Three of Australia's "Big Four" banks raise mortgage rates after RBA hike

(Reuters) - Three of Australia's "Big Four" banks raised their home loan variable interest rates on Thursday, after the country's central bank hiked rates earlier this week.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and Westpac Banking Corp increased their mortgage rates to match the hike announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The new rates for CBA and ANZ customers will take effect from Aug. 12, while Westpac's rates will apply from Aug. 18.

The banks also raised rates on some of their products for customers with savings accounts and deposits.

Australia's central bank lifted its cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.85%, marking an eye-watering 175 basis points of hikes since May in the most drastic tightening since the early 1990s.

The country's lenders expect to improve their margins and reap benefits from a rising interest rate environment.

CBA is due to report its full-year results next week, while National Australia Bank Ltd, ANZ and Westpac are all set to issue quarterly updates.

(Reporting by Harish Sridharan and Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)