Macquarie Bank named Investment Property Lender of the Year

Macquarie Bank has been named Investment Property Lender of the Year in the Money Consumer Finance Awards.

It was recognised for its rapid response times on investor home loan applications.

See the full list of winners in the Money Consumer Finance Awards 2026.

Macquarie Bank at a glance

• Winner: Investment Property Lender of the Year
• Why they won: Rapid response times on investor home loan applications
• Top product: Macquarie Bank's Offset Home Loan

Investor activity surges

Property investors have been highly active over the past 12 months.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that lending to investors rose by 24% in the year to December 2025, far eclipsing the 7.4% growth in loans to owner-occupiers.

Put differently, more than 60,000 new investment loans were approved in the December quarter 2025 - 23.6% more than the December quarter 2024.

Why investors are attracted to property

It's easy to see the appeal of bricks and mortar for investors.

In cities such as Brisbane, PropTrack says property price growth hit 17.5% over the year to April 2026.

As Australia faces a prolonged housing shortage, SQM Research reports that rents have risen 11.0% nationally over the year to May 2026.

The national vacancy rate has plunged to around 1.0%.

Amid all these upsides for investors, an investment home loan is a critical tool that can help investors maximise the gains from the property, while also enjoying a seamless borrowing experience.

Speed, flexibility and certainty

Ben Perham, head of personal banking at Macquarie Bank notes, "Investors value speed, flexibility and certainty, and that is what we focus on delivering.

"When an opportunity comes up, being able to move quickly and get a clear answer from your bank matters.

We have designed the application and approval process to reduce delays, so that property investors can move confidently when they see an investment opportunity."

Features that support investors

Perham adds that this speed is supported by Macquarie Bank's competitive pricing and flexible features, which help investors manage their cashflow more effectively.

He explains, "Offset accounts, for example, allow investors to structure their money in a way that reduces interest while still keeping access to funds when they need them.

It gives them more control over how their money is working for them."

Macquarie Bank is definitely delivering on this score, with up to 10 offset accounts for each variable interest rate loan account.

Flexible lending options

Macquarie Bank also offers interest-only payments for up to five years.

This can benefit the cashflow of investors who plan a rapid buy-and-sell strategy.

In addition, Macquarie Bank offers loan pre-approval, which can give investors greater confidence - and enable them to act quickly when the right property comes along.

Top product: Macquarie Bank's Offset Home Loan

Macquarie Bank's Offset Home Loan reduces interest while giving investors access to funds when they are needed.

Read more: View all winners in the Money Consumer Finance Awards 2026.

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