AMP to make lending to non-residents tougher

AMP is reducing its mortgage lending to most non-resident borrowers.

AMP is blaming the tough policy on "changes to the market" without specifying their nature or extent.

"Our standards are continually reviewed with market developments to ensure we remain a prudent and responsible lender. Our criteria for overseas borrowers has recently been reviewed in line with this objective," AMP said in a statement obtained by the Australian Financial Review.

It follows complaints among other major lenders about fraudulent applications and fears of money laundering.

Major banks are believed to have only between 2 and 4 percent of their portfolios with overseas investors.

Under AMP's policy, revealed in confidential documents being circulated to major third party distributors, foreign currencies are split into Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories.

Under the new arrangements, 80 percent of income and expenses derived from a Tier 1 category is acceptable and 50 percent from a tier 2 when assessing a loan application.

Tier 1 category are Canadian dollars, Euros, British sterling, Hong Kong dollars, Japanese yen, New Zealand dollars, Singapore dollars and US dollars.  

Tier 2 is the Chinese yuan. Borrowers seeking a loan with Chinese yuan must also provide a 50 percent deposit. For borrowers with Tier 1 currencies the maximum deposit is 30 percent.