BOQ tightens home lending policy

Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has announced changes to its home lending policy, effective from 11 May.

The temporary changes to the policy include the tightening of – and an increase in – income verification requirements from customers before deciding whether to proceed with a funding request.

“In these uncertain times, it’s important that we understand a customer’s ability to tolerate any financial impacts that may result from COVID-19 before deciding whether to proceed with a funding request,” BOQ said in an update to brokers.

BOQ outlined changes it has implemented across various income types, including commission and bonus income, BASE PAYG income and self-employed borrowers.

Commissions, investment income, bonus income

The bank has applied the temporary changes to customers who receive commissions, investment income (interest or dividends) and bonus income.

Income streams remain acceptable by the bank, but the use of commission, investment income and bonus income must be referred and accepted by retail credit risk assessment. The bank will require additional supporting commentary to be provided around income stream.

BASE PAYG income

The applicant’s PAYG income must now be validated via either:

• The most recent payslips (payslips can no longer be up to 45 days. They may be up to 45 days old at the time of the application if the most recent salary credit is evident in bank account statements held); or
• Three consecutive months’ bank account statements prior to application date showing regular salary credits, with the name of the employer clearly shown (with the most recent salary credit evident).

Self-employed borrowers

In addition to current self-employed requirements, self-employed applicants must provide their most recent business activity statement (BAS) at the time of the application, with turnover supporting financial information utilised.

BOQ has joined several lenders in tightening serviceability standards for lending as individuals bear the economic impact of COVID-19.

Other lenders who have announced changes to their lending policies include major banks Westpac and NAB, and non-major banks such as Bankwest, ING, Gateway Bank, MyState Bank, Heritage Bank and a number of non-banks.

[Related: APRA relaxes mortgage serviceability guidance]

BOQ tightens home lending policy

Malavika Santhebennur

Last Updated: 12 May 2020 Published: 12 May 2020

Written by Malavika Santhebennur

Last Updated: 12 May 2020

Published: 12 May 2020

Malavika Santhebennur

Malavika Santhebennur is the features editor on the mortgages titles at Momentum Media.

Before joining the team in 2019, Malavika held roles with Money Management and Benchmark Media. She has been writing about financial services for the past six years.