Household debt showing signs of stability
The number of Centrix customers in arrears is down 1 percent on a year ago. File photo.
Photo:
RNZ
Households are generally managing to stay on top of their debt, but hardship cases and business liquidations continue to rise.
The latest report from credit bureau Centrix showed a marginal increase in the number of customers in arrears to 485,000 in May on the month before, 12.5 percent of the credit active population, but down 1 percent on a year ago.
Managing director Keith McLaughlin said the numbers suggested signs of stability, with the prospect of further improvement.
"We saw many of the major banks cut interest rates again, which could have an impact on household finances over the coming months."
The number of consumers more than 90 days overdue on payments edged lower to 81,000, while mortgage arrears eased to 1.44 percent, a drop of 700 to 21,900.
For consumers, arrears for vehicle, personal loans, and credit cards decreased, while buy now pay later arrears were higher.
Consumer credit demand increased 7 percent on a year ago, driven by mortgage lending.
"This growth was largely driven by an 18.6 percent year-on-year increase in new residential mortgage lending, reflecting heightened market activity and borrowers seeking better rates," McLaughlin said.
"Despite this rebound, mortgage lending remains below the levels seen during the 2021 property boom."
The report showed an increase of 300 in the number of financial hardship cases to 15,000, which was up 14.4 percent on the year before, with just under half of those related to difficulties in paying mortgages.
Businesses continued to do it tough with a rise in defaults and the number of company liquidations at their highest monthly level since September last year, although the annual increase slowed to 27 percent on the previous year.
McLaughlin put the increase down to a tougher enforcement policy by Inland Revenue in various sectors.
"The construction sector has been hit the hardest - over 750 building firms have gone into liquidation in the past 12 months.
"The highest rates of business failures have been seen in residential construction, property development and operations, hospitality, especially restaurants and cafés, and road freight transport."
Even so, business demand for credit was higher than a year ago, notably in the retail, hospitality, and financial and insurance sectors.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter
curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Iconic Jaffas to be discontinued for good after decline in sales
Photo: Supplied Iconic kiwi sweet treat Jaffas is being discontinued indefinitely and will no longer be available on any New Zealand shelves. Jaffas' parent company RJ's Confectionery told RNZ the decision to stop manufacturing the lolly was "due to declining sales". "We know this will be disappointing news for many Kiwis and loyal Jaffas fans around New Zealand. "Many of us have grown up enjoying the classic flavour combo of the crispy orange shell and smooth chocolate centre. "However, there have sadly not been enough people buying Jaffas in recent times to support its continued ranging on shelves," a company spokesperson said. While held dear to many kiwis, Jaffas was originally produced in 1931 by James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd in Australia. But the lolly is so iconic here in New Zealand, there was even an annual Jaffas race down the steepest street in the world - Baldwin Street Dunedin. RJ's Confectionery said it was sad to the iconic treat go. "While it is extremely tough for us to say goodbye to Jaffas, we are committed to continuing to innovate across our extensive RJ's range with delicious new products to excite and delight consumers". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Former Reserve Bank acting governor Grant Spencer appointed to its board
Grant Spencer. Photo: RESERVE BANK A former acting governor of the Reserve Bank has been appointed to its board. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has approved the appointment of Grant Spencer for a five-year term to fill one of two vacancies. "Grant Spencer brings expertise in central banking, financial stability, and monetary policy," Willis said. Spencer served as a RBNZ Deputy Governor, in charge of the supervision of banking and insurance sectors. He was appointed acting governor by the former National-led government for six months after the departure of Graeme Wheeler in September 2017 and the appointment of Adrian Orr by the newly elected Labour led government in 2018. Spencer was critical of the RBNZ's policies which were a factor in setting house prices alight at the start of Covid. He replaces Rawinia Higgins, whose term has ended. RBNZ chair Neil Quigley said Spencer would strengthen the board. "Mr Spencer's appointment will enhance the Board's expertise in prudential regulation, macro-prudential policy, and financial market operations, offering complementary strengths to existing board members, particularly in the context of New Zealand's central banking landscape." A current member of the board, Byron Pepper, has been reappointed for another five-year term. There is one remaining vacancy on the RBNZ board, which has come under scrutiny and criticism after the abrupt resignation of Adrian Orr. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Some Kiwis considering ditching insurance due to rising costs
Photo: 123rf Some people are considering taking the gamble to ditch insurance as prices continue to rise. Stats NZ figures show at March last year house insurance was up almost 25 percent, contents insurance up about 28 percent and car insurance up almost 23 percent compared to the previous year. A leading economist told Checkpoint the country is still in a cost of living crisis and it could take months to get out of that hole, with inflation going up. According to Stats NZ in the past year food prices have gone up 4.4 percent, the biggest jump since December 2023. New figures from Centrix show almost half a million people are behind on debt repayments, with nearly 22,000 in mortgage arrears. Company liquidations have also risen 27 percent year-on-year. Checkpoint spoke to three women all considering altering their insurance to keep costs down. Jan said it is impossible to ignore the price of insurance as it continues to rise. "It goes up every year, no matter what. It's nothing to do with you claiming and losing, your no claims bonuses, and you don't have to research much to find that it's rising like five or six times faster than our incomes are." The price of her housing and content bundle has increased twice over the past two years. "[It] went up $50 a month two years ago, and then it went up $50 a month last year again." For Jan, the increase doesn't go unnoticed. "It's pretty tough. It's like if I add up my insurance and my health insurance and my rates. It's about 25 percent, 30 percent of my income just for those three things." "My husband passed away in December, so he was a high-income earner. So now it's a big change for me to be on an average income on my own. Rates and insurance are the same and the same outgoings, regardless of circumstances, aren't they?" She is now also considering the value of her health insurance. "It will go up as you age, so you have to relook at it each year." Joan has also noticed the cost of her insurance skyrocketing, something she called "insane". "The price has gone up substantially. We've got several insurance with the same company and we pay monthly and I used to pay about $440 a month. So it's up to about $660 a month now. So that's insurance on the properties, insurance on vehicles. Just everything in the packet." She is now looking at other ways the cost of her insurance could be brought down. "I am going to get all the policies out. I'm gonna have a look at them all. See if we put the excess up so that might bring the policy down, possibly get rid of one or two, I don't know." Like Jan and Joan, a tough economy is also leading Babette to consider the worth of her insurance plans. "Insurance costs have skyrocketed. Quite a few people have are not taking content insurance because they can't afford it. I'm mulling over that at the moment for the number of times that I that I have not claimed on insurance, not that I've needed to. I think the costs are very high." She has already been taking measures to lower the cost, but thinks she may have to do more. "To get my insurance rates down, I have raised the excess on my house and contents and car. So that you know I could get the premium down, but I'm not too sure how I'm going to be faced when my next insurance policy falls due." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
