St.George Bank Home Loans: The 2026 Review

St.George Bank was founded in 1937 in Sydney as a building society, initially serving local communities with a focus on providing accessible financial services. Over the decades, the bank expanded its operations significantly, marking a major milestone with the acquisition of Advance Bank in 1997. In 2008, St.George became part of the Westpac Group, integrating into one of Australia's Big 4 banks, which allowed it to leverage greater resources and expand its reach across the nation.

Today, St.George Bank operates as a major banking institution within the Westpac Group, maintaining a robust presence across Australia through its branches and online services. It differentiates itself by offering a comprehensive range of financial products, including competitive home loan options. The bank is known for its customer-centric approach, providing flexible solutions like the Family Pledge and the Advantage Package, which offer competitive interest rates and additional benefits.

St.George Bank primarily targets first-time home buyers, young families, and investors, positioning itself as a customer-friendly alternative within the Big 4. With a focus on providing value and flexibility, the bank aims to meet the diverse needs of its customers while addressing service delivery challenges. Its strategic commitment to innovation and tailored financial solutions continues to attract a broad customer base across Australia.

• Legal Name: St.George Bank
• ABN: 33007457141
• ACN: 007457141
• Established: 1937
• Headquarters: Sydney, New South Wales
• Type: Division
• Ownership: Owned by Big 4

• Website: https://www.stgeorge.com.au
• Phone: 1300 304 660

St.George Bank offers a range of home loan features designed to provide flexibility and cost savings for borrowers, including options for family equity support and competitive rate packages.

• Redraw Facility: For loans fixed from 17 May 2020, customers can redraw funds paid during the fixed rate period up to a $30,000 prepayment threshold. This offers flexibility in accessing funds while managing loan repayments effectively.
• Family Pledge: Borrowers can use the equity in a family member's home to increase borrowing capacity. This feature supports first-time buyers and young families by reducing the need for a large deposit.
• Combination Loan Feature: This allows borrowers to split their loan between fixed and variable rates, providing a balance between predictable repayments and benefiting from potential rate drops.
• Package Loan with Cancellation Option: The Advantage Package offers rate discounts and additional perks, with the flexibility to cancel with 14 days' notice. This provides cost savings and adaptability to changing financial needs.
• Offset Account: A full interest offset facility helps reduce interest costs on home loans. This feature allows borrowers to save on interest by offsetting their loan balance with their savings account balance.
• Flexible Repayment Options: Borrowers can choose weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayments, and opt for interest-only periods. This flexibility helps manage cash flow according to individual financial situations.
• Digital Banking Features: St.George Bank provides comprehensive online banking and mobile app access, allowing borrowers to manage their loans conveniently with features like automated valuations and account monitoring.
• Extra Repayment Features: The option to make unlimited additional repayments without fees enables borrowers to pay off their loans faster, potentially saving significant interest over the loan term.
• No Application Fee: St.George Bank offers a no-frills home loan with a $0 lending establishment fee, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious borrowers.
• Interest Rate Discounts: The Advantage Package includes a 0.20% p.a. discount on fixed rates, reducing overall borrowing costs and providing long-term savings.

St.George Bank offers a transparent fee structure for its home loan products, with variations depending on the specific loan package chosen. Borrowers can expect a range of upfront, ongoing, and other fees, with some discounts available through specific packages.

• Lending Establishment Fee: $600 - Charged for processing and establishing the loan. Waived for Advantage Package holders.
• Property Valuer Fee: Variable - Starts from $164, varies based on the location and value of the security property.
• Document Processing Fee: $100 - Covers settlement services, including document validation and conveyancing.
• Annual Advantage Package Fee: $395 (Annual) - Charged annually for the Advantage Package, which offers interest rate discounts and other benefits.
• Loan Discharge Fee: $350 - Applies per mortgage upon loan discharge.
• Fixed Rate Lock-In Fee: $500 - Provides certainty in interest rates during the loan process.
• Missed Payment Fee: $15 - Charged when an arrears letter is sent for overdue amounts.
• Loan Account Fee: $8 (Monthly) - Applicable to some loan accounts, waived for others.

St.George Bank offers home loans to a diverse range of borrowers, including individuals, trusts, companies, and partnerships, with a focus on accessibility for Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
• Eligible applicants include individuals, trusts (individual and company trustees), companies, and partnerships.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan, typically through stable income and employment.
• A credit history check will be conducted to assess creditworthiness.
• A minimum loan amount of $150,000 is required for the Advantage Package.
• Owner occupiers buying a new home or vacant land to build a new home are eligible.

• Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) above 80% may require Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
• The Family Pledge feature allows use of a family member's home equity to assist with the deposit.
• Fixed rate loans have a prepayment threshold of $30,000, with potential break costs if exceeded.