Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Mortgage Rate

<html><body>
Smaller, online and non-bank lenders like ING DIRECT and Queenslanders Credit Union were the winners of Mozo’s People’s Choice Banking Awards, based on reviews from almost 35,000 customers over the past 12 months.
Overall, satisfaction with banks fell slightly to 7.82 in 2015 from 7.85 last year. 
ING DIRECT won Best Bank for the sixth year in a row, Greater Building Society took home its third award for Best Building Society and NAB held its mantle for Best Big 4 for the fifth year running.
“Each year, Mozo recognises the banks we love and trust, giving us a report card of just how we feel about our bank,” said Mozo director Kirsty Lamont.
The awards, in their sixth year, invite Australians to have their say on their banking experience. Customers rate their banking provider on overall satisfaction, price, features, customer service, convenience and trust. Mozo then aggregates these scores to determine the winners. This year more than 170 providers were rated. 
For the favourite banking products, transaction and savings accounts top the charts (8.19 and 8.11), while high interest charging credit cards and personal loans were the least loved (7.10 and 7.19).
“Interestingly, a family’s biggest debt burden, the home loan, had people feeling relatively happy (scoring 7.42) thanks to a low interest rate environment,” said Lamont.
Females aged 18-24 and earning less than $35,000 a year are the happiest with their bank (8.35), while those aged 45-54 and those earning over $180k gave their bank the lowest scores (7.5 and 7.12).
“Interestingly, we’re happiest at the start of our banking life-cycle and over time we become less satisfied the older we get and the more money we have,” said Lamont.
Among the states, Queenslanders were the happiest state, rating their bank an average 7.87 out of 10, followed by South Australia (7.80), Tassie (7.75) and NSW (7.71).
The least happy with their banks were Victoria (7.64), the ACT (7.62), and NT (7.58). 
Mozo People’s Choice Banking Awards overall winners
<table style="width: 424px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Category
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Winner
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
Score
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
ING DIRECT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
9.05
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Big 4 Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
NAB
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
7.96
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Credit Union
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Queenslanders Credit Union
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
8.99
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Building Society
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Greater Building Society
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
8.72
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Mutual Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Hume Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
9.30
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Mozo People’s Choice Banking Awards product category winners
<table style="width: 424px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Category
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Winner
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
Score
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Savings Accounts
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
ING DIRECT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
9.29
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Bank Accounts
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
ING DIRECT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
9.24
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Home Loans
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Queenslanders Credit Union
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
9.05
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Credit Cards
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Bendigo Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
8.44
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Personal Loans
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Queenslanders Credit Union
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
8.85
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Best Term Deposits
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Bendigo Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="64">
7.89
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

ING DIRECT tops Mozo's banking awards for sixth year

<html><body>
Suncorp Bank has announced it is increasing its variable interest rates for owner-occupier and investor loans.
The non-major bank announced its rates will increase by 16 basis points for new and existing loans from November 20.
Suncorp’s Standard Variable Owner Occupier rate will increase to 5.70%.
Its Investment Standard Variable Rate will increase to 5.97%.
It was partly attributed to an increase in the bank’s wholesale funding costs.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Suncorp raises home loan rates

<html><body>
Industry super fund-owned bank ME will increase interest rates by 0.20% across its variable home loan portfolio, with changes coming into play 20 November 2015.
ME will also increase its Online Savings Account variable interest rate by 0.45% to 3.55% p.a. from 28 October, which includes a 1.55% p.a. variable bonus rate to eligible customers.
ME chief executive officer Jamie McPhee, said the Bank had moved rates to provide a balance between offering competitive home loan rates to customers on the one hand, and delivering acceptable rates of return for its industry super fund shareholders and their members on the other.
“Up until the Financial System Inquiry recently addressed the unfair capital advantages of the larger banks, smaller banks like ME have been achieving below-market shareholder returns in order to remain competitive with the majors," he said.
“The rate increase we have announced today puts us on a path where we can continue to grow the Bank while offering some of the best home loan rates available for working Australians."
According to the bank revenue and cost pressures increased over the last 12 months due to regulatory changes around liquidity, greater economic uncertainty, and stronger competition in the owner occupied market.
 
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ME to increase interest rates by 0.20% across variable home loan portfolio

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Mortgage Choice has reported strong first quarter earnings, with home loan settlements up 8% year on year and cash group revenue growing 10% during the comparable period.
Financial planning revenue rose 75% year on year, while the head office generated home loan leads grew 46%.
“We have enjoyed a very solid start to the new financial year,” chief executive officer John Flavell said at the company's annual general meeting.
“Throughout the 2015 financial year, Mortgage Choice managed to record its strongest ever settlement result – up 10.6% on the previous year," he said. 
“We managed to grow our loan book by 4.6% to $49.5 billion.
"And, in the early part of this financial year, we took our loan book over the $50 billion milestone for the first time ever." 
Home loans worth $11.5 billion were settled throughout the course of the year, equating to nearly $1 billion a month.
Flavell said July was the company's second biggest month on record for home loan settlements, which boded well for the 2016 financial year.
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Mortgage Choice reports strong results, says loan book crossed $50 billion

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Mortgage aggregator Finsure Finance &amp; Insurance has surged into second place in BRW Magazine's latest top 100 Fast Starters list, up from 18 in 2014, positioning it as one of Australia’s fastest growing companies.
BRW’s annual Fast Starters list compares businesses founded after June 2011.
Those that make the list are ranked by their revenue and their growth percentage within the last financial year.
BRW recorded Finsure’s FY15 revenue as having grown 90 percent year on year.
The Finsure Group recently hired its 800th broker and stated that settlement volumes rose a further 50 percent during July and August, compared with the same period last year.
“We are delighted to be ranked second on such a high profile list and also to be acknowledged as the fastest growing financial services company,” John Kolenda, Finsure's managing director, said.
“The timing of this award couldn’t be better as we are currently holding our first international conference in Shanghai."
The full list of this year’s BRW Fast Starters can be found <a href="https://www.brw.com.au/lists/fast-starters/2015/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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John Kolena's Finsure races to second place in BRW's Fast Starters list

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Media coverage of the Westpac decision to lift mortgage rates 0.2 percentage points has been typically sub-standard.
Many articles, inspired by economists suffering from limelight deficit syndrome, have portrayed this as a death knell for property markets.
As someone who has studied the relationship between interest rates and price movements, I can tell you that this is a not a reasonable conclusion.
Economists and journalists, with their simplistic thought processes, tend to believe that low interest rates = property boom, and rising interest rates = property decline. This contradicts both common sense and historical precedent.
Falling interest rates usually coincide with subdued property markets. The RBA cuts interest rates when the economy is struggling, consumer confidence is low and unemployment is rising – i.e. conditions which are least likely to produce property booms.
This is why most of Australia does not have booming property markets. Only Sydney, which is the centre of the one economy (NSW) that is really pumping, has had a boom. Melbourne, the capital of a state with an okay economy, has displayed some buoyancy but nothing approaching the dizzy heights of Sydney. 
Most of the state and territories have struggling economies and their capital city property markets – Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, Adelaide – have been stuck in neutral or reverse. Years of very low interest rates have been utterly irrelevant in all of these places.
Regional Australia is dotted with markets that have dropped sharply and others that have gone nowhere in terms of price movements. The exceptions are relatively few and most of them are located amid that one strong state economy, New South Wales. 
The bottom line is that interest rates usually are irrelevant. Economists appear to think they’re the only thing that matters and the sole determinant of outcomes in real estate. In truth, they have little or no bearing. 
Other factors have much greater influence. Sydney had its boom because a change of State Government in 2011 returned sanity and competence to governance, the economy started pumping again and infrastructure spending was revitalised. Money started circulating, businesses started spending, consumers started feeling good about things and the property market, which had been largely dormant for a decade, burst to life.
It would have happened whether the official interest rate was 2%, 4% or 6%.
Conversely, interest rates are most likely to be rising when the national economy is strong, with lots of jobs being created, confidence high and businesses spending big. These are the conditions that drive property booms – and the RBA will lift interest rates to dampen things down. 
Often it requires a long period of multiple rises to quell the buoyancy. Therefore, genuine national property booms – unlike what we have at the moment - usually coincide with periods of high or rising rates.
In the late 1980s, interest rates were lifted repeatedly without dampening the boom - and mortgage rates went as high as 17% before the bull run ended.
To suggest that a 0.2 percentage point rise by one lender will kill the (Sydney) boom shows a low level of understanding.
The reality is that the one major boom in the nation, Sydney’s, has been slowly deflating since the start of the year. APRA didn’t need to take action because the market was taking care of the situation without any interference from self-important bureaucrats.
And Westpac’s tiny nudge to interest rates will have no bearing on the situation.
 
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Interest rates usually are irrelevant: Terry Ryder

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GUEST OBSERVER
Last week, Westpac hoisted its lending rate by 20 basis points in a bid to recover the costs of recent capital raisings. There is speculation other banks will follow. Australia’s non-bank lenders could be winners from such a scenario - but the choice may not be as simple as the lowest interest rate.
The outcome of the Financial Systems Inquiry
The background to Westpac’s move lies in recommendations by the Financial System Inquiry that the capital base of Australian banks should be increased to an “unquestionably strong” level and that there should be a narrower gap in different mortgage lending requirements between institutions.
As a result Australian banks have considerably increased capital levels this year by approximately $16 billion.
However, higher capital levels and bank stability may come at additional costs, even if trade-off theory suggests greater bank and system resilience would normally equal lower funding costs. That’s because bank investors have high dividend expectations, so this means the costs of boosting capital may be passed onto borrowers.
Capital levels are likely to increase further as regulators seek to narrow the gap between the practices of the big banks and smaller lenders, and amid their increasing concern at Australia’s house prices. In particular, large banks are expected to increase capital required under their internal risk weighting models for mortgages.
Will non-bank lenders grow their mortgage books?
Non-bank lenders provide mortgage loans with comparable features but unlike banks are exclusively funded from wholesale markets and not from consumer deposits.
As a result, banks face minimum capital requirements enforced by the Australian Prudential and Regulation Authority to protect depositors, while non-bank lenders are unregulated and may more freely choose their funding mix and hence have lower funding costs.
This often implies lower capital ratios for non-banks than banks. Raising capital levels for banks only may have an impact on the balance between bank and non-bank competitors.
The following chart shows the counts and total assets of banks and non-bank lenders in Australia over time:
<a href="/images/2015/10/19/image-20151018-25135-1sqzbqr.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/10/19/image-20151018-25135-1sqzbqr.jpg" alt="">
 
The size of non-bank lenders ($120 billion) is much smaller than the size for bank lenders ($3.8 trillion) and has shrunk in relative terms over the past years. This may suggest that Australians fail to really consider this sector to finance their homes despite competitive mortgage rates from non-bank lenders.
There are many reasons for this – convenience may be one of them as banks are able to offer a larger product range and cover most financial needs of consumers, and consumers prefer to bank with a single institution.
The small size is a great disadvantage as relative fixed costs are higher for small firms than for the major banks.
Should you choose a bank or non-bank to finance your home?
Consumers seeking mortgage finance for a property – either a new borrowing or refinancing of an existing loan – can choose between a large number of banks and non-bank lenders, along with hundreds of loan products.
Comparison websites generally rank lenders and products according to the most obvious criterion – the interest rate. Non-bank lender often provide the cheapest terms. But the lowest rate loan is not necessarily the best loan.
The choice between bank and non-bank lender can be important if you want to use an offset facility. Offset facilities are not always included and they can expose borrowers to lender risk.
Having savings in an offset facility means that in effect the lender owes you money. Banks are much less risky in this regard because they benefit from government guarantees as well as greater scrutiny that are tied to the bank status.
Non-bank lenders are excluded from such guarantees and furthermore may have a greater exposure to market instability.
During the global financial crisis non-bank lenders (especially overseas firms) that were funded through capital markets, rather than customer deposits, were challenged as wholesale funding markets dried up. Some failed and total volumes shrank between 2009 and 2013 (see chart above).
Still, it is likely that more Australians change to non-bank lenders in the future. Changing a lender is easy as mortgage brokers often provide the legwork, plus exit fees have been considerably reduced since new laws came into effect on 1 July 2010 limiting mortgage exit fees to the lender’s losses directly connected to the borrower exiting the loan early.
Are non-bank lenders dangerous to our system?
Low volumes mean non-bank lenders are currently of no systemic concern to the economy and regulators. However this may change in the future as volumes shift and grow for non-bank lenders.
New market participants enter as new non-bank loan platforms are developed. One example is internet-based peer-to-peer lending.
Australians may adapt to this new regime and take on new technologies offered and seek the lenders providing the cheapest funding. Consumers generally do not care about the lenders’ own funding and may arbitrage the differences in mortgage rates by shifting the business from regulated banks to unregulated non-banks.
A concern may arise if non-bank lending is successful and to become a large player that is systemically important. In such a scenario the government would be well advised to consider regulating the industry.
Such regulations may include minimum lending and funding standards with the mission to protect de facto consumer deposits via offset accounts and to ensure the credit supply in economic downturns when wholesale funding markets are constrained.
We may be some time away from such a scenario in light of the increasing dominance of bank lenders.
 
Harry Scheule is associate professor, Finance, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney and author for <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/harry-scheule-3573" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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Rising mortgage rates - is it time to refinance your home loan?

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Westpac’s move to increase its variable mortgage rates next month by 0.2% for owner occupiers and investors is not particularly surprising as it flows from the rise in the cost of funding that will result from higher capital requirements being imposed on the banks by APRA.
The other big banks are likely to follow, although they may wait to see what the RBA does next month.
With economic growth stuck around 2% and the mining investment downturn only about half way through, the last thing the economy needs now is a rate hike for the 30-40% of households who have a mortgage given the threat it will pose to consumer spending.
The best way to avoid this is for the RBA to cut the official cash rate in order to offset the higher funding costs the banks now face.
This may mean that there is only around a 0.05% pass through to mortgage holders from the banks (depending on what other banks choose to do) but it’s better than a rate hike.
As such, a November (Melbourne Cup Day) rate cut is looking likely.
If not in November, then early next year. A watershed moment for the Sydney and Melbourne property markets.
Slowing auction clearance rates, slowing lending to property investors, more mainstream talk of potential property price falls ahead and now Westpac’s move to hike rates are all piling on the bad news for the hot property markets of Sydney and Melbourne.
I don’t see prices starting to fall till around 2017, but it’s looking increasingly clear that the property cycle in Sydney and Melbourne is starting to turn down after a couple of years of very strong gains.
Other Australian cities were already cool, but risk also being affected by talk of mortgage rate hikes, unless it’s quickly offset by the RBA.
 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://plus.google.com/110172465327488162875?rel=author" target="_blank">SHANE OLIVER</a> is head of investment strategy and economics and chief economist at <a href="https://www.ampcapital.com.au/home" target="_blank">AMP Capital</a> and is responsible for AMP Capital's diversified investment funds.
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soliver-smf6LQXgW9

Prices won't fall until 2017: AMP Capital's Shane Oliver

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GUEST OBSERVER
Markets are on alert for an unexpected near term rate cut from the RBA in response to Westpac’s decision to raise the variable mortgage rate by 20 basis points. 
Markets are asking the question as to whether the RBA will move to offset that tightening by cutting rates as early as the next Board meeting on November 3. The market probability for a cut in November has increased from 25% to 40% since the Westpac announcement. 
Below we assess the history of the Reserve Bank’s policy in relation to banks’ pricing. We conclude that based purely on history the most likely outcome is that financial conditions are likely to tighten further, although the exact degree of tightening and its timing is uncertain. 
We expect that the RBA will await this information on the effective change in financial conditions before making a decision as well as assessing any early signs of the impact of this tightening on the economic outlook. 
When this information becomes clearer we will reassess our current view, which, at this stage is for no policy change in 2015 or 2016. 
2008 
During 2008 the banks were severely impacted by the rise in funding costs as the cost of wholesale funding blew out sharply. 
In January 2008 all four majors raised mortgage rates independently of any move by the RBA. First to move was BANK 3 with 12 basis points followed by the others in a 5–7 day window with a range of 10 – 20 basis points. 
The RBA tightened by 25 basis points in both February and March with the banks raising rates by 55 – 65 basis points. 
Later in March and then again in April and July all banks raised rates independently in tranches of around 10 – 15 basis points and by 26 – 34 basis points overall. 
Over that January to July period the banks raised mortgage rates by 101 (BANK 1); 104 (BANK 2); 104 (BANK 3) and 114 (BANK 4) basis points respectively while the RBA raised the cash rate by 50 basis points. 
Observations from that period were that all banks moved closely in step and their moves were in the same direction as the RBA’s moves. Arguably because the banks were supporting the RBA’s policy of tightening there was no move by the RBA to offset any of these bank moves. 
Later in 2008 when the RBA reacted to the GFC with cuts of 25 basis points (September); 100 basis points (October); 75 basis points (November); and 100 basis points (December) the banks clawed back some of these cuts reducing the mortgage rates by 259 (BANK 1); 271 (BANK 4); 272 (BANK 2) and 287 (BANK 3). 
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2009 
In 2009 the RBA cut by 100 basis points in February which was fully passed on by the banks and 25 basis points in April, where BANK 3 who had cut more aggressively through 2008 passed on nothing and the other 3 banks only passed on 10 basis points. 
When rates started to rise, the banks once again supported the RBA’s tightening by raising rates by more than the RBA tightening. From October to December the RBA raised rates by 75 basis points and the banks tightened by 95 (BANK 2); 87 basis points (BANK 1); 85 basis points (BANK 4); and 75 basis points (BANK 3). 
2010 
In March; April and May the RBA tightened by 75 basis points and the banks raised their mortgage rates accordingly. 
With funding conditions still oppressive the banks raised rates in November by 35 (BANK 2); 39 (BANK 4); 43 (BANK 3); and 45 (BANK 1) basis points respectively in response to an RBA rate increase of 25 basis points. 
2011 
In the early stages of the easing cycle the banks passed on the full 25 basis points in RBA cuts in November and December. 
2012 
Tight funding was still pressuring the banks and in February 2012 BANK 4 raised their mortgage rates by 6 basis points to be followed three days later by BANK 3 (9); BANK 1 (10); and BANK 2 (10). 
In April BANK 4 “caught up” with a further 6 basis points increase. 
In May the RBA surprised markets by cutting the cash rate by 50 basis points. BANK 1 (40); BANK 2 (37); BANK 4 (36); and BANK 3 (32), passed on some of the cut. 
The net effect between December 2011 and June 2012 was for the mortgage rate to fall by around 25 basis points despite a 50 basis point cut by the RBA. 
Following 25 basis point cuts by the RBA in October and December the banks passed on an average of 20 basis points on each occasion. 
2013 
In 2013 the RBA continued its easing cycle with cuts in May and August with the banks cutting the mortgage rates by 25 basis points on each occasion. 
2014 
RBA and mortgage rates held steady throughout the year. 
2015 
RBA eased by 25 basis points in both February and May. Banks passed on an average of 30 basis points in February and 20 basis points in May. 
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In July one bank raised its rates on investment property loans by 0.27%; the other banks quickly followed although one restricted the move to “interest only” loans (0.29%). 
With investment property loans representing around 38% of total mortgages this lift could be equated with a 10 basis point increase in across the board in mortgage rates. 
Some Observations 
The historical evidence is that the banks have tended to move in similar, although not identical tranches. 
Most of these moves have been at the time of an RBA interest rate adjustment although there have been 2 periods – 2008 (H1) and 2012 (H1) when the banks have moved independently of an RBA move. 
Overall the banks tightened by a little over 100 basis points in 2008 ( H1) while the RBA tightened by only 50 basis points. However there was no apparent move by the RBA to offset any of that tightening. That was probably because the Reserve Bank favoured tightening policy. As late as June 2008 the Governor noted, “Inflation appears to be in the upper half of the target zone over the next year”. Arguably this could be interpreted as a tightening bias. 
The second period of banks moving out of step with the RBA was in 2012 (H1). After easing by 25 basis points in November and December with the banks passing the cut on fully we saw independent increases by the banks in February: BANK 4 (6) and three days later BANK 3 (9); BANK 2 (10) and BANK 1 (10). 
In February; March; and April the Bank had an explicit easing bias. Each statement from the Governor included, “Inflation outlook would provide scope for easier monetary policy”. Yet the board did not decide to cut rates until May when it cut by 50 basis points noting “In considering the appropriate size of adjustment to the cash rate at today’s meeting the Board judged it desirable that financial conditions be easier than those that prevailed in December”. 
The Banks duly “delivered” 40 (BANK 1); 32 (BANK 3); 36 (BANK 4); and 37 (BANK 2) in mortgage cuts. The net result over 2012 H1 was that the RBA cut by 50 basis points with mortgage rates falling by around a net 25 basis points. 
Arguably, without the banks’ independent tightening, a 25 basis point easing would have been delivered by the Bank in May given its clear easing bias. 
How do those previous periods compare with today? 
Firstly only one bank ( around 12% of total mortgages) has moved (by 20 basis points). History (2008 and 2012) would point to all the majors eventually moving but certainly not by exactly the same amount. 
Secondly, in 2008 the RBA’s bias was in the same direction as the banks’ moves so there was no action from the RBA to offset their independent moves. 
Thirdly, in 2012 the Bank had an explicit easing bias yet it waited for two meetings to respond to a tightening by the banks. Eventually it moved to not only offset the banks’ moves but provide a net easing of policy, consistent with the bias. 
This time the RBA does not have an explicit easing bias. The stance could be described as a “soft” easing bias with various officials’ statements supporting the view that if rates do move further it will be down rather than up although the central position appears to be “rates on hold”. It has been our view that the current policy settings and associated financial conditions are “about right”. 
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If there was a marked across the board increase in retail interest rates , indicating a sharp tightening in financial conditions, then the Bank may see the need to offset that move. 
It will be mindful that a cut in the overnight cash rate is likely to impact a broader spectrum of interest rates including business rates and deposit rates and the AUD. All these factors can be expected to ease financial conditions by more than the tightening represented by the rise in the mortgage rate. However, the Bank will have another degree of uncertainty associated with the degree to which the banks pass on any rate cut. These issues will be weighed by the RBA in making its policy decision. 
Were it to occur,the timing of such a decision is unclear. In 2012, despite an explicit easing bias, the Bank waited nearly three months before easing. But on that occasion it moved not only to offset the banks’ tightening but also provide a net easing consistent with the bias. Presumably, this time it would be seeking to return financial conditions to those that prevailed at the time of the October Board meeting. 
If, for instance, it opted for November when it will produce its Statement on Monetary Policy and will review its forecasts it would also have to indicate that the tightening of financial conditions prompted a downward revision to its growth forecast in 2016. 
At present the Bank is forecasting growth in 2016 of 3.0% (around 0.25 percentage points above its estimated trend growth rate).We expect that it is likely to cut its growth forecast for 2016 to 2.75% before taking into account the impact of a tightening in financial conditions. The implication might be that without an offset to these tighter financial conditions growth was at risk of falling back to a below trend 2.5% in 2016 . An offsetting easing in conditions would allow the growth forecast to be restored to 2.75% – around trend. 
Conclusion 
History has showed us that banks tend to move close in time, but in differing amounts, when operating out of cycle with the Reserve Bank. This reflects the common nature of the funding and regulatory shocks that drive such decisions. However it is by no means certain that history will necessarily repeat itself. 
History also showed us that even when the banks tightened and the Reserve Bank had an explicit easing bias it still took 3 board meetings to decide to offset the effect of the banks’ moves. 
Our position is that the case for the type of net easing we saw in 2012 is not strong but the Reserve Bank, which targets retail interest rates, may decide at some point to offset any tightening by the banks to restore retail rates to those prevailing at the time of the October Board meeting when the Bank was comfortable with financial conditions and policy settings. 
If we are to predict a near term rate cut on the basis of an unexpected tightening of financial conditions then we need to assess the full extent of that tightening and signs of its impact on the real economy. To date that information is not yet available. 
For now, we retain our call for rates to remain on hold in both 2015 and 2016. 
Bill Evans is chief economist of <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/" target="_blank">Westpac</a>.
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RBA may react to tighter financial conditions: Westpac's Bill Evans

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<div>Having recently listed on the securities exchange, Australian Finance Group (AFG) now opts to release its aggregate mortgage data on a quarterly basis, having previously released monthly figures.</div>
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<div>The figures for the September 2015 quarter, which are not seasonally adjusted, revealed a +16% year-on-year increase in mortgage volumes.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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Mortgage volumes have increased by more than +68% over the past three years, which may be partly reflective of changes in market share.  Average mortgage size soars <div>Significantly the average new mortgage size in Australia has soared further from $433,000 to $471,000 over the past year.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div>Unsurprisingly, the main driver of the gains has been the average size of mortgages sold in New South Wales which has jumped by more than $60,000 over the past year, and has soared from $454,000 to $584,000 over the past three years. </div>
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<div>Over the past year the average mortgage size also increased significantly in Victoria (+$34,000), Queensland (+$24,000), South Australia (+$30,000).</div>
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<div>There were also increases over the last year in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, but these resources states saw declines in their respective average mortgage sizes in Q3 2015.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div>Investor market share declines</div>
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<div>Perhaps the most significant aspect of this release was the very sharp drop in investor market share.</div>
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<div>According to AFG the investor share appears to have stabilised in recent months at around 32 to 33% of the mortgage market.</div>
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<div>Notably investor market share for Q3 2015 of just 33% was well below the 3 year average of 38%.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div class="separator">This once again implies that APRA's advisory speed limit of +10 per cent annualised credit growth in relation to invetsment loans will be comfortably met in due course, and the housing market story going forward will largely be one of to what extent owner-occupier loans pick up the slack.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">Westpac taps the market with raising</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">This morning Westpac went into a trading halt and announced that it would be tapping investors for a $3.5 billion renounceable entitlement offer in order to bolster its capital position, while noting in a separate announcement to the ASX that it will be whacking 20bps onto its home loan and investment loan rates, effective from November.</div>
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<div class="separator">It is widely expected that the other retail banks will follow suit in due course in respect to mortgage rates.</div>
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<div class="separator">This move seems likely to be a game changer for cash rate futures markets, with another interest rate cut from the Reserve Bank as soon as next month already considered by some to be an each way bet.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">If Thursday's employment data is weaker than expected then a rate cut in November may become more likely than not.</div>
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<div class="separator">AFG noted in its release that many borrowers consider further rate cuts to be increasingly likely, with fixed rate mortgages declining to just 11.3% of total loans processed for the quarter, which is the lowest level for more than three years. </div>
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<div class="separator">
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>. 
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
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