Flexiable facility too...

OCR could go either way, RBNZ says

2 March 2017 - Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler says interest rate risks are balance and the next OCR movement could be either up or down. [READ ON] ...

Westpac hikes floating rates

1 March 2017 - Westpac has followed BNZ this week and hiked its floating rate - but by a lesser margin. Here's the table sorted ...

BNZ increases floating rates

28 February 2017 - BNZ has today raised all its floating rates, taking its Standard one up 11 basis points to make it the most expensive of the big banks. See how it compares...

SBS rings in rate changes

27 February 2017 - SBS Bank has increased a number of its fixed home loan rates as well as increasing its floating rate by 11 basis points taking it to 5.65% The fixed rates...

Outlook for house prices

20 February 2017 - Interesting news on the housing front today. ASB, in its housing confidence survey, says expectations of house price growth have cooled significantly in...

Deals for investors and owner occupiers

17 February 2017 - While there is lots of talk about how hard it is to get finance at the moment there are still deals happening. RESIMAC have a new package for investors...

Regional stars' sales plummet: TSB raises rates

15 February 2017 - Declining sales activity and increasing housing stock are not just an Auckland story [READ ON] TSB makes four minor changes to its rates. ...

A few little changes today: House prices fall further

14 February 2017 - The latest REINZ data says that Auckland's housing market has slowed down further. For more on what's happening [READ ON] A couple of change with Housing...

ANZ reverses trend

13 February 2017 - ANZ has reversed the recent trend and cut its one-year rate. To see how it stacks up on this term see the rates table here sorted lowest to highest on...

Reserve Bank makes its first big OCR announcement of the year

9 February 2017 - The Reserve Bank has made its first OCR announcement this year. Here is what the bank said  [READ ON] ...

Westpac's turn

3 February 2017 - Westpac has increased its one-year fixed rates by 10 basis points. The move puts it in line with its competitors. See table here ...

Floating higher

2 February 2017 - TSB has increased its rates, most noticeably its floating rate which is now at 5.65%. ...

Changes today

31 January 2017 - SBS has upped its one-year special rate. The 26 basis point increase means it no longer has the leading position for this term. BNZ, today has also increased...

More hikes on the heel of recent ones

25 January 2017 - SBS and The Co-operative Bank have both increased most of their fixed rate home loans and this latest round of increases comes just days after the previous...

A pleasant surprise

23 January 2017 - While everyone is busy raising mortgage rates one bank has done the opposite. SBS has lowered its one-year rate to 4.19% which makes it the lowest standard...

The big one goes

19 January 2017 - New Zealand's biggest home loan lender, ANZ, has pulled the trigger and increased its rates across the card, with the exception of its six month rate. The...

The Co-operative Bank ups floating and fixed

18 January 2017 - The Co-operative Bank has hiked all its rates, with the exception of its five year rate, for both its standard and owner-occupied products. Interestingly,...

One little change

16 January 2017 - Nelson Building Society has increased its one and two year fixed rates today. The one-year rate is up 14 points to 4.99% and the two-year rate has increased...

Westpac increases fixed rates. See changes

13 January 2017 - Westpac has joined the procession of banks increasing their fixed rate terms. It has increased all fixed home loan rates between 10 and 30 basis points...

..and today it is BNZ's turn to increase rates

11 January 2017 - BNZ has followed suit with ASB and raised most of its fixed home loan rates. Since ASB moved over the Christmas break we have now seen increases from Kiwibank...

Kiwibank next to move rates

10 January 2017 - Kiwibank has followed ASB and raised all its fixed term home loan rates, however they are still well below what ASB has reset at. ...

ASB moves all fixed rates higher

9 January 2017 - In a move not often seen there have been a number of interest rate changes during the Christmas holidays. The most interesting is big increases to ASB...

ASB and Bank Direct hike all fixed rates

6 January 2017 - ASB and Bank Direct have hiked all their fixed rates, carded and Specials, by between 10 and 30 basis points. Shorter term rates have gone up by the smaller...

Rare rate change

28 December 2016 - It's highly unusual to see a lender change home loan rates in the holiday period, but that is what The Co-Operative Bank has done. It has increased all...

ANZ hikes

20 December 2016 - ANZ has hiked all its mortgage rates of 18 months and longer by between 10 and 16 basis points in response to rising wholesale rates. ...

Fed move will boost NZ rates

15 December 2016 - Mortgage rates are set to continue on their slow upward trajectory – after getting added impetus from the first US Federal Reserve rate increase in a year.

Westpac takes long rates higher

7 December 2016 - Westpac has increased its two, three and five year Special rates and bumped its standard five-year rate up 34 points to 5.79% The move brings it's five-year...

Westpac follows along

29 November 2016 - Westpac has raised fixed rates for all its rates of two years or longer. The increases are from five basis points at the two-year fixed rate term to 20...

Ringing in the rate changes

25 November 2016 - We have increases to fixed rates across the board today from BNZ, ASB, Bank Direct and Sovereign. When you look at the rates table here there's a lot of...

ANZ sets new highs

24 November 2016 - ANZ has raised all its fixed home loan rates for terms of two years or longer. The increases are between nine and 16 basis points. Across most of these...

Kiwibank shifts its focus

17 November 2016 - Kiwibank has, like other banks, raised its longer-term fixed home loan rates, however it has also reduced its one-year Special rate by 10 basis points,...

Co-Op Bank latest to increase rates

14 November 2016 - The Co-Operative Bank is the latest to increase its fixed rate home loans, bumping up three, four and five year rates between 10 and 20 basis points. Still,...

US election casts shadow over OCR response

10 November 2016 - Spectre of US election result looms over reaction to this morning’s OCR cut, but economists say it is too soon to say what impact it might have on the Reserve Bank’s future moves.

As expected Kiwibank moves

18 October 2016 - Kiwibank has increased its one, two and three year Special home loan rates. ...

Watch housing market update

17 October 2016 - CoreLogic head of research Jonno Ingerson says the Reserve Bank's lending restrictions are having an impact on the market but property investors are looking...

Tough lending times for investors

11 October 2016 - Funding costs are getting steeper for investors as banks charge higher margins and the lending environment tightens, mortgage brokers are warning.

ASB raises most of its Specials

7 October 2016 - ASB, Bank Direct and Sovereign have all increased their special rates for terms from one year out to three years. There have been four basis point increases...

Fixed rates start rising - slowly

5 October 2016 - This week we have had a number of lenders increase fixed home loan rates including BNZ, The Co-operative Bank, Kiwibank and NZ Home Loans. The key market...

BNZ hikes Special rate

3 October 2016 - BNZ has this morning increased its two-year Special rate 10 basis points, however it has left its carded two-year rate unchanged. ...

One and two year fixed rates preferred

29 September 2016 - ANZ economists have reiterated their view that one and two year fixed rate home loans offer the best value at the moment. Rates on on longer-term home...

All quiet on the rates front; Enjoy the low rates

26 September 2016 - It continues to be extremely quiet on the rate change front and it looks like this will be the norm for some time. The Reserve Bank left the OCR unchanged...

OCR call sticks to the script

22 September 2016 - Keeping the OCR on hold was the move expected of the Reserve Bank today, but economists say it means there will be another cut in November.

OCR cut not on the cards - yet

16 September 2016 - Don’t expect another OCR cut this week: economists are uniformly predicting the Reserve Bank will leave the OCR on hold, but cut later this year.

In case you missed it

16 September 2016 - ANZ tweaked its two-year rates this week taking six basis points off both its standard and Special rates. This puts it on par with its big big peers, but...

At last....some banks change rates

9 September 2016 - Kiwibank has shaved 10 basis points off its two-year special rate. It's not the lowest in the market, but it compares well with others. [See here] Meanwhile...

Lower mortgage rates unlikely - ANZ

1 September 2016 - The Reserve Bank is likely to cut the OCR further, but borrowers shouldn’t expect mortgage rates to keep pace with the cuts, it has been suggested.

Quiet days of spring

31 August 2016 - Not sure what it's like at your place but it's a beautiful Spring day in Rotorua today. Normally when we get into Spring banks get active with home loan...

Rising pressures impact on Kiwibank

26 August 2016 - Competitive market and increasing funding costs mean Kiwibank has experienced a small drop in its annual after tax profits.

Expect OCR cut in November - economists

24 August 2016 - Further OCR cuts are looming strongly on the horizon in the wake of the Reserve Bank’s speech yesterday, economists have said.

Reserve Bank defends interest rate stance

23 August 2016 - Lowering the OCR risks further fuelling house price growth but the Reserve Bank believes it has been a necessary trade-off to prevent a decline in inflation expectations.

Who is the lowest of them all?

22 August 2016 - It seems all the home loan rate changes since the recent Reserve Bank official cash rate cut have been made. Not all lenders made cuts and of those that...

Pre-approvals hold RBNZ up

15 August 2016 - The Reserve Bank has pushed back the official start of its latest LVR restrictions. [READ ON] ...

Only three move so far

12 August 2016 - So far it appears only three banks have moved rates following the Reserve Bank's cut to the official cash rate yesterday. ANZ passed on five points of...

Borrowers unlikely to see full cut

11 August 2016 - Reserve Bank expects this morning’s OCR cut to be passed on to, but that's unlikely to happen. ANZ has already said it is only passing on one fifth of the central bank's cut to its customers.

OCR cut to 2%; Here's what they said

11 August 2016 - The Official Cash Rate has been cut to 2%. Read on to see what the bank said. ANZ has been the first to react, cutting its floating rate by just 5...

PM tells banks what to do

10 August 2016 - The Reserve Bank is almost guaranteed to cut the official cash rate tomorrow, and the odds are pretty high that banks will not pass on the full OCR cut...

Odds of rate cut about the same as Hurricanes winning final

8 August 2016 - The big event this week is the OCR announcement. There's probably no point having a wager on this as the outcome seems clear. Why? [Read On] The other...

Unusual week

22 July 2016 - While there have been no rate changes this week (so far) there has been plenty of other news, especially around changing LVRs for property investors. The...

Banks already introducing tougher rules for property investors

20 July 2016 - [UPDATED - ANZ position added] Three banks, and Sovereign, have introduced tougher new LVR rules for property investors.

Indications interest rates may not fall further

11 July 2016 - SBS has made a number of changes to its rates. The most significant is that it has increased its floating rate 10-basis points to 5.69%. There is a vie...

Credit growth reaches new levels

4 July 2016 - Credit growth continues at a rapid rate according to official figures and the amount households owe is now great that at the time of the GFC. [Read On] ...

ASB seesaw

1 July 2016 - ASB, Bank Direct and Sovereign have given a 10 basis point increase to their two-year special rate and taken five points off their three-year special. ...

One little change

30 June 2016 - The only rate changes today are to Housing Corporation rates. However, ASB's decision earlier this week to increase floating rates has attracted some attention...

ASB hikes its floating rate

29 June 2016 - ASB Bank and Bank Direct have today hiked their floating rates 10 basis points. ...

The Co-op Bank ups a rate

29 June 2016 - The Co-operative Bank has increased its 18-month rate to 4.25%. ...

Special rate rise; OCR cut now more likely; New RB data on loans

28 June 2016 - BNZ has today tweaked its three-year special, adding 10 basis points to the price. Mortgage lending was up again in May and nearly half of it was in interest...

Brexit means August OCR cut likely

27 June 2016 - It’s early days yet but economists agree that Brexit has upped the odds for the Reserve Bank to cut the OCR in August.

Finally some rate changes to report

27 June 2016 - The impact of Brexit on New Zealand home loan rates is a little unclear at the moment with conflicting initial views. Swap rates came back after the result...

SBS reports growth in a difficult year

24 June 2016 - SBS Bank has reported its operating surplus for the year to March 31 has increased 6% from $26.1 million to $27.7 million. [READ ON] ...

Borrowing frenzy risks

22 June 2016 - New Zealand’s high level of mortgage lending has been in the spotlight recently and commentators are warning that’s for good reason.

BNZ just pips Westpac with new Special

13 June 2016 - BNZ had introduced a three-year Special of 4.39% which just pips the new rate Westpac has introduced for this term. Westpac also has a new Special rate...

OCR stays at 2.25% - What the bank said today

9 June 2016 - OCR remains unchanged. Here is what the Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler had to say. [READ ON] ...

Kiwibank's 3.99% gone

30 May 2016 - Kiwibank has withdrawn its 3.99% rate and now there are no carded rates of less than 4% in the market. What's the lowest carded rate in the market at the...

TSB tweaks

26 May 2016 - TSB has made some small changes to its rates and added a four-year Special at 4.89%. None of the cuts, though, are game changers in terms of making them...

ASB plays the long game

20 May 2016 - ASB and its related entities have taken market leading positions with longer dated home loans. They have made cuts to both carded and specials for three,...

SBS betters its big bank peers

18 May 2016 - In today's rate changes, SBS and The Co-Operative Bank have made changes SBS have gone four points better than its competitors and taken its two-year special...

New norm for two-year specials

16 May 2016 - It appears that 4.19% is becoming the new norm for bank-offered two year special rates. Today BNZ has joined that party along with a few others. Kiwibank...

Rates are back below 4%

13 May 2016 - Kiwibank has today launched a two-year special of 3.99% Also Westpac recently made changes to its two year carded and special rates, and removed its three-year...

Comparing OCR and floating rates no longer relevant

10 May 2016 - The difference between floating home loan rates and the Official Cash Rate is no longer a good measure of margins, ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley says...

ASB encourages borrowers to go long

6 May 2016 - ASB (along with Sovereign, Bank Direct and NZ Home Loans) have bumped up short rates, and lowered the two-year rate. No doubt the move is designed to encourage...

Only sub 4% home loan due to end

1 May 2016 - HSBC says that its 3.95% 18-month fixed home loan rate will end on Friday, May 20, 2016. ...

OCR hold right call – for now

28 April 2016 - Leaving the OCR on hold today was the right decision, but there will be further cuts down the track, economists say.

TSB takes lead in two-year space

18 April 2016 - TSB has today taken the market-leading Special for the two-year fixed rate term. See how it compares here Other changes today are to SBS's standard rates...

New shareholders may help Kiwibank

11 April 2016 - BNZ has made a small tweak this morning increasing its two-year Special slightly. The big news last week was the announcement that Kiwibank will get two...

We have a new one-year rate leader

4 April 2016 - SBS has taken the top slot in the one-year fixed rate with its new Special offer. See how it stacks up here. The Nelson Building Society has also lowered...

Westpac and Co-Op banks move rates

23 March 2016 - The Co-Operative Bank has reduced most of its fixed rates with the biggest changes being a 14 basis point cut to the one-year rate and 16 points off the...

ASB forecasts 1.75% OCR

22 March 2016 - ASB economists says the OCR will fall to 1.75%. Here's why they think that. ...

ANZ inches up the league table with fixed rate pricing cuts

21 March 2016 - ANZ has knocked 14 basis points off its one and two year Special Home loan rates. The changes put it in the game with special rates for these terms but...

Comparing selected banks

18 March 2016 - Following a week of rate changes we have pulled together a graph comparing pricing strategies.

BNZ finally move

17 March 2016 - BNZ has responded to last week's OCR cut passing on just a 10 basis point decrease in all its floating home loan products. However it has also shaved 10...

No role for politicians in OCR uproar - experts

16 March 2016 - Banks’ reluctance to pass on last week’s OCR cut may not be popular, but commentators agree it is far from surprising – and politicians shouldn’t get involved.

Looming impact of global funding costs

15 March 2016 - ANZ is warning mortgage rates may not fall as far as the OCR because of rising bank funding costs. Read here.  ...

ANZ keeping cuts mainly to itself

11 March 2016 - Banks have been extremely slow to pass on yesterday's OCR cuts to customers and one that has moved has only passed on 10 basis points.

Timing of OCR cut surprises

10 March 2016 - There is widespread surprise that the Reserve Bank has cut the OCR again so soon.

OCR cut this week unlikely

7 March 2016 - There’s little doubt further OCR cuts are on the way, but most economists see a cut this week as unlikely.

Looming impact of global funding costs

1 March 2016 - ANZ is warning mortgage rates may not fall as far as the OCR because of rising bank funding costs.

BNZ makes interesting rate changes

1 March 2016 - BNZ has raised the rates on two of its three "Specials" but cut some standard rates. The two and three year specials have gone up 10 and 15 basis points...

Rate increase

19 February 2016 - Westpac has increased its two-year special in the same week that HSBC came out with a record breaking low 18-month rate. ...

Dropping rates should boost slow growth

16 February 2016 - There will be a slow start to 2016 for New Zealand’s economy – which adds to the case for further OCR cuts, according to ASB.

Expect lower mortgage rates in six months: Stephens

15 February 2016 - Home loan interest rates are likely to be lower in six months’ time than they are today, Westpac’s chief economist says.

SBS cuts to remain competitive

9 February 2016 - SBS has decreased two of its standard lending rates to remain competitive in all of its rates.  The two-year fixed rate has come down to 4.99% and...

Kiwibank makes changes

1 February 2016 - Kiwibank has today made changes to its home loan rates. The most significant is that it has switched the focus of its "special" from the two-year term...

OCR cuts to come – but not now

25 January 2016 - Inflation forecasts are the key theme in economists’ predictions for Thursday’s official cash rate call from the Reserve Bank.

New special rates

18 January 2016 - The week starts off with new specials from BNZ and SBS. BNZ's two and three year rates are pitched at 4.39% and 4.49% respectively. SBS has matched the...

Mortgage lending grows

22 December 2015 - Increase in mortgage lending goes against the prevailing trend of slowing growth, new analysis says.

Odds are on an OCR cut

4 December 2015 - Expectations of a cut to the OCR next week are riding high – although some economists have divergent theories.

TSB cuts rate; CU Baywide gets good ratings news

1 December 2015 - TSB have lowered its six-month fixed home loan rate from 5.29% to 4.99%. Also Credit Union Baywide has had its S&P rating revised to positive on the...

Blow to investor lending

26 November 2015 - New tax and loan-to-value (LVR) ratios seem to have significantly dented bank lending to investors. Full story here. Also read of the tentative support...

The Co-op Bank goes long; FAA Options paper out

25 November 2015 - The Co-operative Bank has cut its three and four year fixed rate terms and is encouraging borrowers to think about long-term fixing. [Read On] Also an...

SBS offers a home loan rate under 4%

23 November 2015 - SBS Bank is offering a special one-year fixed home loan rate of 3.99%. This offer, which is available for a limited time, coincides with SBS Bank’s brand...

Amazing. A 3.99% home loan rate

23 November 2015 - To mark a rebranding one bank is offering a one-year home loan rate of 3.99% More details here. ...

BNZ introduces new rate; Westpac moves

19 November 2015 - BNZ has added an 18-month rate to its Standard and Fly Buys home loans. Meanwhile Westpac has shave 10 basis points off its two-year special, but increased...

New law may sting landlords dodging capital gains tax

13 November 2015 - The 'bright-line test' was passed into law yesterday sending a strong message to landlords to no longer expect to avoid capital gains tax just by holding...

Westpac plays copy cat; Take our lending survey

6 November 2015 - Westpac has copied ASB (ABS?) and shifted the point of attack (listened to too many rugby games) to the three-year rate. For the record its one-year "Special"...

A home loan rate goes UP; new market leading price; Auckland takes a hit

4 November 2015 - Yes, you read it right. With all the talk of falling interest rates, ASB, Bank Direct and Sovereign have hiked their one-year "Special" rates. Sure it's...

HSBC cuts

2 November 2015 - HSBC has made some changes to its rate with the standout changes being 4.25% on one and two year rates. See how its two-year rate stacks up here ...

Straight fours for The Co-operative Bank

30 October 2015 - The Co-opererative Bank has done it and become the first lender to have all its carded, fixed rates under five percent. ...

RBNZ pushes pause on OCR

29 October 2015 - The Reserve Bank left the OCR on hold at 2.75% this morning but economists say the Governor’s comments on the currency are his key message.

OCR: What the governor said

29 October 2015 - The Reserve Bank this morning confirmed the widely-held view that the OCR would remain unchanged for now. Here is what governor Graeme Wheeler had to say.

No cut expected for OCR

23 October 2015 - Change to the official cash rate (OCR) is unlikely this month although some economists think it should be cut, a mortgage.co.nz survey reveals.

Auckland mortgage fraud under investigation

22 October 2015 - Large-scale mortgage fraud in Auckland is currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Bank close to full house of sub 5% fixed rates

21 October 2015 - The Co-operative Bank has cut its four and five year fixed rates to 4.99%. It is now close to being the first lender to have all its fixed rates under...

TSB joins the leaders

19 October 2015 - TSB joined other banks and lowered its Special fixed rates at the end of last week.  ...

More OCR cuts likely – despite housing concerns

14 October 2015 - Global economic concerns mean more “easing” of the OCR is likely, even though this could further fuel the already-hot housing market, the Reserve Bank Governor has said.

It's The Co-operative Bank's turn

14 October 2015 - The Co-operative Bank has moved its carded 18 month and two-year fixed rates down to align them with the bank special rates. ...

ANZ comes into line

13 October 2015 - ANZ has reduced its one-year Special fixed rate to 4.35% and the two-year rate to 4.49%. These changes bring its pricing into line with most of its competitors...

Good old HSBC

12 October 2015 - HSBC have today set a new low record with one and two year fixed rates priced at 4.25%. As usual there are conditions. ASB and Bank Direct have taken a...

BNZ takes the lead

5 October 2015 - BNZ has taken the lead in the two-year fixed rate space with a 4.39% Special. Other changes to note are RESIMAC's rate reductions. See how BNZ stacks up...

The Co-operative Bank shaves rates

23 September 2015 - The Co-operartive Bank has shaved 20 basis points off both its one year and 18 month rates today. ...

Westpac gets rates into line

21 September 2015 - Westpac has made three little tweaks to its 18 month and two-year fixed rates which appear to be little more than getting itself into line with its competitors...

US Fed makes its decision

18 September 2015 - The US Federal Reserve announced this morning it was keeping the cash rate at record lows in the face of threats from a weak global economy, persistently...

More banks cut rates including a sharp special

16 September 2015 - Today we have changes from ASB, TSB and The Co-operative Bank. One of the most note-worthy changes is TSB's very competitive two-year special. See how...

ANZ cuts fixed rates; Apartment special

15 September 2015 - We had a raft of cuts to floating rates following last week's OCR. The cuts are now moving to fixed rates with ANZ lowering prices across all terms. Meanwhile...

BNZ moves; ASB tries to get people moving

14 September 2015 - BNZ has today lowered pricing on its floating home loan rate products including its Total Money Offset loan. In other news ASB has launched a competition...

Home loan rate cuts to date

11 September 2015 - Since the OCR announcement we have seen floating rates and some revolving credit rates come down 25 basis points. Those to move so far include: ANZ, Kiwibank,...

Further OCR cuts to come

10 September 2015 - Mortgage rates may yet have further to fall, after the Reserve Bank’s cutting of the OCR to 2.75% today.

ASB takes a leaf out of BNZ's book

8 September 2015 - ASB, Bank Direct and Sovereign have all cut fixed home loan rates, matching BNZ's one-year rate of 4.39%. ...

Lending up but profits flat

7 September 2015 - New Zealand’s five major banks* profits flattened in the second quarter of 2015, although lending growth continued, according to a new analysis by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

BNZ rate will get brokers' phones ringing

4 September 2015 - UPDATED A record low interest rate in the home loan market is likely to drive inquiries to brokers, it has been claimed.

BNZ makes big move down

4 September 2015 - BNZ has today dropped the rate on its classic home loan. Fixed for a year will drop to 4.35% - this offer starts today and is available until September...

SBS sharpens specials

17 August 2015 - SBS has sharpened its special rates for shorter term home loans. Meanwhile, ratings agency S&P cut bank ratings on Friday citing concerns about the...

Westpac's turn today

14 August 2015 - It's Westpac's turn today to cut home loan rates. The biggest cut is 40 points off its one year rate. This is followed by 20 basis point cuts to its 18-month,...

ASB talks home loans; TSB cuts rates

13 August 2015 - TSB is our rate-changer today with cuts to some fixed term rates and the introduction of some new specials. In the news we talk to ASB chief executive...

The Co-Op Bank's turn today

12 August 2015 - The Co-Operative Bank has shaved a few basis points off its one year and 18-month rates. ...

Interesting move from ASB

11 August 2015 - ASB, Bank Direct and Sovereign have all made rate cuts today. The interesting feature of the move is that they are now offering some of the sharper rates...

Two lenders cut today

10 August 2015 - Kiwibank has offered up lower rates today with strong market positions in most terms. RESIMAC has also lowered rates across its card with its floating...

Low rates spread across terms

7 August 2015 - BNZ, today, made a raft of cuts to fixed rates with the main move being a Special one-year rate. ...

Mortgage rates inch lower

3 August 2015 - Last week ended with more rate cuts. HSBC came out with rates at 4.49% (see here). At the end of the day the ASB group of lenders also made cuts. Their...

Now BNZ and Westpac have been beaten

31 July 2015 - HSBC has come out and taken a market leading position with one, two and three year rates. Details here. ...

More OCR cuts are on the way - RBNZ

29 July 2015 - The Reserve Bank has confirmed that further OCR cuts are likely to be needed.

What's the best rate you have ever had?

28 July 2015 - I have a question today. Has anyone out there ever secured a lower rate for a residential home loan than the current BNZ two-year special of 4.69% You...

BNZ goes way down

27 July 2015 - BNZ has set a new benchmark today with its two-year special, shaving 30 points off the previous rate. See how it stacks up here Also Westpac has ccut floating...

No surprises in Reserve Bank's move

23 July 2015 - Little surprise followed the Reserve Bank’s OCR cut this morning - and further cuts are now generally expected to come this year.

OCR cut to 3%

23 July 2015 - The Reserve Bank cut the OCR to 3% today. Find out why here.

OCR cut to 3%

23 July 2015 - New Zealand's softening economic outlook and low inflation has led the Reserve Bank to cut the OCR to 3% today.  

Why the Reserve Bank cut the OCR today

23 July 2015 - Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler explains why the Official Cash Rate was cut today.

The Co-operative Bank makes pre-emptive cuts

21 July 2015 - The Co-operative Bank has cut its floating rate 25 basis points, today, ahead of the Reserve Bank OCR announcement on Thursday. It is widely expected that...

OCR cut on the cards this week

17 July 2015 - Predictions of multiple OCR cuts by the end of the year are coming thick and fast - with the next one expected on Thursday.

Westpac doffs its capped rates

17 July 2015 - Today it is the turn of ASB and Sovereign to reduce rates. They each have taken 10 points off the six month rate and 24 points of their one year and 18...

Four eighty nine the new norm

16 July 2015 - HSBC has cuts its one and two year rates to match the big bank Specials on the one-year term and take the joint equal lead in the two-year term. See who...

The Co-operative Bank makes next move

15 July 2015 - The Co-operative Bank has today made its next move, this time with its one-year rate. ...

ANZ rolls out new special

8 July 2015 - ANZ has launched a one-year special. See how it stacks up here. ...

Falling business confidence points to... OCR cuts

7 July 2015 - A sharp decline in business confidence has led ASB to formally join the economists predicting three more OCR cuts by the end of the year.

Westpac predicts three more OCR cuts this year

6 July 2015 - Another three OCR cuts are on the way, thanks to darkening economic clouds, according to one of the major banks.

ASB ditches TVs and stereos for AB gear

3 July 2015 - ASB is offering All Blacks gear to people who take out loans of more than $100,000 with its new special offer. The rate on the one-year special is 10 basis...

Holy cow....more interest rate cuts predicted

2 July 2015 - Following last night's poor Global Diary Trade auction economists are now predicting even more interest rate cuts. READ ON ...

Mini lending boom well underway

1 July 2015 - Households are borrowing at a rate not seen since the Global Financial Crisis six years ago. See how much money is going out the door here. One small change...

Please Sir, Can I borrow more

1 July 2015 - Credit growth is running at its fastest pace since the Global Financial Crisis.

QROPS now trapped in KiwiSaver funds

29 June 2015 - People who have moved their UK pension to KiwiSaver schemes are now trapped in their current funds, following a decision from the UK tax department.

Banks net interest income falls - PwC

24 June 2015 - A decrease in the net interest income of New Zealand’s major banks reflects the current highly competitive lending environment.

More banks take rates below 5%

19 June 2015 - As you can see there have been lots of home loan rate changes this week. The latest to move are Kiwibank and Westpac, with both now offering sub-5% rates...

Under par GDP leads to OCR cut calls

19 June 2015 - Three of the major banks are now predicting a further cut to the OCR in July.

Wasn't expecting this

16 June 2015 - ASB et al have cut fixed rates. The biggest are 50 basis points off its one and two year and 18 month rates. One of the cool tools we have now is that...

One bank still to cut rates

15 June 2015 - All the banks, except SBS have now cut their floating home loan rates and revolving credit rates. RESIMAC remains the market leader, even though it has...

Today's yield curve

15 June 2015 - Today we have compared standard home loan rates from five lenders. The results are interesting.

BNZ makes big cut

12 June 2015 - While lenders are cutting their floating rates 25 basis points in response to yesterday's OCR cut, BNZ has gone even further. Its has the rate on its offset...

RESIMAC says bring it on

8 June 2015 - Well, not exactly. Those are my words after seeing the non-bank lender had put out one of the sharpest variable rates today. Check it out here. As it is...

RESIMAC's new low variable rates

8 June 2015 - Non-bank lender RESIMAC has taken a market leading position with its variable rate and also made other changes across the card. Full details here.

ANZ sharpens one-year rate

3 June 2015 - ANZ has shaved 20 basis points off its one-year rate, bringing it down to 5.39%. It's not the sharpest one-year rate in the market as you can see here...

ASB gets more aggressive with pricing

22 May 2015 - ...

Lots of changes today

18 May 2015 - Today we BNZ and ANZ both removing special rates. However, ANZ has made cuts across its card ranging from 21 points at the short end (six months) through...

Sovereign breaks with ASB on one-year rates

15 May 2015 - Sovereign has rolled out a one-year fixed rate special of 5.10%, however it hasn't been matched by ASB. The Sovereign offer is for a limited time and has...

Long rates up, short rates to fall?

12 May 2015 - TSB's 10-year fixed rate has risen slightly from 5.89% to 5.95%. While this rate at the long end of the curve has risen there could soon be downward pressure...

BNZ rolls out new Special

11 May 2015 - BNZ has launched a new two-year Special rate of 5.15%. To see how it compares we have sorted the rates table from lowest to highest here.   ...

One low rate replaced by another

1 May 2015 - Just as SBS withdraws its five-year rate of 4.99%, The Co-operative Bank comes to market with its own sub-five percent rate. Details here. ...

OCR predictions; No-interest loans

28 April 2015 - You find out what economists think will happen with interest rates this week in our regular survey. Read On Also today BNZ has rolled out the second stage...

Kiwibank's three-year rate matched; OCR preview

24 April 2015 - One of the banks have moved to match Kiwibank with a market leading three-year rate of 5.39%, which is only bettered by HSBC. But as we know the days are...

Days numbered for HSBC's special rate

22 April 2015 - HSBC says that it's special home loan rates will be ending on May 1.

BNZ Special ends; Kiwibank cuts

20 April 2015 - BNZ has removed its two-year special rate and Kiwibank has reduced its carded one-year rate 10 points and its three-year special 16 points. ...

RESIMAC's new rates and policy updates

14 April 2015 - RESIMAC Home Loans has reduced all fixed rates across its Prime Products including interest rates to the LVR bands above 80%.

No surprises expected in OCR this week, but plenty to look for

9 March 2015 - No surprises are expected in the Reserve Bank’s upcoming official cash rate (OCR) and monetary policy statements this Thursday.

Reserve Bank comes up with new definition for property investors

5 March 2015 - Property investors are the target of a new Reserve Bank lending restriction, but the bank says it’s not a macro-prudential tool.

Simple and better: RESIMAC's new loan offerings

2 March 2015 - Greater flexibility for investors is contained in a raft of new offerings from non-bank lender RESIMAC Home Loans.

Rates slashed as mortgage wars heat up

13 February 2015 - Kiwi mortgage interest rates reached a new low today as several major banks slashed their offerings.

ASB reports strong profit but dip in home loan market share

11 February 2015 - ASB has reported a “good solid” half-year profit, based on strong underlying growth across the bank’s operating divisions.

10-year rates welcomed

7 February 2015 - New 10-year fixed rates are being hailed as good news for property investors.

10-year fixed rates come to the market

6 February 2015 - TSB Bank has taken a new position in the home loan market which is not just based on price.

Decent environment for investors: Tuffley

29 January 2015 - The Reserve Bank has today left the OCR unchanged at 3.5%, but has shifted to an explicitly neutral stance that is likely to keep interest rates low for some time yet.

ASB picks March for OCR rise

18 October 2011 - ASB has pushed back its prediction for an OCR rise until March, predicting a 50 basis point hike from the RBNZ. ...

Rating downgrades could keep OCR on hold for longer

30 September 2011 - The downgrades to New Zealand's credit rating by two of three major international ratings agencies could mean the Reserve Bank holds its official cash rate at current levels for longer but they could also affect banks' cost of borrowing.

OCR should remain at 2.5%: Dickens

29 September 2011 - The Reserve Bank's current 2.50% Official Cash Rate (OCR) may be close to the neutral rate at which it neither encourages nor hinders the economy from growing, says economist Rodney Dickens.

Weak data, global turmoil put paid to floating rates rising this year

22 September 2011 - Much weaker than expected June quarter growth figures and continuing deterioration in the global outlook have definitely put paid to the chances of floating mortgage rates rising this year.

Kiwibank continues break neck growth

20 August 2009 - The government-owned Kiwibank's profitability and its mortgage book continued their break-neck pace of growth in the June quarter.

NZF moves from LMI to LEM

11 August 2009 - NZF has switched from charging borrowers with low equity an upfront lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) premium to adding a low equity margin (LEM) to such borrowers' loans.

More signs banks easing lending rules

4 August 2009 - UPDATED: In another tentative sign banks are starting to gradually ease their lending criteria Kiwibank has made changes to its rates for loans with low equity levels. The changes have been made as the bank has changed the way it insures its mortgage book.

OCR unchanged at 2.50%

30 July 2009 - Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard held the official cash rate at 2.5% as expected and said while economic activity showing signs of stabilising, the high New Zealand dollar was helping to keep the economy "weak." The kiwi tumbled after his statement.

MPs slam banks over interest rates

9 June 2009 - In a bipartisan move, a Parliamentary Select Committee has urged banks to pass on cuts to the official cash rate to their floating and short-term mortgage rates.

Small lenders take on big banks

5 May 2009 - Finally we are starting to see some of last week’s cut in the official cash rate being passed onto borrowers, but not by the banks.

National Bank, ASB, SBS, BNZ break fees cleared by regulator

30 April 2009 - The Commerce Commission has cleared home loan break fees charged by National Bank, ASB, SBS Bank and Bank of New Zealand, saying they’re likely to comply with consumer finance law.

Turning rate thinking on its head

23 April 2009 - All the recent thinking and commentary on what to do with your home loan may be turned on its head after next week’s official cash rate announcement from the Reserve Bank.

Figures show baby boomers after property bargains

8 April 2009 - Cashed-up baby boomers take advantage of perceived bargains in the property market, Veda Advantange says. It reports that mortgage applications were up 38% in March, compared to the same month last year.

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