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'Some have only experienced low rates': ASB first to increase mortgage rates

Author
Damien Venuto, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Jul 2021, 10:02AM
(Photo / Getty)
(Photo / Getty)

'Some have only experienced low rates': ASB first to increase mortgage rates

Author
Damien Venuto, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Jul 2021, 10:02AM

ASB is the first of the major banks to increase its mortgage and term deposit rates.

The bank has lifted its fixed one-year rate by 0.36 per cent, up from 2.19 per cent to 2.55 per cent per annum.

The two-year rate has gone from 2.59 per cent to 2.95 per cent as part of the update.

Meanwhile, the five-year rate has increased by 0.3 per cent, lifting from 3.69 per cent to 3.99 per cent.

These changes precede the Reserve Bank's OCR announcement at 2pm this afternoon.

Most banks have forecast the OCR rate to lift from its current record low 0.25 per cent by November.

This shift from ASB also comes shortly before the release of inflation data, which is expected to show New Zealand costs rising at as much as 3 per cent - the highest figure in a decade.

ASB general manager of retail banking Craig Sims attributed the increase in interest rates to the robust New Zealand economy.

"While interest rates are now increasing, they remain at historically low levels," Sims said.

"We're mindful that some first home buyers, in particular, have only ever experienced the current low-rate environment. When we assess a home loan application we use a 'test rate' that is substantially higher than current mortgage rates to give customers the confidence they can continue to make payments if rates increase."

While the rising rates will come as bad news to homeowners, the flip side is that those with savings in the bank will be given a boost on their term deposits.

ASB has increased its six-month term deposit interest rate by 0.2 per cent, with the rate rising from 0.8 per cent to 1 per cent.

The biggest increase was for the three-year term deposit, which saw an increase of 0.3 per cent from 1.4 per cent to 1.7 per cent.

Sims encouraged customers to talk to the bank about what it has on offer at the moment.

"We're committed to offering innovative home lending products such as our 1.79 per cent variable Back My Build loan for customers building a new home, and helping customers budget with the comprehensive calculators and tools available on our website," he said.

"Whatever the market conditions, our focus is squarely on offering customers market-leading home lending products and leading customer experiences."

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