New highest ongoing savings rate hits 5.30%, but it’s not for everyone

Bank of Queensland has today announced it will increase the maximum rate on its Future Saver by 0.15 percentage points to 5.30 per cent, effective Friday.

This will be the new highest ongoing savings rate, excluding kids accounts, despite the fact Bank of Queensland has only passed on part of the hike.

However, the rate is exclusive to customers aged 14 to 35 years with a Future Saver account on balances up to $50,000.

The group is also increasing the maximum rate on Virgin Money’s Boost Saver to 5.10 per cent, provided customers meet the monthly conditions including providing 32 days’ notice to access money.

BOQ and Virgin Money savings rate changes: effective 12 May

Source: RateCity.com.au. Notes: terms and conditions apply for max rate on both accounts.

This rate hike could see more savings rates climb over 5 per cent 

RateCity.com.au database shows seven banks currently have ongoing rates of 5 per cent or more, including ING, MOVE Bank and Virgin Money for all adults, and BOQ and Westpac for young adults (excludes kids accounts).

Highest ongoing savings rates on RateCity.com.au (post May-RBA hike)

Source: RateCity.com.au. Monthly conditions apply for max rate. Excludes kids savings accounts.

*Note bank is yet to announce its May RBA hike.

However, not all banks are passing on full hikes to their savings customers. RateCity.com.au’s database shows:

• 43 banks’ highest savings rates for all adults are still below the current cash rate of 3.85%.
• Just 28 banks have passed on the full 3.75%-point RBA hikes (or more) to at least one savings account.

RateCity.com.au research director, Sally Tindall, said: “More banks are breaking the 5 per cent barrier on at least one of their savings accounts, which is fantastic to see.”

“While it’s disappointing Bank of Queensland didn’t pass on the full 0.25 percentage points, anyone with this account will be pretty stoked they are on the highest rate available to them,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to see seven banks now offering savings rates starting with a ‘5’, it’s been a long time since we could say that.

“If you’ve got money in a bank account that’s earning a rate less than 5 per cent, vote with your feet and switch to a bank willing to reward with a higher rate,” she said.

Compare savings accounts