Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Interest Rates

soliver-smf6LQXgW9

Expect an RBA pause for a few months and then more cuts: Shane Oliver

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Although the RBA has cut the cash rate by 0.5 per cent over the last two months, the big four haven't passed on all of this cut to their variable rate home loan customers.
All four banks have decided to keep a portion of the cuts back ranging from Westpac's 0.10 per cent, to the 0.06 per cent from NAB and CBA. 
Finder compiled some key points of interest following the interest rate announcement.
The new standard variable rate for the Big Four is 4.94%, with the new average lowest variable rate for the Big Four being 3.42%.
NAB and CBA have the lowest variable rate of the Big Four.
What the big banks are passing on to their variable rate home loan customers:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/3/July%20Big%204-1.JPG" alt="">
The typical Australian is with a big four bank on a discounted variable rate, according to RateCity.com.au who has calculated what the last two months of rate cuts means for them, based on a $400K loan.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/3/July%20Big%204-2.JPG" alt="">
As a result of the latest round of announcements, CBA and NAB are set to have the lowest ongoing variable rates from the big four banks at 3.35 per cent.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/3/July%20Big%204-3.JPG" alt="">
ANZ and NAB are passing on this round of rate cuts within the first two weeks while CBA is once more taking three weeks to pass the latest rate cut on to home loan customers.
<ul style="text-align: left;" type="disc">
<li>CBA rates effective 23 July 2019</li>
<li>Westpac rates effective 16 July 2019</li>
<li>NAB rates effective 12 July 2019</li>
<li>ANZ rates effective 12 July 2019</li>
</ul>
Some of the lowest ongoing variable rates following Tuesday’s cut:
<ul style="text-align: left;" type="disc">
<li>Reduce home loans: 2.89%</li>
<li>Homestar Finance: 2.99%</li>
<li>Athena home loans: 3.09%</li>
</ul>
RateCity.com.au research director Sally Tindall said, “The majority of variable rate home owners are set to save over $100 a month as a result of these two cash rate cuts." 
“Any cut to the cash rate is always a double-edge sword as savers brace for another round of deposit rate cuts."
“RateCity.com.au’s average savings rate is 1.51 per cent but this is set to drop below inflation in coming days as this most recent cash rate cut gets passed on,” she concluded.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

What the Big 4 cuts mean for mortgage holders: RateCity

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Just hours after the RBA announced they are further dropping the cash rate by 0.25% today, non-bank lenders are slashing rates ahead of the Big four.
 <a href="https://www.athena.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5J_mBRDVARIsAGqGLZCKwKfQxKUvNT0g33wrh6Kg2oBRfwJBwNSWn4iuj0nJVqF2uEWWJ6EaAqxjEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Athena</a> home loans announced it will be passing on the full rate cut.
Another passing on the full rate cut with rates as low as 2.89% is Reduce Home Loans.
Both Reduce Home Loans and Athena's cuts are effective immediately.
Reduce Home Loans was awarded Australia’s Cheapest Home Loan by Money magazine in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Resimac and subsidiary State Custodians have both announced they will be passing on the full July RBA rate cut, effective July 24.
So far <a href="/expert-insights/finance/anz-first-to-cut-rates-again-this-time-the-full-cut">ANZ is the only of the big four</a> to announce they are cutting rates, passing on the full July cut, unlike in June when they only passed on 0.18 basis points.
CBA will reduce its standard variable rate home loans by between 0.19% p.a. and 0.25% p.a.
<ul>
<li>Owner Occupied Principal and Interest Standard Variable Rate home loan reduced by 0.19% per annum (p.a) to a new record low rate of 4.93% p.a.</li>
<li>Investor Principal and Interest Standard Variable Rate home loans reduced by 0.19% p.a. to 5.51% p.a.</li>
<li>Owner Occupied Interest Only Standard Variable Rate home loans reduced by 0.25% p.a. to 5.42% p.a.</li>
<li>Investor Interest Only Standard Variable Rate home loans reduced by 0.25% p.a. to 5.89% p.a.</li>
</ul>
CBA will also introduce a new special term deposit offer, with an extra bonus offer for existing pensioner customers.
At 6.30pm NAB announced it will reduce its variable rate home loans by 0.19% per annum, effective 12 July. 
This is on top of the 0.25% reduction last month by NAB.
Around 6.30pm Westpac announced it was reducing its variable interest rates for home loan customers, including a reduction of 0.2% p.a for owner occupiers and a reduction of 0.3% p.a. for investors with interest only repayments.
<a href="/expert-insights/finance/westpac-to-cut-by-0-2-but-more-for-io-borrowers">With the same 0.2% last month</a>, Westpac's combined rate cuts of the past two months ranks as the lowest for home loan customers.
The following interest rate changes will come into effect on July 16 at Westpac:
<ul>
<li>Variable home loan (owner occupier) rate has been reduced by .20% p.a. to 4.98% p.a. for customers with principal and interest repayments.</li>
<li>Variable residential investment property loan reduced by .20% p.a. to 5.53% p.a. for customers with principal and interest repayments.</li>
<li>Variable home loan (owner occupier) rate reduced by .20% p.a. to 5.57% p.a. for customers with interest only repayments.</li>
<li>Variable residential investment property loan rate reduced by .30% p.a. to 5.79% p.a. for customers with interest only repayments.  </li>
</ul>
“Today’s announcement means our Standard Variable Rate (SVR) will be the lowest it has been in more than 45 years for owner occupier home loan customers with principal and interest repayments,” David Lindberg, Westpac Chief Executive, Consumer said.
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Big Four face non-bank lender rate cut blitz

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<div class="component text ">
<div class="text__content">
ANZ has announced it will decrease variable interest home loan rates in Australia by 0.25% pa, the full RBA rate cut, effective July 12.
They are <a href="/expert-insights/finance/anz-first-to-pass-on-part-of-june-2019-rba-rate-cut">once again the first of the Big Four to cut rates</a>, unlike in June when they only passed on a 0.18 basis point reduction, they are passing on the full 0.25 basis points.
The first to call was <a href="/expert-insights/finance/athena-home-loans-match-the-full-rba-cut-again">once again Athena, a non-bank lender</a>, who passed on the whole July cut, reducing rates by 0.25 basis points, which they also did in June.
ANZ may have made this decision following the backlash last month which prompted the federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to say, “I think the ANZ has let down its customers.”
“This is deeply disappointing from the ANZ," he stated following ANZ's decision to not pass on the full June RBA rate cut.
ANZ Group Executive, Australia Retail &amp; Commercial, Mark Hand said: “Today we have decided we will reduce variable interest rates for our home loan customers by 0.25% pa. Importantly, we will apply this reduction across all our variable rate home loans.
“We looked at a number of factors before reaching this decision, including business performance, market conditions and the impact on our customers.
“On balance, we believe this is the right decision for our home loan customers and for our business,” Mr Hand said.
The ANZ changes are as follows: 
1. Decrease all variable interest rates for Australian home and residential investment loans by 0.25%pa. 2. For Standard Variable Rate Owner Occupiers paying principal and interest this reduces the Index Rate to 4.93%pa, from 5.18%pa. 3. For Standard Variable Rate Owner Occupiers paying interest only the Index Rate reduces to 5.48%pa, from 5.73% pa.
So far none of the Big Four have indicated as to whether they will reduce rates in line with ANZ.
But at around 6pm CBA announced it will reduce its standard variable rate home loans by between 0.19% p.a. and 0.25% p.a.
<ul>
<li>Owner Occupied Principal and Interest Standard Variable Rate home loan reduced by 0.19% per annum (p.a) to a new record low rate of 4.93% p.a.</li>
<li>Investor Principal and Interest Standard Variable Rate home loans reduced by 0.19% p.a. to 5.51% p.a.</li>
<li>Owner Occupied Interest Only Standard Variable Rate home loans reduced by 0.25% p.a. to 5.42% p.a.</li>
<li>Investor Interest Only Standard Variable Rate home loans reduced by 0.25% p.a. to 5.89% p.a.</li>
</ul>
CBA will also introduce a new special term deposit offer, with an extra bonus offer for existing pensioner customers.
At 6.30 NAB announced it will reduce its variable rate home loans by 0.19% per annum, effective 12 July. 
This is on top of the 0.25% reduction last month by NAB.
Around 6.30pm Westpac announced it was reducing its variable interest rates for home loan customers, including a reduction of 0.20% p.a for owner occupiers and a reduction of 0.30% p.a. for investors with interest only repayments.
<a href="/expert-insights/finance/westpac-to-cut-by-0-2-but-more-for-io-borrowers">With the same 0.2% last month</a>, Westpac's combined rate cuts of the past two months ranks as the lowest for home loan customers.
The following interest rate changes will come into effect on Tuesday 16 July 2019 at Westpac.
<ul>
<li>Variable home loan (owner occupier) rate has been reduced by .20% p.a. to 4.98% p.a. for customers with principal and interest repayments.</li>
<li>Variable residential investment property loan reduced by .20% p.a. to 5.53% p.a. for customers with principal and interest repayments.</li>
<li>Variable home loan (owner occupier) rate reduced by .20% p.a. to 5.57% p.a. for customers with interest only repayments.</li>
<li>Variable residential investment property loan rate reduced by .30% p.a. to 5.79% p.a. for customers with interest only repayments.  </li>
</ul>
“Today’s announcement means our Standard Variable Rate (SVR) will be the lowest it has been in more than 45 years for owner occupier home loan customers with principal and interest repayments,” David Lindberg, Westpac Chief Executive, Consumer said.
 
 
 
</div>
</div>
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ANZ first to cut rates again, this time the full cut

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Just 10 minutes after the RBA announced they are further dropping the cash rate by 0.25% today, <a href="https://www.athena.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5J_mBRDVARIsAGqGLZCKwKfQxKUvNT0g33wrh6Kg2oBRfwJBwNSWn4iuj0nJVqF2uEWWJ6EaAqxjEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Athena</a> home loans announced it will be passing on the full rate cut to both existing and new customers.
Effective immediately, the rate drop brings Athena’s rate down to one of the lowest on the market.
They're offering 3.09% for owner occupiers and 3.49% for investors.
Athena CEO and co-founder, Nathan Walsh said, “the big banks delayed passing on the June RBA rate cut by as much as 21 days, costing Aussie borrowers over $100M. Lenders who failed to pass on the full savings cost customers a further $280M."
Since launching in February this year, Athena claim the average customer switching to them from typical big bank rates is saving more than $50,000 over the life of the loan.
Athena was the first non-bank lender to reduce rates last month as well.
The Sydney based online lender announced a new headline variable rate for owner-occupiers paying principal and interest of 3.34 per cent p.a. within 15 minutes of the June RBA decision.
Athena only entered the home loan market this year.
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Athena home loans match the full RBA cut again 

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The RBA could cut the cash rate again as early as Tuesday however it’s unlikely the big four banks will pass it on in full, according to comparison site RateCity.com.au.
RateCity.com.au drew comparison to when the RBA cut the cash rate in May 2016, the big banks, with the exception of ANZ, passed on the full 0.25 per cent to their variable rate customers.
However, when the RBA cut again just three months later, not one of the big banks passed it on in full.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/1/Passing%20the%20cut%201.JPG" alt="">
 
RateCity.com.au research director Sally Tindall said the big banks are increasingly finding themselves in a rock and a hard place.
“The RBA is now ready and willing to cut the cash rate. They’ve also made it very clear the banks should pass on these cuts to their variable home loan customers." 
“But the closer the cash rate gets to zero, the more banks will start feeling wedged." 
“Wholesale funding costs might have come down, but banks are trying to juggle deposit rates, lending rates, business costs and profit margins in what is an incredibly sluggish credit market."
“What’s been really interesting is that while hundreds of thousands of existing mortgage holders missed out on a full cut last month, competition for new business is actually intensifying."
“Last month we saw the lowest rate on the market for new customers fall from 3.44 per cent to 3.09 per cent – a drop of 0.35 per cent, 0.10 per cent more than what the RBA delivered."
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/1/Passing%20the%20cut%202.JPG" alt=""> 
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Why the banks probably won't pass on the next full RBA cut: RateCity

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ANZ is the last of the big four banks to cut their savings account rates, following the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the cash rate earlier this month.
They have reduced the rates on their Progress Saver and Online Saver accounts by 0.20% – 2 basis points more than they passed onto their home loan customers on 14 June 2019.
ANZ offer the highest ongoing savings rate out of the big four of 2.20%, while Westpac offers the highest introductory rate of 2.31% for a period of five months.
“Introductory rates have become the white elephant of banking,” RateCity.com.au research director Sally Tindall said. 
“All four big banks have slashed their base rates to just 0.30% interest, when inflation is sitting at 1.3%. That’s a nightmare equation for anyone trying to save."
RateCity.com.au data shows that over 47 banks have dropped their savings rates since the RBA cash rate cut on June 4, including ING, AMP, Bank of Queensland, ME, Suncorp and Bendigo, in addition to the big four banks.
According to RateCity.com.au’s database the average cut to savings account rates by banks who have moved is 0.23%, while the maximum cut on the database is 0.50%.
As a result of all the changes, the average savings account rate is now 1.55%. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/26/Big%204%20rates%20June%2026.JPG" alt="">
Source: Ratecity.com.au
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/26/Top%20savings%20rates%20June%2026.JPG" alt="">
Source: Ratecity.com.au
UBank has not cut this rate since the RBA cash rate change on June 4.
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Home loan savers suffer slashed interest rates of the big four: Ratecity

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EXPERT OBSERVER
This column is going to be a little controversial however, lenders are well within their rights keep a portion of future rate cuts up their sleeve.
Furthermore, the fact that banks have to consider mortgage holders as well as savers is an important consideration.
It is true that Australians are obsessed with housing.
In no way is this better reflected by the fact that interest rate cuts are cheered because they lead to cheaper interest cost on our mortgages and interest rate rises are jeered because our repayments increase. This is notwithstanding the fact that lower interest rates typically reflect a slowing economy with low inflation and low wages growth that requires more stimulus.
On the other side, higher interest rates typically reflect stronger inflation, stronger wage growth and an economy that is overall too strong.
Looking at data from the Reserve Bank to April 2019 shows that the value of deposits with authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) was recorded at $1.584 trillion.
By comparison, the total value of outstanding mortgages was recorded at $1.825 billion. The value of outstanding housing credit is larger than the value of deposits however, bank deposits account for 86.8% of the value of outstanding housing credit.
Since this long interest rate cutting cycle began in November 2011, the cash rate has dropped from 4.75% to 1.5% in May 2019 with an additional 25 basis points of interest rate cuts delivered this month, taking the cash rate to 1.25%. Between October 2011 and May 2019, an owner occupier with a principal and interest mortgage has, on average, seen their mortgage interest rate reduce by 218 basis points.
Over the current interest rate cutting cycle, mortgage interest rates to owner occupiers have reduced by 218 basis points however, the drop in savings and term deposit rates has been much greater.
As an example the fall in some of the rates are detailed below (based on averages published by the RBA):
1. Rates for banks bonus savings accounts with at least $10,000 have fallen 330 basis points to 2.15%
2. Rates for online savings accounts with at least $10,000 have fallen 400 basis points to 0.85%
3. Rates for cash management accounts at banks with deposits of at least $10,000 have fallen 320 basis points to 0.45%
4.Rates for three month term deposit rates with at least $10,000 have fallen 320 basis points to 1.85%
5. Rates for three year term deposit rates with at least $10,000 have fallen 330 basis points to 2.3%
As this data shows, while on average the benefit of the reduction in mortgage interest rates to owner occupier borrowers has been 218 basis points, the reduction in interest rates for savers has been significantly larger. Mortgages are a generally large and significant debt, so many view the drop in mortgage interest rates as more beneficial, especially with the increased use of mortgage offset accounts over recent years.
However, with official interest rates as low as they are currently and savers having experienced much greater interest reductions than mortgage holders, it could be argued there is currently little benefit in saving.
While that may potentially be good for the economy (more spending) and lower interest rates are certainly perceived as good for mortgage holders, there is a fairly large proportion of the population that rely on savings as well as those that have little or no mortgage debt.
Another factor to consider is that the major banks, which account for the majority of mortgage lending in the country, remain heavily reliant on domestic deposits to fund their mortgage lending. The latest data available shows that around two thirds of major banks non-equity funding comes from domestic deposits.
Very low interest rates discourage saving and over time could lead to a drop in domestic deposits and an increase in the requirement for lenders to increase their reliance on other sources of funding (such as offshore).
Listed lenders also have a responsibility to their shareholders. Very low mortgage rates have the potential to further depress net interest margins.
This increases the likelihood that future cuts to the cash rate may not be passed on in full and likely explains why the reduction to deposit rates have to-date been larger than the cuts to mortgage interest rates.
As always when interest rates are changed there are winners and losers.
For the most part the focus is on the benefit of lower interest rates for mortgage holders what is often forgotten in the conversation, and has been throughout the current rate cutting cycle, is how much lower interest rates hurt savers and disincentive saving.
Given cuts to interest rates for savers have been much greater than cuts to interest rates for mortgage holders and savers are not that much of a smaller cohort than mortgage holders it is reasonable for lenders to have greater consideration of the impact of the current ultra-low interest rates on this segment of the market.
CAMERON KUSHER is the head of research for the Australian branch of CoreLogic
Kusher regularly posts on the <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news" target="_blank">CoreLogic website</a>.
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The case for not passing on RBA cash rate cuts to home loan mortgage rates: CoreLogic's Cameron Kusher

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EXPERT OBSERVER
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We have decided to bring forward the timing of the next RBA rate cut from August to July.
We are surprised that we have to do this, given that a pause between cuts might have allowed for a smoother transmission process but cannot deny the explicit signals provided in the Governor’s more recent speech.
This includes: that it would “… be unrealistic to expect that lowering interest rates by ¼ of a percentage point will materially shift the path we look to be on”; that “the possibility of lower rates remains on the table”; and that it “is not unrealistic to expect a further reduction in the cash rate.”
These are early days for interpreting this Governor’s language at a time when policy is active. However based on our experience with other central bankers, this language is direct. As such, we now expect a cut in July that will substitute for the move we had originally expected in August.
This will complete the two cuts we originally forecast on February 21 when markets were priced for only one cut by March 2020. The timing however is somewhat earlier than we anticipated back in February.
It was reasonable to expect that the Bank would lower its growth and inflation forecasts in the August Statement on Monetary Policy and acknowledge that decision by cutting in August. However it now appears that, based on the Governor’s speech, he may decide to hold steady on the May growth and inflation forecasts.
In particular, the Governor stressed that the decision to cut in June “was not in response to a deterioration in the economic outlook since the previous update was published in early May”. Note that the May forecasts were conditioned on market pricing which included two rate cuts by the end of 2019. With those cuts set to be delivered the August forecast update will also benefit from markets pricing in a further rate cut to 0.75% by the end of 2019. The wording in the Statement in August will probably include something along the lines of “having already cut rates twice”.
Readers will recall that on May 24 Westpac forecast a terminal rate in November of 0.75%. This was ahead of all major forecasters (Bloomberg survey May 24) and market pricing. Although the Bank may decide to hold its growth and inflation forecasts steady in the August Statement on Monetary Policy we do not expect it to be possible to sustain this view through to November.
Westpac expects growth of 2.2% in 2019 and underlying inflation of 1.4%. Official forecasts more in line with those estimates are likely by November meaning it will not be possible to credibly lower the Bank’s unemployment rate forecast, which currently stands at 5%, well above the 4.5% level now assessed as full employment. That combination means a further rate cut would be appropriate.
When we released the May 24 forecast we noted that the risk to the rate view was to the downside with a potential terminal rate of 0.5% possible. We remain comfortable with the 0.75% target but recognise that given the current official intense focus on lowering the unemployment rate these downside risks have increased.
The focus on the unemployment rate also raises prospects for less predictable timing of the rate cut decision. In previous cycles growth and inflation and changes to associated forecasts have dominated the timing of decisions with most rate cuts timed for February, May, August and November.
As we expect to see in July, that timing has changed because updates on the labour market are available monthly rather than quarterly. Accordingly it is possible that our November target date for the rate cut after July is more flexible than in previous cycles.
BILL EVANS is the Chief Economist at Westpac
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RBA's next rate cut will be July: Westpac's Bill Evans

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EXPERT OBSERVER
US Federal Reserve meeting
As expected, the US Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) unanimously kept the target range for the federal funds rate between 2.25-2.50 per cent.
FOMC members voted 9-1 to hold interest rates steady with St Louis Fed President James Bullard preferring a rate cut. 
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said “The case for somewhat more accommodative policy has strengthened” at his press conference after the central bank announced its decision.
The median interest rate projection still shows interest rates unchanged at 2.4 per cent this year, before falling to 2.1 per cent in 2020, down from the previous forecast of 2.6 per cent in March.  
Changes in US monetary policy settings can affect rates in Australia as well as the sharemarket and currency.
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What did the Fed decide and what does it all mean?
The US Federal Reserve has adopted a more ‘dovish’ policy stance, removing its previous reference to being “patient” with future rate adjustments. But the FOMC stopped short of signalling a July interest cut. 
That said, the FOMC’s interest rate projections (‘dot plot’) showed 8 of 17 FOMC members projecting that interest rates will need to be cut this year, with seven of those officials seeing two 25 basis point rate cuts. 
In its statement, the FOMC cautioned that US economic growth was “moderate” and “uncertainties about this [economic] outlook have increased.” 
Further, the FOMC said “in light of these uncertainties and muted inflation pressures, the committee will closely monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion.”
The median federal funds target projections were adjusted. There was no change in the projection for 2019 of 2.4 per cent. But the forecast for the federal funds rate in 2020 is now 2.1 per cent (previously 2.6 per cent) and in 2021 the fed funds rate is now seen at 2.4 per cent (previously 2.6 per cent). 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/20/Commsec-Trade.jpg" alt="">
The FOMC updated its GDP and unemployment rate projections. The FOMC projects GDP growth of 2.1 per cent in 2019 (unchanged); 2.0 per cent in 2020 (previously 1.9 per cent), and 1.8 per cent in 2021 (unchanged). 
Meanwhile, the FOMC expects the unemployment to be 3.6 per cent in 2019 (previously 3.7 per cent), 3.7 per cent in 2020 (previously 3.8 per cent) and 3.8 per cent in 2021 (previously 3.9 per cent). 
On consumer prices, core personal consumption expenditure (PCE) deflator (inflation) is expected to be 1.8 per cent in 2019 (previously 2.0 per cent), 1.9 per cent in 2020 (previously 2.0 per cent) and 2.0 per cent in 2021 (unchanged). 
What are the implications of today’s decision?
Commonwealth Bank Group economists now expect the FOMC to cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 2.00-2.25 per cent at the next meeting on July 30-31. 
And further interest rate cuts are expected as US-China trade tensions weigh on US business investment and hiring intentions. Wages growth has softened and manufacturing activity is moderating. 
The fiscal stimulus from the Trump Administration is fading, as evidenced by lower corporate profitability in the March quarter. And inflation expectations are receding, with the recent drop in the University of Michigan’s longer-run inflation gauge to the lowest on record. 
Financial markets reacted by factoring in a 100 per cent probability of the FOMC cutting rates at its July meeting. 
US sharemarkets posted modest gains on Wednesday. Healthcare shares rose by 1 per cent, but banks lost 0.9 per cent. The Dow Jones index rose by 38 points or 0.2 per cent. The S&amp;P500 index lifted by almost 9 points or 0.3 per cent and the Nasdaq rose by 33 points or 0.4 per cent.  
The Dow Jones is now just 1.2 per cent below its record high set in October, the S&amp;P500 is 0.7 per cent short of its April record high, the Nasdaq is around 2 per cent below its high reached in May.  
Following the release of the FOMC statement, 2-year US Treasury yields declined by 8 points to 1.80 per cent, while 10-year US Treasury yields fell by 4 points to 2.04 per cent.  
The US dollar weakened following the FOMC’s announcement on growing interest rate cut expectations. The Bloomberg Dollar Index fell by 0.3 per cent. Overnight, the Aussie dollar rose from US68.54 cents to near US69.04 cents and was near US68.87 cents in late US trade.
Comparing the two most recent statements
The statement from the May 2019 meeting is on the left; the statement from today’s June 2019 meeting is on the right. Emphasis has been added to highlight key points in the wording in the statements.
FEDERAL RESERVE press release
For release at 2 p.m. EST May 1, 2019
Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in March indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity rose at a solid rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Growth of household spending and business fixed investment slowed in the first quarter. On a 12-month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy have declined and are running below 2 percent. On balance, market-based measures of inflation compensation have remained low in recent months, and survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.
Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 percent. The Committee continues to view sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective as the most likely outcomes. In light of global economic and financial developments and muted inflation pressures, the Committee will be patient as it determines what future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate may be appropriate to support these outcomes.
In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Richard H. Clarida; Charles L. Evans; Esther L. George; Randal K. Quarles; and Eric S. Rosengren.
FEDERAL RESERVE press release
For release at 2 p.m. EST June 19, 2019  
Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in May indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity is rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although growth of household spending appears to have picked up from earlier in the year, indicators of business fixed investment have been soft. On a 12-month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy are running below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation have declined; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.
Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 percent. The Committee continues to view sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective as the most likely outcomes, but uncertainties about this outlook have increased. In light of these uncertainties and muted inflation pressures, the Committee will closely monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion, with a strong labor market and inflation near its symmetric 2 percent objective.
In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.
Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; Richard H. Clarida; Charles L. Evans; Esther L. George; Randal K. Quarles; and Eric S. Rosengren. Voting against the action was James Bullard, who preferred at this meeting to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points.
Ryan Felsman is a Senior Economist for CommSec
 
 
 
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