ING imposes tougher lending restrictions for ‘high risk’ borrowers
16 Apr 2020
ING will be tightening its lending criteria for Aussies with high risk jobs looking to take out a home loan.
Any new applications submitted by casual, contractor or self-employed borrowers after April 15 will be subject to harsher serviceability restrictions, the lender said this week.
These changes will spare some industries most impacted by COVID-19, but others will need to meet much firmer rules.
But while it might be a sticky time for certain borrowers looking to purchase their first home, Mozo’s Property Expert, Steve Jovcevski says those who qualify shouldn't rule it out.
“If you have a stable income and your job is secure, it is absolutely a great time to buy for the first time in years. If prices drop in the future and you come across someone who’s really desperate to sell, you could snag a serious bargain,” he said.
ING’s changes for self-employed borrowers include:
- Income from applicants in industries most impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, such as hospitality, tourism and retail will not be included in serviceability assessments
- Cash out is not available
- Business activity statements for periods ending in March 31 2020 will need to “demonstrate alignment of current revenue to the most recent financial years.”
The changes for contractor and casual borrowers are:
- Owner-occupier home loan applicants that only have casual or contractor income will not be considered, however it may be considered a secondary income if the application also contains a salaried employee
- Casual or contractor income will not be assessed for investor mortgage applications.
RELATED: Risky business or perfect timing, is now the right time to purchase a property?
It’s hoped the credit policy changes will help the bank lend more responsibly.
“We believe these adjustments are appropriate, given the current circumstances and acknowledge the resultant disruption to the incomes of so many Australians,” ING told brokers.
“These measures have been taken to ensure ING doesn’t place borrowers into positions likely to result in loan default due to circumstances beyond their control.”
Other restrictions the bank has put in place are around rental income verification. Applicants will now be required to provide proof of rental payment from the previous 30 days.
Finally, any bonus or overtime income and commissions will now be assessed at 50%, however borrowers in essential service industries are excused from this measure.
Other lenders who have made similar adjustments to their lending criteria in the last few weeks include Gateway Bank, MyState Bank, Heritage Bank and ME.
While in early April, insurer QBE announced it would suspend offering Lender Mortgage Insurance (LMI) for borrowers financially affected by COVID-19.
RELATED: NSW Government commits $440 million to rental relief during COVID-19
If you are in a financially secure position and are ready to buy your first home, get started by heading over to our home loan comparison tool or by checking out some current offers below.
Compare home loans - rates updated daily
-
Promoted
Macquarie2.54% p.a. variable
2.81% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsMacquarieOffset Home Loan Package
Owner Occupier, LVR<70%, Principal & Interest
2.54% p.a. variable
2.81% p.a.
Handy offset account to help pay your home loan off sooner. Up to 10 offset accounts per loan account available. Fee free access at ATMs. Waived credit card annual fee. $0 international purchase fees.
Offset Home Loan Package
Handy offset account to help pay your home loan off sooner. Up to 10 offset accounts per loan account available. Fee free access at ATMs. Waived credit card annual fee. $0 international purchase fees.
-
2.54% p.a. variable
-
2.81% p.a.
-
$0
-
$248.00 yearly
-
$400.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
yes
-
$0
-
70.00%
-
$150,000
-
$5,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Offset Home Loan
-
-
Promoted
loans.com.au
2.48% p.a. variable
2.50% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsloans.com.au Smart Home Loan 80
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.48% p.a. variable
2.50% p.a.
A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands, with no ongoing fees plus unlimited extra repayments and free redraws. Mozo Experts Choice Low Cost Home Loan 2020.^ You'll need to be borrowing $1 million or less and have at least a 20% deposit required.
Smart Home Loan 80
A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands, with no ongoing fees plus unlimited extra repayments and free redraws. Mozo Experts Choice Low Cost Home Loan 2020.^ You'll need to be borrowing $1 million or less and have at least a 20% deposit required.
-
2.48% p.a. variable
-
2.50% p.a.
-
$520
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
-
$520
-
80.00%
-
$50,000
-
$1,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Home Loan 80
-
-
Promoted
HSBC 2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.98% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsHSBC Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <80%
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.98% p.a.
Have the security of a fixed rate for 2 years with the option to split with one of the HSBC variable Home Loans. No ongoing monthly service fees or annual fees. Mozo Experts Choice Fixed Home Loan 2020^
Fixed Rate Home Loan
Have the security of a fixed rate for 2 years with the option to split with one of the HSBC variable Home Loans. No ongoing monthly service fees or annual fees. Mozo Experts Choice Fixed Home Loan 2020^
-
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
2.98% p.a.
-
$0
-
$0.00
-
$300.00
-
yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
-
no
-
no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$50,000
-
$7,500,000
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan
-
-
Promoted
Athena 2.34% p.a. variable
2.34% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsAthena Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.34% p.a. variable
2.34% p.a.
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
-
2.34% p.a. variable
-
2.34% p.a.
-
$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
$0
-
60.00%
-
$100,000
-
$2,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
-
-
Promoted
Hot Deal Up to $1,500 cash back on refinances (T&Cs apply)
Homestar 2.29% p.a. variable
2.32% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsHomestar Star Essentials Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.29% p.a. variable
2.32% p.a.
Low Cost Home Loan 2020 winner.^ A home loan packed with all the essentials and offering up to $1500 cashback and no ongoing fees. No Construction loans.
Star Essentials Home Loan
Low Cost Home Loan 2020 winner.^ A home loan packed with all the essentials and offering up to $1500 cashback and no ongoing fees. No Construction loans.
-
2.29% p.a. variable
-
2.32% p.a.
-
$515
-
$0.00
-
$535.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
$515
-
80.00%
-
$150,000
-
$850,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Refinances receive up to $1,500 cashback or upfront fees waived on purchases for applications received by 31 October 2020 and settled by 31 January 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Star Essentials Home Loan
-
Mozo may receive advertising fees from the financial institutions, issuers of financial or credit products and third party advice providers that are shown on this page. These fees are based on a cost per click, cost per acquisition, or a fixed fee.
