Media Statements

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has demanded banks take a more proactive stance in safeguarding the interests of borrowers, citing APRA’s latest guidance on assessment rates for loans as an example.

FBAA managing director Peter White claimed many people who should qualify for a loan have been rejected because they are being assessed on advice from 2014 when the economy and interest rates were very different.

“APRA moved to correct this anomaly ten days ago but some of the banks have been slow in responding. I congratulate the ANZ for moving to a more reasonable assessment position last week and Westpac for following suit today. I urge the other majors to move as soon as possible.”

On Friday ANZ announced that its current floor rate of 7.25 per cent will be amended to 5.50 per cent. Westpac moved from 7.25 per cent to 5.75 per cent and increased its buffer to 2.5 per cent.

Mr White said other banks seem to be resisting, which is holding the economy back when it desperately needs a boost. “Brokers are trying to help buyers purchase a home, but banks have been holding them ransom.”

On July 5 APRA amended its 2014 guidance on residential mortgage lending, stating they now expect banks to assess loans at a rate of at least 2.5 per cent above the interest rate on the loan that is being taken out.

Previous guidance from APRA to authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) was to assess home loan applications using a minimum interest rate of at least 7 per cent with most banks adopting a rate of 7.25 per cent to assess loan serviceability.

“With most lending institutions offering interest rates between three and four per cent an assessment rate on 7.25 per cent was unfair.

“As brokers it makes it more difficult to get approval and creates immense disappointment and confusion for clients if banks use outdated data to assess the suitability of average Australians to pay off their home.”

Mr White said the housing market needs a boost and will get it when the banking sector learns to respond quickly to changing conditions and interest rates.

“The reduction in the assessment rate will make it easier for existing borrowers to refinance so they can escape their existing mortgage prisons because of unreasonable rates and conditions.”

A new era in technology has begun with the launch of a world first web application which promises to revolutionise the way finance brokers manage industry needs including applying for membership and managing renewals, credit and bankruptcy checks, insurance and ombudsmen requirements plus education and training.

The App, which is now live and available globally, removes a substantial administrative task for both staff and member associations with a strategy to offer the technology to member-based organisations around the world over the next few months.

Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) managing director Peter White said the App provides instant membership approval for both new memberships and renewals, a capability that revolutionises the process.

“As long as all criteria has been met the App takes care of the rest allowing all membership requirements to be driven while the prospective member is keying in the data.

“It also means membership certificates are dispatched in real-time via email so that once the data is in, the membership certificate is in their inbox.”

Mr White said at the heart of the new App was artificial intelligence and optical character recognition technology which increases the capabilities and functionalities as it grows and learns from inputs.

“This impacts the industry as a whole because massive data analytics capabilities actually help drive the future of the business through greater understanding of its membership composition, member needs and specialisation learnings.”

The new technology also helps users to manage and monitor industry requirements and user needs all year round including tracking protection and indemnity insurance issues and compulsory professional development needs.

“The App triggers key dates in the system so when it comes time to renew all you do is click ‘yes’ and the system either runs automatic payments or generates payment at the time of acceptance without headaches or clumsy requirements and more forms.”

The benefits extend past members to aggregators who can use the technology for the on boarding process as it enables them to complete the broker’s association membership component on the spot, enabling the broker and aggregator to complete the needs of the lender and their own needs without the usual one to two week delay or longer in some cases.

IT workers are already developing version two of the new application which will further streamline the system and generate profitability and efficiencies to stakeholders.

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has urged borrowers to think twice about their next move after benefiting from the second consecutive month of interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank.

FBAA managing director Peter White welcomed the rate cut but urged consumers not to spend all their windfall. “The Reserve Bank has admitted to concerns about the weakening jobs market and economic growth as well as risks to the global economy. These all point to the need for a cautionary approach.

“The banks need to pass this rate cut on in full and I would urge borrowers to pay some of their debt down by maintaining their repayments at the levels before the June rate cut.

“I understand the need for consumer spending to boost the economy but I also respect the need for Australians to increase their net wealth position and provide some safeguards in an economy which still has some downside.”

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has demanded that banks walk away from a new requirement that brokers sign a declaration stating they are unaware of borrowers suffering financial abuse, and have advised brokers not to sign any such declaration.

FBAA managing director Peter White says while the association supports moves to prevent people being coerced into a loan, this is a knee-jerk reaction from the banks that requires far more legal and industry consultation.

Noting that the proposed wording hasn’t even been widely released, he said, “To try and ram this through with little notice is not only ridiculous and ill-conceived, but creates massive risks for brokers with almost no benefit to borrowers.”

Mr White said brokers are not psychologists and the suggestion that they can somehow predict if someone is being wrongly influenced to apply for a loan is foolish.

He also believes brokers would be exposed to legal action both from banks and borrowers, and revealed that professional indemnity (PI) advisers have told him that this declaration would not be covered under existing PI terms for brokers.

“My initial information is that PI insurance could increase tenfold to cover a declaration like this. There are so many issues that have not been considered, and banks must put this aside until these have all been addressed.”

He also said that emotional abuse of any kind is a complex subject, and being able to recognise in-depth signs when discussing a mortgage puts far too much pressure on brokers.

“It’s absurd to even suggest that finance and mortgage brokers can do a two-hour or two-day course and suddenly be able to analyse people to the point where they can declare there is no financial abuse taking place.

“The banks are attempting to bring a simple solution to what is a serious and complex issue, and I have to question whether this is more about protecting themselves than the public.”

Some of Australia’s most talented and successful finance practitioners are about to engage in a series of events aimed at helping brokers broaden their business approach to provide additional income opportunities.

The 2019 Commercial Industry Masterclass will reveal the full potential of a $25 billion segment of the lending industry to brokers, many of whom have not expanded their businesses beyond home loan lending.

Pepper Money head of commercial Malcolm Withers said there are many opportunities for brokers to build their business, and the masterclass, which also offers five CPD hours, will show them how.

“The royal commission and the resulting political debate saw many brokers reconsider whether they had a future, and the upheaval would have deterred some from entering the industry.

“Brokers need to refocus on building their businesses, and commercial and equipment lending is one way they can do that.”

Mr Withers, previously the head of commercial broking for St George Bank for nine years, said this area was underserviced by brokers.

“Whether you are a long-term broker or just new in the market there are wonderful opportunities to satisfy the commercial lending needs of clients. It’s important for brokers to find the best lending solution for their commercial client, and they should be aware that there are options outside the big banks.”

The 2019 Industry Commercial Masterclass is a five-hour course, open to all industry professionals, which will reveal how brokers can succeed in the commercial and equipment finance product space.

“Our presenters include some of the best operators in commercial and equipment finance and they will provide critical advice to help brokers operate effectively in this sector.”

Glenn Mitchell, head of Vow commercial & leasing has worked at commercial lending institutions and within the aggregator broker space for over 30 years.

“If you have ever considered or would like to understand more about the key indicators for commercial lending, this a must-attend training session,” Mr Mitchell said.

The day will provide information on financials and quality submissions as well as templates for commercial lending.

The series starts on June 18 in Adelaide, followed by Perth on June 19, Brisbane June 25, Melbourne June 26 and Sydney June 27.

For bookings visit:  https://www.fbaa.com.au/events/

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has urged borrowers to keep their repayments at current levels despite the Reserve Bank of Australia’s move to cut rates by 25 basis points.

FBAA managing director Peter White has welcomed the first cut in nearly three years and called on the big banks to do the right thing and immediately pass it on rather than boosting their profit margins.

“If the banks refuse to pass this on in full they will reveal they have learnt nothing from the royal commission process,” Mr White said.

However, with economic challenges on the radar Mr White is urging beneficiaries of the rate cut to keep their repayments at current levels to drive down debt.

“Borrowers will effectively be saving for a rainy day if they keep their mortgage repayments as high as they can afford. It’s better to have payments in reserve if conditions deteriorate further.”

Mr White agreed with some economists that there had been some recent positive sentiment, certainly in the housing market but he acknowledged the Reserve Bank has limited capacity to stimulate the economy further with the official rate at 1.25 per cent.

“I understand why the Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has called for governments to play their part in stimulating the economy but I also see some positives.

“It’s not the time to panic but it is definitely time for prudence,” Mr White said.

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has welcomed the appointment of Senator Jane Hume as financial services minister while thanking outgoing minister Stuart Robert for his courtesy, professionalism and commitment to the industry.

FBAA managing director Peter White said he was looking forward to working with the new minister.

“I congratulate the senator for her appointment to the ministry. I am pleased to note that the senator has qualifications in the financial services sector and commerce and has experience in management roles and in directorship positions.

“I will be looking for an early opportunity to meet with Senator Hume to ensure the momentum gained through meetings with Stuart Robert and treasurer John Frydenberg continues.

“We have much work to do to ensure the broking industry continues to provide the competition in the sector that all Australians demand.”

Mr White also congratulated the treasurer for retaining his role. “The FBAA has worked with Mr Frydenberg for many years, initially as financial services minister, then treasurer and we will remain in contact with the offices of both Senator Hume and the treasurer to provide regular feedback from our industry.”

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has welcomed moves by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to loosen its deemed serviceability requirements that have resulted in banks rejecting many reasonable loan applications.

FBAA managing director Peter White said times have changed significantly since APRA introduced guidance to authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) to test residential home borrowers against an interest rate of 7.25 per cent, or well above a 2 per cent buffer over the loan’s actual interest rate.

APRA provided its guidance towards the end of 2014 when house prices were increasing and there was strong growth in investor loans.

“The end result was most banks were assessing applications against a rate of 7.25 per cent – way above the interest rate for owner-occupiers and investors.”

On Tuesday the prudential regulator gave the industry four weeks to respond to its proposal to remove the 7.25 per cent requirement, allow ADIs to determine their own floor rate levels while increasing the rate buffer from 2 to 2.5 per cent “to maintain prudence in overall serviceability assessments.”

“Brokers have a duty of care to always assess an individual’s capacity to afford the loan they want as part of our commitment to put customers first. But if the guidance is introduced it simply allows us to help more borrowers into properties that they can afford at a time of low interest rates and subdued house prices.

“When you combine the touted change in APRA guidance with the end of the election cycle and the possibility of the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates in June, there are some positive signs for our housing sector in the months ahead,” Mr White said.

“Just eight weeks ago I supported ASIC and APRA in their criticism of the big banks for blaming tough new interpretations of responsible lending regulations and the royal commission for the credit squeeze and delays in assessing loan applications.

“I will be watching the banks with interest to see who they blame next for their shortfalls after the new APRA guidance is issued.”

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has congratulated Scott Morrison and the Coalition for their election win and vowed to work with them to ensure borrowers continue to have choice in a healthy financial services industry.

FBAA managing director Peter White said now is the time for brokers to take the handbrake off and hit the accelerator.

“The royal commission findings and the political fallout saw many brokers retreat into a holding pattern, driven by fear about their very financial survival and what that would mean for borrowers.

“Now that the election is over, I want to urge all brokers to commit to doing everything we can to grow our businesses now that banks know we are a force to be reckoned with.

“We currently provide around 60 per cent of home loans and I think brokers have a great opportunity to increase that to 70 per cent in the short to medium term.”

Mr White said the FBAA had worked closely with both the Government and Opposition in the lead-up to the election and had positive and professional support from both.

“On Sunday I communicated with both Labor and the Coalition, conveying thanks and best wishes from all brokers.

“We will continue to be highly engaged with politicians from across the country because our industry is a crucial one as we move into a new era.

“Brokers welcome the first home loan deposit scheme and other policies aimed at giving the property sector a boost. We will certainly do our part to boost competition and be ready to assist when the policy comes into play in January next year.”

The peak body representing Australia’s finance brokers says the Government’s proposed loan guarantee for home buyers, which will allow them to enter the market with only a five per cent deposit, is a very good initiative.

However managing director of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia Peter White said the scheme’s success will be dependant on the banks which have over tightened credit policies following the royal commission.

“This will be great for first home buyers, although it’s worth noting that only about one tenth of the market will gain access to it,” he said.

While saving borrowers thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance is a good outcome, Mr White cautioned that greater detail is needed to truly assess the benefits.

“There is a very good fundamental reason to have a deposit. If you can save for a deposit you can meet your monthly repayments, and this is what the banks look at.”

He also pointed out that with a falling property market, negative equity is a risk.

“We need to know the lenders’ credit policies around this, and they will have to step up to the mark and support it.”

However he said overall, “if it can help stimulate people into buying their own home then that’s great.”