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Mortgage brokers believe that tighter prime lending policies and changing customer needs will drive up demand for non-conforming mortgages over the next 12 months, according to new data.
A Pepper Money-commissioned survey of 948 mortgage brokers has revealed that 70 per cent expect to write more non-conforming loans in the coming year, while 66 per cent predict a decline in the number of prime loans written.
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Surveyed respondents expect the demand for non-conforming loans to rise as a result of tighter prime lending criteria (22 per cent), changing customer needs (21 per cent) and changing legislation/regulations (13 per cent).
“The survey shows clearly there is a greater awareness and understanding of non-conforming loans among brokers,” Pepper Group’s Australian CEO, Mario Rehayem, said.
“Brokers and consumers no longer see non-conforming loans only for people who’ve experienced a credit event; instead they realise they are a valid alternative for consumers who are self-employed, who generate income outside of normal work scenarios, are seeking investor loans or have a high LVR.”
The CEO believes that brokers are servicing increased demand from Australians for flexible lending alternatives.
Mr Rehayem said: “With the big banks tightening their lending criteria on an almost daily basis, they are excluding a whole segment of credit-worthy ordinary Australians from accessing finance. That’s why more brokers are discovering the benefits of a flexible lender with a consistent approach to credit provision.
“We also know more Australians are working for themselves or on a part-time basis, and brokers are looking to provide their growing self-employed customer base with suitable lending options.”
Moreover, the survey found that the number of brokers who have yet to write a non-conforming loan has also reduced, falling by 6 per cent from 18 per cent in 2016 to 12 per cent in 2018.
“We know brokers who have previously written a non-conforming loan for a customer are more comfortable in recommending them in the future, that’s why we have established ourselves as a leader in broker education and the provision of tools that allow them to confidently recommend a non-conforming loan in the future,” Mr Rehayem concluded.
[Related: Credit union sees increase in broker flows]
