Reserve Bank: Cautious lending keeps lid on default rates

Reserve Bank deputy governor Christian Hawkesby is encouraged that the increase in borrower stress isn't accelerating. (Image: RBNZ)

Jem Traylen

Wed, 01 May 2024

The impacts of higher interest rates are less severe than expected but risks to the global financial system remain, our central bank says.In its Financial Stability Report released on Wednesday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) said cautious lending standards over recent years were helping to contain the increase in default rates in agricultural and business lending.Deputy governor Christian Hawkesby said the NZ banking system remained well-placed to handle a range of severe scenarios.He said banks’ capital positions remained strong...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On the Money: Du Val, Kathmandu, Fonterra, and more

A Du Val comedy, dairy politics, and a copied signature.

Dileepa Fonseka 11 Oct 2025

Technology Review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

When I first got Samsung’s original Galaxy Z Fold, it felt like a momentous occasion.

Peter Griffin 11 Oct 2025

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

Opinion

Simon Robertson: On asset allocation

Why I only own US stocks.

Simon Robertson 11 Oct 2025

Sponsored

Why New Zealand organisations need to rethink their cloud strategy

New Zealand organisations have embraced cloud computing over the past decade, but many are now confronting a sobering reality: adoption alone isn’t enough. According to Datacom’s 2025 Cloud & Infrastructure Report, only half of New Zealand businesses say they’ve realised the benefits they expected from cloud – despite significant investment.

Datacom

Sponsored