Borrow
APRA writes to major banks as household debt grows
The prudential regulator has asked the boards of major banks to confirm that they’re maintaining a strong focus on lending standards as housing credit growth picks up, as the RBA governor reconfirms the bank “does not, and should not, target housing prices”.
APRA writes to major banks as household debt grows
The prudential regulator has asked the boards of major banks to confirm that they’re maintaining a strong focus on lending standards as housing credit growth picks up, as the RBA governor reconfirms the bank “does not, and should not, target housing prices”.
The composition of lending is changing, with housing credit growth expected to pick up further following an already strong year, the Council of Financial Regulators (CFR) flagged in its latest quarter statement.
The council – which includes the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Treasury – alerted to signs of “some increased risk-taking” as demand for credit by investors balloons.
Even so, the CFR concluded that “overall lending standards in Australia remain sound”.
But, while flagging an expected rise in housing credit over the months ahead, the CFR assured that APRA has written to the major banks to seek assurance that they are proactively managing risks within their housing loan portfolios and will maintain a strong focus on lending standards and lenders’ risk appetites.
The CFR confirmed it was also paying close attention to the implications of trends in household debt, with members said to have discussed “potential policy options” to address risk.
In a separate statement given at the Australian Farm Institute Conference, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe reiterated that the RBA “does not, and should not, target housing prices”.
“We do, though, have a strong interest in trends in household borrowing, especially given the already high level of household debt in Australia.”
As such, he assured that the bank is paying close attention to household borrowing, which has yet to outpace the growth in household income.
“This is not the case at the moment, but the council did discuss possible policy responses to a scenario in which rapid growth in household debt posed heightened risks to the future stability of the economy,” Mr Lowe revealed.
Back in April, as investors regained their confidence in the property market, the RBA warned that optimistic borrowers could lead to a debt blowout, rocking the financial system.
“Even if lenders do not weaken their own settings, increased risk-taking by optimistic borrowers could see a deterioration in the average quality of new lending. This would weaken the resilience of businesses and households, and so the financial system, to future shocks,” the RBA said in its April Financial Stability Review.
This gave heat to concerns the bank and APRA could start taping the lending standards’ brake in the months ahead.
Since then, some of the big four have hinted that prudential measures are on the cards and could be enacted soon to slow the speed of property price growth.
In fact, Westpac said in its recent Housing Pulse report that the regulators could make a major move in as soon as the first half of 2022.
About the author
About the author
Banking
Banks report $14.4bn profit amid pressure on net interest margins
Australia’s major banks have reported a significant boost to their bottom lines and returns in the first half of the 2022 financial year, signaling sector-wide resilience despite persistent pressure...Read more
Banking
Major banks report rising profits
NAB and ANZ announced their half-year results this week. ...Read more
Banking
Modernisation of direct debit system suffers setback
According to the Reserve Bank (RBA), several major banks will not be able to meet the current timeline for the launch of the PayTo service. ...Read more
Banking
Australians' trust in digital providers has decreased in last five years
Australians have little trust in organisations keeping their information secure, but the financial services industry still sits atop the list. ...Read more
Banking
Commonwealth Bank chairman to retire in August
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) board has announced a successor. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac responds to $113m penalty
The big four bank has responded to the penalty handed down last week. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac ordered to pay $113m for ‘widespread compliance failures’
Westpac has been ordered to pay penalties in the amount of $113 million for widespread compliance failures across multiple businesses, including Westpac’s banking, superannuation, wealth management ...Read more
Banking
Big bank-backed start-up raises $12.75m
A landmark fundraise by Australia’s biggest banks has secured a war chest of $12.75 million to the sector’s blockchain consortium, Lygon, to bolster its research and development into helping banks...Read more
Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now
What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now
Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now
Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now
Banking
Banks report $14.4bn profit amid pressure on net interest margins
Australia’s major banks have reported a significant boost to their bottom lines and returns in the first half of the 2022 financial year, signaling sector-wide resilience despite persistent pressure...Read more
Banking
Major banks report rising profits
NAB and ANZ announced their half-year results this week. ...Read more
Banking
Modernisation of direct debit system suffers setback
According to the Reserve Bank (RBA), several major banks will not be able to meet the current timeline for the launch of the PayTo service. ...Read more
Banking
Australians' trust in digital providers has decreased in last five years
Australians have little trust in organisations keeping their information secure, but the financial services industry still sits atop the list. ...Read more
Banking
Commonwealth Bank chairman to retire in August
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) board has announced a successor. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac responds to $113m penalty
The big four bank has responded to the penalty handed down last week. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac ordered to pay $113m for ‘widespread compliance failures’
Westpac has been ordered to pay penalties in the amount of $113 million for widespread compliance failures across multiple businesses, including Westpac’s banking, superannuation, wealth management ...Read more
Banking
Big bank-backed start-up raises $12.75m
A landmark fundraise by Australia’s biggest banks has secured a war chest of $12.75 million to the sector’s blockchain consortium, Lygon, to bolster its research and development into helping banks...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
