Real Estate
12 February, 2026
Interest rate check-up
WHILE most Australians are watching the Reserve Bank, another shift is happening quietly in the background and it’s already impacting household budgets.
Across the market, lenders are subtly increasing interest rates through out-of-cycle adjustments, reduced discounts and changes to loan conditions. These changes often fly under the radar, but for borrowers they can translate into thousands of dollars a year in additional repayments.
Many borrowers are being caught out.
The biggest mistake people make is assuming nothing has changed because the RBA hasn’t moved.
Banks adjust pricing constantly. If you’re not actively reviewing your loan, you can very easily end up paying more than you should.
Many homeowners believe loyalty will be rewarded or that their bank will proactively offer them a better deal. In reality, that rarely happens.
Banks don’t call customers to say there’s a cheaper loan available. If you’re not checking, you’re probably overpaying.
Speak to your bank, then look wider.
I encourage borrowers to start by contacting their bank and asking for a pricing review.
In some cases, that conversation alone can reduce your rate, but it shouldn’t be the only step you take.
Working with a mortgage broker can give borrowers a clearer picture of what’s happening across the entire market.
A broker looks at hundreds of loans and lenders. That insight is critical when rates are moving quietly.
With lenders lifting rates outside of RBA movements, fixing part or all of a loan may offer peace of mind.
For some borrowers, fixing a portion of the loan can provide certainty while still keeping flexibility.
The market is predicting interest rate rises in 2026 in response to stubborn inflation rates. Some lenders are still offering very good fixed rates which may protect borrowers at a time when rates are tipped to go up.
– Julian Finch is the CEO and founder of Finch Financial.
