Executive Summary In mid-January 2026, Australia’s major banks—led by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)—significantly raised fixed mortgage rates based on expectations of persistent inflationary pressure and further interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). This move is viewed as a bellwether for the RBA’s rate decision meeting in February, signaling that upward pressure on rates will persist and directly impact household finances. Specific Movements

On September 24, 2024, the Central Committee released a series of new financial policies aimed at addressing the current economic...

The Decision to Cut Rates The U.S. Federal Reserve recently announced its first interest rate cut in over four years, lowering the...