ANZ and ASB join Westpac in early LVR clamp
ANZ, ASB and Westpac have now pulled the shutters down now on lending to investors over 60% LVR ahead of introduction of new RBNZ rules
www.interest.co.nzHere’s the latest I can compile based on recent reporting:
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ANZ has tightened its investor lending policies in response to housing market conditions and policy changes. In late May 2026, coverage across multiple outlets indicated that ANZ stepped up its scrutiny of investment loan apps, with servicing calculations and lending capacity adjusted for new builds and existing properties bought after a certain date. This shift aligns with broader moves by major lenders to adjust negative gearing treatment and serviceability assessments for investment properties. [cite ][cite ]
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Specifics commonly cited in the coverage include:
- Post mid-May 2026, investment properties may only receive negative gearing treatment in servicing calculations if they qualify as new builds, affecting how much investors can borrow under ANZ’s calculator. Existing properties purchased before the cutoff generally retain eligibility. [cite ]
- Brokers may need to provide additional information when eligibility is unclear, signaling more granular loan structuring and review during approval. [cite ]
- The policy adjustments are described as part of a tightening trend among big banks in Australia, often tied to government measures affecting negative gearing and broader affordability considerations. [cite ]
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Context from related coverage shows this is part of a broader pattern in 2026 where ANZ and peers (Westpac, NAB, Macquarie) signaled tighter investor lending rules and adjustments to serviceability, with some outlets noting the potential impact on borrowing capacity for investors and the timing around regulatory or policy changes. [cite ][cite ]
Would you like:
- A brief, plain-English summary of what this means for Australian investors (e.g., how your borrowing capacity could change for new vs existing properties)?
- A quick side-by-side comparison of the key points across ANZ and a couple of peers (Westpac, NAB) to see how their policies differ?
- Help finding official ANZ statements or recent bank-facing guidance to confirm specifics for your situation?