Whippet - certainly some of the growth in WBC & CBAs books was a result of their acquisitions and the fact that the big 4 fed like kings on the mortgage market during the credit squeeze.
It is however prudent to note the agression of WBC and CBA over that of NAB and ANZ. WBC/CBA kept their LVRs higher than ANZ/NAB as a deliberate ploy to gain even more market share and it worked. CBA in my opinion also have some of the most relaxed lending policies around - I have examples but wont share on here.
Interesting to see now that WBC boosted their market share in the mortgages area they are now keeping their pricing strategy towards the upside - I wonder if this is a reflection on the added risk they took on?
I am happier with the mortgage book of ANZ and NAB as opposed to CBA/WBC from a lending practice perspective - but thats only my thoughts.
SLE
ANZ Price at posting:
$21.50 Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
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