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This week has also seen changes to LMI waivers as well as a brand-new white label range.
Connective launches new Athena white label
Connective has announced the launch of Connective Athena on 28 September, expanding its white label range with residential lending options developed with non-bank lender Athena.
The range includes Prime Max lending up to 85 per cent LVR without LMI, Lite Doc for self-employed borrowers, eligible non-trading company and trust lending, and bridging finance. It also includes a 2 per cent servicing buffer, up to 95 per cent of rental income accepted in eligible scenarios, and flexible treatment of bonus and overtime income.
The proposition will be supported by Athena’s Broker Portal, Connective Lending’s AI-powered product and policy assistant Charley, state-based BDMs, and scenario support. A new Bridging Modeller will also allow brokers to assess property-move strategies.
ING makes mixed variable rate changes
ING has changed variable rates across its Orange Advantage and Mortgage Simplifier home loans, effective 23 September 2026.
Owner-occupied P&I rates have increased by 5 basis points across LVRs up to 80 per cent, while rates at 80.01–95 per cent LVR have fallen by 5 bps on Orange Advantage. Investor P&I and interest-only rates have both fallen by 10 bps at 80.01–90 per cent LVR.
For pipeline applications yet to receive formal approval, customers will receive the lower of the rate applicable when the application was submitted or at formal approval.
Ubank increases fixed home loan rates
Ubank has become the next bank to hike fixed rates, increasing them across its Flex home loans, with changes taking effect 24 September 2026.
For owner-occupier P&I loans, rates have increased by 25–30 bps, while investor P&I rates have also risen by 25–30 bps. Owner-occupier and investor interest-only rates at 80 per cent LVR or below have increased by 25 bps.
At higher LVRs, owner-occupier P&I rates have risen by 30 bps at both 85 per cent and 90 per cent LVR, while investor P&I rates have increased by 30 bps across the same bands. New rates range from 6.74–7.54 per cent, depending on the loan type, LVR, and fixed term.
Bankwest and Bank of Sydney expand LMI-free lending for professional borrowers
Bankwest and Bank of Sydney have expanded LMI-free lending options for eligible professional borrowers.
Bankwest has expanded its LMI waiver to lawyers, accountants, selected professionals and managerial federal government employees at APS6, EL1, EL2, and SES levels, as well as employees of selected large and second-tier banks and their subsidiaries and selected large technology companies.
Banking and technology employees must have at least six months in their role. The waiver covers owner-occupied and investment P&I lending for purchases, refinances, construction, and cashout, but excludes interest-only lending, self-employed and foreign income, family support guarantees, higher duties, and certain restricted properties.
Bank of Sydney is offering eligible professionals lending up to 90 per cent LVR without LMI for owner-occupied P&I and construction loans.
Eligible professions include registered teachers, medical professionals, firefighters and police officers, accountants, actuaries, financial analysts, architects, project managers, quantity surveyors, planners, surveyors, engineers, geologists, geophysicists, and hydrogeologists.
Aware of a product or policy update that brokers should know about? Leave it in the comments below.
See last week’s policy changes here.
[Related: Banks recast rate hike forecasts to be harder and faster]
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