A recent study from Commonwealth Bank* revealed the Australian appetite for home-buying is at its highest in years.
But with more Aussies flocking to secure a home loan, application turnaround times for the Big 4 banks have skyrocketed**.
Now savvy borrowers are turning to boutique – or non-major – lenders to make the dream of owning a home a reality or to get a better deal when refinancing.
Big banks vs boutique lenders: What’s the difference?
Lenders fall into two main camps: the Big 4 ‘major banks’ – CBA, Westpac, ANZ and NAB – and boutique lenders.
The Big 4 banks have the benefit of brand recognition and an established customer base. Traditionally, many borrowers saw major banks as lenders they could count on.
But that’s quickly changing: a recent customer satisfaction survey shows customers of the Big 4 have some of the lowest levels of trust in their bank^.
Boutique lenders, on the other hand, are either smaller banks or non-bank lenders, which are lenders that only offer loans instead of other banking products like savings accounts.
Although they’re smaller and may not be a household name, boutique lenders are subject to responsible credit-lending standards like the big banks.
As such, we’re happy to include a number of them on our panel of 40+ lenders that our specialists review, in order to find Aussies a competitive home loan.
What are the benefits of boutique lenders?
To give the big banks a run for their money, boutique lenders are offering borrowers plenty to be happy about:
- Lower rates & fees: Boutique lenders often offer lower interest rates and fees than major banks because they don’t have to pay traditional overheads like the cost of maintaining branch networks.
- Better borrowing experience: Research from Roy Morgan shows customer satisfaction is consistently highest amongst boutique lenders****.
- Flexible lending criteria: Boutique lenders may be able to offer higher loan amounts and approve applications for people such as older or self-employed Aussies who’ve been rejected by a big bank.
- Personalised service: Because boutique lenders have a reputation to build, they often promote a more personalised level of service. This can include faster response times and tailored loan packages.
How do you choose a lender?
There’s more choice than ever when it comes to finding a lender, and deciding which one is best can be tricky.
Whether you’re looking to buy a home or refinance, a Home Loans Australia specialist can walk you through your options from a panel of over 40 lenders and match you to a loan that fits your needs, deposit and budget.
Our current lowest home loan rate is 1.89% (comparison rate 2.94%) – one of the lowest on the market.
And with interest rates set to stay low for months, or even years, there’s never been a better time to secure a great value mortgage.
This article is opinion only and should not be taken as financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply.
*Broker News, Desire For Aussies To Buy A New Home At Highest Level In Years, 17 March 2021
**Broker Pulse, New year sees lender turnaround times remain high, 23 June 2020
^Motley Fool, Big 4 banks own customers don’t trust them, 6 Nov 2020
***Roy Morgan, Home Loan Satisfaction Ratings, 15 Feb 2021