Amber Bannister Mortgage Adviser

12/03/2026

Global conflict. Rising oil prices. What does it mean for your mortgage? 👇 Link in comments.

01/02/2026

An underperforming economy is good news for home loan holders🤨. The OCR (a strong driver of home loan rate changes) is a mechanism used to stimulate economic growth. Low interest rates provides opportunity for businesses to borrow and grow, hire more people and increase earnings. The higher workforce participation will inject more cash back into the NZ economy; unless you're OK with IP piracy, unethical labour practices and shop on questionable overseas online stores, then you are not helping the NZ economy, in fact you are probably putting NZ businesses out of businesses as the are unable compete, but that rant is for another day.
Long term, an underperforming economy is not good news for any of us long term - just saying.

21/01/2026

Kia ora whānau,
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has just announced that New Zealand will head to the polls on November 7, 2026.
Why does this matter for your mortgage?
Election years often bring uncertainty to the housing market, but they also create opportunities:
🏠 For First Home Buyers: The coming months will see parties announcing housing policies - watch for first home buyer grants, deposit support schemes, and changes to lending rules
📊 For Current Homeowners: Political parties will be competing on cost-of-living relief and economic plans that could impact interest rates and your mortgage payments.
Get in touch to discuss how to this breaking news will impact you.

18/11/2025

This week is Fraud Awareness Week, and as your mortgage adviser, I want to help keep you safe during one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Watch out for these common scams targeting home buyers:
🚨 Fake solicitor emails asking you to transfer settlement funds to "updated" bank accounts
🚨 Phishing messages claiming to be from your bank, asking for login details
🚨 Too-good-to-be-true investment property "deals" that require upfront payments
🚨 Identity theft used to fraudulently apply for loans

Whether you're a first-time buyer or managing a property portfolio, staying vigilant protects your financial future.
Learn more about fraud prevention at the Serious Fraud Office website:
https://www.sfo.govt.nz/counter-fraud/fraud-awareness-week

17/10/2025

🧑‍🚒🥰📣

17/10/2025

I failed the volunteer firefighter recruit course. Twice.
So trust me when I say: I know exactly how hard this job is.
I've faced challenges in my life, but nothing prepared me for what it's really like - standing in a burning building where you can't see your hand in front of your face, hauling heavy equipment through impossible heat, surrounded by chaos. Every instinct in your body is screaming at you to get out, to run, to save yourself.
And these incredible people? They run IN.
Whatever career firefighters are paid, whatever conditions they work under, whatever support they get - it's not enough. It will never be enough for what they do.
Here's my 2 cents: The powers that be are fighting the wrong people. Our fire service needs MORE investment, not less. We shouldn't be cutting corners on the frontline - we should be backing them up with everything we've got.
I stand with our firefighters.

09/10/2025

Mental Wellbeing Day reminds us to pause, breathe, connect, and care—for ourselves and each other. Your mind matters.

08/10/2025

22/09/2025

Now the banking experts are saying "we need to act fast!" They're calling for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates by a big chunk (0.5%) next month to help get things moving again. This could mean cheaper loans and mortgages for businesses and families.

21/09/2025

Today, we will be looking at LVR - Loan to Value Ratio is a percentage of the value or purchase price. The lender may loan up to 80% of the property value, therefore, you will need to come up with the other 20%.

17/09/2025

Grateful for the kōrero and connection at the Prospa roadshow this week.

Prospa's lending proposal really stood out - offering fast, flexible small business loans up to $500k with decisions often made within 24 hours.

Thanks to the organisers for bringing us together, and to everyone who shared insights, stories, and laughs. Whangarei - you never disappoint.