Number of borrowers ahead on repayments dips slightly

The New Zealand Banking Association says it shows that many people with home loans are managing relatively well.

“Those paying more than their minimum repayments have likely built in a cushion in case their circumstances change. It also means they’re paying off their debt faster,” Roger Beaumont, New Zealand Banking Association chief executive says.

The association’s figures in its six monthly retail banking data insights show there were nearly 1.25 million home loans across 1.08 million customers in June. The average value of all home loans was $323,463. Of the 40,438 new home loans opened, 26% were issued to first home buyers.

About 11,090 home loans switched from principal and interest to interest-only repayments. This is slightly down from the previous six months when 12,120 home loans made that switch.

Of all bank customers, and there’s more than 9.5 million, 5,655 were given hardship assistance by their bank. That’s up 1,369 customers from the previous six months.

The number of borrowers behind in their loan repayments has lifted to 1.4% compared with 1.23% behind in the previous six month period ended December last year And during the same period the number of customers ahead with repayments has dropped to 43.7% from 44.7%.

More than 65% of people with a credit card are paying off what they owe without incurring any interest cost, down on the 67.4% in the previous six month period.  That shows a high level of financial capability among credit card holders, Beaumont says. The average monthly spend on each credit card declined to $2,004 from $2,121 at the end of December.

“While the rise in the cost of living is hitting many households hard, borrowers are also affected by the sharp rise in the cost of borrowing from historic lows, driven by global conditions and the Reserve Bank’s efforts to reduce inflation by raising the official cash rate.

“Banks are here to help, and anyone experiencing financial difficulty should contact their bank as soon as possible. The sooner you talk to your bank, the more likely they’ll be able to help,” says Beaumont.

Beaumont says savers are responding to rising interest rates. “For a long time, when interest rates were at an historic low, people who relied on income from bank deposits got relatively low returns. Now that interest rates are up, people are investing more in term deposits. The value of term deposits increased by 8.1% to $154 billion, with an average balance of $107,900.”

Average interest rates on term deposits increased from 3.19% to 4.9% over the period, while average interest rates on savings accounts increased from 2.42% to 3.59%.