Regulation

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has sought feedback on debt serviceability restrictions for mortgage lending, preparing to deploy them if needed.

An analysis has found Australian house prices have grown at the third-highest rate since 1880, as big four economists have tipped they will hit their peak next year.

A new supplement designed to raise awareness and action over technology-facilitated financial abuse has been released by the government agency.

The government has invited the public to weigh in on the impacts of a 24 per cent fall in regional bank branches over the last four years.

The growth of housing prices is predicted to slow next year, before dropping the year after, according to the major bank.

The government has been urged to develop a national strategy to tackle housing affordability, with some suggesting there should be a new federal body or a minister.

While he can’t rule out that the conditions for a rate rise could unfold next year, the Reserve Bank governor has insisted the probability is close to nil.

The majority of mortgage holders are already maintaining higher loan repayments than required and won’t be shaken by a climbing cash rate, according to the Reserve Bank.

In property markets faced with supply and lending issues, an economist has urged the government to launch a second rendition of the HomeBuilder program, specific to regional buyers.

Home owners have built up their cash buffers as a “side effect” of surging housing prices, with the Reserve Bank arguing they’ve gained financial resilience despite higher debt levels