{"source":"CiteHawk AI Index","record":"mortgage lenders — 2026-08","url":"https://www.citehawk.com/leaderboards/editions/2026-08/mortgage-lenders/au","immutable":true,"snapshotId":"76ffef24-4b08-42dd-acc6-baeeb529959f","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.626+00:00","contentHash":"561f9b34304d0861303d11cdad7ae70f728f114d774da6ce99d5795e8f17a611","contentHashSpec":"sha256-v1: hex SHA-256 of the UTF-8 bytes of the compact JSON array (no whitespace, non-ASCII characters unescaped, as JavaScript JSON.stringify emits) of [provider, run, model, text] tuples, one per captured answer, sorted by provider then run","registryRulesHash":null,"registryRulesHashSpec":"sha256-v1: hex SHA-256 of the UTF-8 bytes of the compact JSON object {version, aliases, notInCategory, categoryAllow, serviceSlugRe} where aliases is the array of [foldedKey, canonicalName, pinnedDomain, categoryScope] tuples sorted by key, notInCategory and categoryAllow are arrays of [categorySlug, domains] tuples sorted by slug, and every domain/scope list is itself sorted","region":"au","prompt":"What are the best mortgage lenders in Australia? Recommend the top brands or products that people actually use.\n\nAnswer as if the user is in Australia.","providers":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_aio"],"models":{"grok":"grok-4.5","claude":"claude-sonnet-5","gemini":"gemini-3.5-flash","openai":"gpt-5.5-2026-04-23","deepseek":"deepseek-v4-flash","google_aio":"google_aio","perplexity":"sonar","bing_copilot":"bing_copilot"},"runsPerProvider":1,"totalCalls":0,"ranking":[{"rank":1,"brand":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","score":44.5,"mentions":7,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","deepseek","gemini","grok","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":3,"claude":2,"gemini":7,"openai":9,"deepseek":2,"perplexity":5,"bing_copilot":3}},{"rank":2,"brand":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","score":44,"mentions":7,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","deepseek","gemini","grok","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":4,"claude":3,"gemini":9,"openai":10,"deepseek":3,"perplexity":3,"bing_copilot":4}},{"rank":3,"brand":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com","score":36.7,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini","grok","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":6,"claude":5,"gemini":1,"openai":1,"perplexity":1}},{"rank":4,"brand":"ING","domain":"ing.com.au","score":34.6,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["deepseek","gemini","grok","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":9,"gemini":2,"openai":2,"deepseek":6,"perplexity":4}},{"rank":5,"brand":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"cba.com.au","score":33.8,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":1,"deepseek":1,"bing_copilot":1}},{"rank":6,"brand":"Up","domain":"up.com.au","score":32.9,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","gemini","grok","openai"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":15,"claude":8,"gemini":4,"openai":4,"bing_copilot":16}},{"rank":7,"brand":"Bendigo Bank","domain":"bendigobank.com.au","score":32.8,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","gemini","grok","openai"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":7,"claude":15,"gemini":14,"openai":7,"bing_copilot":8}},{"rank":8,"brand":"loans.com.au","domain":"loans.com.au","score":32.8,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["deepseek","gemini","grok","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":13,"gemini":5,"openai":13,"deepseek":8,"perplexity":12}},{"rank":9,"brand":"Suncorp","domain":"suncorp.com.au","score":32.7,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","grok","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":22,"claude":10,"openai":6,"perplexity":9,"bing_copilot":7}},{"rank":10,"brand":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com","score":27.2,"mentions":4,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini","grok","openai"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":5,"claude":4,"gemini":8,"openai":11}},{"rank":11,"brand":"Athena","domain":"athena.com.au","score":26.6,"mentions":4,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","claude","deepseek","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":14,"deepseek":7,"perplexity":7,"bing_copilot":11}},{"rank":12,"brand":"Hume Bank","domain":"humebank.com.au","score":26.2,"mentions":4,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini","grok","openai"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":18,"claude":9,"gemini":11,"openai":15}},{"rank":13,"brand":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"commbank.com.au","score":23.8,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["gemini","grok","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":1,"gemini":6,"perplexity":2}},{"rank":14,"brand":"Unloan","domain":"unloan.com.au","score":22.6,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["gemini","openai","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":3,"openai":3,"perplexity":6}},{"rank":15,"brand":"Bank of Queensland","domain":"boq.com.au","score":20.8,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","grok","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":8,"perplexity":8,"bing_copilot":6}},{"rank":16,"brand":"Pepper Money","domain":"pepper.com.au","score":19.9,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","gemini","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":15,"perplexity":11,"bing_copilot":14}},{"rank":17,"brand":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com.au","score":16.8,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"deepseek":5,"bing_copilot":2}},{"rank":18,"brand":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com.au","score":15.9,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"deepseek":4,"bing_copilot":5}},{"rank":19,"brand":"Easy Street","domain":"easystreet.com.au","score":14.3,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":7,"gemini":10}},{"rank":20,"brand":"Bankwest","domain":"bankwest.com.au","score":14,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"deepseek":10,"bing_copilot":10}},{"rank":21,"brand":"Newcastle Permanent","domain":"newcastlepermanent.com.au","score":13.8,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":11,"gemini":12}},{"rank":22,"brand":"ubank","domain":"ubank.com.au","score":13.8,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["deepseek","perplexity"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"deepseek":13,"perplexity":10}},{"rank":23,"brand":"Liberty","domain":"liberty.com.au","score":13.6,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["bing_copilot","gemini"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":16,"bing_copilot":13}},{"rank":24,"brand":"People’s Choice","domain":"peopleschoice.com.au","score":13.5,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["grok","openai"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":16,"openai":14}}],"answers":[{"provider":"bing_copilot","run":1,"model":"bing_copilot","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"Some of the top mortgage lenders in Australia include the Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ, with specific products and features catering to different borrower types.\n\nTop Lenders and Their Strengths\n\n1. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) – CBA is ideal for first-home buyers and tech-savvy borrowers. Its digital home loan process is highly streamlined, with approval possible in as little as 15 minutes for straightforward applications. CBA offers competitive rates for those with 20%+ deposits, various first-home buyer support programs, and the “Rate Lock” feature to secure rates temporarily .\n\n2. Macquarie Bank – Best for property investors and self-employed borrowers, Macquarie provides superior offset account functionality, strong investment loan packages, and minimal ongoing fees. Its flexible lending policies accommodate complex income structures .\n\n3. Westpac Bank – Suitable for families and upgraders, Westpac provides family-friendly discounts, refinance cashback offers, competitive fixed rates, and flexible lending criteria. The Family Pledge option allows parents to assist children in entering the property market .\n\n4. NAB (National Australia Bank) – Targeted at professionals and high-income earners, NAB offers strong professional package loans, fixed-rate options, cashback incentives, and construction loan solutions. Its professional packages may also waive LMI for qualified borrowers with smaller deposits .\n\n5. ANZ Bank – Great for refinancers and property portfolio builders, ANZ has competitive rates and generous cashback offers, including discounts for multiple properties, supportive of investors building property portfolios .\n\nOther noteworthy lenders include:\n\nBank of Queensland – Known for personalized service and regional lending expertise.\nSuncorp Bank – Strong for Queensland borrowers, offering bundle discounts and local market insights.\nBendigo Bank – Community-focused, with flexibility for non-standard properties.\nAMP Bank – Good for self-managed super funds (SMSF) and wealth-based service integration.\nBankwest – Competitive rates for low-deposit borrowers with minimal fees 1 .\n\nNon-Bank Lenders Worth Considering\n\nSome borrowers might prefer digital-first or niche lenders for specific needs:\n\nAthena – Efficient for refinancing with fast rate drops and no fees.\nNano – Excellent for digital convenience and rapid approval.\nLiberty & Pepper Money – Suitable for self-employed or credit-impaired borrowers.\nOwnHome & Up Bank – Provide good options for first-home buyers or millennial borrowers 1 .\n\nChoosing the Right Mortgage Product\n\nWhen comparing lenders, consider:\n\nBorrower type: First-home buyer, investor, self-employed, or refinancing.\nProperty type: Apartment, rural, or non-standard constructions.\nLoan features: Offset accounts, redraw facilities, fixed or variable rates.\nFuture needs: Potential to refinance, renovate, or acquire additional properties.\nService preferences: Digital platforms vs branch access vs personalized relationship banking 2 .\n\nTip: While big banks dominate the market, smaller lenders may offer lower rates or more flexibility depending on your situation. Using a mortgage broker can help match your profile with the ideal lender and access offers not advertised publicly .\n\nIn conclusion, the best mortgage lender in Australia depends on your individual circumstances. Commonwealth Bank is popular for mainstream borrowers, Macquarie excels for investors, and other specialized banks offer tailored benefits for families, professionals, or regional buyers. Evaluating rates, features, and personal needs is essential when choosing your mortgage.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"cba.com.au","position":1},{"name":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com.au","position":2},{"name":"Westpac Bank","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":3},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":4},{"name":"ANZ Bank","domain":"anz.com.au","position":5},{"name":"Bank of Queensland","domain":"boq.com.au","position":6},{"name":"Suncorp Bank","domain":"suncorp.com.au","position":7},{"name":"Bendigo Bank","domain":"bendigobank.com.au","position":8},{"name":"AMP Bank","domain":"amp.com.au","position":9},{"name":"Bankwest","domain":"bankwest.com.au","position":10},{"name":"Athena","domain":"athena.com.au","position":11},{"name":"Nano","domain":"nano.com.au","position":12},{"name":"Liberty","domain":"liberty.com.au","position":13},{"name":"Pepper Money","domain":"pepper.com.au","position":14},{"name":"OwnHome","domain":"ownhome.com.au","position":15},{"name":"Up Bank","domain":"up.com.au","position":16}]},{"provider":"claude","run":1,"model":"claude-sonnet-5","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"Here's a practical breakdown of what Australians are actually using for home loans right now, based on market share, awards, and broker usage.\n\n## The \"traditional\" big players (most borrowers still end up here)\nThe Big Four — **CBA, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ** — still write the bulk of home loans in Australia, largely because of trust, branch access, and offset/redraw features. **Macquarie Bank** has also become a serious fifth contender, popular for competitive rates and slick digital service, especially among refinancers.\n\n## What's actually winning on rate and value in 2026\nFinder's 2026 Home Loan Awards highlight which brands are delivering the best deals right now: Unloan won three awards, including best value home loan, refinance variable home loan and owner occupier principle & interest variable home loan. Easy Street, Up and Hume Bank each took out two categories. Notably, Up won the best home loan for first home buyers as well as the variable home loan with offset award. Other winners included Suncorp Bank, Newcastle Permanent, The Capricornian and Police Credit Union.\n\nA few notes on these:\n- **Unloan** is CBA's digital-only, no-frills home loan brand — very low variable rates, no offset needed (rate drops the longer you're loyal), aimed at owner-occupiers who want simplicity.\n- **Up** is a popular neobank (backed by Bendigo Bank) that's built a strong following among younger, digitally-savvy borrowers, especially first home buyers.\n- **Athena** (not in this list but consistently well-regarded) is another non-bank lender known for sharp variable rates and no ongoing fees — often recommended for owner-occupiers who don't need a broker relationship.\n- Regional/mutual lenders like **Newcastle Permanent**, **Hume Bank**, and **Police Credit Union** frequently punch above their weight on rate, though eligibility can sometimes be restricted (e.g. police/emergency services or regional ties).\n\nAs Finder's Graham Cooke put it: \"There is a huge variety in the brands represented in this year's awards, showing you shouldn't just default to a brand name you recognise and hope for the best.\"\n\n## How most Australians actually get their mortgage: via a broker\nThis is the bit a lot of people miss — most Australians don't walk into a bank branch anymore. Broker market share refers to the proportion of new residential home loans in Australia that are originated through mortgage brokers rather than directly through banks, and in the December 2025 quarter, Australian mortgage brokers facilitated 76.7% of all new residential home loans, the highest December figure on record.\n\nOn the brokerage side, the biggest name is **Aussie** (part of Lendi Group), which recently overtook Mortgage Choice as the largest brokerage network: Aussie reclaimed the top spot in the 2026 ranking, taking over from Mortgage Choice, following a major strategic consolidation that saw the majority of Lendi Group's brokers move across to the Aussie brand — in FY25, Aussie's active brokers settled loans worth a market-leading amount, with its total loan book growing to $85.1 billion. Other large, well-known brokerages include Lendi, Mortgage Choice, and Shore Financial.\n\n## Bottom line / recommendations\n- **Want simplicity and don't need advice?** Compare **Unloan**, **Athena**, and **Up** directly — they consistently offer some of the sharpest variable rates with minimal fees.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"CBA","domain":"cba.com.au","position":1},{"name":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":2},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":3},{"name":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com","position":4},{"name":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com","position":5},{"name":"Unloan","domain":"cba.com.au","position":6},{"name":"Easy Street","domain":"easystreet.com.au","position":7},{"name":"Up","domain":"up.com.au","position":8},{"name":"Hume Bank","domain":"humebank.com.au","position":9},{"name":"Suncorp Bank","domain":"suncorp.com.au","position":10},{"name":"Newcastle Permanent","domain":"newcastlepermanent.com.au","position":11},{"name":"The Capricornian","domain":"capricornian.com.au","position":12},{"name":"Police Credit Union","domain":"policecu.com.au","position":13},{"name":"Athena","domain":"athena.com.au","position":14},{"name":"Bendigo Bank","domain":"bendigobank.com.au","position":15},{"name":"Aussie","domain":"aussie.com.au","position":16},{"name":"Lendi","domain":"lendi.com.au","position":17},{"name":"Mortgage Choice","domain":"mortgagechoice.com.au","position":18},{"name":"Shore Financial","domain":"shorefinancial.com.au","position":19}]},{"provider":"deepseek","run":1,"model":"deepseek-v4-flash","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"G’day! If you’re looking for a home loan in Australia, the “best” lender really depends on your situation: whether you’re a first home buyer, investor, refinancing, or after specific features like offset accounts or low fees. But here are the brands Australians actually use most, plus a few that are consistently rated well.\n\n## The Big Four Banks – most popular, everywhere\n\nThese hold the majority of mortgages in Australia. Good if you want branches, banking bundles, and familiar brands.\n\n1. **Commonwealth Bank (CBA)** – Australia’s largest home lender. Strong app, lots of branches, and competitive if you bundle with a CBA transaction account. Usually not the absolute lowest rate, but very reliable.\n2. **Westpac** – Major player, good package deals (Westpac Premier Advantage) if you want an offset account and credit card perks. Owns St George, BankSA, and Bank of Melbourne too.\n3. **NAB** – Often has cashback offers and competitive basic variable rates. Good for self-employed and easy online applications.\n4. **ANZ** – Solid all-rounder. ANZ Plus home loan offerings are increasingly competitive, especially for refinancers.\n\n## Best Non-Bank / Online Lenders – lower rates, good digital experience\n\nThese are very popular with people who are comfortable managing their loan online.\n\n5. **Macquarie Bank** – Technically a bank, but not “big four.” One of the most highly rated in Australia for customer satisfaction. Excellent app, offset accounts, and competitive rates. Popular with property investors.\n6. **ING** – Big in both savings and home loans. Great rates, no annual fees on some products, and a solid app. Frequently in “best lender” lists.\n7. **Athena** – Non-bank lender known for low rates, no fees, and a “Power Up” rate reduction when you pay on time. Great for refinancers who want a simple product.\n8. **loans.com.au** – Purely online lender with some of the cheapest variable and fixed rates in the country. Good for straightforward borrowers.\n9. **Reduce Home Loans** – Another non-bank with very low rates. Not flashy, but cheap fees and rates.\n\n## Other banks to consider\n\n- **Bankwest** (owned by CBA) – competitive packages, especially for WA buyers.\n- **St George** (owned by Westpac) – popular in NSW and offers great packages.\n- **HSBC** – good rates for both residents and expats, plus offset options.\n- **UBank** (owned by NAB) – digital lender with low rates and no branch network, great for online-focused borrowers.\n\n---\n\n### A quick tip\nMost Australians don’t go directly to one lender — they use a **mortgage broker**. Brokers compare dozens of lenders, including smaller ones you’ve never heard of, and can often get you a better rate or a cashback deal. And the lender pays the broker, so it usually costs you nothing.\n\n**Bottom line:**  \nIf you want a bank with branches and full service: **CBA** or **Macquarie**.  \nIf you want the cheapest rate and don’t mind online: **Athena, loans.com.au, or Reduce**.  \nIf you want a good middle ground with a strong app: **ING** or **UBank**.\n\nJust remember to compare the **comparison rate**, check if there’s an annual fee, and confirm the offset account conditions – those details matter more than the headline rate.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"cba.com.au","position":1},{"name":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":2},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":3},{"name":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com.au","position":4},{"name":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com.au","position":5},{"name":"ING","domain":"ing.com.au","position":6},{"name":"Athena","domain":"athena.com.au","position":7},{"name":"loans.com.au","domain":"loans.com.au","position":8},{"name":"Reduce Home Loans","domain":"reducehomeloans.com.au","position":9},{"name":"Bankwest","domain":"bankwest.com.au","position":10},{"name":"St George","domain":"stgeorge.com.au","position":11},{"name":"HSBC","domain":"hsbc.com.au","position":12},{"name":"UBank","domain":"ubank.com.au","position":13}]},{"provider":"gemini","run":1,"model":"gemini-3.5-flash","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"In Australia’s mortgage market, the landscape has shifted significantly. While the \"Big Four\" banks still hold the majority of the market share, a massive portion of Aussies—nearly 77%—now use mortgage brokers to find better deals. Because of this, challenger banks, digital neolenders, and customer-owned mutuals have surged in popularity, often offering lower rates and better technology.\n\nIf you are looking to buy or refinance in Australia, the top-rated and most popular mortgage lenders are categorized below by what they do best.\n\n---\n\n### 1. The Challenger Banks (The \"Sweet Spot\" Lenders)\nThese are established, highly trusted banks that are not part of the Big Four. They consistently win awards for having the best balance of competitive interest rates, fast approval times, and great customer service.\n\n*   **Macquarie Bank**\n    *   **Who actually uses them:** Everyone, but especially mortgage brokers and buyers who need fast approvals. \n    *   **Why they are highly rated:** Macquarie is the darling of the Aussie mortgage industry. It was crowned Finder's **Home Loan Provider of the Year** and is famous for having the fastest approval turnaround times in the country (often within 24 to 48 hours). They offer incredibly slick tech, highly competitive variable rates, and fully featured offset accounts.\n*   **ING**\n    *   **Who actually uses them:** Owner-occupiers wanting a solid, reliable daily bank combined with their mortgage.\n    *   **Why they are highly rated:** Winner of Finder's award for **Owner Occupier Provider of the Year**, ING is famous for its high customer satisfaction. If you already use ING for everyday banking, linking your home loan is seamless. They offer highly competitive Orange Advantage offset loans.\n\n---\n\n### 2. The Digital-First & Neo-Lenders (Best for Refinancing & First-Home Buyers)\nIf you are comfortable doing everything online or through an app, digital-first lenders are currently offering some of the lowest interest rates in the country (with many hovering in the high-5% p.a. range, compared to the higher rates of traditional banks).\n\n*   **Unloan**\n    *   **Who actually uses them:** Refinancers and buyers with at least a 20% deposit (LVR under 80%).\n    *   **Why they are highly rated:** Backed by the financial strength of CommBank, Unloan is a digital-only lender that won **Best Value Home Loan** and **Best Refinance Variable Home Loan**. Their standout feature is a loyalty discount: they shave 0.01% p.a. off your interest rate every year you stay with them, up to 30 years.\n*   **Up Home (Up Bank)**\n    *   **Who actually uses them:** First-home buyers, Gen Z, and Millennials.\n    *   **Why they are highly rated:** Owned by Bendigo Bank, Up’s digital home loan won Canstar’s **Outstanding Value – Home Lender** and Finder’s **Best First Home Buyer Home Loan**. Up’s biggest selling point is integration: your existing Up Saver accounts automatically act as fee-free offset accounts (you can link up to 50 of them), allowing you to easily gamify your savings to reduce your mortgage interest.\n*   **loans.com.au**\n    *   **Who actually uses them:** Budget-conscious buyers and property investors looking for a \"no-frills\", low-rate basic variable loan.\n    *   **Why they are highly rated:** One of Australia's pioneer online non-bank lenders. They consistently win WeMoney and Canstar awards for digital-first value. Their \"Bare Home Loan\" is highly popular because it charges zero ongoing monthly or annual fees.\n\n---\n\n### 3. The Big Four Banks (Best for Complexity & All-in-One Packages)\nThe Big Four—**Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Westpac, ANZ, and NAB**—are still the default choice for millions of Aussies. \n\n*   **Who actually uses them:** Borrowers with complex incomes (e.g., self-employed), those who want physical branches, those building a home (construction loans), or those looking for \"packaged\" loans (which bundle a home loan, credit card, and offset account for an annual fee).\n*   **Why people use them:** \n    *   **CBA** has the best banking app in Australia and a popular online-only product called the **Digi Home Loan**.\n    *   **Westpac and ANZ** are highly popular for property investors or those looking for interest-only payment options.\n    *   *Tip:* If you go with a Big Four bank, **never accept their advertised \"standard variable rate.\"** Always ask for a discount, or use a broker to negotiate on your behalf.\n\n---\n\n### 4. Customer-Owned Banks & Mutuals (Best for Customer Service & Low Fees)\nCustomer-owned banks (credit unions and mutual banks) don't have external shareholders, meaning they put their profits back into offering lower rates and better service to their members.\n\n*   **Easy Street Financial Services & Hume Bank:** Both won major categories in Canstar and Finder awards for offering outstanding value on variable and fixed loans.\n*   **Newcastle Permanent & Great Southern Bank:** Highly popular across NSW and Queensland, regularly winning awards for customer service and refinancing deals. \n\n---\n\n### Summary: Which one should you choose?\n\n*   If you want **the absolute lowest rate** and are comfortable with a simple, digital-only experience: look at **Unloan** or **loans.com.au**.\n*   If you are a **first-home buyer** who wants a great app and easy offset saving: look at **Up Home**.\n*   If you want a **fully featured offset account, fast approval, and great broker support**: look at **Macquarie Bank** or **ING**.\n*   If you have a **complex financial situation** (e.g., self-employed, low deposit, or buying through an SMSF): your best bet is to go through a **Mortgage Broker** who can match you with specialist lenders like Pepper Money, Liberty, or one of the Big Four.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com","position":1},{"name":"ING","domain":"ing.com.au","position":2},{"name":"Unloan","domain":"unloan.com.au","position":3},{"name":"Up Home","domain":"up.com.au","position":4},{"name":"loans.com.au","domain":"loans.com.au","position":5},{"name":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"commbank.com.au","position":6},{"name":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":7},{"name":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com","position":8},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":9},{"name":"Easy Street Financial Services","domain":"easystreet.com.au","position":10},{"name":"Hume Bank","domain":"humebank.com.au","position":11},{"name":"Newcastle Permanent","domain":"newcastlepermanent.com.au","position":12},{"name":"Great Southern Bank","domain":"greatsouthernbank.com.au","position":13},{"name":"Bendigo Bank","domain":"bendigobank.com.au","position":14},{"name":"Pepper Money","domain":"pepper.com.au","position":15},{"name":"Liberty","domain":"liberty.com.au","position":16}]},{"provider":"google_aio","run":1,"model":"google_aio","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"","extractedBrands":[]},{"provider":"grok","run":1,"model":"grok-4.5","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"**The best mortgage (home loan) lenders in Australia depend on your priorities—lowest rates/fees, customer service, features (like offsets/redraw), approval ease, first-home buyer support, investor needs, or overall convenience—but here’s a practical overview based on market share (what people actually use), awards, customer satisfaction, and popularity.**[[1]](https://www.infochoice.com.au/home-loans/best-bank-for-home-loans)\n\n### Market Leaders: What Most Australians Actually Use\nThe “Big Four” banks dominate with roughly 73-80% of the home loan market (total market around $2.4+ trillion). They offer widespread branches, apps, packages, and brand trust, though their advertised rates are often not the absolute lowest.[[2]](https://www.mpamag.com/au/mortgage-industry/guides/the-10-biggest-mortgage-lenders-in-australia/298105)\n\n- **Commonwealth Bank (CBA / CommBank)**: Largest by far (around 25%+ share). Strong for first-home buyers (frequent Canstar Bank of the Year awards in this category), digital banking, quick approvals, and overall packages. Their digital brand **Unloan** is popular for low-rate, no-frills variable loans with loyalty discounts and no ongoing fees.[[3]](https://www.commbank.com.au/home-loans.html)\n- **Westpac**: Second-largest. Good family/upgrader features, cashback offers on refinance, and competitive fixed rates or investment products (some Canstar recognition). Subsidiaries like St.George, Bank of Melbourne, and BankSA extend reach.\n- **NAB**: Solid for professionals/high-income earners with package deals; competitive cashbacks and construction options.\n- **ANZ**: Strong refinance incentives and investor/portfolio options; has absorbed Suncorp’s banking business in recent years.\n\n**Macquarie Bank** has grown rapidly to become a clear #5 (around 7% share, with strong broker-channel growth). It’s popular for competitive rates/features (excellent multi-offset accounts), self-employed/complex income, investors, and efficient service with low fees. Many brokers recommend it.[[4]](https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/macquarie-grabs-market-share-in-mortgages-as-brokers-thrive-20260106-p5nrxk)\n\nOther widely used mid-tier and regional players include **Bendigo Bank** (and its Up Bank digital brand), **Bank of Queensland (BoQ)**, **ING**, and various mutuals/credit unions.\n\n### Top for Value, Rates, and Awards (Often Smaller/Digital Lenders)\nAdvertised variable rates for competitive owner-occupier loans (principal & interest, lower LVRs) frequently start in the mid-to-high 5% range (comparison rates similar or slightly higher), though this fluctuates with the cash rate (recently around 4.35% in data). Big banks’ standard rates are often higher (around 6%+), but they discount for good customers or via brokers. Always check comparison rates (which include fees) and your personalised quote.[[5]](https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/)\n\nCanstar’s Outstanding Value Home Loan Awards (2026 and prior) frequently go to smaller lenders, mutuals, and non-banks for consistent pricing + features across profiles:\n- Strong performers: Australian Mutual Bank, BankVic, Freedom Lend, loans.com.au, Homestar Finance, Unloan, Up, People’s Choice/Heritage/Unity Bank group, Queensland Country Bank, Pacific Mortgage Group, Hume Bank, Greater Bank, and others.[[6]](https://www.canstar.com.au/star-ratings-awards/home-loans/)\n- Westpac has earned recognition in some investment categories.\n\nMozo Experts Choice Awards similarly highlight low-cost, offset, fixed, and first-home buyer products from lenders like Tiimely Home, Australian Mutual Bank, Queensland Country Bank, and various mutuals.\n\n**Popular digital/low-fee options people actually choose**:\n- **Unloan** (CBA-owned): Low variable rates, automatic loyalty discounts that improve over time, no ongoing fees, simple app experience. Frequent award winner for value.\n- **Athena**: Digital, no-fee focus, quick rate reductions passed on, strong customer feedback for refinancers.\n- **loans.com.au**, **ING** (Mortgage Simplifier and others), **Up Bank** (Bendigo-owned).\n\n### Customer Satisfaction Leaders\nRoy Morgan research consistently ranks **ING** at or near the top for home loan customer satisfaction (e.g., 92%+ recently), followed by Suncorp, Bendigo Bank, and Macquarie. These often outperform the Big Four on service metrics. Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers awards have recognised People First Bank (overall home loans) and CommBank (among majors).[[7]](https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10278-home-loan-satisfaction-may-2026)\n\nBendigo Bank is frequently praised for community focus and service; Macquarie for efficiency.\n\n### Recommendations by Common Needs\n- **First-home buyers**: CBA (support/programs + Unloan), Bendigo/Up, mutual banks, or those participating strongly in government schemes (First Home Guarantee, etc.). Look for low-deposit options and cashbacks.\n- **Lowest rates/fees / refinance**: Digital specialists (Unloan, Athena, loans.com.au), award-winning mutuals/non-banks, ING, or Macquarie. Use comparison sites and brokers.\n- **Investors or complex situations (self-employed)**: Macquarie, certain Big Four packages, or specialist lenders.\n- **Features (offsets, flexibility, packages)**: Macquarie (multi-offsets), Big Four packaged loans, ING, Bendigo.\n- **Service and satisfaction**: ING, Bendigo Bank, Macquarie, select mutuals.\n- **Branches + full banking**: Big Four or Bendigo/BoQ.\n\n### Practical Advice for Australians\n1. **Compare properly** — Use sites like Canstar, Finder, Mozo, or Money.com.au for rates/features (filter by LVR, owner-occupier vs investor, variable/fixed/split, offset). Rates and offers change frequently; your actual rate depends on deposit (LVR), credit, income, and location.[[5]](https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/)\n2. **Use a mortgage broker** — Free for most borrowers (lender-paid). They access panels of 30–70+ lenders (including non-bank), negotiate better deals/cashbacks, and handle paperwork. Highly recommended and common in Australia. Many top brokers push Macquarie, ING, Bendigo, Unloan/Up, and select Big Four deals.\n3. **Key factors beyond the rate** — Comparison rate, fees (application, ongoing, exit), features (offset, redraw, extra repayments, portability), approval speed/flexibility, customer service, and exit costs if refinancing later. Consider your full situation (e.g., future renovations or investment plans).\n4. **Government support** — Check First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty concessions, First Home Guarantee/Regional schemes, and shared equity options via MoneySmart.gov.au.\n5. **Shop around and negotiate** — Even with Big Four, existing customers or strong applications can get discounts. Refinance if your rate is high (many save thousands annually).\n\n**No single “best” lender fits everyone.** The Big Four + Macquarie are what most people use for reliability and scale. For pure value, digital and mutual lenders often win on price and awards. Get personalised quotes from a couple of brokers or direct applications, check your eligibility, and read the Product Disclosure Statement. Rates and products evolve quickly with RBA decisions and competition, so verify current details. For unbiased guidance, start with Moneysmart.gov.au.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"commbank.com.au","position":1},{"name":"Unloan","domain":"commbank.com.au","position":2},{"name":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":3},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":4},{"name":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com","position":5},{"name":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com","position":6},{"name":"Bendigo Bank","domain":"bendigobank.com.au","position":7},{"name":"Bank of Queensland","domain":"boq.com.au","position":8},{"name":"ING","domain":"ing.com.au","position":9},{"name":"Australian Mutual Bank","domain":"australianmutualbank.com.au","position":10},{"name":"BankVic","domain":"bankvic.com.au","position":11},{"name":"Freedom Lend","domain":"freedomlend.com.au","position":12},{"name":"loans.com.au","domain":"loans.com.au","position":13},{"name":"Homestar Finance","domain":"homestarfinance.com.au","position":14},{"name":"Up Bank","domain":"up.com.au","position":15},{"name":"People's Choice","domain":"peopleschoice.com.au","position":16},{"name":"Queensland Country Bank","domain":"qcb.com.au","position":17},{"name":"Hume Bank","domain":"humebank.com.au","position":18},{"name":"Greater Bank","domain":"greater.com.au","position":19},{"name":"Athena","domain":"athena.money","position":20},{"name":"Tiimely Home","domain":"tiimelyhome.com.au","position":21},{"name":"Suncorp","domain":"suncorp.com.au","position":22},{"name":"MoneySmart","domain":"moneysmart.gov.au","position":23}]},{"provider":"openai","run":1,"model":"gpt-5.5-2026-04-23","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"**Short answer:** in Australia, I’d shortlist **Macquarie, ING, Unloan, Up, Tiimely Home, Suncorp, Bendigo Bank, and the Big Four — CBA, Westpac, NAB and ANZ — depending on your situation.** The “best” lender changes with your LVR, loan size, offset needs, property type and whether you’re owner-occupier or investor, so treat this as a practical shortlist, not personal financial advice.\n\n## Best Australian mortgage lenders to compare first\n\n| Lender / product family | Best for | Why it’s worth checking |\n|---|---:|---|\n| **Macquarie Bank — Basic Home Loan / Offset Home Loan Package** | Best mainstream all-rounder outside the Big Four | Macquarie is widely used via brokers and has become Australia’s fifth-largest household lender, with Macquarie reporting home-loan market share of about 6.8%; Finder also named Macquarie its 2026 **Home Loans Provider of the Year** and **Best Large Bank Home Lender**. ([macquarie.com](https://www.macquarie.com/us/en/investors/2026-operational-briefing.html?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **ING — Orange Advantage / Mortgage Simplifier** | Simple digital bank + customer satisfaction | Roy Morgan’s May 2026 home-loan satisfaction data put **ING first** among major home-loan banks at 92.1%, ahead of Suncorp, Bendigo and Macquarie. ([roymorgan.com](https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10278-home-loan-satisfaction-may-2026)) |\n| **Unloan — Variable Home Loan** | No-frills low-rate variable, especially refinancers | Unloan is 100% owned/funded by CommBank, says more than 19,000 Australians had used it as of February 2026, and Finder named its Variable Home Loan the 2026 **Best Value Home Loan**; Canstar also listed Unloan as a 2026 Outstanding Value variable home lender. ([unloan.com.au](https://www.unloan.com.au/about-us?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Up — Home Variable Rate** | App-first borrowers, first-home buyers, offsets | Finder named Up’s Home Variable Rate the 2026 **Best First Home Buyer Home Loan** and highly commended it for value; Canstar also named Up an Outstanding Value Home Lender and Variable Home Lender in 2026. Up-branded banking and financial products are issued by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/product-awards/home-loans-awards)) |\n| **Tiimely Home — Tiimely Own Variable / Fixed** | Online lender with competitive pricing and offset options | Mozo named Tiimely Home its 2025 **Australia’s Best Home Lender**, with Tiimely Own products winning across low-cost, fixed, offset and first-home-buyer categories. Tiimely says its Tiimely Own loans are funded by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. ([mozo.com.au](https://mozo.com.au/expertschoice/home-loans)) |\n| **Suncorp Bank — Home Package Plus** | Refinance/package loan with offset | Finder named Suncorp Bank’s Home Package Plus a 2026 winner for **Large Bank Refinance Variable Home Loan**, and Roy Morgan ranked Suncorp second for home-loan customer satisfaction among top banks in May 2026. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/product-awards/home-loans-awards)) |\n| **Bendigo Bank / Newcastle Permanent / People’s Choice / Easy Street / Hume Bank** | Customer-owned or regional alternatives | These lenders repeatedly appear in independent value awards: Canstar’s 2026 winners included Hume, Newcastle Permanent, People’s Choice and Easy Street, while Mozo’s 2025 “Exceptional Value Home Lender” list included Australian Mutual Bank, Community First Bank, Newcastle Permanent, People’s Choice and Up. ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/star-ratings-awards/home-loans/)) |\n| **CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ** | Branch access, complex scenarios, policy niches, bundled banking | The Big Four still account for roughly 75% of Australian mortgages, with CBA the largest, then Westpac, NAB and ANZ. They are not always the cheapest, but they’re widely used, have broad credit policies and large servicing teams. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/home-loans/home-loans-with-the-big-four-banks?full-market=false)) |\n\n## My practical ranking by borrower type\n\n### If you want the **best all-round shortlist**\nStart with **Macquarie, ING, Unloan, Up and Tiimely Home**. They tend to combine competitive pricing, digital service and strong independent award results, without automatically defaulting to a Big Four bank. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/news/finder-reveals-best-home-loans-2026))\n\n### If you want the **most widely used / safest mainstream options**\nCompare **CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ and Macquarie**. The Big Four dominate the mortgage market, while Macquarie has become the main challenger among large lenders. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/home-loans/home-loans-with-the-big-four-banks?full-market=false))\n\n### If you want a **low-cost online variable loan**\nLook at **Unloan**, **Up**, **Tiimely Home**, **Homestar**, **Loans.com.au**, **People’s Choice**, **Hume Bank** and **Pacific Mortgage Group**. These names appear repeatedly in Canstar, Finder and Mozo value categories, but check whether they offer the features you need, especially offsets and construction lending. ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/star-ratings-awards/home-loans/))\n\n### If you want an **offset account**\nCompare **Macquarie Offset Home Loan Package**, **ING Orange Advantage**, **Up Home**, **Tiimely Own with offset**, **Suncorp Home Package Plus**, and the package loans from **CBA, Westpac, NAB and ANZ**. Finder specifically highlighted Macquarie’s multiple-offset capability, Suncorp’s package benefits, Up’s free offset access, and Tiimely’s 100% offset in relevant award categories. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/product-awards/home-loans-awards))\n\n### If you’re a **first-home buyer**\nCheck **Up**, **Tiimely Home**, **ANZ**, **NAB**, **CBA**, **Westpac**, and any lender your broker says works well with your deposit, employment type and property. Finder named **Up Home Variable Rate** its 2026 Best First Home Buyer Home Loan and highly commended Tiimely Home’s Own 10% Deposit Variable Rate. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/product-awards/home-loans-awards))\n\n### If you’re an **investor**\nStart with **Macquarie, Easy Street, Unloan, Hume Bank, Newcastle Permanent, Pacific Mortgage Group and Westpac**. Finder named Easy Street’s Smart Variable Home Loan best for investor P&I variable, highly commended Unloan and Hume in that category, and Canstar listed Newcastle Permanent, Pacific Mortgage Group and Westpac in 2026 investment-value categories. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/product-awards/home-loans-awards))\n\n## What I’d actually do in Australia\n\n1. **Use a good mortgage broker**, then cross-check the broker’s shortlist yourself. Brokers settled **81.0% of Australian residential home lending in the March 2026 quarter**, so this is how most Australians are actually getting loans now. ([mfaa.com.au](https://www.mfaa.com.au/news/mortgage-brokers-reach-record-81-market-share-in-australian-home-lending))  \n2. Ask for side-by-side quotes from: **Macquarie, ING, Unloan, Up/Tiimely, Suncorp or Bendigo, plus at least two Big Four banks**.  \n3. Compare **comparison rate, revert rate, package fee, offset rules, redraw rules, discharge fee, cashback clawbacks, and whether pricing changes after settlement**.  \n4. Don’t overpay for features: if you won’t keep meaningful cash in offset, a cheaper no-offset loan like **Unloan-style** pricing may beat a package loan; if you hold lots of cash, a true 100% offset can be worth paying slightly more for.  \n5. Reprice every 6–12 months; Australian lenders often reserve sharper rates for new borrowers, so existing customers should ask for a retention discount or refinance quote.\n\n**My top five to check first:** **Macquarie, ING, Unloan, Up, and Tiimely Home**. Then add **CBA/Westpac/NAB/ANZ** if you want a major bank or have a scenario where credit policy matters more than the absolute lowest rate.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Macquarie","domain":"macquarie.com","position":1},{"name":"ING","domain":"ing.com.au","position":2},{"name":"Unloan","domain":"unloan.com.au","position":3},{"name":"Up","domain":"up.com.au","position":4},{"name":"Tiimely Home","domain":"tiimely.com","position":5},{"name":"Suncorp","domain":"suncorp.com.au","position":6},{"name":"Bendigo Bank","domain":"bendigobank.com.au","position":7},{"name":"CBA","domain":"combank.com.au","position":8},{"name":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":9},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":10},{"name":"ANZ","domain":"anz.com","position":11},{"name":"Homestar","domain":"homestar.com.au","position":12},{"name":"Loans.com.au","domain":"loans.com.au","position":13},{"name":"People’s Choice","domain":"peopleschoice.com.au","position":14},{"name":"Hume Bank","domain":"humebank.com.au","position":15},{"name":"Pacific Mortgage Group","domain":"pacificmortgagegroup.com.au","position":16},{"name":"Australian Mutual Bank","domain":"amb.com.au","position":17},{"name":"Community First Bank","domain":"cfbank.com.au","position":18},{"name":"Mozo","domain":"mozo.com.au","position":19}]},{"provider":"perplexity","run":1,"model":"sonar","capturedAt":"2026-08-05T04:07:04.792Z","text":"For most Australians, the **best mortgage lenders** to look at are **Macquarie Bank, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, ING, Westpac, and Unloan**—because they’re widely used, appear repeatedly in major Australian comparison/rating lists, and cover the main borrower types people actually need.[2][3][4][18][19]\n\nIf you want the most practical shortlist, I’d group them like this:\n\n| Best for | Lender / product | Why it stands out |\n|---|---|---|\n| **All-round value** | **Macquarie Bank** | Finder named Macquarie the best large bank home lender and best owner occupier fixed home lender; it also appears in other top-lender lists.[18][19] |\n| **Big bank familiarity** | **Commonwealth Bank (CBA)** | CBA is consistently listed among Australia’s biggest and most used lenders, and is often recommended for first-home buyers.[1][3][5][13] |\n| **Business / self-employed borrowers** | **NAB** | NAB is repeatedly highlighted for business borrowers and self-employed flexibility.[2][5] |\n| **Customer experience / digital banking** | **ING** | ING is frequently rated highly for customer satisfaction and competitive ongoing rates.[5] |\n| **Fast online lending** | **Unloan** | Finder picked Unloan for refinancing and redraw, and it is often cited for low variable rates.[2][19] |\n| **Competitive non-bank option** | **Athena Home Loans** | Commonly mentioned as a strong pricing-focused lender in Australian comparison lists.[2][3] |\n| **First-home buyer-friendly** | **Up** / **Unity Bank** / **CBA** | Finder highlighted Up for first home buyers, while other lists point to CBA and Unity Bank depending on structure and features.[18][19] |\n\nA few important points about what people in Australia actually use:\n\n- The **Big Four banks** are still the most recognisable and widely used lenders: **CommBank, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ**.[3]\n- Beyond the banks, many Australians also use **Macquarie, ING, Bank of Queensland, Suncorp, ubank, Unloan, Athena, Pepper Money, and loans.com.au**.[3][13]\n- There is **no single best lender** for everyone; the best choice depends on whether you care most about **lowest rate, offset/redraw features, customer service, fast approval, or borrowing rules**.[5]\n\nIf you want the safest “top brands” shortlist to start comparing, use these first:\n\n- **Macquarie Bank**\n- **Commonwealth Bank**\n- **NAB**\n- **ING**\n- **Westpac**\n- **Unloan**\n- **Athena Home Loans**[2][3][18][19]\n\nIf you want, I can also give you:\n- the **best mortgage lenders by borrower type** in Australia,\n- the **best current variable-rate lenders**,\n- or a **top 10 shortlist for owner-occupiers vs investors**.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Macquarie Bank","domain":"macquarie.com","position":1},{"name":"Commonwealth Bank","domain":"commbank.com.au","position":2},{"name":"NAB","domain":"nab.com.au","position":3},{"name":"ING","domain":"ing.com.au","position":4},{"name":"Westpac","domain":"westpac.com.au","position":5},{"name":"Unloan","domain":"unloan.com.au","position":6},{"name":"Athena Home Loans","domain":"athena.com.au","position":7},{"name":"Bank of Queensland","domain":"boq.com.au","position":8},{"name":"Suncorp","domain":"suncorp.com.au","position":9},{"name":"ubank","domain":"ubank.com.au","position":10},{"name":"Pepper Money","domain":"pepper.com.au","position":11},{"name":"loans.com.au","domain":"loans.com.au","position":12},{"name":"Unity Bank","domain":"unitybank.com.au","position":13}]}]}