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Evidence · Home lending

The questions and original answers

Explore every question and captured response in the home-lending study, including answers asked nationally and from four cities.

questions
193
captured answers
1,094
AI platforms
4
collected
11 October 2026

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question was written as a voter would ask it and went to all four assistants. Some were also asked from a town. Open a question to read every answer to it in full.

Showing 20 of 193 questions

Show all 193

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Question catalogue

    questions.csv

    One row per question.

    Question ID, borrower, exact question, group and collected answers

    193rows

    Download question catalogue (CSV)

  • Answers

    answers.csv

    One row per answer, with its full text.

    Answer ID, question ID, borrower, assistant, city, words, coded recommendations, showed a link and full text

    1,094rows

    Download answers (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    sources.csv

    One row for each website recorded as a source of an answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, assistant, city, website and publisher type

    4,574rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    checks.csv

    One row per statement checked.

    Check, answer ID, assistant, what the answer said, verdict, what the source says, source and date

    4rows

    Download checks against official sources (CSV)

  • Recommendation coding

    recommendation-coding.csv

    One row per coded national loan-choice or support answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, borrower, assistant, question group, recommended lenders and supporting passages

    360rows

    Download recommendation coding (CSV)

  • Platform comparisons

    platform-recommendation-counts.csv

    One row per platform, lender and question group.

    Matched panel, recommended answers, denominator and supporting answer IDs

    105rows

    Download platform comparisons (CSV)

  • City comparisons

    city-recommendation-counts.csv

    One row per city, lender and question group.

    Matched panel, recommended answers, denominator and supporting answer IDs

    112rows

    Download city comparisons (CSV)

Use these tables to trace findings back to the original questions and answers. The full text of each answer is also on this page, under its question.

03

Read in full and checked

Some answers were read in detail or checked against official sources. Those appear on the study page, beside the findings they support.

ChatGPT · National

best bank home loan self employed

If you're self-employed in New Zealand and looking for a home loan, the best bank is usually the one that assesses your actual business income most favourably, rather than simply offering the lowest advertised interest rate.

Self-employed borrowers can get mortgages in NZ, but banks often want to see two years of financial records. If your business is growing, your taxable income is low because of expenses, or you've only recently become self-employed, choosing the right lender can make a significant difference to how much you can borrow.

Which NZ banks should you try?

These are sensible starting points, rather than a definitive ranking of approval rates.

  1. BNZ — worth checking first

BNZ's published broker guidance has allowed some self-employed applicants to apply with one year's financial statements, although two years are preferred. This could be useful if you've been in business for less than two years. Confirm the current criteria with a lender or adviser. BNZ Broker Adviser GuidePreparing for a home loan appointment

BNZ home loans

  1. ANZ — worth comparing

Ask how it assesses your business profit, company income and any legitimate expense add-backs. Its suitability will depend on your financials and deposit.

ANZ home loans

  1. ASB — compare its income assessment

Ask whether it can recognise your sustainable business earnings if your taxable income is reduced by depreciation or other business deductions.

ASB home loans

  1. Westpac — another option to compare

Ask how it treats fluctuating profits, shareholder salaries and income retained in your company.

Westpac home loans

Banks' policies and individual credit decisions change, so none of these is guaranteed to approve you. In general, the major banks want documented evidence of income; BNZ's published requirements and SBS's guidance illustrate the importance of financial statements and tax records. Preparing for a home loan appointmentGaining pre-approval

What if you've been self-employed for less than two years?

You may still have options. Some lenders consider one year's accounts in suitable circumstances, while specialist non-bank lenders may offer alternative-documentation lending. These options can have higher interest rates or stricter deposit requirements. How NZ banks assess self-employed income for a mortgageSelf-Employed Mortgages Explained

A mortgage adviser who works with self-employed clients can compare lenders' income-assessment policies before submitting an application. This is especially useful if your accountant has minimised your taxable income.

Let me narrow it down to the best option for you

The right recommendation depends on a few details. Tell me these three things:

I'll use those details to narrow down which NZ bank or alternative lender is most worth approaching first.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

best bank home loan self employed

When you are self-employed in New Zealand, finding the "best" bank home loan is less about a specific lender having a unique "self-employed product" and more about which major bank or lender’s credit policy best matches your business structure, deposit size, and income consistency.

All major registered banks in New Zealand (such as ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank) offer the same standard home loan products (fixed, floating, offset). However, their appetite and flexibility for assessing self-employed income vary significantly.

How Major NZ Banks Evaluate Self-Employed Borrowers

  • The 2-Year Rule: Most main banks traditionally want to see two full years of accountant-prepared financial statements (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet) and matching IR3 personal tax returns.
  • Income Calculation: Banks rarely just look at your net taxable profit. Because self-employed individuals often use legitimate business write-offs (depreciation, home office expenses, vehicle costs), underwriters will often "add back" certain non-cash expenses to calculate your true usable income.
  • The Deposit Factor: If you have a 20% or greater deposit, you have access to the unrestricted lending pool across all main banks, giving you maximum leverage to shop around or negotiate interest rates and cash-back offers.

Which Bank is Best for Your Situation?

  1. Established Businesses (2+ Years of Consistent Profit):
    • Any major bank (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac) will treat you favorably if your profits are stable or trending upward.
    • Tip: ANZ and BNZ are often noted by mortgage advisers for having structured, efficient processing paths if you utilize cloud accounting software like Xero (using automated business finance packs).
  2. Newer Businesses (Under 2 Years / Start-ups):
    • Main banks are typically rigid here and will often decline an application if you don't have 24 months of financials.
    • If you are caught in this window, non-bank lenders (such as Pepper Money, Liberty, or Avanti Finance) are much more flexible. They may accept 1 year of financials, GST returns, or accountant declarations, though they usually charge a slightly higher interest rate. You can later refinance back to a main bank once your 2-year history is established.
  3. Fluctuating Income / Seasonal Business:
    • Lenders like Kiwibank or specific building societies can sometimes offer a more pragmatic, human-underwritten approach compared strictly to automated credit scoring models, provided you can demonstrate strong cash reserves and a clear cash-flow forecast.

Action Plan to Secure the Best Approval

  1. Prepare Your Financial Pack Early: Gather your last 2 years of year-end financial statements, IR3 tax returns, 6 months of business bank accounts, and current GST filings. Clean, reconciled accounts (ideally via Xero) speed up approval drastically.
  2. Engage a Mortgage Broker: For self-employed applicants, using a registered mortgage adviser in New Zealand is generally free (they are paid by the lender) and immensely valuable. They know precisely which bank’s credit policy is currently most lenient or favorable toward your specific industry.
  3. Optimize Your Personal Credit and Debt: Clear out any high-limit business or personal credit cards, as banks slash your maximum borrowing capacity dollar-for-dollar based on your credit card limits—regardless of whether they carry a balance.

Would you like to explore what specific financial documents or income criteria apply if you have been in business for less than 12 months?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

best bank home loan self employed

When you are self-employed in New Zealand , there is no single "best" major bank. Instead, the right bank depends entirely on how your business is structured, how long you’ve been trading, and how your accountant has structured your taxable profit.

Major New Zealand retail banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank) all have different internal appetites and credit policies regarding self-employed income. [Finch Mortgages]

How Major Banks Assess Self-Employed Borrowers

  • The 2-Year Rule vs. 1-Year Rule: Most major mainstream banks traditionally prefer to see two full years of financial statements and IR3/company tax returns. However, some banks or specific policy exceptions will consider one year of financials if you have a strong prior employment history in the same industry or a continuity of contracts.
  • The "Add-Back" Approach: Lenders don't just look at your final taxable net profit (which accountants often try to minimize for tax purposes). They calculate your true "serviceable income" by looking at your net profit and adding back certain non-cash or discretionary expenses—such as depreciation, one-off expenses, personal vehicle use, home office expenses, and retained earnings in a company structure. [MoneyHub NZ]
  • Business Liabilities: Any existing business debt, overdrafts, or asset finance/leases guaranteed by you personally will be factored into your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio and borrowing capacity.

Main Bank Breakdown for Self-Employed Profiles

  • The Major Four (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac): Generally offer the most competitive carded or negotiated interest rates and cash-back offers. However, they are strict with documentation. They are best if you have clean, stable, profitable accounts for 24 months+ and a straightforward trading history.
  • Challenger and Regional Banks (Kiwibank, TSB, SBS Bank, The Co-operative Bank): Often display higher operational flexibility or a greater willingness to manually review a scenario. If your application requires a common-sense approach rather than ticking a rigid automated box, these institutions sometimes offer a more accommodating credit team.
  • Non-Bank Lenders (e.g., Pepper Money, Liberty Financial, Avanti Finance): If you have been trading for less than 12–24 months, or if your taxable income doesn't meet standard bank servicing because of heavy write-offs, non-bank lenders provide alternative documentation (Alt-Doc) loans using GST returns or business bank statements instead of traditional tax returns. Keep in mind that these carry higher interest rates.

Tips to Secure the Best Approval

  1. Clean up your statements: Ensure your personal and business bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months clearly reflect stable revenue and tidy spending habits. Avoid unexplained or erratic transactions. [MoneyHub NZ]
  2. Use a Mortgage Broker: Because credit appetites shift regularly and differ significantly across banks for self-employed applicants, going direct to one bank means you only see their single offer. A mortgage broker can look at your specific P&L and financial statements and pitch your application to the specific major or challenger bank currently having the highest "appetite" for your industry. [Finch Mortgages]

If you'd like to share:

  • How long your business has been operating
  • Your approximate net profit / turnover
  • Whether you operate as a sole trader, company, or trust

I can give you a clearer idea of what documentation lenders will expect from you.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

best bank home loan self employed

AI Overview

There is no single "best" mainstream bank for self-employed home loans in New Zealand , as traditional lenders like ANZ , ASB , BNZ , and Westpac all apply strict, identical lending criteria requiring two years of certified financial statements. For business owners needing flexible options, non-bank specialist lenders such as Pepper Money NZ or Resimac are frequently rated as the best alternatives because they offer Alternative Documentation (Alt-Doc) loans using only 6 to 12 months of business records.

Mainstream vs. Non-Bank Comparison

Lender Type Primary Feature Key Requirement
Mainstream Banks (ANZ, BNZ, ASB) Lowest interest rates 2 years full financials
Specialist Lenders (Pepper, Resimac) Flexible income criteria 6 months GST/bank statements

My Primary Recommendation Strategy

My primary strategy is to apply through a major bank like BNZ if you have a stable, two-year trading history to secure the lowest interest rates. However, if your income fluctuates, you maximize tax deductions, or you have been trading for under 24 months, I recommend using a non-bank lender as a temporary stepping stone.

Exact triggers for choosing alternative options:

  • Pepper Money: Best for rapid turnaround times.

  • Requires 6 months of GST registration.

  • Resimac: Best for complex business setups.

  • Evaluated entirely case-by-case.

  • Liberty Financial: Best for higher loan-to-value needs.

Core Requirements for Self-Employed Applicants

To maximize your borrowing power under New Zealand's Debt-to-Income (DTI) restrictions, you must prepare specific documentation to prove your true earnings.

Standard Bank Verification:

  • Two years of certified financial statements.

  • IR3 or IR4 tax returns from IRD.

  • 6 months of business bank statements.

Alt-Doc Verification (Non-Banks):

  • Signed income declaration.

  • 6 months of business bank statements.

  • Up-to-date GST returns. Home Loans for Self-Employed | Loan Market NZSelf-Employed & Alt Doc Home Loans | Pepper Money NZ

To help narrow this down, could you tell me your trading history duration , whether you have a 20% deposit , and if your latest tax returns show your true profitability?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026