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ASB brings back investor LVRs

Thursday 12th of November 2020

The bank has pre-emptively moved to bring back LVRs, a move it said would "support first home buyers".

ASB chief executive Vittoria Shortt said: "ASB believes a balanced and sustainable housing market is in the best interests of all New Zealanders. While we appreciate the RBNZ taking the time to consult, this is about helping Kiwis build their financial futures during exceptionally challenging times so we are choosing to take this step now."

Shortt said the pandemic had not impacted the property market "as anticipated", and said ASB was "witnessing rapid growth in lending volumes".

"The number of applications we’re receiving is at an all-time high, up 70% on this time last year, and while the proportion of first home lending is up, we have observed since Covid-19 a rapid increase in lending for investors. If this increase in investor demand continues it could lead the country down a potentially unsustainable path," Shortt said.

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