The latest mortgage data highlight the different approaches the big banks are taking in the current mortgage market, with CBA’s book running off over the past few months, while ANZ’s and Westpac’s books grew well above system. And Judo Bank has replaced Macquarie Bank as the market pacesetter. After a period of intense competition earlier this year, marked by generous cashback offers and rate discounts, some lenders have turned their attention to margin preservation while others continue to target market share. According to the latest ABS lending data, the value of new housing loan commitments rose 2.2 per cent in August, compared with the previous month. It was the first monthly increase in four months. The A$24.8 billion of new lending was down 9.4 per cent over the 12 months to August. The value of new lending to owner occupiers was up 2.6 per cent month-on-month but down 12.5 per cent over 12 months. New lending to investors was up 1.6 per cent month-on-month but down 3 per cent over 12 months. The value of external refinancing fell 3.9 per cent to $20.6 billion. The value of external refinancing was up 12.4 per cent over 12 months. Average loan size fell from $593,213 in July to $584,907 in August. The latest Reserve Bank data show that lenders’ mortgage balances grew by 0.3 per cent in August and by 4.3 per cent over the 12 months to August. The annual growth rate is the lowest since March 2021. Owner occupier loan balances were up 0.3 per cent month-on-month and 4.9 per cent over 12 months. Investor loan balances rose 0.2 per cent month-on-month and rose 3.1 per cent over 12 months. APRA figures for August show that with system growth at 3.8 per cent annualised over the three months to August, CBA’s mortgage portfolio reduced by 1 per cent annualised, while ANZ’s grew 6.7 per cent and Westpac’s 7.7 per cent.  NAB appears happy to maintain growth in line with system. Its book grew 3.7 per cent annualised over the three months. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Bank of Queensland, Suncorp Bank and ING Bank all reported runoff in August. Judo Bank has replaced Macquarie as the market pacesetter, with growth of 47.4 per cent over the 12 months to August. Other lenders growing above system included Macquarie and AMP Bank.