Record month for aggregator as volumes skyrocket

The $4.3 billion of mortgages processed last month by AFG included a record $280 million processed last Wednesday 25 February – the largest single day’s volume the group has recorded in its 21-year history.

Mortgage volumes varied significantly from state to state, with South Australia showing the greatest increase, of 31 per cent, on February 2014.

New South Wales mortgage volumes rose by 25 per cent, while Victoria's and Queensland's grew by 21 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

However, Western Australia bucked the trend by processing 4 per cent less in volumes compared to February 2014.

“February is the real start to the mortgage year and overall we’re off to a flying start this year,” AFG's general manager of sales and operations, Mark Hewitt, said.

“No doubt the February rate cut has made borrowers more confident, but it’s important to recognise the significant variations from one state to another." 

Mr Hewitt said the group is keeping a close eye on the proportion of investor loans being written, but noted that it has not changed from the levels AFG has been seeing over the past 12 months.

Loans to investors comprised 39.6 per cent of all home loans processed last month – a similar figure to those reported each month for the past year, he said.

Fixed-rate mortgages declined as a percentage of all home loans to 13.6 per cent – the lowest since August 2011, when only 9.4 per cent of borrowers chose fixed-rate loans.