NAB home loan applications plunge 15 per cent as all four Australian big banks record double-digit falls

All four of Australia’s big banks have now recorded double-digit falls in home loan applications, as NAB posts its quarterly results.

NAB delivered its third quarter update on Monday, showing the bank’s mortgage book value swelled but home loan applications fell sharply, in line with the other three big banks.

New loans to owner-occupiers were down 14 per cent, and investor borrowing was down 17 per cent across the three months.

High interest rates have seen NAB post a 2 per cent lift in cash earnings for the quarter, to $1.83bn.

“The combined impacts of the Middle East conflict, higher domestic interest rates and recent tax changes in the federal budget are creating challenges and uncertainties for our customers,” NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine said.

“While the ratio of non-performing loans declined over 3Q26, watch loans were higher reflecting current and potential stress impacting performing customers.

“Business credit growth has remained robust at this stage, but the Australian home lending market softened in 3Q26 with our applications down 15 per cent compared with 2Q26.”

Originally published as NAB posts 15pc fall in home loan applications for the quarter