Deposit-takers hold their fire on rate changes
While lenders were quick to pass on the 25 basis point reduction in the cash rate last week, only a small number of deposit-takers have changed their at-call savings account rates.At the close of business yesterday - a week after the Reserve Bank announced its monetary policy move - only 21 of the 61 financial institutions in the Mozo database had changed their savings account rates.Several deposit-takers cut their rates by more than 25 basis points. Most notably, UBank cut the bonus rate on its USaver account by 40 basis points, from 6.51 per cent to 6.11 per cent, and the base rate by the same amount, from 6.01 per cent to 5.61 per cent.Citibank cut the introductory rate on its Online Saver account by 35 basis points, from 6.4 per cent to 6.05 per cent, and the base rate by 25 basis points, from 5.25 per cent to 5 per cent.ME Bank cut the rate on its Online Savings Account 30 basis points, from 5.6 per cent to 5.3 per cent. ME Bank does not offer introductory or bonus rates.ME Bank's move is a little surprising. Last week it issued a statement saying it would pass on the full 25 basis point cut in the cash rate to its home-loan customers. It said: "The move highlights the importance of acting in the best interests of customers, especially in an environment where concern over shareholder profit often supersedes customer-centric strategy."The Qantas Staff Credit Union is also cutting its deposit rates, by 30 basis points.With deposit flows strong and demand for mortgages weak, these institutions are looking to improve their margins by passing on the 25 basis point cut to borrowers and holding back a little on the deposit side. They are assuming that the deposit flows are strong enough not to be held up by a deeper cut.A couple of deposit-takers cut their rates by less than 25 basis points. St George cut the bonus rate on its PowerSaver account by 20 basis points. Queensland Country Credit Union cut the rate on its Online Saver account by 15 basis points.Virgin Money, which is yet to make any change to its deposit rates, now has the highest at-call rate in the market. Its Virgin Saver account has an introductory rate of 6.51 per cent for four months, reverting to a base rate of 5.35 per cent.ING Direct is offering 6.35 per cent for four months on Savings Maximiser, reverting to a base rate of five per cent.Bankwest is offering 6.3 per cent for 12 months on TeleNet Saver, before reverting to a base rate of five per cent.RaboDirect is offering 6.26 per cent for four months on its RaboDirect Savings Account, before reverting to a base rate of 5.75 per cent.