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Reserve Bank hikes OCR - mortgage rates already rising

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 6 Oct 2021, 2:25PM
Adrian Orr. (Photo / File)
Adrian Orr. (Photo / File)

Reserve Bank hikes OCR - mortgage rates already rising

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 6 Oct 2021, 2:25PM

The Reserve Bank has today lifted the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 0.50 per cent.

"It is appropriate to continue reducing the level of monetary stimulus so as to maintain low inflation and support maximum sustainable employment," the RBNZ said in a statement.

"While economic uncertainty remains elevated due to the prevalent impact of Covid-19, cost pressures are becoming more persistent and some central banks have started the process of reducing monetary policy stimulus."

The move was widely expected by economists as inflation pressure has continued to build.

New Zealand's largest bank, ANZ, moved immediately to lift floating mortgage rates.

"ANZ Bank New Zealand will increase the interest rates on its floating and flexi home loans by 0.15 per cent," it said in a statement.

This would add about $10 a week to a $350,00 home loan.

ANZ would also increase interest rates on a number of savings and call accounts including online accounts from October 12 and its serious saver accounts from November 1.

The RBNZ monetary policy committee said the current COVID-19-related restrictions had not materially changed the medium-term outlook for inflation and employment since the August Statement.

Capacity pressures remained evident in the economy, particularly in the labour market.

"While the economy contracted sharply during the recent nationwide health-related lockdown, household and business balance sheet strength, ongoing fiscal policy support, and a strong terms of trade provide confidence that economic activity will recover quickly as alert level restrictions ease. Recent economic indicators support this picture," it said.

The New Zealand dollar rallied by about 25 pips to US69.75c on the news while bond yields remained largely flat.

"It seems from the currency's reaction that people are running with the action, which is that they have begun," Hamish Pepper, fixed income and currency strategist at Harbour Asset Management said.

"They have hiked, and suppose there is something in that."

KiwiBank chief economist Jarrod Kerr described the move as the start of a "new chapter" for the cash rate as it moved off its historic low of 0.25 per cent.

"The RBNZ won't stop here," he said.

"We expect 25 basis point hikes will be delivered in October, November, February and May, with the OCR reaching 1.50 per cent by the middle of next year. We expect a considered pause around 1.5 per cent. Although the RBNZ is signalling a continuation to 2 per cent in 2023."

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