Likelihood of a May RBA hike firms as Big 4 banks alter outlook
CommBank and Westpac are now expecting the Reserve Bank to hand mortgage borrowers another...
06 Feb, 2026
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) overnight cash rate target (often simply called the cash rate) influences many things. Though, home loan holders are likely most concerned with how it impacts interest rates.
The RBA cash rate determines how much lenders need to pay to borrow money. The higher the cash rate, the more expensive it is for a bank to operate day-to-day.
Therefore, when the cash rate is high, so to will be the interest rates that banks and lenders charge to borrowers and provide to depositors. After all, banks and lenders want to protect their bottom line, just like the rest of us.
As of 3 February 2026, the cash rate is 3.85% with the RBA having delivered rate cuts in February 2025, May 2025, and August 2025, and a rate hike in February 2026.
The below chart shows how the cash rate has moved in recent times:
In Australia, nearly 80% of all home loan debt held by banks comes from the Big Four or their subsidiaries.
Thus, their response to the rate hike will have a significant impact on millions of borrowers.
Here's how each of the big four banks is responding so far:
| Detail | CommBank response |
|---|---|
β Passed on full 0.25% hike? | Yes |
π Days taken to announce | Same day |
β³ Days taken to implement | 10 days (effective 13 February) |
π Loans affected | Variable rate home loans |
| Find out more: CommBank to pass on RBA rate hike to home loan holders | |
| Detail | NAB response |
|---|---|
β Passed on full 0.25% hike? | Yes |
π Days taken to announce | Same day |
β³ Days taken to implement | 10 days (effective 13 February) |
π Loans affected | Variable rate home loans |
| Find out more: NAB to lift mortgage rates from 13 February | |
| Detail | Westpac response |
|---|---|
β Passed on full 0.25% hike? | Yes |
π Days taken to announce | Same day |
β³ Days taken to implement | 14 days (effective 17 February) |
π Loans affected | Variable rate home loans |
| Find out more: Westpac to hike variable mortgage rates following RBA decision | |
| Detail | ANZ response |
|---|---|
β Passed on full 0.25% hike? | Yes |
π Days taken to announce | Same day |
β³ Days taken to implement | 10 days (effective 13 February) |
π Loans affected | Variable rate home loans |
| Find out more: ANZ to lift variable home loan rates after RBA move | |
While the big four banks collectively hold the wealth of Australia's home loans, other major brands often offer more competitive mortgage deals.
For savvy homeowners who haven't borrowed through one of the quadtuplet, here are how other major banks and lenders are reacting to the cash rate hike:
Firstmac Interest Rate Cut | |
|---|---|
| Rate cut | Pending |
| Announced | Pending |
| Applies to | Pending |
Macquarie Interest Rate Hike | |
|---|---|
| Rate hike | +25bp |
| Announced | 3 February |
| Applies to | Variable rate home loans |
| Read more: Macquarie to hike mortgage rates following RBA decision | |
ubank Interest Rate Cut | |
|---|---|
| Rate cut | Pending |
| Announced | Pending |
| Applies to | Pending |
Unloan Interest Rate Hike | |
|---|---|
| Rate hike | +25bp |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable interest rates |
| Effective from 13 February | |
loans.com.au Interest Rate Cut | |
|---|---|
| Rate cut | Pending |
| Announced | Pending |
| Applies to | Pending |
Below is a list of lenders responding to the RBA's February rate hike.
This page was last updated:
AMP Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 9 February | AMP Bank home loan rates |
Arab Bank Reaction to RBA Rate hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Athena Reaction to RBA Rate hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Australian Military Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Existing variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 20 February |
Australian Mutual Bank Reaction to RBA Rate hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Auswide Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 12 February |
Bank Australia Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 19 February |
Bank First Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 20 February |
Bank of Melbourne Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 3 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
BOQ Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 6 February |
Bank of Sydney Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Bank of Us Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 6 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies 19 February |
BankSA Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 3 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
BankVic Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | 17 February |
Bankwest Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 3 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
BCU Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 18 February |
Bendigo Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 11 February |
Beyond Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Community First Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Defence Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
EasyStreet Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Firefighters Mutual Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Freedom Lend Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
G&C Mutual Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Gateway Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Geelong Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 27 February |
Greater Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
Great Southern Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 6 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
Health Professionals Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 6 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Heritage Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Homeloans.com.au Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | 13 February |
Horizon Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
HSBC Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 16 February |
Illawarra Credit Union Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
IMB Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 6 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
ING Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 10 February |
La Trobe Financial Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Liberty Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
ME Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 7 February |
Mortgage House Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
MyState Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 12 February |
Newcastle Permanent Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
Northern Inland CU Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
|---|---|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | |
People’s Choice CU Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Pepper Money Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
Police Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
P&N Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 18 February |
Pepper Money Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
Qantas Money Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
QBank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | 18 February |
Qudos Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 19 February | Repayment changes will kick in for existing customers from 26 March |
RACQ Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Reduce Home Loans Reaction to RBA Rate hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Regional Australia Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | 17 February |
St George Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 3 February |
| Applies to | Variable rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Summerland Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Suncorp Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 13 February |
SWSBank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
Teachers Mutual Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
The Mutual Bank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 23 February |
Tiimely Home Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
UniBank Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 4 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 17 February |
Virgin Money Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | 25 bps |
| Announced | 5 February |
| Applies to | Variable-rate home loans |
| Other info | Applies from 6 February for the Reward Home Loan for existing customers, 7 February on the Lite and Loaded home loans for new and existing customers. |
Yard Reaction to RBA Rate Hike |
|
| Rate hike | Pending. |
| Announced | Pending. |
| Applies to | Pending. |
| Other info | Pending. |
The cash rate serves as a crucial tool in managing the economy.
By adjusting the cash rate, the RBA can influence economic activity, control inflation, and ensure financial stability.
When the economy is overheating and inflation – that is, the price of goods and services – is rising too quickly, the RBA might increase the cash rate to make borrowing more expensive. That, in turn, can be expected to cool down spending and investment.
On the other hand, when the economy is sluggish and growth is subdued, a lower cash rate can stimulate it by making borrowing cheaper and encouraging spending.
Essentially, the cash rate acts as a lever to balance economic growth and maintain a healthy financial system.
However, the cash rate is not without its faults. It is often described as a 'blunt tool' because changes to the rate ripple across the entire economy, impacting far more than just the intended targets.
To explain how the RBA cash rate influences home loan interest rates, we need to start with how banks manage their money.
Regulations demand that banks maintain a certain level of liquidity at the end of each day. This means they must have a certain amount of cash on hand.
Cash deposits – such as those in savings accounts and term deposits – count towards a bank’s liquidity, while funds lent to borrowers reduce its liquidity.
If a bank disburses more funds through loans and deposit withdrawals within a single day than it receives in new deposits and loan repayments, it might struggle to meet its liquidity requirements.
That’s when the cash rate comes in. A bank can choose to borrow the necessary funds overnight to meet its liquidity needs, and it will be charged the overnight cash rate set by the RBA.
For that reason, when the cash rate is high, so is the cost of doing business for banks. When the cost of doing business is high, banks increase interest rates charged to borrowers to recoup their higher costs.
However, the cash rate isn’t the only factor that impacts home loan interest rates. Sometimes, lenders will adjust their home loan interest rates even if there has been no change in the cash rate. These ‘out of cycle’ home loan rate changes happen frequently.
| Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Extra Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.29% p.a. | 5.33% p.a. | $2,773 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 90% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.19% p.a. | 5.10% p.a. | $2,742 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $0 | 80% |
| Disclosure | |||||||||||
5.24% p.a. | 5.29% p.a. | $2,758 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $1,100 | 80% | Disclosure | ||||||||||||
5.99% p.a. | 6.02% p.a. | $2,995 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $845 | 90% | |||||||||||||
5.94% p.a. | 6.23% p.a. | $2,978 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $350 | $350 | 95% | |||||||||||||
6.24% p.a. | 6.27% p.a. | $3,075 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $350 | 90% | |||||||||||||
6.39% p.a. | 6.41% p.a. | $3,124 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $350 | 95% | |||||||||||||
6.49% p.a. | 6.49% p.a. | $3,157 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $320 | 80% | |||||||||||||
6.82% p.a. | 6.96% p.a. | $3,266 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $10 | $450 | 80% | |||||||||||||
5.39% p.a. | 5.43% p.a. | $2,805 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 90% |
| Promoted | Disclosure |

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