| Overview |
|---|
flagFounded: Founded in 1837, acquired by Westpac in 2008 |
businessOwned by: Owned by Westpac, operated by St George Bank |
monetization_onFunded by: Retail deposits and wholesale capital markets |
securityLMI Provider: Westpac LMI (WLMI)and Arch Capital (WLMI –A) |
account_balanceLender type: Subsidiary of a Major Bank |
BankSA is no stranger to trouble. It was bailed out by the Government of South Australia in 1992, sold to Advance Bank, taken over by St George in 1997 and then Westpac in 2008! Despite its coloured history, it’s a popular choice for South Australian residents who want a local brand with the strength of a major bank.
In effect, BankSA is actually just a rebranded version of St George Bank!
Westpac owns St George which in turn operates BankSA. So all of their home loans are the same as the ones offered by St George Bank. They’re a great option for first home buyers or first time investors.
How do BankSA’s home loans compare?
Pros
- First home buyers with small deposits
- Guarantor loans for first home buyers
- Property investors
- Refinancingwith competitive cashback offers
- Construction loans
- Great interest rates even if you have a small deposit
- Working with mortgage brokers
- SMSF loans
- Upfront bank valuations available in some cases
- Over 100 branches in South Australia and the Northern Territory
- Unlimited additional repayments, offset account, family pledge
Cons
- LMI can be expensive if you’re borrowing over 90% of the property value
- People with bad credit
- People outside of South Australia or the Northern Territory are referred to St George
- Slow loan processing times when they’re busy
- Conservative policies for self-employed borrowers requiring a consistent income over the last two years.
What home loans types does BankSA have?
BankSA has all the same home loans that St George Bank has, except for some minor difference in interest rates
Their professional package is known as the Advantage Package and it’s a great choice if you are borrowing over $250,000. In return for paying an annual fee you’ll get a discounted interest rate and a range of discounts on other products such as your offset account and credit card.
Their basic loan has no annual fees, but normally has a higher rate, and so it’s more suited to people who have smaller loans. BankSA has a Line of Credit known as a Portfolio loan which is a great choice for investors who buy and sell property or shares regularly.
Keep an eye out for specials that BankSA offers from time to time on fixed rate loans. When these are on offer, they can be some of the lowest in the market.
Their low doc loan isn’t the most competitive and has strict qualifying criteria so isn’t in high demand.
Tips for getting a great rate with BankSA
Most lenders don’t offer great interest rate discounts on 90% or 95% home loans, however BankSA is one of the exceptions!
If you don’t have a deposit then their family pledge loan is a type of guarantor loan that can be used to buy a home with help from your parents.
Use BankSA’s minimum required documents checklist to prepare for your home loan application.
Note: This is the latest documents checklist as of June 2019. Please refer to BankSA for their most up-to-date document requirements.
BankSA client story
Jeffrey & Glenice, SA
Goal
To refinance to a lender that will allow them to act as guarantor for their daughter’s home loan.
Situation
Refinance, discharge, guarantor, no deposit, guaranteeing an owner-occupied property.
Background
Having paid off much of the mortgage on their home, Jeffrey and Glenice wanted to use some of their equity and act as guarantor for their daughter’s home loan.
Their daughter had saved her own deposit but by acting as as guarantor on her home loan, Jeffrey and his wife knew that their daughter could use her savings as a buffer to better manage her mortgage and even buy that new car that she really needed.
Although Jeffrey and Glenice were refinancing at 80% of the value of their home (LVR), the policy for their current lender, Ubank, wouldn’t allow them to take out a second mortgage, even it was just a limited guarantee.
Solution
Jeffrey and Glenice were able to discharge from Ubank and refinance their mortgage with BankSA.
They were approved for a guarantor loan due to the fact that they had substantial equity and their daughter had genuine savings.
They were even able to qualify for an application fee waiver and a discounted interest rate.
Compare BankSA to other lenders
Are you considering BankSA? One of our mortgage brokers can help you to compare your options!
Talk to one of our mortgage brokers by calling us on 1300 889 743 or complete our free assessment form.
