Mortgage demand grows for first time since 2021

After a difficult interval, there’s optimistic information within the housing market as mortgage demand sees a turnaround, marking the primary quarter of development since 2021.

Equifax, a supplier of credit score info and evaluation in Australia and New Zealand, has launched its newest Quarterly Shopper Credit score Insights – December 2023, shedding mild on the state of mortgage and shopper credit score.

Amidst steady rates of interest and a slowdown in inflation, the fourth quarter of 2023 introduced short-term aid to shoppers. Nevertheless, indicators of monetary stress persist regardless of this respite.

Supply: Equifax Quarterly Shopper Credit score Insights: December 2023

Mortgage and auto mortgage demand surges – Equifax

In excellent news for lenders and brokers alike, lending demand has surged with secured credit score demand, derived from mortgages and auto loans, rising +1.1% in This autumn 2023 and outpacing the figures from the earlier yr.

The urge for food for mortgages noticed a welcome uptick, with a +0.5% enhance year-on-year, signalling a long-awaited return to optimistic development since 2021. Auto mortgage demand grew +3.9% in This autumn 2023 in comparison with the identical quarter final yr.

“Steady charges have had a optimistic impression on mortgages, with demand share for brand new mortgages rising to twenty-eight% in Quarter 4 of 2023,” mentioned Kevin James (pictured above), Equifax normal supervisor advisory and options. “Conversely, refinance demand dampened, suggesting that current mortgages are additionally experiencing some monetary aid.”

Whereas mortgage arrears crept up within the fourth quarter, James mentioned the speed of acceleration in early delinquency has slowed.

“The variety of accounts 30-89 days late grew 33% year-on-year in This autumn, in comparison with a 47% enhance reported final quarter – one other indication that softer financial situations are offering some respiration room for mortgage holders,” James mentioned.

Shopper lending threat stays

Elsewhere, unsecured credit score demand, comprising bank cards, private loans and purchase now pay later (BNPL), decreased -5.0% within the December quarter.

This was pushed by slowing demand for bank cards (+1.2%) in This autumn 2023 versus the identical interval 2022), and a decline in private mortgage functions (-0.7%). BNPL demand continued to fall in This autumn (-18.7%), though the speed of decline has slowed.

James mentioned all through final yr many shoppers adjusted their spending habits to deal with the upper value of residing and rising rates of interest.

“In This autumn, these adjustments have been coupled with the decrease price of inflation and stabilisation of rates of interest, bringing some aid to family budgets,” James mentioned.

“This was mirrored within the decreased demand for unsecured credit score, as folks relied much less on bank cards and private loans to bridge the monetary hole.”

Nevertheless, indicators of stress stay. Bank card early arrears stay above 2022 ranges, with accounts 90+ days late up 15% versus This autumn 2022.

“And we frequently see a spike in arrears within the first half of the yr as festive season spending hits credit score balances. We anticipate shoppers’ monetary resilience will probably be examined because the file spending seen in November falls due over the approaching months,” James mentioned.

What do you consider the most recent lending figures from Equifax? Remark under