RBNZ Survey Assesses Impact of Pandemic on Domestic Credit Conditions

The following are the key highlights of the Credit Conditions Survey in the context of COVID-19 shock:

• Banks reported a decline in demand for mortgage lending over the first half of 2020 while the mortgage lending standards remained broadly unchanged. Most banks did not report a change in appetite for high-LVR (or loan-to-value ratio) lending despite the temporary removal of restrictions. One bank did note that high-LVR applicants would likely require very strong servicing positions and that property type and location would need to be less susceptible to price declines.
• Banks reported an increase in SME applications for relief in response to the COVID-induced lockdown along with a modest tightening of credit availability in the SME sector. Banks reported support largely came in the form of suspension of repayments or moves to "interest only" terms, modifications (or waivers) of loan covenants, and temporary liquidity lines for working capital to meet fixed costs. Banks expect this to continue over the second half of 2020. Demand for credit for capital expenditure fell in the first half of the year and banks expect demand to remain muted for the remainder of the year, reflecting deteriorating business confidence.Banks expect many businesses will resize to match the new level of demand, but some SMEs will fail, thus dampening demand for credit.
• Banks reported high demand for standby liquidity facilities over the first half of 2020, along with a reduced demand for credit for capital expenditure and mergers and acquisitions. Generally, banks expect these trends to continue over the next six months, although some banks expect transactions that were put on hold due to COVID-19 may begin to progress again. Banks also reported a significant increase in requests for covenant relief. Banks noted they approved these requests if the corporate customer had a strong pre-COVID balance sheet. 
• Banks reported a decrease in demand for commercial property lending during the first half of the year and forecast a significant slowdown over the latter half, particularly for development lending. Banks noted that the greatest uncertainty concerned the impact of COVID-19 on commercial property values. One bank reported that commercial property valuations are difficult to obtain, as valuers are preferring to wait until market evidence exists post COVID-19. Several banks noted that more current valuations will be required and that valuation cycles would be increased.

The usually biannual Credit Conditions Survey asks banks qualitative questions about changes in credit conditions in bank lending markets. Banks provide separate responses for household, small and medium enterprise, corporate, commercial property, and agricultural lending. The questions focus on observed changes in loan demand and credit availability over the previous six months and expected changes over the next six months. The survey also collects information on how how the lending standards of banks have changed over the past six months. The next quarterly survey will be conducted as usual in September and the results will be released in October 2020. 

Related Links

• Press Release
• Survey Results

Keywords: Asia Pacific, New Zealand, Banking, COVID-19, Credit Conditions Survey, Mortgage Lending, SME, Credit Risk, Payment Deferrals, RBNZ