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RaboDirect 6.4% Savings (for New Deposits until End of 2010)

470

ING's 6.25% and UBank's 6.21% have been beaten recently by Rabo now.
Difference between UBank and Rabo is $1.58/month per $10,000 (source infochoice.com.au)

Not much but if you want to punish UBank for losing it's game it's a good place to start :)

This offers a more reasonable 7+ monthly of higher rate promotion, unlike the 3/4 month promotions out there.

Note for existing customers:
Special rate is available to existing customers for additional funds added from 20 May 2010. Combined balances of existing deposit accounts as at 19 May 2010 will remain on the standard variable rate, currently 5%

Related Stores

Rabobank
Rabobank

closed Comments

  • Hooray, finally something for existing customers!

  • +4

    I'll give U-Bank a day to respond and then it's aloha U-Bank & aloha Rabodirect.

    • +2

      …so if you want to get them off the phone you say aloha and they start talking again!

      • Aloha - and ciao - mean both hello & goodbye.

        So if you wanted to differentiate you could say aloha U-Bank & ciao Rabodirect.

        (Unfortunately Rabobank has always made me think of Rabbi Bank or Rabid Rank.)

    • Get with the game UBank… I think (actually i know) this will cost you if u dont act… FAST… ;)

  • RaboPlus (now RaboDirect) has been miserable on their standard savings account, paying 5% when UBank offered 5.95%. I had just $1 in my Rabo account. But now that RaboDirect has hit back and offered a huge 6.4%, my money is moving from UBank.

    Note: Rabo is not part of UBank's rate assurance list. There's no guarantee UBank will move on this rate increase.

    UBank's offer is still pretty good if a customer already has most of their money in Rabo, where it will still attract 5%. The 1.4% bonus is only for extra money. As long as banks continue to play this silly game with their customers, I'll keep $1 in my account and pile money in when they release a special offer.

  • +1

    Better than ubank. No asp crap to deal with.

    • at least with ubank its not an introductory offer and you always get it, new or old customer. But all the same, I just transfer all the money to ubank until these deals come up, then shift it back to ING/Rabo, and then move it to ubank once the period ends.

  • +1

    Rabodirect has that annoying digipass thing. I hate carting that around.

    • +1

      Yeah, that is a dealbreaker for me too.

      • +3

        On the bright side it is fully hacker proof. If your computer gets owned by a keylogger you have nothing to fear as no one can access your account without the device. The DigiPass is ideal for traveling where people are sometimes forced to use public computers at internet cafes to transfer money.

        • i agree Cluster. It did take a while to get used to the digipass but now i think it is great form of security. funny thing, i was about close Rabobank! And i had just opened up citibank…all this changing is a nuisance, but then that is the idea, the banks like to have high switching costs to keep up 'loyal' but with better technology it is now quite is to open an account - no need to get ID checked at the postoffice it can all be done online.

          • @patientvalue: RaboBank, like other online banks, is fee free, so there really shouldn't be a need to close it. The only hassle comes at tax time as another account needs to be checked for interest earned (Rabo supports auto fill in e-Tax), but the accounts can stay dormant all year.

            • @Cluster: yeah i agree cluster. but with the the trend towards favouring new accounts (bankwest, ing) i am getting around to closing my dormant accounts. but now that i read (below) that rabobank does not favour new or old accounts (merely current bal) i will not close it. cheers

        • +1

          I like SMS security codes better. All the benefits of a security generator thingy, but you're probably likely to have your phone with you more often :)

  • -7

    WTF!! Seriously, when will you guys wake up to these bank tricks. Ubank is still the best! You cannot compare an introductory rate against the standard rate. Ubank is 6.21pa standard (with ASP), Rabo is 5%. Bank just want to set you up and then screw you. Besides what happens if interest rates rise again?? I GUARANTEE you wont see an increase from RABO.

    Edited - Mod: Revoked negative vote, as it's not a valid reason for a negative vote.

    • +5

      It's an introductory rate that lasts for 6 months. I would say that's pretty good. UBank's 6.21% doesn't apply until June 1 while RaboDirect is offering 6.4% from today. After Rabo's offer is over you're free to move your money to wherever you wish. Rabo's offer is also available to all customers, and is not like the highly restrictive offers of ING Direct where only new customers benefit.

      Finally, do you work for Rabo and can guarantee the 6.4% rate will not increase?

      • -2

        Its an introductory rate. So you wont see an increase in it. Heck their current customers only see 5%. Only the 5% will move.

        • 5% is the base rate, with 1.4% being the bonus rate. Both BankWest and ING Direct have changed their base rates while retaining the same bonus, thus effectively increasing the overall rate offered, so why shouldn't RaboBank?

          Whether the base rate or bonus rate moves, overall it does not matter.

    • +5

      People here are savvy enough to understand how to move money between banks to maximise the best interest rate possible. I know lots of people who have accounts with Ubank, Rabo and ING. They swap the cash between them when the rates suit their needs. If Ubank do raise their rates higher than RABO then swap back if you need to.

      This is a terrible reason for a neg vote and I hope the mods come across this sooner rather than later.

      • I agree. OzBargain members are especially savvy and don't fall for such tricks.

  • +1

    I don't want a full time job, setting up new accounts
    monitoring interest rates and moving my money around.

    I think it should be a catch 22. If you have little money
    it don't matter cause it'll make such little difference.
    It you got a lot of money… Surely you have better things
    to do with your time!?

    $1.58/$10,000/month. Not worth the paperwork.

    • +1

      It sounds like the offer is not for you, but other people may benefit. Under OzBargain's voting rules that's not a real reason for giving a negative vote.

      I have UBank, ING, Rabo and BankWest accounts. This OzBargain post alerted me to Rabo's new offer and I moved my money accordingly. Time spent? Maybe 5 minutes. No paperwork.

      • Exactly right Cluster. Not every bargain is for everyone but hardly worth a neg esp since for new customers this would be very enticing.

      • +1

        Fair comment. I will remove my negative vote (if I can work out how to)

        As you say, this deal is not for me.
        UBank doesn't mess me about and continues not to annoy me.
        So I'll stick with them.

    • As for your comment "I don’t want a full time job, setting up new accounts monitoring interest rates and moving my money around."

      it is worth moving for me and quite a few others here. And it sure beats any other full time job i have had. No boss …

    • Bang on Rick.

    • +1

      That's abit harsh…this rate clearly beats all other banks with a "not-too-gimicky" introductory rate, so it's a bargain.

      Personally, I'm tired of having to apply for new accounts and move my money around. But this is still a good bargain for new customers.

    • It worth doing so to send a message to your existing bank… saying that it needs to work harder.

  • +5

    "We don’t favour new customers over existing customers. There is nothing worse than rewarding new customers with bonuses and gimmicks at the expense of existing loyal customers."

    This is a quote from Rabo and the reason we changed our accounts to them. We were sick of our old bank giving better rates to new customers and ignoring us, customers for 15 years.

    IMO Rabo are now playing the same game. Sure existing customers get the higher rate but ONLY on new deposits and even money in Premium Saver accounts is excluded. So we have to increase our balance by at least $200 per month to get 6% from Rabo but someone swapping banks gets 6.4%.

    I asked what would happen if I took our money out for a month and then reinvested. I was told it wouldn't work because a snapshot of balances of ALL our accounts was taken last night.

    Put whatever spin you like on it Rabo, you are no more loyal to existing customers than the other banks. The only way for us to win is to change banks, again.

    PS I'm not voting NEG because this is a bargain for some.

    • -1

      I too am not a fan of the introductory rates screwing over existing customers.

      For others who don't like it, there are other banks/online savings places that ensure existing and new customers get the same rate.

      Also with Rabo, it doesn't sound like the increased rate applies to your existing savings, just what you put on top of it?

      E.g.
      Existing 10,000 at 5%
      Extra 1,000 at 6.4%?

  • +1

    All this points out the best way is to chase the rates. I took from Rabo and moved to Ubank. Now it goes back. Why as my existing Rabo bank deposit is so low that the 5% issue is very low. Its what I have always said, vote with your money - get lazy and they'll take you for what you are lazy with. At least Rabo is giving the highest and they are at least giving the higher amount to existing users for new funds. Bankwest ING dont do that..

    Ubank, just hold off the higher rate for over a month, that's their way.

    As for negative voting, just keep in mind what doesn't suit you may suit others. Make comments here which are unfavourable but what the negative vote based on your personal circumstances. RickonOz thats the correct and mature way to treat a "bargain" come here express your views which help, and dont vote.

    Your comments are more valuable as well as neg voting can hide a deal AND hence your comments as well

    • +1

      spot on comment Ozpete.

      The more responsive we are to changes in rates by switching our funds, the more the banks will be forced to respond with competitive rates. The lazier we are the lazier the banks will be-they have no need to be responsive because customers dont move their funds.

      To the extent banks borrow funds within Australia we are responsible for low rates not the banks. But to the extent they can source funds wholesale from international markets then there is little customers can do. but given increased volatility today i think we will see bank deposit rates will be heading up!

  • C'mon UBank, just match up. You don't have to outdo Rabo. Just match emm. Their sickeningly tedious pass key is your advantage.

    • they'll probably just increase their asp again… and advertise it with big print on their front page with asp rate included

  • I've always had great service with Rabo and can't fault them at all. Since taking them up on the $100 joining incentive, they have constantly raised the interest rates and answered all correspondence when I have contacted them.

    Having said that, I will echo snufl's comments in that it is disappointing they have not equally passed the 6.4% to existing customers. It's not enough to change banks but it does leave a bad taste in the mouth, especially if you have been loyal to Rabo. It is punishing you for being loyal in a way as I would have been better off depositing in another bank and now switching it over.

    • Then in your case depending on the funds you have you might be better switching to ubank. As I said the loyalty is where the dollars are best for you. We are bargain hunters let the average joe leave the money where it feels nice. Go were it gives you the best return. Reward loyalty given dont reward loyalty assumed.

  • If I currently have $0 in my raboplus/rabodirect account, any amount that I deposit after 20 May will accrue 6.40%.

    Is this right?

    • That's how I interpreted their statement:
      "Special rate is available to existing customers for additional funds added from 20 May 2010"

      Additional funds presumably means any increase since that date.

  • YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIME TO MOVE IT BACK!!! OMG!

  • YEAAAAA, I applied for it ^.^
    Will take a few days to verify though, so should be receiving mail next wk if all goes well :D

  • Hey guys, got a loaded question…

    What's the quickest way of moving large sums of money ($200K+) between banks? I want to move all my savings from Ubank to Rabo quick!!!

    • +3

      link the rabo and ubank accounts both ways and then ring up ubank and they can transfer the whole lot by the close of business that day and would be in your rabo account the next working day

      • Bandit, Cheers for the tip. Will open an account with Rabo first thing in the morning.

      • but rabo and ubank dont accept direct debits so how can they be linked ?

        • +1

          Transferring from Ubank is easy, you just seta pay anyone account and transfer up to $20000 a day. So if you have more than this amount you can send $20000 one day and then say $10000 the next or what ever.

          Going the other way isnt so easy as Rabo has to be sent to your nominated account, and I dont think that can be ubank. But check

          I spoke with ubank the other day this is how funds can be moved.

          Ubank to Another Bank
          Send from Ubank to the other Bank OK
          Debit ubank from the other Bank - NO

          To Ubank from another account
          Send to Ubank from another Bank - OK
          Debit other Bank from Ubank - OK (If the other bank accepts this process with their account, which I dont think Rabo will permit.)

          • @[Deactivated]: I contacted rabodirect and ubank. I received this reply from Rabodirect:
            -=-

            Thank you for contacting RaboDirect.

            We can only direct debit your linked account so you won't be able to arrange a transfer from RaboDirect.

            If possible, you can give Ubank your RaboDirect BSB and account number and do the transfer.

            If not, RaboDirect can debit your linked account and there is no limit there.


            so i was going to set up a 'pay anyone' a/c using rabodirect bsb and my a/c no. then get ubank to extend my limit for do it in one hit.

            NO I WONT! i just spoke with ubank (8pm friday night - they have great customer service). Anything over 20k must be done over the phone and can only go directly to my linked a/c.

            • @patientvalue: Yes but you can do multiple transfers over multiple days. Sure not as great as shifting whole lot over in one go, but this way you dont lose the interest by shipping back to your linked account, then waiting and shifting it on to Rabo

              As for service yes ubank staff are helpful, likewise I have found Rabo staff helpful, although with so many new accounts that could be opened the rabo service might slip

            • @patientvalue: so they cant even do a one off pay anyone transfer greater than 20k? that sux

            • @patientvalue: Be smart, you need to use a middle-man account which is your everyday bank account. That way you link both Ubank and RaboDirect to your everyday account
              - call Ubank and request them to transfer all your money to your linked account
              - Next day, fund is already in your everyday account, now login to RaboDirect and use direct debit option to transfer fund into RaboDirect account.

  • -2

    gr8 deal ubank officially sux ass

  • Yea especially now that Gerd is gone… he was a great guy too :S

    • Gerd is gone?? :(

  • Yep Gerd left a month or two ago,

    I imagine Ubank is going to have to combine back into NAB if they want to offer these low rates
    like St george operates the Direct saver…IE: transfer money between St George accounts and then walk into a
    branch to transact/or online/telephone/atm. the same day.

    If you want to do the same with Ubank it's a minimum overnight transfer.

  • +1

    I just spoke with ubank. if u can be bothered give them a quick call (i used skype) to let them know u intend to move to rabo because of their new rate. you never know and their is no harm in communicating ones intentions.

    • i just went to tranfer all my funds and they gonna try match rabo 6.4 will call me back..

      also u can setup rabo as linked account to transfer larger sums, its only the debit side that wont work..direct credits to rabo will be fine

      • interesting! please keep me informed of their response. i will probably trans my funds tomorrow otherwise. cheers

      • Ditto here.

        They said they will call back.

        • +1

          i decided to call too. i thought the more of us getting ready to leave the more likely they will be to acquiesce to our requests.

          if there are more of you out there, call ubank and put the ozbargain pressure on :)

          • @patientvalue: it'll be interesting to see if they can match for the base rate … AND give the ASP on top of it :)

            I'm busy today but might try giving them a call later even though I'm draining my account already.


            update

            See further down. UBank agreed to match it for someone else, taking the ASP away AND only matching to October or so (not to the end of the year).

            I finished transferring my funds but did let the UBank people know why. Maybe UBank can respond but if so, I'd hope they beat Rabo by at least 0.25% so it's definitely worth it to me to transfer the funds back. Not just a match.

            I'm sure everyone else here, with a UBank account, would also be happy to see a UBank rate now of 6.65% :)

            Meanwhile, I'm happy Rabo's increased their rates with a bonus rate to the end of the year.

  • really,,, the promo is until end of 2010 means we have only 6 months.. if say (i wish!) i have $50K then i will get extra $47 in 6 months… hmmmmm sounds like nothing

    • As has been stated in this thread, people already in UBank are unlikely to waste their time opening a new Rabo account, but if:
      * You already have one, then $47 is good value for 5 minutes to make a pay anyone
      * Maybe you're still with a 6.0% account (and thus didn't wanna open a UBank account for the extra $47 either), now you can make a $94 jump.

      Of course, this is why I put the $10,000/$1.58 example. So people would consider their time vs. returns.

    • +1

      When ozbargainers chase free paperclips etc, $47 can mean a lot. And if you only have $1000 whats even 6.21% over 5%, then again the switchers make the other banks think about what they are offering. And again you are still only getting 5.85% from ubank. The 6.21% doesnt kick in until next week

  • I re-read the terms and conditions and skimmed the description above.

    I added funds which have a value date of 20/5/2010.

    But my account still says it has 5% interest applicable and I'm not sure why it doesn't have anything there at all, about getting paid 6.4% on the difference.

    Is anyone else finding something different when they log onto Rabodirect and look at their account?

    • thts normal somewhere in your account it will also tell you your accrued bonus interest..

      • +1

        Many thanks beatlebob :)

        I haven't been using the Rabodirect account in ages and forgot that they write accrued interest somewhere.3

        Yes, I am receiving Accrued Interest and Accrued Bonus.

        For those wondering, it's under:
        - log into Rabodirect
        - Savings accounts
        - Summary/details … it's on the page that appears for this

    • Mine says 5% too. I figure June 1 I'm going to check (can't trust any bank)

  • +1

    Ubank agreed to match Rabodirect new rate.

    They called back and agreed. It will start from 1 June and will last until oct 31st (yes that is 3 months less than Rabodirect). Also agreed to a higher limit than 200k.

    Also must take off the ASP, so no need to add additional sums (unless i want too). That is because they have to make a special crediting rate and not the 0.36 bonus rate (6.40-5.85=0.55%).

    good luck all!

    • Many thanks :)

      Only till end of Oct with UBank …
      I think I'll finish shifting the rest of my funds.

      Maybe other people can get them to offer to match through to the rest of the year or a firm offer for a minimum of 6.4% for the year :)

    • +1

      BUT…it's not across the board, you have to call them & ask for it.

      • is this true? we must call to get 6.4% ?

    • where my call ffs ubank sux assss..taking bat and ball to rabo now

    • Who did you speak to At Ubank who was willing to match the rate? I tried but was told No

      • If you're trying to beat the Raboplus 6.4%, you bank's upped to 6.51%
        http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/27898

        I am planning to set up an ASP for end of the month then transfer funds there next month


        Maybe Rabo could increase their rate today? :)

  • I think this is related.

    There's been talk on the news (I forget which channel or who they quoted) of a potential for a rate decrease. The claim is that sales are declining in the property market. It was attempted to link that to the increases in rates this year and so it was argued that the Reserve Bank should decrease the official interest rates.

    Does anyone know if the figures for "number of home loan applications" are also decreasing?

    I'm wondering, if the declining sales numbers are real, if they are related to a decrease in local purchases (due to increasing interest rates) or a decrease in purchases by overseas buyers (due to the potential change in the law that means they have to sell off their properties after leaving Australia).

    as in, is there really a reason for the Reserve Bank to decrease the rates … and should we be looking at term deposits right now?

    • as i understand it:

      1) the rate banks pay depositors has been influenced by the cost to them from wholesale funding ie offshore. when those rates sky rocked in 2008 they decided it was cheaper to offer higher rates for local deposits which is why there was a disconnect to the RBA rate they usually use as a guide.

      2) more important than 'no of home loan applications' is the actual value of total loans and any increment or decline. it is $ that counts not applications. So as house prices go up (and renovations) banks lend more on the same no of mortgages (or even fewer mortgages as is the recent phenomena). Even thought loans may be declining (due to any of a no of factors including interest rates, more demanding bank standards - LVRs etc)

      3) if some heat was to come off the $ demand for bank loans the RBA would probably be happy and would not decrease rates just because of that. they would wait to see if there was a 'slump' in demand over a sustained period of time. in addition they would look for a no. of economic factors eg employment, gdp growth, income growth etc. not to mention int'l events.

      4) RBA suggested the overseas buying phenomena was nothing more than anecdotal.

      5) watch the trend from the banks: are term deposits trending up or down? people typically invest when the trend has already started to go against them (a common activity when investing in the stock market too :)

      6) RBA website has the data on demand for loans (credit).

      Summary-dont hold your breath for a decrease for quite some time - we would need to see a sustained trend of declines in housing mortgage demand. And one more factor to mitigate against a drop in demand is fear (and volatility) of the stock market which is driving people to pty investing.

      As always, the decision is yours at the end of the day. Good luck!

  • can some1 confirm ubank will match 6.4% for EVERY existing customers start 1 June… thanks

    • i just called and they dont know anything about 6.4%

      • tell them u will move your money to rabodirect unless they can match. read my comment someway up i explain it all

  • Just rang UBank, said they could not match Rabo unless you had at least $200K! hmmm? did i miss something?

    • wot it matter rabo better anyway ustank going down toilet

    • +1

      i guess it explains why gerd left so soon

    • +1

      Before they spend millions of dollars on designers to come up with a new name (which sometimes produces questionable results) … may I suggest they don't and just come up with a few simple names and maybe spend tens of thousands on gaining acceptance and getting some good logos :P

      Not that I'm bringing up any baggage from any businesses I've worked for in the past :)

  • As I stated, Ubank have smashed Ubank!
    Have fun switching :)
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/27565

  • What is the best way to transfer funds into Rabodirect. I have to change my linked account so the funds are sitting in a non linked account. If I do an internet transfer will take ages

    • +1

      A) thanks for posting that
      B) doh, another account to open
      C) that is an awesome rate :)

      D) I just tried to get Rabodirect to match UBank, last week. Sadly, they say they don't.

  • I sent an account closure form to them by email two weeks ago. They emailed back acknowledging it but I haven't received anything in the mail yet.

    Anyone has the same problem?

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