APRA will Change Loan Serviceability Floor

By Sophia Rodrigues

Given there isn't any other quantitative restriction with respect to macroprudential policy for housing market that APRA can ease, I always felt lowering the 7% floor for calculating loan serviceability would likely be the next option they would consider. I am therefore pleased to see Macquarie's Justin Fabo write about in a research note. The outlook for RBA monpol has changed. There's as much chance of steady cash rate for longer as there is of a cut, which means hike is a long way off. So it makes no sense having 7% floor because it would take a few years -- if at all -- for mortgage rates to reach that level. All APRA has to do is reduce the floor to 6.5% and leave it up to banks and their lending standards to decide if 6.5% is appropriate or slightly higher, depending on individual circumstances. Will they do this? There's a good chance they will.