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Surge in Mortgages, Yet Australians Overlooked for Deposit Interest: ACCC Unveils Disparity in Financial Landscape

  • Politics
  • Thursday, 14 December 2023 22:24

Australians entrusting their money to banks are losing out on crucial interest for their deposits, as unveiled by a comprehensive inquiry conducted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The investigation, prompted by persistent grievances, exposes a lack of transparency and complexity in the current financial system. In its report on deposit interest rates released today, the ACCC advocates for a radical overhaul, urging the federal government to contemplate simplifying the process of transferring bank accounts, akin to retaining a mobile phone number. The objective is to ignite heightened competition among banks vying for Australians' savings.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers instigated the inquiry earlier this year in response to ongoing complaints that, while banks readily pass on increases in official interest rates to mortgage customers, interest rates on savings accounts remain either unchanged or adjust at a sluggish pace. The ACCC emphasizes that consumers are being deprived of increased interest earnings due to persistent obstacles hindering the exploration and switching of retail deposit products.

The inquiry reveals a disconcerting trend where even when attractive deposit rates are available, customers miss out on potential benefits. Despite the prevalence of bonus savings accounts among most banks, the ACCC's findings indicate that a staggering 71% of such accounts failed to accrue any bonus interest in the first half of this year. The report remarks, "Although we have observed instances of price competition from smaller competitors seeking to grow their market share, there is little evidence of aggressive broad-scale price competition, particularly from larger banks.

The ACCC contends that major banks opt for strategic pricing practices on an individual product or customer level, exploiting consumer inertia and biases to minimize the overall cost of deposit funding. With Australians collectively holding at least $1.4 trillion in bank deposit accounts, a staggering 89% of these funds are distributed among the big four banks—Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ—and the subsequent six smaller institutions.

As the ACCC underscores the urgency for a paradigm shift in the banking sector, the report stands as a clarion call for reforms that would empower consumers, enhance competition, and ultimately ensure that Australians receive fair returns on their deposits.

In conclusion, the ACCC's inquiry into deposit interest rates illuminates a concerning reality for Australians entrusting their savings to banks. The opaque and complex nature of the current financial system has led to a significant disparity, with consumers missing out on crucial interest earnings. The report underscores the pressing need for a transparent and competitive banking landscape, urging the federal government to consider bold measures such as streamlining the process of transferring bank accounts.

The inquiry sheds light on a disconcerting trend where, despite the availability of attractive deposit rates, customers often find themselves excluded from potential benefits. The prevalence of strategic pricing practices among major banks, targeting individual products and customer segments, underscores the necessity for broad-scale reforms. The ACCC's call for simplifying the movement of bank accounts and fostering aggressive price competition, particularly among larger banks, emerges as a crucial step towards empowering consumers and ensuring fair returns on their deposits.

With Australians collectively holding substantial sums in bank deposit accounts, the report serves as a wake-up call for the banking sector and policymakers. The proposed reforms not only aim to address the existing barriers hindering consumer choice but also seek to instigate a paradigm shift towards a more equitable and competitive financial environment. As the nation grapples with the dynamics of deposit interest rates, the ACCC's recommendations stand as a roadmap for fostering positive change, placing the interests of Australian savers at the forefront of the financial agenda.