Australian Banks Slide as Mortgage Applications Drop at Least 12%
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 13
Australian Banks Slide as Mortgage Applications Drop at Least 12%
2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 13
Summary
Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and ANZ disclosed mortgage applications have fallen at least 12%, sending Australian bank shares lower and highlighting pressure on lending profits.
The drop followed the government’s May budget, which set up an end to tax breaks for property investors and further weakened already soft housing demand.
Higher borrowing costs earlier this year had already curbed buyer appetite, while house prices in Sydney and Melbourne are now retreating.
The figures add to evidence that Australia’s housing slowdown is feeding directly into bank growth and profitability concerns.