Interest rates

Protect yourself from interest rate rises

Yesterday the Reserve Bank announced there would be no change in the Official Cash Rate (OCR).

Take an interest and take charge

This week Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard announced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) would remain unchanged at 2.5%.

The economy - why you should care

Changes in the economy can affect you in different ways – from the price you pay for petrol, to the interest rate you earn on your savings.

Glossary: interest

Home owners: get ready for financial changes ahead

Mortgage rates are likely to rise after today's Official Cash Rate increase to 2.75% and some are predicting further rate rises from the Reserve Bank later in the year year.

Mortgages - interesting times ahead

Not that long ago you didn’t really think about your mortgage until your fixed term came up for review, then you just fixed it again for another 2-3 years. 

Fixing mortgage knowledge gaps

One in five home owners with a mortgage don’t know that it is better to have a fixed rate rather than a floating rate when interest rates are expected to increase.

Glossary: fixed rate
Glossary: floating rate
Glossary: interest rates

Weighing up the cost of mortgage break fees

Breaking your fixed mortgage term and moving to a lower interest rate may seem like an easy way to improve your cashflow. But in reality it could be a very expensive trip to the bank.

Glossary: interest

What the OCR Means To You

A change in the Official Cash Rate can leave you feeling a bit richer or a bit poorer depending on which way the pendulum has swung.

Costs

Even though the idea is to free money up to use, there can also be high costs involved with equity release products.

Glossary: equity

Fees and interest rates

The price for a home loan and all the features it offers comes in the form of interest and fees.

Glossary: interest