Author: Philip vanDyk

“Other important factors that determine retail interest rates include the cost of wholesale funding from overseas and the cost of domestic funding, which includes rates of return on retail bank deposits.”

The NZBA reported banks provided $7.6 billion of “new” business lending to 13,432 customers between March 26 and May 13.

Last week, the New Zealand Bankers’ Association said 105,035 loans worth a total of $36.9b had been reduced or had payments deferred on them.

Beaumont said banks are “responsible lenders” and the BFGS doesn’t change that. “Businesses borrowing under the scheme still need to see a way of repaying the loan.” 

As of an update posted yesterday on the New Zealand Bankers Association website 105,035 loans had been reduced or payments deferred on them totalling loans worth $36.9 billion.

“Because it was paid upfront the wage subsidy has meant that many businesses have not yet had the need to look for other assistance. Many businesses needing a loan so far have, for example, opted to quickly roll over short-term funding or extend overdrafts already in place with their bank.”

“There were quite strict criteria around who was eligible for the [Finance Guarantee] scheme.” He said banks had loaned an extra $7.2 billion outside the scheme, through other financing options.

“In our view, the scheme supports longer-term lending. Businesses are more likely to be confident of applying for loans under the scheme only once they have formed a clearer view of their longer-term prospects and needs,” NZBA chief executive Roger Beaumont said.

 “So far, many businesses needing a loan have, for example, opted to quickly roll over short term funding or extend overdrafts already in place with their bank.”  

“Since we went into lockdown on 26 March our banks have lent $9.6 billion to over 41,000 personal and business customers. This includes $6.4b in new lending to business, which is separate from the government’s shared risk Business Finance Guarantee Scheme that has a lending limit of $6.25b.