
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) offers a range of standard variable rate home loan options to suit different needs and budgets.
The CBA's standard variable rate home loan has a variable interest rate, which means it can change over time. This rate is currently 3.52% per annum.
If you're looking for a home loan with a lower interest rate, the CBA's Standard Variable Rate Home Loan with Offset option might be worth considering. This loan has an interest rate of 3.42% per annum.
For those who want to make extra repayments without incurring fees, the CBA's Standard Variable Rate Home Loan with Redraw option is a good choice.
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CBA Home Loan Rates
CBA Home Loan Rates can be quite complex, but I'll break it down for you. Commonwealth Bank Home Loan Rates tend to move in line with the Reserve Bank of Australia, but the full benefit of an RBA interest rate cut is not always passed on.
Variable rates can change out of cycle when the bank needs to increase or maintain its profitability. For example, if the RBA reduces the cash rate by 0.25%, CBA Home Loan Rates may only fall by 0.15%.
As of 30 June 2020, CBA Variable rates were as follows:
- Owner Occupied Principal & Interest Variable – 2.80% pa
- Owner Occupied Interest Only Variable – 3.27% pa
- Investment Principal & Interest Variable – 3.43% pa
- Investment Interest Only Variable – 3.69% pa
New variable rates have been introduced, with a Wealth Package standard variable rate of 6.79% p.a. (7.16% p.a. comparison rate*) available for new owner occupiers with a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80-90% making principal and interest (P&I) repayments.
Here are the new Wealth Package owner occupier variable interest rates:
Understanding CBA Home Loans
CBA home loans offer a range of options for owner-occupied properties. The Standard Variable Rate (SVR) is the rate off which Commonwealth Bank Home Loan Interest Rates are priced. As of 30 June 2020, the SVR for Owner Occupied, Principal & Interest was 4.55% pa.
The SVR is divided into four loan types or categories: Owner Occupied, Principal & Interest; Owner Occupied, Interest Only; Investment, Principal & Interest; and Investment, Interest Only. These rates are used as a reference point to determine your final interest rate.
A discount is applied to the SVR to arrive at your final interest rate. For example, if you have an Owner Occupied Principal & Interest home loan and achieve a 1.60% discount, the final rate to you will be 3.95% pa.
Here's a breakdown of the SVR rates as of 30 June 2020:
CBA home loans are a good benchmark for how lenders would be pricing in the market. As of 30 June 2020, the rates for Owner Occupied Principal & Interest Variable, Owner Occupied Principal & Interest 2 Year Fixed, Owner Occupied Interest Only Variable, and Owner Occupied Interest Only 2 Year Fixed were 2.80%, 2.29%, 3.27%, and 3.79% pa, respectively.
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CBA Home Loan Options
If you're considering a CBA home loan, you'll want to know about your options. CBA offers a range of owner occupied home loans that can be used as your primary place of residence or even a holiday home.
One key thing to note is that Commonwealth Bank is Australia's largest home lender among the "Big 4" banks. This means their rates are a good benchmark for how lenders would be pricing in the market.
If you're looking for a fixed loan, CBA's owner occupied options include a 2.29% pa rate for a 2-year fixed loan. This is a relatively low rate, making it a good option for those who want stability in their repayments.
For those who prefer a variable loan, CBA's owner occupied principal & interest variable rate is 2.80% pa. This rate is also relatively low, making it a good option for those who want flexibility in their repayments.
Here are the different types of owner occupied home loans offered by CBA, along with their rates as of 30 June 2020:
- Owner Occupied Principal & Interest Variable – 2.80% pa
- Owner Occupied Principal & Interest 2 Year Fixed – 2.29% pa
- Owner Occupied Interest Only Variable – 3.27% pa
- Owner Occupied Interest Only 2 Year Fixed – 3.79% pa
Home Loan Repayments
A Commonwealth Bank principal & interest home loan causes the loan balance to gradually decline over time, known as amortisation. This happens because each repayment has a component of principal and a component of interest.
The proportion of principal and interest in each repayment changes over time, with the principal component increasing relative to the interest component as the loan progresses. This causes the loan to be paid off more rapidly the further you are into the loan.
As at 30 June 2020, Commonwealth Bank Home Loan Interest Rates for Principal & Interest were priced better than Interest Only Rates, with the bank encouraging borrowers to take out a principal & interest loan rather than an interest only loan.
Repayments
Repaying your home loan can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down can make it more manageable. The good news is that you can make extra repayments at any time without penalty.
You can make lump sum payments, which can help you pay off your loan faster and save on interest. For example, making a lump sum payment of $10,000 can save you around $1,500 in interest over the life of the loan.
You should also consider making regular extra repayments, which can help you pay off your loan even faster. For instance, paying an extra $50 per week can save you around $2,000 in interest over the life of the loan.
The more you repay, the less interest you'll pay over the life of the loan. This can make a big difference in the long run, especially if you're paying off a large loan.
You can also consider making repayments more frequently, such as fortnightly instead of monthly. This can help you make the most of your money and pay off your loan faster.
Principal
A principal & interest home loan is a type of loan where both the principal and interest are paid off with each repayment. This leads to the loan balance gradually declining over time, a process called amortisation.
The proportion of principal and interest in each repayment changes over time, with the principal component increasing as the loan gets further along. This means the loan is paid off more quickly the longer you have it.
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You'll notice that Commonwealth Bank prices their principal & interest rates lower than their interest only rates. This is because they encourage borrowers to take out principal & interest loans, especially for home loans.
Here are some of the principal & interest rates offered by Commonwealth Bank as of 30 June 2020:
News and Updates
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has recently announced changes to its standard variable rate home loan. The interest rate has been adjusted to 3.62% per annum, which is a decrease from the previous rate of 3.73%.
This change is effective from a specific date, which is March 1st, 2023. Borrowers can expect to see the updated interest rate reflected in their next loan statement.
If you're a CBA customer, it's essential to review your loan agreement to understand how this change may affect your repayments.
Aussie Broker Welcomes CommBank Rate Cuts
Mortgage broker Will Sanchez thinks it's about time CommBank cut its fixed and variable rates. The decision is a good one for customers, who are feeling the pinch of cost of living pressures.
The rate cuts will ease some of that pressure on loan repayments, making it a bit more manageable for people. This is especially true for those with larger deposits, who have seen variable rates fall by 20 basis points.
The CommBank rate cuts are also a sign that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) might be lowering interest rates soon. This is according to Will Sanchez, who believes the RBA cash rate cut is definitely on the horizon.
Fixed rates have seen the biggest cuts, with some rates dropping by as much as 55 basis points. Here are the new fixed rates for investment home loans:
Sanchez is an Elite broker with CommBank, and he uses them a lot because they have one of the best, most flexible lending policies of all the banks.
News
In recent news, a new study found that the average person checks their phone over 150 times per day. This constant need for instant gratification can lead to feelings of anxiety and burnout.

The same study revealed that 60% of people report feeling stressed or overwhelmed by their digital lives. This is a stark reminder that our constant connectivity can have serious consequences for our mental health.
Social media has become a major source of news for many people, with 70% of online adults using platforms like Facebook and Twitter to stay informed. However, this can also lead to echo chambers and the spread of misinformation.
A recent survey found that 40% of people report feeling more connected to their online communities than their real-life ones. This is a concerning trend that highlights the need for balance in our digital lives.
New Variable Home Loans
CommBank has introduced new variable rates for owner occupiers with a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80-90%, offering a Wealth Package standard variable rate of 6.79% p.a. (7.16% p.a. comparison rate*) with principal and interest (P&I) repayments.
Here are the new Wealth Package owner occupier variable interest rates:
Variable rates have generally fallen by 20 basis points for those with larger deposits, while they're up to 35 basis points lower for investors taking out Wealth Package variable rate loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current standard variable mortgage rate?
The current Standard Variable Mortgage Rate is 6.75%. This rate is subject to change, so it's a good idea to check for updates.
What is standard variable rate loan?
A standard variable rate loan is a type of home loan with an interest rate that can change over time, often tied to the lender's reference interest rate. This rate can influence the pricing of other home loan interest rates offered by the lender.
Sources
- https://www.commbank.com.au/home-loans/interest-rates.html
- https://www.savings.com.au/news/commbank-cuts-home-loan-rates
- https://www.mpamag.com/au/mortgage-industry/market-updates/commonwealth-bank-cuts-interest-rates/502660
- https://www.brokernews.com.au/news/breaking-news/cba-lifts-variable-interest-rates-280741.aspx
- https://mortgagebrokerwebsite.com.au/insights/commonwealth-bank-home-loan-rates/
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