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Headline vs Comparison Rates – What’s the Difference?

There’s a whole lot of jargon in the finance world – but in the case of comparison rates, they actually are exactly what they sound like.

When taking out a loan, be it a personal loan, mortgage or debt consolidation, we tend to focus on two numbers – the amount we’re borrowing and the interest rate we’ll be paying. But there are a few other figures you need to factor in. These include:

  • Fees associated with setting up the loan

  • Ongoing charges such as account keeping or annual fees

When you're looking for the best option for your situation, there's a lot you need to consider. This is where comparison rates come in handy.

What is a comparison rate?

A comparison rate represents the true cost of the loan. Sometimes referred to as Average Annual Percentage Rates AAPR, they factor in your interest rate, fees, loan term, payment frequency and total borrowed amount. As the name suggests, they’re very useful for comparing products from various credit providers. 

Pro Tip

Comparison rates are designed to level the playing field, allowing you to compare loan offerings from multiple lenders objectively.

Why do lenders provide a comparison rate?

Basically, because the Government told them so. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission ASIC, for short looks after the country’s consumer credit regime. The National Credit Code stipulates that all lenders must provide a comparison rate alongside their headline interest rate to ensure customers understand what they’re really signing up for.

Why is the headline rate lower than the comparison rate?

The headline rate also known as the advertised rate represents just one piece of the puzzle. When comparing products, it’s the first thing you look at, so lenders always aim to put their best rate forward. But you need to zoom out and take in the whole picture.

If you had three loan offers in front of you, your instinct would be to choose the one with the lowest interest rate, right? But what happens if that option has the highest ongoing monthly fees? You might end up paying way more in the long run. Comparison rates will give you a better indication of what you’ll actually be paying over the life on the loan.

How are comparison rates calculated?

To calculate a comparison rate, we need to factor in any fees at the beginning establishment fee, middle monthly/annual fees and end early exit fees. For a fair comparison, the loan amount, loan term and repayment frequency must be equal. The example below compares three products offering a $30,000 unsecured loan, fixed over five years with monthly repayments.

Where can I find comparison rates?

They shouldn’t be hard to find. Lenders are legally required to display the comparison rate alongside the advertised rate. As a bonus, lenders also need to provide a comparison warning statement that outlines the accuracy of the comparison rate.

You might find the comparison rate listed on a fact sheet or in a table of information about the loan product you’re looking at. The easiest way to find them is through a comparison website – you’ll find plenty with a quick Google search.

Curious what your personalised rate would be on a Wisr loan?

Get a rate estimate (with a comparison rate, of course) in just two minutes.

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Did you find this content helpful?

Disclaimer: This article contains general information only, and is not general advice or personal advice. Wisr Services does not recommend any product or service discussed in this article. You must get your own financial, taxation, or legal advice, and understand any risks before considering whether a product or service discussed in this article may be appropriate for you. We have taken reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but the information is subject to change. We may not update the article to reflect any change. Comparison rates used in the example are based on a $30,000 unsecured loan, fixed over 5 years, with monthly repayments. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Rates are correct at the time of publication 15/12/2021. Finder.com.au was used to compare loan products for indicative purposes only.

Joanne is a respected leader of multiple disciplines within Banking, with 17+ years’ experience ranging from credit risk, product management, pricing, analytics and strategic project delivery.

Joanne, Chief Operating Officer

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