The Housing Finance System

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A. Primary Housing Finance Market

A.1 Industry Structure and Performance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Number of firms originating and funding mortgage loans179  
IMF
A.1.1
Types of originating lenders/market share:A.1.2
Universal/ commercial banks  75% of total
International Union for Housing Finance
A.1.2.1
Other depository institutions (savings and loans/mutual savings and credit institutions)  19% of total
International Union for Housing Finance
A.1.2.2
Others (e.g. insurance co, pension funds, labor tax funds)  6% of total
International Union for Housing Finance
A.1.2.5
Are there (quasi) public mortgage lenders:YesYesYes
Research
A.1.4
Universal/ commercial banksNoNoNo
IMF
A.1.4.1
Other depository institutions (savings and loans/mutual savings and credit institutions)YesYesYes
IMF
A.1.4.2
Non-depository financial institutions specialized in housing financeYes  A.1.4.3
Typical lending spreads for mortgages2.42%  
European Central Bank
A.1.5
Level of Non-Performing Mortgage Loans (90 days or more past due):A.1.6
Average 1997-2007 A.1.7
A.2 Size of Mortgage Finance Sector
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year in millions of USD:1,655,655.12 USD (millions)1,381,330.95 USD (millions)1,174,385.46 USD (millions)
European Mortgage Federation
A.2.1
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year as % of GDP (current)41.09%37.49%33.75%
European Mortgage Federation
A.2.1.1
Total amount of home mortgages made in calendar year in millions of USD269,021.44 USD (millions)241,492.7 USD (millions)220,421.05 USD (millions)
European Mortgage Federation
A.2.3
and as % of GDP (current) 6.68%6.53%6.62%
European Mortgage Federation
A.2.3.1
A.3 Housing Finance Products
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Mortgage products as % of all mortgages (approx.) in local currency:A.3.1
Fixed rate for life of loan45.33%44.25%43.73%
European Mortgage Federation
A.3.1.1
Variable rate/discretionary11.73%11.43%11.77%
European Mortgage Federation
A.3.1.3
Most prevalent type of foreign currency mortgage used:A.3.3
Most frequent interest rates on fully amortizing:A.3.4
10 year fixed rate mortgage1.96%  
Deutsche Bank
A.3.4.1
Typical lender fees associated with mortgage origination: A.3.6
Typical third party fees associated with mortgage origination:A.3.7
Loan-to-Value (LTV) on first mortgage: A.3.8
Maximum LTV808080
IMF
A.3.8.1
Typical LTV at origination707070A.3.8.2
Maximum term over which pmt is calculated? 30 years30 years30 years
IMF
A.3.9
Mortgage pmt-to-income ratio A.3.10
A.4 Lending and Servicing Process
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Does the mortgage industry use standard principles/guidelines for underwriting?YesYesYes
Research
A.4.1
Which institutions define underwriting rules? A.4.2
Major LenderYesYesYes
Research
A.4.2.3
OtherYes  
BaFin
A.4.2.4
A.5 Credit Risk Assessment
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Do credit bureaus exist? YesYesYes
SCHUFA
A.5.2
Is mortgage default insurance available?YesYes 
Journal: HOUSING FINANCE INTERNATIONAL
A.5.3
When did it begin operating?19071907 
[J] Housing Finance International, Vol. XXI No. 4, June 2007
A.5.3.1
Is there public sponsored MI / guarantee?No  
International Comparison of Mortgage Product Offerings
A.5.5
B. Funding Sources for Mortgages and the Secondary Mortgage Market
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
What are the main funding sources for mortgages?B.1
Retail funding (deposits/other)PrimaryPrimaryprimary
Hypostat 2019
B.1.1
Funding through mortgage bonds secondarysecondarysecondary
Hypostat 2019
B.1.3
Funding through securitization of mortgagesNot availableNot availabletertiary
IMF
B.1.4
C. Housing Microfinance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Types of lenders operating in the housing micro-finance (HMF) sector:C.2
Level of NPLs (>90 days past due) in HMFC.4
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Notes:
Notes: 19.1%, Covered Bonds
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 3 big commercial banks, 160 commercial/ regional banks, and 16 mortgage banks
Notes: Average of Gross Household Income
Notes: Average of Gross Household Income
Notes: Bausparkassen is a savings scheme for those who need to finance the acquisition, construction or renovation of a house
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Bausparkassen Savings Scheme 
Notes: Calculated by minimum income per hour * 40 (hrs per week) * 4 (weeks per month) * 12 (months per year)
Notes: Calculated by minimum income per hour * 40 (hrs per week) * 4 (weeks per month) * 12 (months per year)
Notes: Calculated by minimum income per hour * 40 (hrs per week) * 4 (weeks per month) * 12 (months per year)
Notes: Development Banks
Notes: Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)
Notes: German states offer assist in public housing; promitional bank offers promotional programs for housing construction/modernisation for 1st time buyers
Notes: German states offer assist in public housing; promitional bank offers promotional programs for housing construction/modernisation for 1st time buyers
Notes: German states offer assist in public housing; promitional bank offers promotional programs for housing construction/modernisation for 1st time buyers
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927.
Notes: Germany's leading credit bureau SCHUFA was founded in 1927. 
Notes: Landesbanken, Bausparkassen Savings Scheme
Notes: Life insurance companies
Notes: Low & medium taxable income HHs could apply for Interest Bonus on savings
Notes: Low & medium taxable income HHs could apply for Interest Bonus on savings
Notes: Low interest mortgages from federally owned banks; 25-40 basis points below market rate
Notes: Low interest mortgages from federally owned banks; 25-40 basis points below market rate
Notes: Pfandbriefen and covered bond legislation
Notes: Pfandbriefen and covered bond legislation
Notes: Savings Banks = 35%; Cooperative Banks = 21%; Credit Banks = 19%
Notes: Since 1996, government pays 5% of the investment annually for 8 years (no more than 2,556 euros per year)
Notes: Since 1996, government pays 5% of the investment annually for 8 years (no more than 2,556 euros per year)
Notes: Sozialen Wohnungsbau
Notes: Sozialen Wohnungsbau
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The German Mortgage Bank Act (HBG) implemented in 1900.
Notes: The Pfandbriefen and covered bond legislation set the guidelines for underwriting
Notes: The seller is subject to capital gains if they sell the property after less than 10 years of ownership.
Notes: The seller is subject to capital gains if they sell the property after less than 10 years of ownership.
Notes: The seller is subject to capital gains if they sell the property after less than 10 years of ownership.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There are no legal constraints for lending. Most lenders typically only allow for 80%. However, there is an LTV max for mortgages that are included in covered bonds.
Notes: There is a property tax levied at a rate of 0.35% of the tax value of the property.
Notes: There is a property tax levied at a rate of 0.35% of the tax value of the property.
Notes: There is a property tax levied at a rate of 0.35% of the tax value of the property.
Notes: There is a real estate transfer tax of 3.5-6.5%. This tax is paid by the buyer of the property
Notes: There is a real estate transfer tax of 3.5-6.5%. This tax is paid by the buyer of the property
Notes: There is a real estate transfer tax of 3.5-6.5%. This tax is paid by the buyer of the property
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: There is an LTV cap for mortgages going into mortgage bonds.
Notes: Total unemployment above 15 to population above 15
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.
Notes: While there are no regulations for maximum LTV, 80% is typically the ceiling. Banks do make exceptions though.