CommBank’s 2026 updates introduce changes across home loan rates, savings accounts, business lending, and digital banking tools, reflecting broader shifts driven by Reserve Bank of Australia rate decisions. Variable home loan rates are increasing, which may raise monthly repayments, while selected savings accounts are seeing modest rate boosts.
At the same time, new features in the CommBank app—such as improved budgeting tools, payment security, and transaction tracking—are changing how customers manage their money. Updates to Tap & Pay and business banking security also highlight a stronger focus on digital-first banking.
For Australian customers, these changes mean it is essential to review loans, savings, and app settings to better manage rising costs and maximise returns in 2026.
Big CommBank Changes in 2026 You Should Know
In 2026, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) has introduced a wave of updates affecting loans, savings, business banking, and digital tools.
These changes are closely tied to decisions by the Reserve Bank of Australia and could directly impact how much you pay, earn, and manage your money.
Here are the nine most important updates.
1. Variable Home Loan Rates Are Rising Again
The most immediate change for many Australians is that CommBank is increasing variable home loan rates by 0.25% p.a. following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest cash rate move.
CommBank’s official rates announcement page confirms that:
- Most variable home loan reference rates will rise by 0.25% p.a.
- Changes take effect from 27 March 2026
- Customers will see updated rates in the CommBank app and NetBank from 28 March 2026
For example (figures shown on the rate announcement):
- Owner‑occupier Standard Variable (P&I):
- From 8.30% p.a. → 8.55% p.a.
- Investor Standard Variable (P&I):
The general “Interest rates & fees” page also reiterates that variable home loan rates are going up by 0.25% p.a., alongside changes to some savings products (more on that next).
Why it matters for your money:
- If you’re on a variable home loan, your minimum repayments will increase once the new rates kick in.
- Even a 0.25% rise can add hundreds of dollars a year in extra interest, depending on your loan size and term.
To see exactly how your loan is affected, log into the CommBank app or NetBank, then check your “Rate” and “Repayments” section after 28 March.
2. Savings Rates on Select Accounts Are Increasing
On the flip side, some savings customers are getting a rate boost, especially on NetBank Saver.
CommBank’s rate announcement outlines that:
- The NetBank Saver standard variable rate will rise from 1.70% p.a. to 1.95% p.a.
- The introductory variable rate (for the first 5 months on a new NetBank Saver) will move from 4.70% p.a. to 4.95% p.a., made up of:
The combined effect is that new NetBank Saver customers opening an account from this announcement date get a slightly higher intro rate on their cash, assuming they meet any stated conditions.
Why it matters:
- If you’re a saver, this is one of the rare cases where a rate hike can be good news.
- Shifting lazy cash from a low‑interest transaction account to a NetBank Saver could earn noticeably more interest, especially in the first 5 months.
You can compare current savings and term deposit rates on CommBank’s Interest rates & fees page, and then open or move accounts via the CommBank app.
3. Business Loan Rates Are Going Up Too
It’s not just home borrowers feeling the pinch: business customers with variable‑rate lending are also facing 0.25% p.a. increases.
CBA’s newsroom update, “Changes to CBA business rates”, states that following the RBA’s cash rate hike:
- CBA will increase eligible variable‑rate business loans by 0.25% p.a.
- The change applies to:
These flow through to common products like BetterBusiness Loans and Business Overdrafts, effective 27 March 2026.
Separately, the “Changes to business rates” page shows updated rates for:
- Business Investment Account
- Flexi Business Investment Account
For example, on the Flexi Business Investment Account:
Why it matters:
- If you run a business and use CommBank for overdrafts or variable‑rate loans, your interest costs will rise.
- But if you park surplus cash in business investment accounts, your return may also improve slightly.
Review your business lending and deposit mix via CommBiz or talk to your relationship manager; you can also check the latest tables at “Changes to business rates”.
4. The CommBank App Keeps Getting New Money‑Management Tools
CommBank’s mobile app continues to roll out new features that quietly change how you track and protect your money.
The App Store release notes show several recent updates to the CommBank app, including:
- Offset tracking in Money Plan – You can now track Everyday Offset balances in the “Save” section to get a clearer picture of how your offset is reducing interest on your home loan.
- In‑app payment authentication – A newer security layer that lets you approve certain online payments inside the app for a more secure checkout process.
- Improved Investing hub – Easier navigation to explore different investing options from within the app.
- New notification settings – You can opt in to alerts when direct debits and BPAY payments are made from your everyday accounts.
- More detailed merchant info – Cleaner transaction descriptions so you can quickly see who you shopped with, which helps with budgeting and spotting fraud.
On CommBank’s own digital banking info page, they reinforce that the app offers:
- Personalised insights
- Money Plan budgeting tools
- A consolidated view across spending, saving, and investing
Why it matters:
- If you’re on a tighter budget because of rate hikes, those Money Plan and notification features can be the difference between staying ahead and missing payments.
- Better merchant data and built‑in payment authentication make it easier to spot and stop suspicious activity quickly.
Make sure your app is updated via the App Store or Google Play, and explore the “Save” and “Money Plan” sections if you haven’t already.
5. Enhanced Security for Business Banking on Mobile
For businesses, CommBank has also released an updated CommBiz mobile experience with stronger security.
A 2025 press release on the updated CommBiz Mobile app explains that:
- The app was redesigned in consultation with business customers.
- It adds advanced fraud detection and smart multi‑factor authentication (MFA) for authorising payments.
- This follows a 17% increase in the monthly volume of business payments authorised on mobile over the prior year.
In practice, this means:
- More payments can be authorised securely on the go.
- Extra checks (MFA, risk‑based prompts) may trigger when the system detects unusual patterns.
Why it matters:
- If you run payroll, pay suppliers, or manage cash flow from your phone, these updates can reduce fraud risk—but they also mean you need to adjust to new approval flows.
For more detail, speak with your CommBiz admin or review business digital banking resources, starting with CommBank’s business digital banking hub and, if available, the CommBiz Mobile section referenced in the release.
6. Changes to Tap & Pay and Digital Wallet Payment Networks
CommBank has tweaked how Tap & Pay and digital wallets route your debit card payments—changes that can subtly affect fees, speed, and cash‑out options.
On the “Changes to digital wallets” help page, CommBank explains that for CommBank Tap & Pay on Android:
- You can now choose which network processes your debit card payments:
- Mastercard/Visa network, or
- eftpos network
- If you don’t choose, the merchant’s preferred network is used by default.
- The eftpos CHQ option in Tap & Pay is no longer available; to make CHQ payments from a second linked debit account, you must insert a physical card or set up a separate debit card and add it to your wallet.
The dedicated Tap & Pay information page adds more detail:
- You can pay on the go in‑store for purchases under $100 by just unlocking your phone and tapping.
- For payments over $100, you may need to enter your PIN at the terminal.
- You can get cash out via Tap & Pay by using eftpos SAV on a second linked debit account.
- Payment options are:
Why it matters:
- Choosing Mastercard/Visa vs eftpos can impact how quickly transactions clear and whether you can get cash out at point‑of‑sale.
- The removal of eftpos CHQ in Tap & Pay means you might need to change how you manage “second accounts” for business or budgeting.
If you’re unsure what network you’re using, open the CommBank app, go to your card settings, and review your Tap & Pay configuration; you can also revisit the Tap & Pay FAQs.
7. More Granular Notifications and Merchant Data
CommBank has improved the way transactions appear and how you get notified, which directly affects how easy it is to track your spending and catch problems early.
Recent CommBank app releases (5.31–5.35) highlight:
- More detailed merchant information, so transaction descriptions show who you actually shopped with, not just a cryptic processing name.
- New notification settings that let you opt into alerts for:
This is part of a broader trend in Australian banking toward giving customers real‑time visibility and control over their transaction streams.
Why it matters:
- With clearer merchant names, it’s easier to tell a genuine subscription charge from possible fraud.
- Real‑time alerts can help you avoid failed debits, overdraft fees, or missed bills—particularly important as higher interest costs squeeze cash flow.
You can configure these settings in the “Notifications” section of the CommBank app, and check individual transaction details in your account history.
8. Interest Rate Decisions Are Coming More Frequently—and Affect Multiple Products
Another important context update: rate changes are happening in waves, not one‑offs, and they often affect both loans and deposits at different times.
CommBank’s newsroom shows multiple interest rate updates in early 2026:
- 2 February 2026 – A CBA interest rate decision effective 13 February 2026, with home loan variable rates adjusted following an RBA hike.
- 16 March 2026 – Another CBA interest rate decision, with changes effective 27 March 2026.
- Business rates update – Variable‑rate business loans and business deposit products also adjusted around mid‑March.
Consumer comparison site Canstar has also reported that CBA passed on RBA’s 0.25% cash rate increase to variable borrowers while initially holding back on savings decisions, indicating that timing across products may differ.
Why it matters:
- You can’t assume your loan and savings products change at the same time or by the same margin.
- Over a few months, multiple small increases can add up to meaningful cost changes.
To stay on top of this, bookmark:
and review them whenever the RBA announces a cash rate move.
9. CommBank Positioning Itself as “Australia’s Best Digital Banking App”
Finally, a broader—but important—update: CommBank is leaning heavily into its status as a digital banking leader, and that digital focus shapes how your money is managed day‑to‑day.
In the App Store and on its own site, CommBank repeatedly cites that its app has been awarded Canstar’s Bank of the Year – Digital Banking for 16 years in a row. The app updates we’ve discussed—Money Plan enhancements, offset tracking, authentication, richer merchant data—are all part of that strategy.
Why it matters:
- Many pricing and product changes (like home loan adjustments or savings promos) are surfaced first or most clearly through the app.
- The more comfortable you are with the digital features, the easier it is to respond quickly—whether that’s refinancing, shifting savings, or tightening your budget.
You can learn more about what the app can do beyond “check balance” on the official CommBank app page and keep your version updated via the App Store listing.
Together, these nine updates—higher home and business loan rates, improved savings returns on select products, evolving digital wallets, richer app features, and more frequent rate adjustments—mean it’s a crucial time to review your CommBank setup: what you’re paying, what you’re earning, and how you’re managing everything through the app. If you’re also tracking broader money stories affecting Aussies this year, it’s worth pairing this banking snapshot with guides like 7 Big Centrelink Cash Boost Changes That Could Increase Your Payments and 9 Shocking Dow Jones Moves That Could Impact Investors Right Now, which explore other forces that might shape your household budget and investment decisions in 2026.