Super-cheap money. Are borrowers or bank shareholders winning?

Super-cheap money. Are borrowers or bank shareholders winning?
Term deposits have now fallen to 40% of total deposits as bank deposit rates have fallen.
Cameron Bagrie
Our banks are awash with cheap cash.Even with some upward movement recently in longer term wholesale interest rates, our banks largely fund their activity from short-term money, which remains as cheap as ever.Money is being hoarded in liquid accounts as opposed to locked up in term deposits.With many banks due to release their half-year results in the coming weeks, we will get a chance to see to what extent that cheap funding has been passed on to borrowers.Lending growth is up around $40 billion in the past year, but deposits grew more than $5...

More Opinion

Govt's Online Casino Gambling Bill fumble
Law & Regulation

Martin Snedden: Govt's Online Casino Gambling Bill fumble

Still time to avoid this massive legislation error that comes at a cost to the community.

Martin Snedden 18 Sep 2025
Time to put NZ tech first
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Time to put NZ tech first

NZ's tech future hinges on breaking with tradition and betting big on local ingenuity.

Peter Griffin 17 Sep 2025
The 20% question
Opinion

David Chaplin: The 20% question

KiwiSavers' average per member is better than nothing, but probably not enough.

David Chaplin 16 Sep 2025
Polarisation: from talkback to the trading desk
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: Polarisation: from talkback to the trading desk

Political polarisation is becoming more of a worry for NZ investors.

Dileepa Fonseka 15 Sep 2025