ING imposes tougher lending restrictions for ‘high risk’ borrowers

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 - last updated 28 June 2022
-
Smart Booster Home Loan
2 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment2.60% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 3.00% p.a. variable2.96% p.a.New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
CompareCompareSmart Booster Home Loan
New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
- interest rate
- 2.60% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 3.00% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.96% p.a.
- interest rate
- 2.60% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 3.00% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.96% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
-
Featured Product
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment2.64% p.a. variable2.65% p.a.Low variable rate. Ideal for buyers or investors. No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Low variable rate. Ideal for buyers or investors. No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 2.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.65% p.a.
- interest rate
- 2.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.65% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
-
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment2.64% p.a. variable2.56% p.a.For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 2.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.56% p.a.
- interest rate
- 2.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.56% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- -
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
-
Variable Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment2.64% p.a. variable2.66% p.a.Purchase and Refinance. Yard’s low-rate variable special home loan is packed with all features – unlimited additional repayments, free redraw, optional 100% offset account. Enjoy a simple online application.
CompareCompareVariable Home Loan
Purchase and Refinance. Yard’s low-rate variable special home loan is packed with all features – unlimited additional repayments, free redraw, optional 100% offset account. Enjoy a simple online application.
- interest rate
- 2.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.66% p.a.
- interest rate
- 2.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.66% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $530
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $500.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Split Home Loan - 2022
- Australia's Best Large Mutual Bank - 2022
No Frills Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <70%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment2.49% p.a. variable2.49% p.a.The Qudos Bank No Frills Home Loan features a competitively low rate for borrowers who don’t need all the bells and whistles. There are $0 bank fees. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment options. Unlimited extra repayments at no cost. Instant redraw available with online banking. Split your loan with fixed rate loan options.
CompareCompareNo Frills Home Loan
The Qudos Bank No Frills Home Loan features a competitively low rate for borrowers who don’t need all the bells and whistles. There are $0 bank fees. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment options. Unlimited extra repayments at no cost. Instant redraw available with online banking. Split your loan with fixed rate loan options.
- interest rate
- 2.49% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.49% p.a.
- interest rate
- 2.49% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.49% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $275.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly, Fortnightly, Weekly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the No Frills Home Loan
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.