Lender

More than half of financial businesses are planning to roll out “instant approval for loans” in the next two years, according to new research.

Although the big four bank managed to grow its home loan book over the 2021 financial year, margin pressures are expected to continue into the coming months.

Researchers have tipped competition in the banking landscape will continue to intensify for the majors, as smaller rivals have gained market share.

The major bank has appointed five senior appointments to its institutional bank as it works to “strengthen the business” and deliver greater customer support.

The non-major bank will, from next week, reduce its variable home loan rates to as low as 1.97 per cent.

The credit union and bank have entered into merger discussions, looking to potentially form “one of Australia’s larger customer-owned banking organisations”.

Promoted by Capital Bridging Finance As talk of rate hikes intensifies, one lender is bucking the trend with a major rate cut.

The neobank has partnered with one of Australia’s largest mortgage aggregators to launch “the first BaaS-powered consumer products to go live in the Australian market”. 

Both owner-occupier and investment housing lending increased in September, reflecting strong borrower demand boosted by low rates, according to new data.

The major bank’s margins were squeezed by competitive pressures in the home loan landscape, as its book grew by 3 per cent in the 2021 financial year.