Credit application growth shows NZ economy picking up, says Veda

Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Mortgage applications rose nearly 20 percent in December from a year ago and people are also taking out more personal loans, in what personal credit rating agency Veda says proves the economy is recovering.

Veda sees 98 percent of all credit applications and says it sees evidence of a revitalised credit cycle and indicates New Zealanders are increasingly confident about the economy.

"We can talk ourselves out of feeling good or we can read the numbers - and I say the New Zealand economy is picking up and New Zealanders know it," Veda managing director John Roberts said in a statement.

A 19.71 percent rise in mortgage applications in December from the same month a year ago reflected not only a strong housing market but also strong competition among banks, which have reduced fixed-term rates, in particular.

Credit card applications fell 4.53 percent in December from a year ago but personal loan applications rose 11.83 percent and hire purchase applications rose 8.79 percent.

Roberts attributed the switch to maturity in consumers.

Overall, consumer credit activity increased by 8.07 percent in December from the same month a year ago.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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