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
Types of originating lenders/market share:A.1.2
Identify the 3 largest loan originating lendersLuminor Bank, Swedbank, SEB bankaLuminor Bank, Swedbank, SEB bankaSwedbank, Nordea Bank, DNB Bank
Finance Latvia Association
A.1.3
Are there (quasi) public mortgage lenders:NoNoNo
Research
A.1.4
Universal/ commercial banksNoNoNoA.1.4.1
Level of Non-Performing Mortgage Loans (90 days or more past due):A.1.6
as a % of outstanding loan amount2.66%2.73%4.01%
Financial and Capital Markets Commission
A.1.6.2
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:4,799.04 USD (millions)5,350.92 USD (millions)4,750.2 USD (millions)
Central Bank of Latvia
A.2.1
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year as % of GDP (current)13.76%17.53%17.14%
Central Bank of Latvia, WEO
A.2.1.1
and as % of all credits outstanding28.51%26.81%24.47%
Central Bank of Latvia
A.2.1.2
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
Most prevalent type of foreign currency mortgage used:A.3.3
Most frequent interest rates on fully amortizing:A.3.4
Typical lender fees associated with mortgage origination: A.3.6
as % of loan amount.1%  
Hypostat
A.3.6.2
Typical third party fees associated with mortgage origination:A.3.7
Loan-to-Value (LTV) on first mortgage: A.3.8
Maximum LTV909090A.3.8.1
Maximum term over which pmt is calculated? 30 years30 years30 years
Various Banks
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
Central Bank/Ministry of FinanceYesYesYesA.4.2.1
OtherYesYesYesA.4.2.4
A.5 Credit Risk Assessment
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Do credit bureaus exist? YesYesYes
Kreditinformacijas birojs
A.5.2
Are there legal/regulatory constraints to gaining access to credit information?YesYesYesA.5.2.1
Is mortgage default insurance available?Yes  A.5.3
Are credit guarantee systems used? YesYesYes
ALTUM
A.5.4
Is there public sponsored MI / guarantee?YesYesYes
ALTUM
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
B.1.1
Funding through mortgage bonds   tertiary
Hypostat 2011
B.1.3
Funding through securitization of mortgagessecondarysecondarysecondary
IFC, CVID=jqerv42
B.1.4
C. Housing Microfinance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Are non-collateralized housing micro-finance loans offered? YesYesYes
Research
C.1
Types of lenders operating in the housing micro-finance (HMF) sector:C.2
Commercial banksYes  
Swedbank
C.2.1
OthersYesYesYes
LAKS Credit Union
C.2.4
NoneNoNoNo
Research
C.2.5
Level of NPLs (>90 days past due) in HMFC.4
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Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
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Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with market rate rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
Notes: % of households with reduced or free rent
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: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees of up to 80% of principal, up to 10 years
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees of up to 80% of principal, up to 10 years
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees of up to 80% of principal, up to 10 years
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees of up to 80% of principal, up to 10 years
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees of up to 80% of principal, up to 10 years
Notes: ALTUM is a state-owned development finance institution that offers housing loan guarantees of up to 80% of principal, up to 10 years
Notes: Bank of Latvia is on the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Bank of Latvia is on the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Bank of Latvia is on the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Bank of Latvia is on the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Bank of Latvia is on the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Bank of Latvia is on the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Capital gains tax of 15%
Notes: Capital gains tax of 15%
Notes: Capital gains tax of 15%
Notes: Capital gains tax of 15%
Notes: Capital gains tax of 15%
Notes: Capital gains tax of 15%
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Euro monetary union rate
Notes: Financial and Capital Market Commission and Ministry of Finance also form the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Financial and Capital Market Commission and Ministry of Finance also form the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Financial and Capital Market Commission and Ministry of Finance also form the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Financial and Capital Market Commission and Ministry of Finance also form the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Financial and Capital Market Commission and Ministry of Finance also form the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Financial and Capital Market Commission and Ministry of Finance also form the Macroprudential Council
Notes: Kreditinformacijas Birojs became the first licensed credit bureau in Latvia in September 2015
Notes: Loan guarantee fees are subsidized for families with dependent children
Notes: Loan guarantee fees are subsidized for families with dependent children
Notes: Loan guarantee fees are subsidized for families with dependent children
Notes: Loan guarantee fees are subsidized for families with dependent children
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Max 95% LTV with state guarantee
Notes: Maximum tenure for top 3 mortgage lenders in Latvia
Notes: Maximum tenure for top 3 mortgage lenders in Latvia
Notes: Maximum tenure for top 3 mortgage lenders in Latvia
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank became development finance institution ALTUM in 2014. It no longer offers mortgage loans.
Notes: Mortgage and Land Bank became development finance institution ALTUM in 2014. It no longer offers mortgage loans.
Notes: Residential property tax ranges from 0.2-0.6%
Notes: SEB is the second largest bank in Latvia and offers mortgage loans at 40 years maturity rate, the highest observed in Latvia.
Notes: SEB is the second largest bank in Latvia and offers mortgage loans at 40 years maturity rate, the highest observed in Latvia.
Notes: SEB is the second largest bank in Latvia and offers mortgage loans at 40 years maturity rate, the highest observed in Latvia.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on mortgage registration
Notes: Stamp duty of 2% on property registration
Notes: Stamp duty of 2% on property registration
Notes: Stamp duty of 2% on property registration
Notes: Stamp duty of 2% on property registration
Notes: Stamp duty of 2% on property registration
Notes: Stamp duty of 2% on property registration
Notes: State guarantees loans to families with children granted by credit institutions for house purchase or construction. The guarantee covers 10%-20% of the loan depending on the number of minor children in the family, thus allowing to reduce the first down payment accordingly.
Notes: State guarantees loans to families with children granted by credit institutions for house purchase or construction. The guarantee covers 10%-20% of the loan depending on the number of minor children in the family, thus allowing to reduce the first down payment accordingly.
Notes: State guarantees loans to families with children granted by credit institutions for house purchase or construction. The guarantee covers 10%-20% of the loan depending on the number of minor children in the family, thus allowing to reduce the first down payment accordingly.
Notes: State guarantees loans to families with children granted by credit institutions for house purchase or construction. The guarantee covers 10%-20% of the loan depending on the number of minor children in the family, thus allowing to reduce the first down payment accordingly.
Notes: State-guaranteed mortgage loan program covers 10-20% of the loan depending on the number of children in family
Notes: State-guaranteed mortgage loan program covers 10-20% of the loan depending on the number of children in family
Notes: State-guaranteed mortgage loan program covers 10-20% of the loan depending on the number of children in family
Notes: State-guaranteed mortgage loan program covers 10-20% of the loan depending on the number of children in family
Notes: Swedbank offers a Home Small Loan with amount b/t EUR5,000-20,000 (~USD5,725-23,000)
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Third quintile of mean disposable household income
Notes: Voluntary foreclosure takes 3-4 months; Involuntary foreclose takes 6-12 months