A long-awaited transformation of a former industrial site in Holroyd has been given the green light, with the NSW Government approving the $1.2 billion Crescent Parklands masterplan that will deliver more than 1,200 new homes just south of Parramatta.

The State Significant Development approval clears the way for a large-scale mixed-use precinct at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-crescent-street-holroyd-nsw-2142">1 Crescent Street</a>, replacing an underutilised site with a coordinated residential community anchored by new open space, retail, and commercial uses.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> for WA-based developer Tiberius, the approved scheme comprises seven buildings arranged across two precincts. In total, the development will deliver 1,227 apartments, including 201 allocated as affordable housing, alongside approximately 2,500 sqm of retail and 5,000 sqm of commercial space within a mixed-use podium.

<img alt="Tiberius’ Crescent Parklands to deliver 1,200+ homes in major Holroyd transformation" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1cc82dd2-8184-4b86-8665-90653147820d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Crescent%20buildings.png?VersionId=2ZmVDc_Rfc4AzQ6ShzZJlvdZnACLerVM" />

The project is structured as a masterplanned precinct rather than a standalone tower. Buildings 1 to 4 will rise from a shared podium with shop-top housing, while Buildings 5 to 7 are positioned closer to the northern park interface as residential flat buildings. The built form has been carefully modulated to balance density with amenity, with the design resolving building separation, solar access, and wind impacts at a precinct scale.

A significant focus of the design is the activation of Crescent Street and the integration of public domain. The submission notes that “individual townhouses [were] removed for community based functions to Crescent Street to increase activation and surveillance,” reinforcing a more urban and publicly engaged street edge. Retail, commercial tenancies, and resident amenity spaces are concentrated along this frontage and within the podium to support day-to-day activity.

The landscape strategy underpins the project’s identity, with a network of pedestrian connections, landscaped corridors, and open spaces linking the site internally and to its surroundings. The design prioritises permeability, delivering “increased uninterrupted flow between spaces for pedestrian access” and improved connections through to the adjoining parklands.

<img alt="Tiberius’ Crescent Parklands to deliver 1,200+ homes in major Holroyd transformation" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19282454-ab2f-4e2c-866f-4b35cf4283d4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Crescent%20masterplan.png?VersionId=JQdWGYI5B5R1lzmK4omYOp_8KLPkT4Bv" />

Buildings within the western precinct are oriented toward the park, shaping a residential offering defined by proximity to open space. The design describes this approach as creating apartments “immersed in nature with apartments facing the park,” positioning the landscape as a central organising element of the masterplan.

The broader architectural response addresses both infrastructure and context, with taller elements capturing long-range views toward Parramatta while setbacks and separation distances mitigate impacts on surrounding residential areas. Sustainability initiatives, including solar optimisation, cross-ventilation, and integrated landscape systems, are embedded across the scheme.

Located approximately one kilometre south of Parramatta CBD, the 3.6-hectare site is bounded by Crescent Street, Woodville Road, and Holroyd Sportsground. It benefits from strong access to public transport, including nearby bus routes and train stations, and sits within a rapidly evolving corridor earmarked for increased residential density. The design also strengthens connections between surrounding green spaces, including Holroyd Sportsground and Parramatta Parklands.

The approval follows several years of planning, including a rezoning process that enabled significant uplift in height and density across the site. With determination now secured, Crescent Parklands is positioned to play a major role in delivering new housing supply within Greater Parramatta’s growth area.

Joel Robinson

Tiberius’ Crescent Parklands to deliver over 1,200 homes in major Holroyd transformation

A new State Significant Development application has been lodged over land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-43-marion-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">33–43 Marion Street</a>, Parramatta, proposing a high-rise mixed-use tower that leverages planning incentives to deliver a substantial pipeline of new housing, including a dedicated affordable component.

The scheme, currently on exhibition, combines a shop-top housing development with a concurrent rezoning, positioning the site for a significant uplift in density within Parramatta’s evolving southern CBD fringe.

The proposal, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fuse-architecture-0">Fuse Architects</a> for CN Marion, would replace the existing buildings with a 37-storey mixed-use tower, delivering 296 apartments above a retail podium with six basement levels on the 2,376 sqm site.

The residential mix comprises 58 one-bedroom, 207 two-bedroom, and 31 three-bedroom apartments, with communal facilities located on the second level and the rooftop. Ground-level activation is driven by retail and food and beverage tenancies, alongside a publicly accessible through-site link designed to improve pedestrian permeability.

The project includes 194 car spaces, five motorcycle spaces, and 348 bicycle spaces, reflecting a transit-oriented approach in a location directly adjacent to the rail corridor and within walking distance of Harris Park Station.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for 37-storey mixed-use tower with affordable housing at 33–43 Marion Street, Parramatta" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3db873ea-62f0-437b-8a6a-eeda154d2dee" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Marion%20building.png?VersionId=YwzBv8OVHwyRnMLGX4slU7QyhTyMZeOX" />

The design adopts a podium-and-tower composition, with a three-storey street wall addressing Marion Street and a reduced two-storey interface responding to adjoining heritage cottages.

A key component of the proposal is the integration of affordable housing under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing pathway, with units to be retained for a minimum of 15 years. This is paired with a broader public domain strategy that emphasises permeability, deep soil planting, and a landscaped through-site link.

“The strategy prioritises a permeable, well-activated public realm and supports a compact tower form to minimise the building’s footprint while enhancing the quality of the ground-level experience,” the design report states.

The proposal includes a central landscaped courtyard, rooftop communal areas, and planting strategies aligned with local environmental conditions and cultural narratives.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for 37-storey mixed-use tower with affordable housing at 33–43 Marion Street, Parramatta" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f0e6c165-9967-4d20-9216-e5b8357c85ba" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Marion%20site.png?VersionId=SRod222LwgDmGZJmJY0wTbK39UrWZLSD" />

The site occupies a prominent corner of Marion and Station streets, roughly 100 metres from Harris Park Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant intensification. While the immediate context is characterised by low- to mid-rise buildings and heritage dwellings, planning controls and recent proposals point to a transition toward high-density development.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:c78224e4-1dd1-48ac-afda-97fe23bac47e-0" dir="auto">
Parramatta has been starved of new apartment supply in recent years. Builder-developers Deicorp and Coronation are the only two currently progressing projects in the suburb. Coronation is nearing completion of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/8-phillip-street-2-10-phillip-street-parramatta">8 Phillip Street</a>, which will be the tallest building in Western Sydney once finished, while Deicorp is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cosmopolitan-by-deicorp-parramatta-34-hassall-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">Cosmopolitan</a>, a development comprising over 600 apartments.
</section>

First Look: Plans lodged for 37-storey mixed-use tower in Parramatta

A substantial uplift in height and density is being tested in Lane Cove, with a 225-apartment scheme at 300 Burns Bay Road now on public exhibition as a State Significant Development alongside a concurrent rezoning.

The proposal by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/level-33">Level 33</a> would see the demolition of an existing commercial building and associated structures, replaced by a residential development ranging from seven to 15 storeys.&nbsp;

The scheme delivers 225 apartments, including 34 designated as affordable housing, positioning it within the NSW Government’s accelerated Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The development is arranged as three interconnected residential flat buildings, a response to the site’s long, narrow configuration and sloping topography.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: 225-apartment Lane Cove tower proposal enters exhibition under State Significant pathway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c325d40c-ead5-45f4-9d77-5a446b23acc0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Lane%20Cove%20pers.png?VersionId=hsCJxT5hj.5kzA6AMInyan1x8mcHeRez" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, the project’s designer, describe a built form that is “divided into three sections, each connected by intermediate infill slots which are recessed to establish greater setbacks and further articulate the development.”

Across the scheme, apartments are supported by communal amenity at ground and rooftop levels, including landscaped open space and a rooftop pool. Basement and lower ground levels accommodate parking, storage, and building services, while a new public park is proposed along the eastern edge of the site, replacing part of the existing built form.

The architectural response has been shaped by the site’s pronounced fall towards the Lane Cove River, with building heights stepping down from west to east to reduce visual bulk and respond to adjoining bushland.&nbsp;

The design report notes that “the development has been carefully designed to integrate with the existing topography with the placement of massing and floor levels adjusted respecting the site’s inherent characteristics.”

<img alt="First look: 225-apartment Lane Cove tower proposal enters exhibition under State Significant pathway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="31cc13a5-bc8b-4dc3-b9b1-07c6ec33a82b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Lane%20cove%20site.png?VersionId=NiyH3LimQwiHsE6Q7I5g4Grpr5fRdZaX" />

The project is being advanced through a concurrent rezoning process, seeking to increase the permissible height and floor space ratio beyond current Lane Cove LEP controls of 21 metres. Under the proposal, height would reach up to 54.5 metres, reflecting a shift toward higher-density outcomes in well-located urban areas.

Located on a 7,595 sqm site, the development sits within an established high-density residential pocket characterised by mid-rise apartment buildings set within a bushland setting. The site is within close proximity to Burns Bay Reserve, the Lane Cove River, and an extensive network of open space, reinforcing its strategic positioning for increased housing supply.

Level 33 is doing through the Housing Delivery Authority to try and get its Homebush project of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/level-33-adds-to-2-000-unit-pipeline-with-new-two-tower-homebush-plans">more than 300 apartments approved</a>.

The developer has over 2,000 apartments in the pipeline, predominantly in Wollongong.

First look: Level 33 proposes 225-apartment Lane Cove tower

Following the completion of its debut Palm Beach apartment development EVA on Tenth, local Gold Coast developer Chippendale Group has launched its latest project in the in demand area.

Chippendale Group, led by fifth-generation Palm Beach local Daniel Chippendale, has kicked off sales at&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elise-palm-beach-3-twenty-fifth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1775884443343000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GyxnGQKU2XXwTzQ8_VHgi" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elise-palm-beach-3-twenty-fifth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221" target="_blank">ELISE</a>, 68 coastal-infused apartments just 40 metres from the sand on Twenty Fifth Avenue.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150992 project_image_fid=366023]

Construction is already well underway, a signal of confidence to buyers, following the demolition of the two-storey walk-up and 1990s built house that sat on two sites that have been amalgamated to create a prime corner block.

There are a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments on offer, starting from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150992 project_image_fid=366024]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, Elise responds to its coastal setting through a horizontal architectural form with recessed glazing and layered landscaping. The design aims to balance light, shade and sea breezes while creating a defined presence along the streetscape.&nbsp;

Residences have been planned with an emphasis on outdoor living suited to the Gold Coast climate, including large balconies designed as usable outdoor rooms. Interiors will feature a selection of European appliances and natural materials, including New Zealand wool carpets.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150992 project_image_fid=366033]

Resident amenities are centred around a wellness-focused ground-level precinct. There will be private access to a heated swimming pool, sauna, cold plunge and gym, alongside a residents’ lounge with dining and entertaining space.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elise-palm-beach-3-twenty-fifth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">ELISE</a> is located towards the northern end of Palm Beach, which puts it just a short walk to Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks. At the end of the street is the newly extended Oceanway, a 36-kilometre pathway that runs up and down the Gold Coast.

Chippendale is targeting a late 2027 completion date for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elise-palm-beach-3-twenty-fifth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">ELISE</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150992]

Chippendale Group launches Elise, 40 metres from the Palm Beach sand

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/31-41-o-hara-street-marrickville-nsw-2204">Third.i</a>&nbsp;has announced a new transport-oriented development in one of Sydney Inner West’s most sought-after metropolitan locations, delivering much needed housing within steps of world-class public transport and vibrant village life.

Located at&nbsp;31-41 O’Hara St,&nbsp;Marrickville, the proposed mixed-use development will include around 300 apartments, with up to 17 per cent dedicated to affordable housing, reinforcing Third.i’s commitment to creating inclusive, well-connected communities that support a diverse mix of residents who keep Sydney’s neighbourhoods thriving.

Located just 100 metres from the new Metro station, the development places residents within minutes of the CBD while offering seamless access to the Inner West’s cafés, retail, and local services. Anchored within a thriving local centre, the project supports everyday living without reliance on cars, while also delivering new public open space for the local community, including a new park and landscaped green areas, alongside high-quality private resident amenities.

Florian Caillon, Head of Acquisitions for Third.i Group, said the project builds on the company’s ongoing work alongside the NSW Government to deliver housing and amenity alongside major transport infrastructure. Amenity includes an activated pedestrianise retail strip that connects Illawarra Road down to the pocket park, and health and wellness facilities.&nbsp;

“Delivering housing of this scale within an established village is a rare opportunity, and few companies have achieved residential outcomes of this size at a village centre," Caillon said.

"We are excited to set a new standard for urban living in the heart of Marrickville,” he said.&nbsp;

The inclusion of affordable housing has been welcomed by frontline workers.

“We are supportive of developments which will allow essential workers like nurses, midwives and carers, the opportunity to live in the communities they care for," said&nbsp;Michael Whaites, General Secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association..

“Many healthcare workers tell us they would like to live closer to where they work, but are being priced out of the market, forcing them to move further away.&nbsp;

“Dedicated apartments for essential workers will support recruitment and retention in local hospitals and aged care facilities, helping to strengthen our health system.”

The project has been declared State Significant Development (SSD) by the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

Third.i to deliver 300 apartments in Marrickville TOD precinct

Lenders

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Pepper Money, ranked as Australia’s largest non-bank lender, has partnered with the Hawks Basketball Club for the National Basketball League (NBL) season.

The non-bank lender has agreed to become the Wollongong-based team’s principal sponsor for this year’s competition.

Pepper Money was drawn to the NBL club because the team’s “ambitions both within the league and the community” were aligned with the company’s corporate mission, which is “to help people succeed.”

Mario Rehayem, Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer at Pepper Money, said he wanted to join The Hawks’ family to help them rebuild their franchise, reclaim success in the league, and serve the community in the Illawarra region. 

“This also ensures our brand is seen by a wider audience of sporting fans in Illawarra and across Australia.”

Dorry Kordahi, president and co-owner of The Hawks, welcomed the partnership.

The terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed.

Last year Pepper Money re-signed with the AFL Saints, recommitting as co-principal partner of the club for 2021. 

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis noted they had been part of their sponsorship supporters since 2015.

This time last year Pepper Australia’s $1 billion ASX-listing plan was mooted, with the group said to be targeting 2020 profits of about $83 million.

It has recently been reported by The Australian that Macquarie Capital was believed to be lined up for a role working on a potential float of the lender in 2021.
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The non-bank lender has agreed to become the Wollongong-based team’s principal sponsor for this year’s competition.

jchancellor

Australia's largest non-bank lender Pepper Money partners with the NBL's Hawks Basketball Club.

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More than a dozen lenders are offering cash incentives for home owners willing to move their business to a new lender, with Suncorp Bank, Reduce Home Loans and 86 400 the latest, according to RateCity.
Suncorp Bank is now offering up to $3,000 to refinancers, plus an additional $1,000 for people working in essential services roles, such as doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers.
A total of 13 banks currently have cashbacks on offer, including three of the big four banks – CBA, Westpac and ANZ.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/5/21/RATECITY%201.JPG" alt="">
RateCity.com.au crunched the numbers based on someone refinancing their loan with $400,000 remaining to see whether they would be ahead or behind after picking a cashback special over one of the lowest rates in the market. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/5/21/RATECITY%202.JPG" alt="">
Sally Tindall, research director at RateCity.com.au, said while low rate loans were usually more cost effective, the tide was turning as the bigger banks chase after new customers more aggressively.
“Cashback specials are nothing new. They’ve been used for years as a clever marketing tool to grab people’s attention. What’s changed is the banks are starting to offer cashback on loans that also have competitive rates,” she said.
“Someone who refinances every couple of years to a competitively priced loan could potentially come out on top by taking up a cashback special."
“However, over the long term it’s a completely different story. A low rate is almost certainly going to trump a one-off perk over 10 or 20 years – often by tens of thousands of dollars."
“While the promise of cold hard cash is hugely attractive for anyone juggling the bills, people who put the money back into their mortgage will see even bigger savings as it will reduce their interest charges every single day," she concluded.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Three of the Big Four banks now offering home loan cash backs

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Over the past week, 14 lenders decreased owner occupier variable rate loans, while 12 providers decreased owner occupier fixed rate loans, according to Canstar.
Greater Bank have introduced new low rates for owner occupier fixed rate loans: 2.79% for a one-year fixed rate, 3.39% for four and five-year fixed rates. 
They also found when looking to investment rates that 12 providers decreased variable investment rates and 10 lenders decreased investment fixed rates.
ANZ and NAB made variable rate decreases of 0.25% and 0.19% respectively; NAB also reduced its fixed rates by between 0.30% and 0.80% for both owner occupier and investment loans.
The tables below display these latest changes:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/15/Canstar%201.png" alt="">
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/15/Canstar%202.png" alt="">
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/15/Canstar%203.png" alt="">
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/15/Canstar%204.png" alt="">
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The latest interest rate changes following the RBA cuts: Canstar

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The first home buyers' deposit guarantee innovation, unveiled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is perfectly pitched at the impatient first home buyer generation.
It will turbo-charge their entry into the property market with a government scheme partnering with private lenders offering finance for approved buyers.
The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme will be available, from next January if either the Coalition or Labor wins the federal election, for new home buyers who have got a 5% deposit, which is the easy bit.
They will get government backing to make up the 20% house deposit typically required by lenders.
The scheme is based on the valid belief it is the deposit gap rather than the size of mortgage payments that is the real barrier to home ownership.
The government backed National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation will guarantee the difference between the lower deposit and the 20%.
The scheme will also help first home buyers save around $10,000 by not having to pay lenders mortgage insurance.
The scheme, adopted from a 2015 New Zealand scheme, would allow singles earning less than $125,000 a year and couples earning less than $200,000 a year to get into the housing market in quick time.
Past schemes, including the first home super saver (FHSS) scheme, have simply been too slow in achieving outcomes. 
The $500 million scheme is set to be initially capped at 10,000 loans annually, about one tenth of the market. 
Some 110,000 bought their first home in 2018, which was the highest level in nine years.
But the latest NSW figures for March show the lowest number in two years.
The value of homes that can be purchased under the scheme will be capped on a regional basis, reflecting different markets across Australia.
Although it has fallen in recent months, an entry-level Sydney apartment costing $560,000 takes around five years and four months savings for a 20% deposit, some 16 months longer than in Melbourne and two years longer than the equivalent in Brisbane.
"With the banks pulling back and larger deposits of 20% now being standard, it is not getting easier," Morrison said.
"The lenders would still be the ones lending the money. They would still do all the normal checks on the borrowers to make sure that they can meet their repayments – this isn’t free money."
There will be a small risk for the government having first time borrowers with higher indebtedness especially if the market continues to fall.
No official figures are kept on first home buyer arrears or distressed sales, but the even more cautious big four banks maintain overall arrears levels across NSW remain very low given the low interest rate landscape.
The government support would stay in place for the life of the loan, until its sale or until the value of the property rises to a point where they choose to refinance.
The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme will start on 1 January next year, the same date that Labor has said it would start its grandfathered negative gearing scheme to assist affordability.
The proposed Coalition policy won't impress those who don't support market intervention by government, but there has been some $10.3 billion in benefits since 2000 when the First Home Owners Grant scheme was introduced to help first-home owners to offset the effect of Goods and Services Tax.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

First home buyers to get support to reach a 20% house deposit

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
This is an extract from the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) Financial Stability Review.
<hr>
Over the past three years, there has been a shift in lending for property towards non-ADI lenders, also referred to as non-bank lenders.
Residential mortgage lending by non-banks is estimated to have been growing much faster than the rate of banks’ mortgage lending.
Non-bank lending to property developers has also grown at a fast pace.
They perform similar functions to banks and lend to a wide range of borrowers.
They finance their lending by securitising loans or with funding from private investors, such as high net worth individuals and institutional investors.
Non-bank lenders are prohibited from accepting deposits, and are therefore not prudentially regulated.
Non-bank lending supports economic growth by providing an alternative form of funding and increasing competition for lending. But the activities of non-bank lenders can pose risks to financial stability, as they have in some countries internationally.
These risks arise when non-banks exacerbate credit and asset price cycles, prompt banks to weaken their lending standards or have financial links with the banking sector that see credit losses at non-banks transmitted to banks.
This box assesses these risks today, in light of the recent pick-up in growth of non-bank property lending.
Non-bank residential mortgage lending is estimated to have grown by roughly 15% per annum over recent years, well above growth in lending by banks.
This has seen their market share of outstanding lending continue to trend up.
While these estimates are based on incomplete data that may be revised over the coming year, they are broadly consistent with the information available on non-banks’ liabilities.
Almost all non-bank mortgage lending is funded by issuing residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and non-bank issuance of these securities has trebled over the past three years.
The flow of non-bank RMBS issuance in 2018 was close to the pre-crisis peak.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/12/Non%20bank%20credit%201.JPG" alt="">
A factor that had supported non-banks’ increased market share has been banks’ repricing of certain types of housing loans.
Specifically, banks have increased the interest rates they charge on investor and interest-only (IO) loans, which are now on average around 50 basis points higher than interest rates on owner occupier principal and interest loans.
Banks increased interest rates on these products as a way of meeting the investor and IO lending benchmarks introduced by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) in 2014 and 2017.
Non-bank lenders, which were not required to meet APRA’s benchmarks, often do not apply this differential to investor and interest only loans.
These benchmarks have both been removed for most lenders. But other prudential standards are changing, as have perceptions of risk, so, to date, banks’ interest rate differentials based on type of loan remain.
Data from the RBA’s Securitisation Data set show that non-banks generally charge higher interest rates than banks for owner-occupier principal and interest loans; however, the interest rates they charge on other loans are typically much closer to those charged by banks (Graph D2).
As a result, investor loans have made up a growing proportion of nonbank lending, while their proportion of IO loans has fallen by much less than banks (Graph D3).
In contrast, banks have retreated from both these market segments.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/12/Non%20bank%20credit%202.JPG" alt="">
In addition, a perception that finance is more difficult to obtain from the major banks has seen even some higher quality borrowers shifting to non-bank lenders.
The RBA’s liaison with nonbank lenders indicates that borrowers have been attracted by their faster approval times and the greater likelihood of approval compared with the major banks. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/12/Non%20bank%20credit%203.JPG" alt="">
… but remains small and financial stability risks are limited at this point
Non-bank mortgage lenders account for less than 5% of outstanding housing credit and so are not a substantial financial stability risk (Graph D1).
In particular, their small share reduces the risk that non-bank lenders will exacerbate the credit cycle. More generally, growth in non-bank lending has accelerated as housing markets and credit growth have both been weakening overall.
There is also no evidence of banks loosening lending standards to compete.
Banks have instead tightened lending standards since 2015, although there continues to be strong competition for the highest quality borrowers.
Non-bank lenders have also tightened their lending standards over recent years, even while writing a larger share of higher risk investor loans than previously.
This is because they are still subject to responsible lending laws, for which compliance expectations have increased over recent years, and because long-term investors often expect non-bank RMBS to broadly conform with APRA standards.
Consistent with this, arrears rates for non-bank lenders are slightly lower than for banks and have not increased materially to date.
Whether this would remain true if the unemployment rate was to rise remains to be seen.
The potential for contagion from non-banks to banks also remains small because interconnections between them are limited.
Banks have some exposure to non-bank mortgage lending through short-term ‘warehouse’ funding facilities, but these are small compared with banks’ own mortgage lending and their capital.
Banks’ willingness to increase these exposures significantly is limited by APRA monitoring the growth of these facilities, a liquidity requirement to match the undrawn exposures with highquality liquid assets, and the capital required to be held against such exposures.
The main constraints to a more rapid expansion of non-bank mortgage lending stem from their funding. RMBS pricing is well above the cost of bank funding (deposits or senior unsecured bank debt) and remains significantly higher than pre-crisis levels.
The cost of funding from RMBS markets has also risen significantly since early 2018, reflecting both a rise in spreads on RMBS and the increase in the bank bill swap rate, which forms the base for RMBS pricing.
This means that non-bank lenders will struggle to compete with banks for the highest quality owner-occupier principal and interest mortgages, unless they are able to secure alternative long-term funding.
In addition, it does not currently appear feasible to significantly increase the capacity of RMBS markets.
This is because the investor base for such instruments is relatively narrow and securing new investors has been a prolonged and challenging task.
Non-bank lending to property developers is also growing fast, and poses more risk
The pick-up in non-bank lending to property developers has occurred as banks pulled back from this market due to concerns about increased risks.
Non-bank lending for property development has come from a range of sources, but the most prominent providers have been managed funds that specialise in financing property development.
This lending is mostly funded by equity investments from wealthy individuals and institutional investors, including foreign funds.
This is an area where data are very limited; however, liaison contacts report that non-bank financing of property development is widely available and still growing strongly, especially in Melbourne.
Non-bank lenders generally require lower levels of pre-sales than banks and allow greater leverage for borrowers, but also charge much higher interest rates.
Presales became harder to achieve as the property market cooled, and this contributed to the demand for non-bank financing from developers.
If more marginal developments proceed, because developers are able to obtain funding from non-bank lenders, the boost to supply would place further downward pressure on property prices.
This could have flow-on implications for banks’ property portfolios. In particular, the performance of banks’ exposures to property developers would deteriorate if apartment sales and prices experience further significant declines and settlement failures rise.
However, much of the lending by non-banks is expensive mezzanine debt (debt which is ranked below senior debt in the capital structure).
This debt is relatively expensive and so reduces the likelihood that low-return projects will proceed, minimising the financial stability risk.
Further, this mezzanine lending is subject to some external oversight because when a bank provides the senior debt it has visibility of the mezzanine debt and the risks this may pose to the developer.
This oversight may diminish as non-bank involvement in senior debt is becoming more common.
The financial stability risks from non-bank property lending are judged to be limited at this point, although risks associated with property development bear watching.
Incomplete data on non-bank lending activity currently make it challenging to assess these risks.
However, legislation passed in March 2018 expanded APRA’s data collection powers to encompass a wider range of non-bank entities.
Since then, a working group, consisting of APRA, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the RBA, has been working to improve the coverage of non-bank data.
This should help APRA and the RBA in their ongoing monitoring of financial stability risks arising from non-bank lending.
The Reserve Bank of Australia's Financial Stability Review provides the Bank's assessment of the current condition of the financial system and potential risks to financial stability. It contains a number of boxes on topics of special interest, along with occasional articles. The Review is issued half-yearly. 
Download the complete <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/fsr/2019/apr/pdf/financial-stability-review-2019-04.pdf" target="_blank" title="Link, opening in a new window, to PDF file.">Review here</a>.<abbr title="Megabytes"> </abbr>
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No evidence of banks loosening lending standards to compete: RBA

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The tightening in lending standards over the past year was not the cause of the recent decline in housing credit growth, the RBA has suggested.
Liaison with banks, other lenders and mortgage brokers suggests that the demand for housing loans has declined. 
"Liaison also reported that most people who apply for a housing loan can still obtain one, though they have to provide more documentation, answer more questions and wait a few days longer to be approved."
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/8/RBA%20Graph%2034.JPG" alt="">
The new landscape sees higher competition between lenders to issue new loans to low-risk borrowers, the RBA advised.
"Liaison with mortgage brokers and banks suggests that lenders are competing vigorously to attract borrowers with high-quality credit profiles that are applying for owner-occupier P&amp;I loans. "
"In particular, owner-occupiers with low loan-to-valuation ratios who can demonstrate the ability to service their loan are being offered quite low interest rates."
"Liaison also suggests that borrowers with these characteristics who have had a home loan for some time and want to refinance can often obtain a lower interest rate from another institution or convince their existing lender to lower the rate that they are paying." 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/8/RBA%20Graph%201.JPG" alt="">
There has been a slowing in credit growth, primarily for investors, as the credit given by major banks to investors contracted, consistent with a decline in investor housing loan approvals by these banks.
The RBA noted, "However, this had been partly offset by a pick-up in investor credit growth at a number of other ADIs and non-ADIs."
"The slowing in credit growth is consistent with reduced demand for housing finance, particularly from investors."
"Indeed, liaison with major banks and mortgage brokers indicates that they have been receiving significantly fewer loan applications over the past year or more."
"Also, liaison with the banks and mortgage brokers indicates that most loans are still being approved; banks reported that the conversion rates of applications to approvals were stable at high levels in 2018."
The fall in housing prices in major markets appears to have reduced the demand for credit, particularly from investors, not the other way round as has been previously suggested.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/8/RBA%20Graph%202.JPG" alt="">
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Tightening in lending standards not the cause of housing credit growth decline: RBA

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ASIC has accepted a court enforceable undertaking and fined timeshare lender Future Holiday Finance Pty Ltd (FHF) for responsible lending failures. FHF has paid a penalty of $135,000 in response to three infringement notices and will pay up to $3 million in compensation to consumers.
FHF provides finance for the purchase of memberships in ULTIQA Lifestyle, a points-based timeshare scheme.
ASIC found that FHF signed consumers up to loans when they attended ULTIQA Lifestyle timeshare sales seminars, without first assessing if customers could afford the loans or if the loans were right for them.
As a result, ASIC has issued three infringement notices to FHF for alleged breaches of its responsible lending obligations.
As well as failures with the timing of FHF’s loan assessments, ASIC had concerns about their quality. The court enforceable undertaking addresses FHF’s poor loan assessment practices which did not meet the standards required by law.
In addition, ASIC examined FHF’s loan document and identified a potentially unfair contract term. ASIC was concerned that the ‘entire agreement clause’ prevented verbal statements made by FHF from forming part of the contract. This clause is no longer included in the loan contract and FHF has agreed not to enforce this clause in any existing contract.
FHF will offer to review the loans of all customers who entered into contracts between 1 July 2012 and 30 August 2018. Refunds will be provided to customers where contracts were not suitable. This compensation program will be overseen by an independent expert who will also assess FHF's compliance with its responsible lending obligations and whether the company’s credit contract contains any unfair terms.
ASIC Deputy Chair Peter Kell said: "Timeshare finance operators must ensure that they comply with their responsible lending obligations.
"Consumers should always take the time to consider upfront and ongoing costs of timeshare, including finance, given they are a long-term commitment and can be difficult to sell."
ASIC encourages customers who took out a loan to purchase their ULTIQA Lifestyle timeshare membership to ask for their loan to be reassessed. Customers can contact FHF on (07) 5556 3000. ASIC’s MoneySmart also has information about FHF’s remediation program.
ASIC can issue an infringement notice where it has reasonable grounds to believe a person has contravened certain consumer credit protection laws. The payment of an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth). 
ASIC is updating the regulatory framework for timesharing schemes. It is proposed that additional consumer protections apply, including to reflect the fact that it is common for a financier related to the timeshare operator to fund an acquisition of timeshare interests. ASIC’s website contains further detail of the proposed changes.
ASIC raised concerns with ULTIQA Lifestyle's disclosure and sales practices in 2016 after ASIC finalised a surveillance of ULTIQA Lifestyle Points Limited and ULTIQA Lifestyle Promotions Limited (ULTIQA Group), one of Australia's largest timeshare operators.
ASIC's scrutiny followed complaints received from consumers and other regulatory agencies alleging misleading and deceptive statements and unconscionable conduct by the ULTIQA Group. ASIC reviewed ULTIQA Group's disclosure and sales practices in relation to the sale of interests in ULTIQA Lifestyle, a points-based timeshare scheme with 11,792 members as at 30 June 2016.
ASIC made extensive enquiries of the ULTIQA Group regarding its disclosure and sales practices. In response to ASIC's enquiries, ULTIQA Group has:
<ol>
<li>amended its PDSs to give additional prominence to cooling-off rights, bonus weeks and split weeks;</li>
<li>amended point-of-sale documents to ensure applicants are aware of their cooling-off rights;</li>
<li>modified its monitoring and supervision of sales agents' compliance with and adherence to ULTIQA Group's sales processes and procedures;</li>
<li>removed and clarified potentially misleading statements from the members' kit given at point of sale, and agreed to monitor sales practices to ensure that certain features of Club membership benefits are not misrepresented; and</li>
<li>revised sales processes and practices by providing new members with temporary access to the 'members only' section of the Club's website during the cooling-off period to enable them to assess the benefit of the interests.</li>
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ULTIQA timeshare lender Future Holiday Finance pays ASIC penalty 

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Melbourne-based La Trobe Financial, one of the largest non-bank lenders in the country, has struck a deal with Blackstone, a New York-based private equity company.
Blackstone has taken an 80% stake in the privately-owned firm for an undisclosed sum. 
Chief executive Greg O'Neill will retain 20% ownership and continue in his role at the 65 year old lending institution.
O'Neill said the opportunity for La Trobe to partner with Blackstone was the perfect fit for staff, customers and the business.
"The specialist credit space is experiencing a defining period of change and growth around the world right now and it is critical that we continue to build on our strong capital position, expand our networks and draw on global best practice," he said.
Australian Broker noted La Trobe Financial manages investment mandates in excess of A$13 billion, including a retail Credit Fund of almost $2 billion and over $1 billion of public RMBS bonds issued.
Currently La Trobe has over 200 staff with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The AFR says Australia's $1.7 trillion mortgage market has become a hotspot for global private equity titans with more buyout funds tipped to follow Blackstone and KKR's recent forays into the shadow banking sector. 
The La Trobe deal follows the $675 million takeover of listed non-bank lender Pepper by KKR earlier this month.  
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Blackstone takes on La Trobe Financial in mortgage market buyout

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AFG's latest Mortgage Index results released today shows that major structural change in the Australian lending landscape is continuing. 
“Today’s results paint a very different picture from this time last year,” said AFG CEO <a href="https://www.afgonline.com.au/corporate/board-of-directors/david-bailey-ceo/">David Bailey</a>.
“Regulator-led tightening of investor lending has led to a further drop in investor volume and they are now sitting at an all time low of 29% of the market.
The shift in lender appetite from investors to upgraders is also evident in average loan size. “The national average home loan is now sitting at an all time high of $491,000,” said Mr Bailey. “This increase can be explained by the fact that people generally spend more for their primary place of residence than they do for an investment property.
The number of people looking to refinance has dropped to 25%, whilst those keen to upgrade their living situation is increasing with upgraders now representing 41% of the market. “This is also likely to be a reflection of the lack of lending options on the table for investors wanting to refinance, as lenders pull back from the investor market to meet regulator demands,” said Mr Bailey.
The major lenders’ share of the market is also down to a post-GFC low of 64.4% as borrowers continue to explore alternatives outside of the major bank owned brands.
Looking at loan type, fixed rates are now at 26.3% of all loans which confirms many Australians are anticipating that the next interest rate move will be up,” said Mr Bailey.
First home buyers are enjoying their third consecutive quarter in double digits since the beginning of 2014. “National market share for first home buyers has lifted to 13% across the last quarter, helped in part by new stamp duty concessions kicking in on July 1 for this segment of the market in Victoria and New South Wales.”
Victoria continues to set the pace with lodgement volumes in that state up 27% on the first quarter of last year whilst every other state has lost momentum to varying degrees. The strength of the Victorian home market is also evidenced in the average loan size for that state, which is 5% higher than it was at the same time last year.
<a class="image_link fancybox image" href="https://www.afgonline.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mortgage-index-financial-year-2018-quarter-1.png"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-19646" src="https://www.afgonline.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mortgage-index-financial-year-2018-quarter-1-1024x438.png" alt="" width="1024" height="438"></a>
“Overall, volumes are up on the previous two quarters, however, compared to the same time last year they are flat. This translates into the view that regulator-led changes are being felt everywhere except Victoria,” concluded Mr Bailey.
To download the full report <a href="https://www.afgonline.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/afg-mortgage-index-october-quarter-2017.pdf" target="_blank">click here.</a>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Tightening of investor lending puts investor volume at all time low: AFG

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Non-bank lender Pepper Money has entered into a deal with an entity of global investment firm KKR that will see the latter acquire 100 percent of its shares worth $675.9 million.
In an ASX announcement, the lender laid out details of the acquisition.
The scheme will go to a shareholder vote and, if approved, will see Red Hot Australia Bidco Pty Ltd – an entity owned by KKR – buy the shares. 
Shareholders will be given the option of rolling their shares over to Bidco or selling them at $3.60 per share.
The journey towards the takeover bid started in 2016 when Pepper’s stock prices were not where the firm wanted them to be, the Australian Broker reported, citing Pepper CEO Mike Culhane.
“The market thought that they were pretty cheap so we had a number of inbound enquiries from private equity firms, Chinese corporates, etc. All manner of firms were interested in starting a conversation about taking a position or the sorts of transactions which could be done.”
At that stage, the board got involved, confidentiality agreements were written up, and information was shared about the company, he said.
“As we went through that process, it became clear that KKR was a potentially good partner for the business going forwards.”
Pepper’s name will not change nor will there be any staff changes, according to Culhane.
He said the board felt this was the best deal for its shareholders.
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