Financial Sector (Collection of Data) (reporting standard) determination No. 32 of 2018

Reporting Standard ARS 392.0 Housing Finance

Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001

I, Alison Bliss, delegate of APRA, under paragraph 13(1)(a) of the Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001 (the Act) and subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901:

(a)   REVOKE Financial Sector (Collection of Data) (reporting standard) determination No. 50 of 2008, including Reporting Standard ARS 392.0 Housing Finance made under that Determination; and

(b)   DETERMINE Reporting Standard ARS 392.0 Housing Finance, in the form set out in the Schedule, which applies to the financial sector entities to the extent provided in paragraph 3 of the reporting standard.

Under section 15 of the Act, I DECLARE that the reporting standard shall begin to apply to those financial sector entities, and the revoked reporting standard shall cease to apply, on 1 April 2018.

This instrument commences on 1 April 2018.

Dated: 21 March 2018

[Signed]

Alison Bliss

General Manager

Data Analytics Division

Interpretation

In this Determination:

APRA means the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

financial sector entity has the meaning given by section 5 of the Act.

Schedule

Reporting Standard ARS 392.0 Housing Finance comprises the document commencing on the following page.

Reporting Standard ARS 392.0

Housing Finance

Authority

1. This Reporting Standard is made under section 13 of the Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001.

Purpose

2.             Data collected in Reporting Forms ARF 392.0.1 to 392.0.8 (ARF 392.0.1 to 392.0.8) is used by APRA for the purpose of prudential supervision. It may also be used by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Application and commencement

3.             This Reporting Standard applies to an authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) as set out in the table below.

4.             This Reporting Standard commences on 1 April 2018.

Information required

5.             An ADI that is an Australian-owned bank, a foreign subsidiary bank or a branch of a foreign bank must complete each of ARF 392.0.1 to 392.0.8 on a domestic books basis for each reporting period.

6.             An ADI that is a building society, a credit union or Cairns Penny Savings & Loans Limited must complete each of ARF 392.0.1 to 392.0.8 on a licensed ADI basis for each reporting period.

Form and method of submission

7.             The information required by this Reporting Standard must be given to APRA in electronic format, using the ‘Direct to APRA’ application or by a method notified by APRA, in writing, prior to submission.

Note: the Direct to APRA application software (also known as D2A) may be obtained from APRA.

Reporting periods and due dates

8.             Subject to paragraph 9, an ADI to which this Reporting Standard applies must provide the information required by this Reporting Standard for each calendar month.

9.             APRA may, by notice in writing, change the reporting periods, or specified reporting periods, for a particular ADI, to require it to provide the information required by this Reporting Standard more frequently, or less frequently, having regard to:

(a)          the particular circumstances of the ADI;

(b)          the extent to which the information is required for the purposes of the prudential supervision of the ADI; and

(c)          the requirements of the Reserve Bank of Australia or the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

10.         The information required by this Reporting Standard must be provided to APRA by 10 business days after the end of the reporting period to which it relates.

11.         APRA may grant an ADI an extension of a due date in writing, in which case the new due date for the provision of the information will be the date on the notice of extension.

Quality control

12.         All information provided by an ADI under this Reporting Standard must be subject to processes and controls developed by the ADI for the internal review and authorisation of that information. These systems, processes and controls are to assure the completeness and reliability of the information provided.

Authorisation

13.         When an officer of an ADI submits information under this Reporting Standard using the D2A application, or other method notified by APRA, it will be necessary for the officer to digitally sign the relevant information using a digital certificate acceptable to APRA.

Minor alterations to forms and instructions

14.         APRA may make minor variations to:

(a)          a form that is part of this Reporting Standard, and the instructions to such a form, to correct technical, programming or logical errors, inconsistencies or anomalies; or

(b)          the instructions to a form, to clarify their application to the form

without changing any substantive requirement in the form or instructions.

15.         If APRA makes such a variation it must notify in writing each ADI that is required to report under this Reporting Standard.

Interpretation

16.         In this Reporting Standard:

AASB has the meaning in section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001.

ADI means an authorised deposit-taking institution within the meaning of the Banking Act 1959.

APRA means the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority established under the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998.

Australian-owned bank means a locally incorporated ADI that assumes or uses the word ‘bank’ in relation to its banking business and is not a foreign subsidiary bank.

branch of a foreign bank means a ‘foreign ADI’ as defined in section 5 of the Banking Act 1959.

building society means a locally incorporated ADI that assumes or uses the expression ‘building society’ in relation to its banking business.

business days means ordinary business days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

class of ADI means each of the following:

(i)                 Australian-owned bank;

(ii)               foreign subsidiary bank;

(iii)            branch of a foreign bank;

(iv)             building society;

(v)               credit union; and

(vi)             other ADI.

credit union means a locally incorporated ADI that assumes or uses the expression ‘credit union’ in relation to its banking business and includes Cairns Penny Savings & Loans Limited.

due date means the relevant due date under paragraph 10 or, if applicable, paragraph 11.

foreign ADI has the meaning in section 5 of the Banking Act 1959.

foreign subsidiary bank means a locally incorporated ADI in which a bank that is not locally incorporated has a stake of more than 15 per cent.

locally incorporated means incorporated in Australia or in a State or Territory of Australia, by or under a Commonwealth, State or territory law.

other ADI means an ADI that is not an Australian-owned bank, a branch of a foreign bank, a building society, a credit union or a foreign subsidiary bank but does not include Cairns Penny Savings & Loans Limited.

reporting period means a period mentioned in paragraph 8 or, if applicable, paragraph 9.

stake means a stake determined under the Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998, as if the only associates that were taken into account under paragraph (b) of subclause 10(1) of the Schedule to that Act were those set out in paragraphs (h), (j) and (l) of subclause 4(1).

17.         Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference an Act, Prudential Standard, Reporting Standard, Australian Accounting or Auditing Standard is a reference to the instrument as in force from time to time.

Reporting Form ARF 392.0

Housing Finance

Instruction Guide

The purpose of this survey is to provide monthly statistics on the provision of secured finance to individuals for owner-occupied housing. The statistics are used by APRA for regulatory purposes, and may be provided to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for policy and statistical purposes.  Published aggregate statistics from this collection are used for policy formulation by economists, State and Federal Governments and the housing industry

A separate form for housing finance in all eight states should be completed:

• ARF 392.0.1 Housing Finance in NSW;
• ARF 392.0.2 Housing Finance in VIC;
• ARF 392.0.3 Housing Finance in QLD;
• ARF 392.0.4 Housing Finance in SA;
• ARF 392.0.5 Housing Finance in WA;
• ARF 392.0.6 Housing Finance in TAS;
• ARF 392.0.7 Housing Finance in NT; and
• ARF 392.0.8 Housing Finance in ACT.

General directions and notes

Reporting entity

This form is to be completed by Australian-owned banks, foreign subsidiary banks and branches of foreign banks on a Domestic books basis.

The Domestic books of the Australian-owned banks, foreign subsidiary banks and branches of foreign banks relates to the Australian books of the Australian authorised deposit taking institution (ADI) and has the following scope:

• is an unconsolidated report of the Australian licensed ADI's operations/transactions that are booked inside Australia;
• exclude offshore branches of the Australian licensed ADI from this reporting unit;
• exclude offshore banking units based overseas from this reporting unit;
• do not consolidate Australian and offshore controlled entities or associated entities that are not ADIs;
• include Australian based offshore banking units of the licensed ADI; and
• include transactions with non-residents recorded on Australian books.

This form should be completed by all Credit Unions, Cairns Penny Savings & Loans Limited and Building Societies on a Licensed ADI basis.

Licensed ADI

This refers to the operations of the reporting ADI on a stand-alone basis.

Securitisation deconsolidation principle

Except as otherwise specified in these instructions, the following applies:

1. Where an ADI (or a member of its Level 2 consolidated group) participates in a securitisation that meets APRA’s operational requirements for regulatory capital relief under Prudential Standard APS 120 Securitisation (APS 120):

(a)          special purpose vehicles (SPVs) holding securitised assets may be treated as non-consolidated independent third parties for regulatory reporting purposes, irrespective of whether the SPVs (or their assets) are consolidated for accounting purposes;

(b)          the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the relevant SPVs may be excluded from the ADI’s reported amounts in APRA’s regulatory reporting returns; and

(c)          the underlying exposures (i.e. the pool) under such a securitisation may be excluded from the calculation of the ADI’s regulatory capital (refer to APS 120). However, the ADI must still hold regulatory capital for the securitisation exposures[2] that it retains or acquires and such exposures are to be reported in Reporting Form ARF 120.1 Securitisation – Regulatory Capital. The risk-weighted assets (RWA) relating to such securitisation exposures must also be reported in Reporting Form ARF 110.0.1 Capital Adequacy (Level 1) and Reporting Form ARF 110.0.2 Capital Adequacy (Level 2).

2.             Where an ADI (or a member of its Level 2 consolidated group) participates in a securitisation that does not meet APRA’s operational requirements for regulatory capital relief under APS 120, or the ADI undertakes a funding-only securitisation or synthetic securitisation, such exposures are to be reported as on-balance sheet assets in APRA’s regulatory reporting returns. In addition, these exposures must also be reported as a part of the ADI’s total securitised assets within Reporting Form ARF 120.2 Securitisation – Supplementary Items.

Reporting period

The information provided in this form should be for the calendar month up to and including the last day of the reporting month. All ADIs should submit the completed form to APRA within 10 business days after the end of the relevant reporting month.

Unit of measurement

Amounts denominated in foreign currency are to be converted to AUD in accordance with AASB 121 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (AASB 121).

The general requirements of AASB 121 for translation are:

1. foreign currency monetary items outstanding at the reporting date must be translated at the spot rate at the reporting date;[3]
2. foreign currency non-monetary items that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency must be translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction;[4]
3. foreign currency non-monetary items that are measured at fair value will be translated at the exchange rate at the date when fair value was determined.

Transactions arising under foreign currency derivative contracts at the reporting date must be prepared in accordance with AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (AASB 139).  However, those foreign currency derivatives that are not within the scope of AASB 139 (e.g. some foreign currency derivatives that are embedded in other contracts) remain within the scope of AASB 121.

For APRA purposes equity items must be translated using the foreign currency exchange rate at the date of investment or acquisition. Post acquisition changes in equity are required to be translated on the date of the movement.

As foreign currency derivatives are measured at fair value, the currency derivative contracts are translated at the spot rate at the reporting date.

Exchange differences should be recognised in profit and loss in the period which they arise. For foreign currency derivatives, the exchange differences would be recognised immediately in profit and loss if the hedging instrument is a fair value hedge. For derivatives used in a cash flow hedge, the exchange differences should be recognised directly in equity.

The ineffective portion of the exchange differences in all hedges would be recognised in profit and loss; and

4.             translation of financial reports of foreign operations.

A foreign operation is defined in AASB 121 as meaning an entity that is a subsidiary, associate, joint venture or branch of a reporting entity, the activities of which are based or conducted in a country or currency other than those of the reporting entity.

Exchange differences relating to foreign currency monetary items that form part of the net investment of an entity in a foreign operation, must be recognised as a separate component of equity.

Translation of financial reports should otherwise follow the requirements in AASB 121.

Basis of preparation

Report only those commitments where the legal lender on the loan contract is the company listed on the form.  Commitments by subsidiary or related entities (e.g. special purpose trusts) should be reported separately.

Unless otherwise specifically stated, information reported on this form should comply with Australian accounting standards.

Definitions

A separate form for housing finance in all eight states should be completed. Where the entity has no activity in any state, check the “nil form” box. This form requests details of new commitments to provide secured housing finance to individuals for the purchase or construction of dwellings for owner occupation, and for alterations and additions to existing owner-occupied dwellings. Only the Australian activities of the business should be included on the form. If exact figures are not available please provide careful estimates. Please note that the items listed under ‘Include’ and ‘Exclude’ are examples and should not be taken as a complete list of items to be included or excluded.

What is a “commitment”?

A commitment is a firm offer to provide finance which has been accepted by the client. A commitment exists once the home loan application has been approved, and a loan contract or letter of offer has been issued to the borrower. A commitment to lend will therefore exist only after the property has been found and valued and mortgage insurance arranged (where relevant).

Report only those commitments where the legal lender on the loan contract is the company listed on the form.  Commitments by subsidiary or related entities (e.g. special purpose trusts) should be reported separately.

Only secured commitments are to be reported - whether secured by mortgage, secured personal loan, contract of sale or other security.

With transactions involving a change of residence, you should treat the discharge of the existing housing loan and the commitment to a new loan as separate events, and report the total value of the new loan as a new commitment.

Include:

• finance to your employees for dwellings for owner occupation;
• new lending commitments which have also been cancelled during the current month;
• commitments to provide bridging finance for housing;
• supplementary commitments (value only) where the original approval was not large enough to complete the purchase (where possible these supplementary commitments should be reported according to the purpose classification of the original approval);
• commitments to refinance existing loans where the original lender was not this institution. These commitments should be reported in Question 9; and
• for secured revolving credit loans report the component (drawdown) of the original credit which is for owner-occupied housing.

Exclude:

• commitments made to individuals for dwellings which are not for occupation by the owner and are not secured should be reported on ARF 394.0 Personal Finance (ARF 394.0);
• commitments made to owner occupiers for repairs and maintenance, swimming pools and other home improvements not involving building should be reported on ARF 394.0; and
• commitments to refinance existing loans where there is no change in the property offered as security and this institution was the original lender (e.g. refinance from a variable rate loan to a fixed rate loan).

What is a “dwelling”?

A dwelling is a place of residence which is:

• contained in a building which is an immobile structure;
• private (i.e. not generally accessible to the public); and
• self contained (i.e. includes bathing and cooking facilities).

Specific instructions

Part A: Summary of commitments to individuals for dwellings

Part A aims to measure the stock of undrawn lending commitments for your business at the end of the month.  It does this beginning with the previous month's closing level of undrawn commitments, and then accounting for the movement in the stock of undrawn lending commitments during the month.  Additions to the stock of undrawn commitments can only be made by new commitments during the month, while reductions in the stock of undrawn commitments can only occur through advances and cancellations of those new commitments.

Report only actual cash outflows during the month for loans advanced by instalments.

Repayments on secured revolving credit home loans should not be reported as an increase in the stock of undrawn commitments.  The treatment of secured revolving credit home loans (home equity loans) for Part A is problematic – refer to the section Home Equity Loan Guidelines for more detail.

1a. Lending commitments not drawn at beginning of month

It equals previous month’s lending commitments not drawn at end of month (1e).

1e. Lending commitments not drawn at end of month

(1e)= (1a)+(1b)-(1c)-(1d) 

Part B: New commitments for home loans – by purpose

Part B seeks to measure the total number and value of new lending commitments for owner-occupied housing finance made during the month, broken down by the purpose of the commitment.

2.             Finance for construction of dwellings

Include only those commitments that will be advanced by way of progress payments.

3.             Finance for the purchase of newly erected dwellings

A newly-erected dwelling is one that has been completed for less than 12 months at the time of the lodgement of the loan application, and in which the borrower will be the first occupant.

4.             Finance for purchase of established dwellings

An established dwelling is one that has been previously occupied or has been completed for more than 12 months at the time of the lodgement of the loan application.

Exclude:

• commitments for the purpose of refinancing (discharging) existing loans (include in Question 5).

5.             Commitments to refinance existing home loans

A refinanced lending commitment is one that refinances an existing loan on the same residence (i.e. security unchanged), where the refinancing lender is not the original lender.  It does not include the situation where an institution refinances its own loan, or where the refinancing is for the purpose of a change of residence.  These are considered as new lending commitments.

Include only those loans where the original lender is other than this institution.

Exclude all loans where there is no change in security and this institution was the original lender.

7.             Finance for alterations and/or additions to dwellings

Alterations and additions refer to any structural or non-structural change that is integral to the dwelling.

Include:

• all secured loans for structural and non-structural changes to dwellings (e.g. garages, carports, pergolas, re-roofing, re-cladding etc.)

Exclude:

• all unsecured loans for structural and non-structural changes to dwellings; and
• all loans for repairs and maintenance, swimming pools and other home improvements not involving building.

8.             Total new lending commitments

The Total equals the sum of question 6 and 7.  The total value of Question 8 should equal Question 1b.

Part C: New commitments for home loans – by type of loan and borrower

Part C requests the value of total new housing commitments broken down by the type of loan that has been arranged, with a further split of these items into First Home Buyer loans and others. 

A First Home Buyer is a borrower entering the home ownership market for the first time.

Three types of loans are requested in Part C:

9.             Fixed rate home loans

A fixed rate home loan is one which has an interest rate that cannot be varied for at least the first 2 years of the loan.

Exclude:

• all loans which are for alterations and additions (include in Question 7); and
• all capped loans (where the interest rate may vary within the first 2 years).

10.        Secured revolving credit home loans

Commonly known as home equity loans, where the loan is secured by the borrowers equity in the home, has no fixed term, is effectively a line of credit, and the borrower is obliged to repay interest only.  Report the entire value of the commitment only where the primary purpose of the commitment (i.e. greater than 50%) - is for the purchase of an owner-occupied dwelling. 

(Refer to Home equity Loan Guidelines for more details on the treatment of these loans).

Exclude:

• all loans which are for alterations and additions (include in Question 7).

11.        Other home loans

All other secured home loans for owner-occupied not already classified to the two loan types above.

Include:

• standard variable rate loans.

Exclude:

• all loans which are for alterations and additions (include in Question 7).

Where there is a finance commitment with a mix of loan types, report the commitment's loan type according to the primary loan type of the commitment.  Never report a commitment to purchase a single dwelling, where there is a fixed and variable component, as two or more commitments.

12.        Total home loans

The Total equals the sum of questions 9 to 11.  The total of Question 12 should equal Question 6.

Part D: Comments

13.        Please provide comments

• on any of the information you have supplied on this form;
• on any questions which caused problems; and
• if you would like to suggest improvements to this form.

Home equity loans - guidelines

Introduction

The increasing use of home equity loan products by individual (household sector) borrowers as a source of funding has necessitated some additional clarity in how these products should be treated in reporting to ARF 392.0 Housing Finance (ARF 392.0) and ARF 394.0.  Please contact the APRA for further advice on these guidelines.

Home equity loans

A home equity loan is a secured revolving credit facility which is secured by the borrower's equity in the home.  In effect, the assets of the borrower (in equity in the home) are freed up so as other activities may be funded.

A home equity loan may be taken to fund a range of activities, including the purchase of a property (for owner occupation), the refinancing of the borrower's existing home (as for all home loan refinancing, this would only be reported if the refinancing involved changing the lender), or any other activity - investment purchases (shares or property), household consumption spending (cars, boats, holidays) or working capital for a small business.  A feature of home equity loans which causes reporting difficulties for lenders is that often the borrower intends to use the home equity loan for a combination of the purposes mentioned.

Reporting of home equity loans on ARF 392.0 and ARF 394.0

Attach one of two major (or primary) purposes to each home equity loan commitment- either "Housing" (for Owner Occupation) or "Other" (than housing for owner occupation).

• Primary purpose "Housing" commitments to be reported under Question 10 (Part C) - Secured Revolving Home Loans - on ARF 392.0.
• Primary purpose "Other" commitments to be reported as secured personal revolving credit (Question 15) on ARF 394.0, with all drawdowns, re-payments and re-borrowing of principal in subsequent months to be reflected in the value of Credit Used (Question 17).
• Where it is not possible to isolate the Credit Used (Question 17) for ARF 394.0 on a sub-group of all home equity loan commitments, then some manipulation must be undertaken to ensure the reported value of Credit Used is conceptually consistent with the total value of Used and Unused Credit (Question 16), and previously reported values of new revolving credit commitments on ARF 394.0 Personal Finance.

The intention of the table which forms Question 1a-1e on ARF 392.0 is to monitor the total "stock" of all commitments not advanced.  New commitments to lend are added to the stock while advances of commitments and cancellations are removed from the stock.  With a fixed term amortising loan, the commitment is either advanced when the finance is settled, or the commitment lapses and is cancelled.  Where only part of the initial commitment is advanced, then it may be necessary to report a value advanced and a value cancelled, so that the (previously reported) commitment is wholly removed from the stock of all commitments not advanced.  Some lenders may not cancel lapsed commitments until many months after the commitment is made.  We prefer that lapsed commitments are reported as cancellations as regularly as possible.  Once a commitment is cancelled or advanced, it plays no further role in the table in Questions 1a-1e of ARF 392.0.

The treatment of home equity loan commitments in Questions 1a-1e is problematic.  Given that a home equity loan commitment will be reported for ARF 392.0 only if its primary purpose is the purchase of owner-occupied housing, it is reasonable to assume that the majority of the commitment will be advanced in a comparable timeframe as for a regular standard variable loan commitment.  As for all new commitments, the new home equity loan commitment should be added to the stock of undrawn commitments (Question 1b).  Any amount advanced (for the purchase of owner-occupied housing) in the same or subsequent months should be reported as an Advance (Question 1c); at the same time the balance of the commitment (if any) reported as a Cancellation (Question 1d).  The home equity loan commitment (like all housing finance commitments) will take no further part in reporting to ARF 392.0.

Where it is impossible to identify the timing of the drawdown of a home equity loan for the purchase of owner-occupied housing, it is acceptable to assume that the entire value of the commitment is drawn down in the month of the commitment, so that the internal consistency of the Question 1 is preserved.

Specific loan products - guidelines

Mortgage backed overdrafts (revolving credit home equity loans)

The lending institution approves an overdraft limit secured by the borrower's equity in the dwelling.

Reporting instructions

In general, these loans should appear as Housing Finance commitments on ARF 392.0 where the primary purpose of the loan is to purchase owner-occupied housing, or as "Secured Revolving Credit" on ARF 394.0, where the primary purpose of the loan is for other uses.  Refer to III. Home Equity Loans - Guidelines for more details regarding the treatment of this loan type.

Secured fixed term loans

Secured by the borrower's equity in the dwelling.

Reporting instructions

If the purpose of the loan is for personal use, the loan should be reported on ARF 394.0 as fixed term loans under the appropriate purpose of the loan classification e.g. "Purchase of: Motor cars..." If the loan is for business purposes, then the loan is recorded under the appropriate item on ARF 391.0 Commercial Finance (ARF 391.0).  (Refer to Investment Housing below for exceptions).

Combined loans

A combined housing and personal loan.

Reporting instructions:

(a)          If an existing owner-occupied housing loan is combined with an existing personal loan within the same institution, then the housing component is not regarded as new finance or refinancing, and should not be reported as new lending; where the original personal loan is paid out, the new personal loan is recorded in the item "Refinancing" in ARF 394.0.

(b)          If an existing owner-occupied housing loan is combined with a new personal loan at the same financial institution, then the housing component is not regarded as new finance or refinancing and should not be reported as new lending.  The new personal loan is reported on ARF 394.0 and classified to the appropriate purpose of the loan e.g. "Purchase of: Motor Cars”.

(c)          If an existing owner-occupied housing loan and an existing personal loan(s) are combined and refinanced at a different financial institution, then the housing component is recorded as refinancing on ARF 392.0 and the personal loan is recorded in the item "Debt consolidation" on ARF 394.0.

(d)          If a commitment for a new owner-occupied housing loan is combined with other existing personal debts and loans (previous borrowings from the same institution), then the new housing loan is reported on ARF 392.0 in the appropriate classification (Construction, New or Established), and the personal loan component is recorded in the item "Refinancing" on ARF 394.0.

Fixed rate and variable rate mix in home loans

A standard variable interest rate home loan, but the borrower can nominate any percentage of the borrowing as a fixed interest rate loan. Interest charged on this part of the loan remains at the fixed rate for the nominated period, the remainder of the loan attracts the standard variable interest rate.

Reporting instructions

Report the entire commitment according to its primary type of loan in Question 9 of ARF 392.0.  Mixed loans for a single property should always be reported as one commitment only.

Investment housing

The appropriate classification of commitments for investment housing is dependent on the nature of the borrower and the purpose of the loan.

Reporting instructions

Commitments to individuals for loans for housing investment purposes should be recorded on ARF 394.0 in the item "Loans for personal investment purposes - Dwellings for rent/resale".

Where the borrower is a company or the primary business of the borrower is housing investment, then the commitment should be recorded on the ARF 391.0 as "Construction Finance - Erection of dwellings for rental/resale" or "Finance for the purchase of land and buildings - Dwellings for rental/resale" (where appropriate).

Commitments to refinance personal loans for housing investment purposes should be recorded in the item "Loans for personal investment purposes - Dwellings for rent/resale" on ARF 394.0. Likewise, refinancing of loans for other personal investment purposes should be reported in the item "Other - include ...shares and other investment assets" on ARF 394.0. Note that the refinancing of other (non investment) personal loans should be reported in the item "Refinancing" on ARF 394.0.  Commitments to refinance personal loans where your institution was the original lender should be included.

Interest offset arrangements and redraw facilities on fixed term loans

Interest on customer’s savings is offset against interest owed on a mortgage so that the mortgage can be paid off at a faster rate.  Some or all of the repayments in excess of the original rate can be withdrawn.

Reporting instructions

If the borrower only withdraws the excess of repayments then there is no new finance associated with these arrangements, and no new commitments should be reported for any lending activity collections.

Where more than the excess repayments are redrawn, this is considered a new lending commitment and should be reported for the relevant questions on the ARF 394.0 e.g. "Purchase of: Motor Cars..."

Portable home loans

Mortgage mobility is being offered by a number of lenders as a service to their clients. The resulting security substitution is likely to involve a client transferring their mortgage from an existing owner-occupied residence to another owner-occupied residence but could also involve investment properties.

Reporting instructions

In cases where a client exercises the option under their existing loan agreement to transfer their mortgage to another security, the transaction should be reported as a new loan commitment (as if the borrower were a new borrower).

Note that if the new commitment is a fixed term commitment and includes a portion to be used for personal or investment purposes, then the that portion of the new commitment should be reported in the appropriate fixed lending purpose on ARF 394.0 or ARF 391.0.

If the new commitment is a revolving credit home equity loan, then refer to III. Home Equity Loans – Guidelines for specific guidelines on this loan type.

Commonly asked questions

Q1        Should the gross or net value of bridging finance commitments be reported?

The total, or gross, value of bridging finance commitments should be reported. For example, if you make a commitment for bridging finance for $150 000 and your client anticipates repaying $100 000 upon the sale of their previous residence, then the full, or gross, value of the commitment should be reported, i.e. $150 000, not the anticipated or actual net.

Q2        How is a commitment to a "First Home Buyer" defined in Part C of ARF 392.0?

Commitments should be classified to the category "First Home Buyers" if none of the borrowing parties to the commitment has previously drawn down on housing finance for owner occupation. Commitments should be classified to "All Other" if any of the borrowing parties to the commitment has previously drawn down on housing finance for owner occupation.

Q3        Do I report all fixed rate loans against "Fixed Rate" in Part C of ARF 392.0?

No.  Fixed rate home loans (Question 9) include only those commitments whose rate of interest is fixed at the start of the loan and will remain fixed for at least the first two years of the loan.

Q4        Who should report commitments originated by mortgage managers and mortgage brokers?

All commitments where the lender identified on the form label is the legal lender on the loan contract, and only those commitments, should be reported on ARF 392.0 or ARF 394.0 (where relevant).  For example, where the lender is a bank, report all and only those commitments made where the bank is the legal lender on the loan contract.  Where a non-bank subsidiary is the legal lender on the loan contract, those commitments should be reported on a separate form (please contact APRA for additional guidance).  In this way, all commitments will be counted once and once only.

[1]  Only those other ADIs that are not locally incorporated are required to comply with this Reporting Standard.

[2]  Securitisation exposures are defined in accordance with APS 120.

[3] Monetary items are defined to mean units of currency held and assets and liabilities to be received or paid in a fixed or determinable number of units of currency. Spot rate means the exchange rate for immediate delivery.

[4] Examples of non-monetary items include amounts prepaid for goods and services (e.g. prepaid rent); goodwill; intangible assets; physical assets; and provisions that are to be settled by the delivery of a non-monetary asset.