Making housing affordable priority for SBS Bank

Media Release

14 July 2009

Making housing affordable priority for SBS Bank

SBS Bank Christchurch branch manager Mark Reid says helping to get people into their own home is a key priority and people just needed to come into their local branch and ask. The team at SBS Bank would also be more than happy to make visitors a coffee and chat through the options.

“Mortgage lending has been a priority since SBS Bank was founded more than 140 years ago and it is something that will not change. SBS Bank prides itself on putting homes within reach of New Zealanders and is a serious alternative for people checking out mortgage options,” Mr Reid said.

”Even in testing economic times, SBS Bank has shown no sign of slowing its lending – it’s been business as usual. It’s extremely gratifying to be able to say that SBS Bank does not have to relax its home lending criteria, because it’s always relaxed.

“We’re always interested in talking to customers about lending and, as a bank that has been able to retain our mutual, member-owned structure, the interests of our members are paramount in everything that we do,” he said.

“That is why we believe in the ideal of people owning their own home – be it through a new mortgage application or a Welcome Home Loan.

“At SBS Bank we are very aware of the rising cost of living experienced by our borrowers and the welcome relief that they get when mortgage interest rates decline. That is why SBS Bank strives to offer extremely competitive interest rates and it is also why our lending team have been empowered to readily provide support and advice to borrowers during this time.

“It’s the kind of agility you can expect from a smaller New Zealand-owned bank that is closer to its customers,” Mr Reid said.

“At SBS Bank people will discover a world of care and respect they didn’t imagine possible from a bank and that’s because we strongly believe in supporting our member-customers and their communities.”

ENDS

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