Not all banks treat expats equally. As mentioned earlier, a few major lenders have been known to increase interest rates on existing loans once they find out the borrower’s mailing address is overseas. They perceive an overseas borrower as slightly higher risk or simply as someone less likely to switch banks, and they adjust pricing accordingly. Additionally, certain lenders might not extend the same discount offers or special deals to non-resident clients that they would to local borrowers – unless you ask or negotiate. There are also a few banks that impose stricter conditions (like lower maximum loan amounts, higher deposit requirements, or extra fees) for expats. The good news is, many other banks welcome Australian expat borrowers and offer top-notch rates with no extra costs. Our job is to identify which lender will give you the best deal. We always do a review of your existing loans as part of our service – if we see that your current bank has bumped up your rate unfairly due to your expat status, we will highlight that and likely suggest finding a better lender. Loyalty to one bank can be costly if they aren’t treating you right. By refinancing or negotiating, expats can ensure they’re not paying the so-called “expat tax” (i.e. hidden higher interest). In summary: while some banks might quietly charge expats more, AEXPHL helps you avoid those traps by choosing a lender that offers fair, competitive rates regardless of where you live.