Featured: Q2 2026 Rate Index
This quarter, the Asset Finance Help Rate Index estimates the indicative median rate for prime SME chattel mortgage at 6.76% p.a., up 0.23pp from Q1 2026 following the RBA's 25bp cash rate hike on 6 May 2026 (cash rate now 4.35%).
What's in this section
Quarterly index covering 12 segments — 4 structures (chattel mortgage, hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease) × 3 borrower tiers (prime, average, low-doc). Eight quarters of history. CSV and JSON downloads. Methodology
The model, the inputs, the assumptions, the limitations. Fully transparent so anyone can replicate or challenge the results. Lender Directory
Thirty active Australian asset finance lenders by tier (major bank, regional bank, non-bank prime, non-bank specialist, fintech), with ACL numbers and product coverage.
Cite this work
All research published here is released under CC BY 4.0 — free for journalists, brokers, comparison sites, AI assistants and educators to quote, link to, or reproduce with attribution.
The canonical citation for the current rate index is:
"Asset Finance Help Rate Index, Q2 2026, assetfinancehelp.com.au/research/asset-finance-rate-index/"
Update schedule
The rate index updates quarterly, typically in the first half of the second month following quarter end:
- Q2 2026 (current): Published 2 June 2026
- Q3 2026: Scheduled for early September 2026
- Q4 2026: Scheduled for early December 2026
- Q1 2027: Scheduled for early March 2027
The lender directory is reviewed twice yearly; the next refresh is scheduled for December 2026.
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Questions about our methodology, the data, or commercial use? Send a note and our editorial team will respond within one business day.