The mortgage rate cycle is turning
Several lenders increased their variable mortgage rates in November, while increases in fixed mortgage rates outnumbered cuts. During August, September and October fixed mortgage rate cuts outnumbered increases but that changed last month.Commentary in latest Mozo Banking Roundup suggests that the mortgage market may be at the bottom of the rate cycle.Mozo figures show that in the variable rate market, Westpac increased its basic variable introductory rate by ten basis points and the reversionary rate by 20 bps.Bank of Sydney increased its variable package rate by 30 bps to 4.14 per cent for loans with loans-to-valuation ratios between 80 per cent and 90 per cent, and by 15 bps to 3.94 per cent for loans with LVRs below 80 per cent.Community First Credit Union increased the rate on its Honeymoon Home Loan by 70 bps to 5.17 per cent for owner-occupiers and by 70 bps to 5.32 per cent for investors.ME increased rates across the board - variable and fixed - by ten to 15 bps. Reduce Home Loans made small increases in its variable rate loans.Not all variable rate changes were increases. Aussie Home Loans, BankVic, Illawarra Home Loans, loans.com.au and Qudos Bank cut rates.In the fixed rate market, 19 lenders increased rates, with most of the activity around three-year rates.Greater Bank had the best rate in the market for four and five-year terms, at 3.74 per cent for both. The bank has increased its three to five year rates by between 11 bps and 35 bps.ING Direct increased foxed rates for all terms, with the increases ranging from ten bps to 40 bps.St George Bank increased its two and three-year rates by 24 bps and its five-year rate by 54 bps. Investors rates for these terms went up by an additional six bps.