This morning the Reserve Bank has slashed the Official Cash Rate by 0.75% to 0.25%. We have never been here before folks. Historic.

Floating interest rates and short term fixed interest rates should get a trim depending on how much of the margin main Banks don’t keep for themselves.

The OCR was kept on hold today @ 1%.

The Monetary Policy Committee adopted a wait and see approach.

No changes to Bank lending rates at time of writing.

Today the Reserve Bank slashed the Official Cash Rate from 1.50% to 1%. This is the lowest rate in NZ’s history.

Swap rates which largely determine fixed interest rate pricing moved substancially.  The 5 year swap rate declined by 11% to 1.06%.

Variable and fixed interest rates for borrowers should fall as a result depending on how much is passed on to borrowers by the Banks.

The Reserve Bank held the OCR at 1.50% today but cited “….weaker global economic outlook and the risk of ongoing subdued domestic growth, a lower OCR may be needed over time to continue to meet our objectives.”

The Reserve Bank has today cut the OCR from 1.75% to 1.50% citing “continuing house price softness in some areas” which means in Auckland.

It seems unlikely that the 4 main Banks will pass on the full 0.25% cut to their floating interest rate borrowers.