Brokers not keen on ANZ/NBNZ deal
New Zealand mortgage brokers have reservations about the takeover of the National Bank.
Friday, October 24th 2003, 3:51PM
Chairman Brian Berry said he supported the structure, providing the actual result is true to the stated intention.
"It is a good result that the two brands will be run alongside each other, however there are still reservations.
"We will have to wait and see if the purchase is the best option for the banking sector and general population.
"The degree of autonomy will be watched closely and with interest, especially with regard to the mortgage industry."
Both lenders had quite different risk profiles relative to their mortgage books, Berry says.
Their assessment criteria - for who should get a mortgage and what the maximum mortgage can be - were quite different.
If both assumed the same criteria some home buyers and especially first home buyers could be cut out of being able to purchase at current/future market prices, he said.
"Similarly, the National Bank currently underwrites its own risk on low deposit or first home buyer deals and has more flexibility around deposit requirements than the ANZ which has its risk underwritten by a lenders mortgage insurer.
"A cynical person could suggest that, once the transaction is complete and backroom services are amalgamated, the branch networks will then be looked at with a view to rationalisation, despite statements there is no material change intended to the total number of branches in New Zealand.
"We will watch with interest to see how the reality of this deal unfolds in the next 18 months," he says.
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