CBA loan growth outpaces big bank competition

The latest monthly banking statistics from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have revealed that the Commonwealth bank of Australia’s (CBA) owner-occupied mortgage book increased by $1.4 billion in the month to 30 November 2018, from $291.7 billion to $293.1 billion.

CBA’s owner-occupied lending growth outpaced its nearest competitor, NAB, by $400 million, with NAB’s owner-occupied lending growth rising by $1 billion to $154.6 billion over the same period.

According to APRA’s figures, Westpac reported the third largest increase in owner-occupied lending in November 2018, which grew by $700 million, from $259.5 billion to $260.2 billion.

ANZ reported the smallest increase in owner-occupied lending growth, with its portfolio expanding by $300 million, from $178.7 billion in the month to 31 October 2018 to $179.0 billion as of 30 November 2018.

However, APRA’s monthly banking statistics have also revealed that despite the collective increases in the big four bank’s owner-occupied portfolio, the rate of growth slowed throughout 2018, with ANZ, CBA, and NAB reporting a decline in owner-occupied growth totalling $9.8 billion the 12 months to 31 October 2018.

Mixed results for investor lending

Further, the APRA data also revealed that the major banks reported mixed results for investor lending in the month to 30 November 2018, with CBA and NAB’s investor loan book increasing, while ANZ and Westpac recorded declines.

CBA’s investor lending portfolio increased by $100 million, from $132.7 billion in the month to 31 October 2018 to $132.8 billion.

NAB’s investor loan book also rose by $100 million, increasing from $105.9 billion to $106.0 billion over the same period.

Conversely, ANZ reported the sharpest fall in investor lending, with its portfolio dropping by $300 million in the month to 30 November 2018, from $80.4 billion to $80.1 billion.

Westpac’s investor loan book also dropped, slipping by $100 million, from $152.4 billion in the month to 31 October 2018 to $152.3 billion in the month ending 30 November.

[Related: Major banks hit hard by credit crunch]