Major bank introduces new IO ‘simulator’

The tool will be compulsory for brokers and will ensure clients fully understand the financial effects of interest only repayments

Major bank introduces new IO ‘simulator’

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The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has announced a compulsory new digital tool, the Interest Only Simulator, which will be incorporated into its third party lending process.

The simulator will be accessible through CommBroker and will show customers the differences between IO and P&I repayments as well as the financial impacts over the life of the loan for both types of loans. It will be mandatory from 6 October for all customers applying for a new interest only loan.

“The new tool will make it easier for our brokers to have conversations with customers about their needs and their loan options. It will also help ensure customers understand what type of loan is best for them and their situation,” a CBA spokesperson told Australian Broker.

A compulsory Customer Acknowledgement Form will also be included in the simulator. This will be submitted with all interest only home loan applications to ensure that those payments meet the client’s needs.

Brokers are required to provide customers with a copy of this form as a record of the discussion. This can be done electronically as a pdf attachment via email.

“We encourage our customers to choose principal and interest repayments to help them build equity in their home, where this meets their needs and objectives. Customers who currently make interest only payments are encouraged, where they are able, to switch to principal and interest repayments,” the spokesperson said.

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