The TOP 10 Stories on www.tmmonline.nz

01 HOW LOW COULD MORTGAGE

With the Reserve Bank poised to offer more support to the economy, ASB economists predict home loan rates will plummet further into the new year.

02 NEWPARK SOLD TO A SURPRISE BUYER

SHARE NZ has sealed a surprise takeover of rival Newpark Group, marking the latest phase of consolidation in the adviser industry.

03 LVR LIMITS WILL RETURN FOR INVESTORS: ALEXANDER

The odds of LVR restrictions returning for investors next year are “fairly high” due to the strength of the residential property market, according to economist Tony Alexander.

04 ASB USING DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIOS

ASB Bank has introduced debt to income ratios as a secondary test of borrowers’ income, as lenders change their processes after Covid-19.

05 HIGH LVR INVESTOR LENDING UP 134%

Investors have taken advantage of relaxed loan to value ratio restrictions to borrow 134% more on high LVR terms, analysis from ASB reveals.

06 COMMENT: IS A POST-ELECTION MARKET SURGE LIKELY?

Will the 2020 post-election period see the usual effect on housing, or will it be another anomaly, asks REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell.

07 LVR LIMITS SET TO RETURN

The Reserve Bank plans to reintroduce loan to value ratio restrictions on mortgage borrowers from March next year following a surge in the housing market.

08 ANZ RE-APPOINTS PENNY BURGESS AS BROKER BOSS

Penny Burgess is to return to an adviserfacing role at ANZ New Zealand as part of changes at the nation’s biggest lender.

09 CONCERNS OVER NZFSG-KEPA DEAL

Advisers have expressed concerns that a combined NZFSG-Kepa group would exert too much control over the New Zealand adviser market.

10 FRUSTRATION OVER HOME LOAN PROCESSING

Mortgage advisers say their turnaround times continue to be much slower than direct home loan applications, leading to frustration across the industry.

TMM Online also has all the latest mortgage rates and changes. www.tmmonline.nz