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 loans 267274
Finance Finland
A.1.1
Types of originating lenders/market share:A.1.2
Universal/ commercial banks93.2% of total93.8% of total97.2% of total
Finance Finland
A.1.2.1
Other depository institutions (savings and loans/mutual savings and credit institutions)4.7% of total4.3% of total2.8% of total
Finance Finland
A.1.2.2
Non-depository financial institutions specialized in housing finance1.1% of total1% of total0% of total
Finance Finland
A.1.2.3
General non-depository financial institutions  0% of total
HypoStat
A.1.2.4
Others (e.g. insurance co, pension funds, labor tax funds)1% of total 0% of total
Finance Finland
A.1.2.5
Identify the 3 largest loan originating lendersOP financial group; Nordea; Danske BankOP Financial Group; Nordea Bank; Danske BankNordea Bank, OP Group, Danske Bank
KTI
A.1.3
Are there (quasi) public mortgage lenders:NoNoNo
Hypostat
A.1.4
Universal/ commercial banksNoNoNo
Hypostat
A.1.4.1
Other depository institutions (savings and loans/mutual savings and credit institutions)NoNoNo
Hypostat
A.1.4.2
Non-depository financial institutions specialized in housing financeNoNoNo
Hypostat
A.1.4.3
General non-depository financial institutionsNoNoNo
Hypostat
A.1.4.4
Others (e.g. insurance co, pension funds, labor tax funds)NoNoNo
Hypostat
A.1.4.5
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:112,400 USD (millions)114,424.01 USD (millions)98,254.74 USD (millions)
Bank of Finland
A.2.1
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year as % of GDP (current)40.99%45.18%41.48%
Bank of Finland
A.2.1.1
and as % of all credits outstanding47.94%46.94%41.63%
Bank of Finland
A.2.1.2
Total amount of home mortgages made in calendar year in millions of USD39,971.76 USD (millions)37,157.91 USD (millions)30,675.56 USD (millions)
Bank of Finland
A.2.3
and as % of GDP (current) 14.58%14.67%12.95%
Bank of Finland, WEO
A.2.3.1
and as % of all credits originated in calender year  90%
European Commission
A.2.3.2
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
Fixed rate for life of loan2%2.7%2.7%
Hypostat
A.3.1.1
Variable rate/indexed96.4%94.8%93.4%
Hypostat
A.3.1.2
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
Typical third party fees associated with mortgage origination:A.3.7
Loan-to-Value (LTV) on first mortgage: A.3.8
Maximum LTV858590
Finance Finland
A.3.8.1
Typical LTV at origination  90
European Commission
A.3.8.2
Maximum term over which pmt is calculated? 25 years25 years25 years
IMF
A.3.9
Mortgage pmt-to-income ratio A.3.10
Maximum pmt-to-income ratio (Individual income)  40%
European Commission
A.3.10.2
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
Nordea Bank
A.4.1
Which institutions define underwriting rules? A.4.2
A.5 Credit Risk Assessment
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Do credit bureaus exist? YesYesYes
European Credit Research Institute
A.5.2
Is mortgage default insurance available?YesYesYes
Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance
A.5.3
When did it begin operating?1961  
Genworth
A.5.3.1
What is the typical MI product?Borrower paid mortgage insurance, a payment option featuring a coverage term of one month with premiums paid monthly, which allows buyers to purchase the house with less down payment and provides financial protection in case of mortgage default Borrower paid mortgage insurance, a payment option featuring a coverage term of one month with premiums paid monthly, which allows buyers to purchase the house with less down payment and provides financial protection in case of mortgage default flow insurance (which provides insurance on a loan-by-loan basis every month) or insurance on a back book basis which protects a closed portfolio of loans.
Genworth
A.5.3.2
Are credit guarantee systems used? YesYesYes
Thomas Reuters
A.5.4
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
Nykredit Bank and Nordea Bank Finland
B.1.1
Funding through mortgage bonds secondarysecondarysecondary
Nykredit Bank
B.1.3
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: The loanto-value cap on mortgage loans limits a housing loan to a maximum of 90% (95% for first time home buyers)
Notes: 30% for owner's income up to €30,000 and 34% for income exceeding that. exempt if the taxpayer has owned and lived in the home for 2+ yrs.
Notes: Depends on municipality and type of property. Taxable value defined separately for the building and the land.
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Financial costs directly related to investment income are deductible
Notes: Financial costs directly related to investment income are deductible
Notes: rental income is subject to Capital Income Tax of 30%. Starting in 2015, Capital Income exceeding 30,000 Euros is taxed at 34%
Notes: The lender must provide all essential details of the consumer credit agreement and consumer rights well in advance of the conclusion of the credit agreement. The details must be supplied on a permanently storable copy (in writing and electronically) using the Standard European Consumer Credit Information form so that the consumer can save or print out the information
Notes: The lender must provide all essential details of the consumer credit agreement and consumer rights well in advance of the conclusion of the credit agreement. The details must be supplied on a permanently storable copy (in writing and electronically) using the Standard European Consumer Credit Information form so that the consumer can save or print out the information
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
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Notes: (2010=100)
Notes: 2% transaction tax for apartments, 4% for real estates
Notes: 2% transaction tax for apartments, 4% for real estates
Notes: 2% transaction tax for apartments, 4% for real estates
Notes: 30% (34% on income exceeding €30,000)
Notes: 30% for owner's income up to €30,000 and 34% for income exceeding that. exempt if the taxpayer has owned and lived in the home for 2+ yrs.
Notes: 90% of all the loans are variable with 12-month Euribor rate
Notes: Act on Mortgage Credit Banks
Notes: ARA gives interest subsidy loans, which are granted by a bank or other financial institution. ARA accepts the loan thereby giving the loan a state guarantee and paying the interest subsidies.
Notes: ARA gives interest subsidy loans, which are granted by a bank or other financial institution. ARA accepts the loan thereby giving the loan a state guarantee and paying the interest subsidies.
Notes: ARA gives interest subsidy loans, which are granted by a bank or other financial institution. ARA accepts the loan thereby giving the loan a state guarantee and paying the interest subsidies.
Notes: ARA gives interest subsidy loans, which are granted by a bank or other financial institution. ARA accepts the loan thereby giving the loan a state guarantee and paying the interest subsidies.
Notes: Capital gains tax levied at 30%
Notes: Capital gains tax levied at 30%
Notes: Depends on municipality and type of property. Taxable value defined separately for the building and the land.
Notes: Dwelling units with mortgages over total dwelling units
Notes: Dwelling units with mortgages over total dwelling units
Notes: Dwelling units with mortgages over total dwelling units; Whole country
Notes: Even lower for LTV<90%
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Figure is the national percentage
Notes: Financial costs directly related to investment income are deductible
Notes: Financial costs directly related to investment income are deductible
Notes: Financial costs directly related to investment income are deductible
Notes: General Housing allowance is granted for general housing costs such as rent/mortgage and upkeep costs
Notes: General Housing allowance is granted for general housing costs such as rent/mortgage and upkeep costs
Notes: General Housing allowance is granted for general housing costs such as rent/mortgage and upkeep costs
Notes: Harmonized Euro Area Rates, New Business, Deposits, Households, Agreed Maturity, Up to 1 Year
Notes: Harmonized Euro Area Rates, New Business, Loans, Households, Consumption, Floating Rate and up to 1 Year
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans over loans from credit institutions without municipal finance
Notes: Housing loans/loans from credit insitutions without municipal finance
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: In Finland, a mandatory two-month minimum waiting period applies before a lender can sell the shares in Finnish residential housing companies - These shares qualify as a mortgage security on residential property.
Notes: Interest expenses on housing loans are tax deductible up to 35% of total interest payment
Notes: LTV capped at 90% by Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority
Notes: LTV capped at 90% by Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority
Notes: LTV capped at 90% by Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority
Notes: LTV capped at 90% by Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority
Notes: LTV capped at 90% by Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority. In June 2016, a maximum LTV ratio of 95% will be set for first-time buyers
Notes: Median disposable income converted to USD using average exchange rate
Notes: Median disposable income converted to USD using average exchange rate
Notes: Median disposable income converted to USD using average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: median disposable income, converted from EURO to USD with yearly average exchange rate
Notes: National percentage
Notes: National percentage
Notes: National percentage
Notes: National percentage
Notes: National percentage, owner occupied units over total dwelling units
Notes: National percentage, owner occupied units over total dwelling units
Notes: Nominal House Prices Annual % change
Notes: Nominal House Prices Annual % change
Notes: Nominal House Prices Annual % change
Notes: Nominal House Prices Annual % change
Notes: Nominal House Prices Annual % change
Notes: Nominal House Prices Annual % change
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of building permits granted as a national number
Notes: Number of transactions of dwellings in the whole country
Notes: Number of transactions of dwellings in the whole country
Notes: Number of transactions of dwellings in the whole country
Notes: Number of transactions of dwellings in the whole country
Notes: Number of transactions of dwellings in the whole country
Notes: Real property tax is based on the value of the property (generally 70% of market value)
Notes: Real property tax is based on the value of the property (generally 70% of market value)
Notes: Rental income is subject to Capital Income Tax of 30%.
Notes: Rental income is subject to Capital Income Tax of 30%. Starting in 2015, Capital Income exceeding 30,000 Euros is taxed at 34%
Notes: rental income is subject to Capital Income Tax of 30%. Starting in 2015, Capital Income exceeding 30,000 Euros is taxed at 34%
Notes: rental income is subject to Capital Income Tax of 30%. Starting in 2015, Capital Income exceeding 30,000 Euros is taxed at 34%
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: right of occupancy dwellings, other, and unknown in entire country
Notes: Savings banks and Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Ltd
Notes: Savings banks and Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Ltd
Notes: Square meter
Notes: tax exemption on Capital gains on property if the owner lives in the house for more than 2 years; First time buyers are exempted from transaction tax
Notes: Tax incentives for House purchases are available
Notes: Tax incentives for House purchases are available
Notes: Tax incentives for House purchases are available
Notes: Tax incentives for House purchases are available
Notes: The concept of household-dwelling unit was adopted in the 1980 census. In earlier years the concept of household was used.
Notes: The government guarantees for owner-occupied housing loans.
Notes: The government guarantees for owner-occupied housing loans.
Notes: The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) gives interest subsidy loans, which are granted by a bank or other financial institution. The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) accepts the loan thereby giving the loan a state guarantee and paying the interest subsidies.
Notes: The lender must provide all essential details of the consumer credit agreement and consumer rights well in advance of the conclusion of the credit agreement. The details must be supplied on a permanently storable copy (in writing and electronically) using the Standard European Consumer Credit Information form so that the consumer can save or print out the information
Notes: The lender must provide all essential details of the consumer credit agreement and consumer rights well in advance of the conclusion of the credit agreement. The details must be supplied on a permanently storable copy (in writing and electronically) using the Standard European Consumer Credit Information form so that the consumer can save or print out the information
Notes: The lender must provide all essential details of the consumer credit agreement and consumer rights well in advance of the conclusion of the credit agreement. The details must be supplied on a permanently storable copy (in writing and electronically) using the Standard European Consumer Credit Information form so that the consumer can save or print out the information
Notes: The mortgage society of Finland
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
Notes: The National Housing Fund approves interest subsidy-loans
Notes: Whole country
Notes: Whole country
Notes: Yearly Average by Monthly Rate
Notes: Yearly Average by Monthly Rate
Notes: Yearly Average by Monthly Rate
Notes: Yearly Average by Monthly Rate
Notes: Yearly Average by Monthly Rate