Summary: Cash rate expectations higher; cash rate now expected to average 3.365% in February 2024; 3-month BBSW up 2bps; four changes to surveyed ADI cash rates.
Expectations moved this week in a manner which suggested the cash rate will be higher through 2023 and the first half of 2024 in comparison with its expected path at the end of the previous week. Contracts at the end of the week implied the cash rate would essentially stay at the current rate of 3.57% to average 3.60% in April, increase to an average of 3.66% in May and then decline to an average of 3.53% in August. February 2024 contracts implied 3.365%, up from 3.205% a week ago.
Since March 2020, the RBA has not enforced its cash rate target by draining liquidity from the banking system. As a result, the actual cash rate has been noticeably below the target rate. As such, contract prices only reflect expectations of the average actual cash rate in a given month and not the implied likelihood of the RBA changing its target.
February’s preliminary retail sales report was released on Tuesday and it indicated retail spending had risen by 0.2% over the month, in line with expectations. Sales increased by 6.4% over the year, up from 7.5% in January.
February’s private credit report was published at the end of the week. Total lending increased by 0.3% over the month, slightly less than expected. The annual growth rate slowed from 8.0% to 7.6%.
3-month BBSW is a useful benchmark for cash rates and it finished the week 2bps higher at 3.72%. The RBA’s target for the overnight lending rate between banks is 3.60% but actual overnight interbank loans are being negotiated at 3.57%, 3bps below the target but 7bps above the RBA’s exchange settlement account (ESA) rate for ADI deposits with it.
There were four changes made by deposit-taking institutions in our survey of cash account interest rates this week. Great Southern raised the rate paid on its eSaver Flexi account by 10bps while the respective rates offered by Heritage Bank, ubank and Up Bank were raised by 25bps each.
CASH ACCOUNTS
| Product | Interest Rate p.a. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AMP Saver Account | 4.60% | Min. monthly $1,000 dep. Limit $250,000. |
| ANZ Premium | 0.05% | $10,000 - $499,999 |
| ANZ Progress Saver | 3.75% | Make at least one deposit of $10 or more in a month, make no withdrawals (including transfers), or incur any fees, charges in the month. |
| Arab Bank Online Savings | 1.00% | On balances of $250,000 to $499,999 |
| Bankwest Smart eSaver | 1.85% | On balances up to $500,000.99 with no withdrawals in that month |
| BOQ Fast Track Saver | 2.50% | $1000 minimum monthly deposit. On balances up to $250,000, over part the Base Rate of 0.05% p.a. applies |
| BoQ Bonus Interest Savings | 2.25% | Bonus interest is paid into your account when you limit your withdrawals to a maximum of one per month |
| CBA NetBank Saver | 1.85% | 2.40% p.a. fixed bonus margin for the first 5 months on your first NetBank Saver |
| CBA Goal Saver Account | 4.15% | At least 1 deposit required; balance at end of month must exceed balance at start of month. |
| Great Southern Bank | 4.00% | No bonus conditions |
| Heritage Online Saver | 3.05% | $1 or more, bonus intro rate 1.45% (promotional 4 month rate on new accounts up to $100,000) |
| ING Savings Accelerator | 3.70% | $150,000 and over |
| Macquarie CMA | 2.25% | Cash Management Account |
| ME Online Savings | 3.75% | Have both Online Savings Account and Everyday Transaction Account. On balances up to $250,000. Make at least four "tap & go" purchases per month. |
| NAB iSaver | 1.60% | Bonus rate 2.65% for the first four months when you open your first NAB iSaver account |
| NAB Reward Saver | 4.25% | make at least one deposit on or before the second last banking day of the month and no withdrawals during the month |
| RAMS Saver Account | 1.40% | On balances to $500,000. Minimum $200 deposit each month with no withdrawals, balance between $200 - $500,000 for the month |
| Suncorp Growth Saver | 4.45% | Minimum $200 deposit each month and no more than 1 withdrawal |
| ubank Save Account | 4.60% | On a combined balance of up to $250,000. Minimum $200 deposit each month into Spend or Save accounts. |
| Up Savers Account | 3.85% | Make 5 successful purchases using your Up or 2Up debit card or digital wallets in a month. |
| Westpac eSaver | 1.10% | 4.25% p.a. for the first 5 months for new Westpac eSaver customers |
| Westpac Reward Saver | 4.25% | Make a deposit to the account and ensure account balance is higher at the end of the month than the beginning. Keep your account balance above $0 at all times. |