A report in the overnight Australian Financial Review:

  • Says NZ’s high household debt & low savings leaves banks vulnerable to a sharp fall in asset prices or a rise in unemployment
  • Also said that competition to write loans amid strong credit growth is resulting in margin pressure: could hurt profitability, lead to lower asset quality, & weaken the funding and capital position of the banks

Fitch warns NZ banks of housing bubble (may be gated)

NZD/USD levels for today here