Asian foreign buyers are finding it difficult to obtain a mortgage from big Australian lenders, reports The Adviser (27 May 2020). "Lenders are tightening up their policies and making it more difficult for everyone to obtain loans, not just foreign buyers. Third-party lenders are ready to provide loans, however," said Georg Chmiel, chairman of real estate sales and media company Juwai IQI. According to Global Mortgage Group's financing figures, 20 per cent of Asian cross-border mortgages were related to Australian real estate in Q1 2020 and 50 to 60 per cent of the mortgages provided to Chinese consumers is related to refinancing or releasing equity in real estate they already own.