Phew! The RBA has decided to put the official cash rate on hold. So, is the end of this rate hike cycle finally in sight?

The decision to keep the official cash rate at 4.10% will be welcomed by homeowners around the country after monthly repayments have increased by about $1,135 per $500,000 loaned (for a 25-year loan) since May 2022.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe said as interest rates had increased by 4% since May last year, the Board decided to hold interest rates steady this month to provide some time to assess the impact of the increases. “The higher interest rates are working to establish a more sustainable balance between supply and demand in the economy,” he said.

However, Governor Lowe kept the door open for potential rate rises in the months to come. “Some further tightening of monetary policy may be required to ensure that inflation returns to target in a reasonable timeframe, but that will depend upon how the economy and inflation evolve,” he said. “In making its decisions, the Board will continue to pay close attention to developments in the global economy, trends in household spending, and the forecasts for inflation and the labour market.”

Concerned about your mortgage? Get in touch

Are you starting to feel the pinch? You’re not alone. Many households around the country are feeling the pain of all the rate rises over the past 15 months. There are also lots of people on fixed-rate home loans wondering what options will be available to them once their fixed-rate period ends.

Lending and Member Services Executive Ivanka Bernyk talks about Dnister’s finance solutions to help Members navigate the changes to your repayments. “Some options we can help you explore include refinancing (which could involve increasing the length of your loan and decreasing monthly repayments), debt consolidation, or building up a bit of a buffer in an offset account ahead of more rate hikes”.

So if you’re worried about how to  meet your repayments going forward, give us a call today. The earlier we can sit down with you  to assist in planning to manage any further rate hikes the better the outcome.

Get in touch

Call Dnister today on 1800 353 041 and arrange to speak with a Lending Specialist or book an appointment online.

 

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. In providing you with this information you should consider the appropriateness of this advice with regard to your particular financial situation and needs. We advise that you carefully read our Home Loan Key Facts Sheet and TMD before acquiring a loan product. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent. Applications are subject to Dnister credit assessment criteria. Interest rates are subject to change without notice and should be verified with your local branch. Terms and conditions, including fees and charges, apply. For full details on our products and an analysis of your personal requirements, please arrange for an appointment with one of our friendly lending staff by contacting your local Dnister branch