Mortgage deferral scheme will be extended

The scheme was set up in March.
The scheme was set up in March. Photo credit: Getty

The mortgage deferral scheme that was set up when the first lockdown came into effect will further be extended.

The scheme was set up in March to make it easier for banks to reach deals with customers to delay mortgage payments for up to six months.

Latest numbers from the banks show 88,585 people had reduced loan payments worth $27.5 billion, with another 61,000 deferring repayments worth $20.9 billion.

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr said the extension was still being worked out and further details would be released next week.

Orr said consumers should not rush their banks to do deals, because they did not have details or the ability to do deals.

The central bank has previously said that a so-called "mortgage-holiday" would only suit some borrowers and may not be in the best interests of some.

Interest continues to be charged on loans while repayments are suspended, which adds to the overall interest burden over the lifetime of a loan.

RNZ