Mortgage activity for owner-occupiers rose in the third quarter of the year despite a decline in overall lending for house purchases during the same period.
The latest Central Bank figures show total lending in the housing market was down 0.3 per cent over the previous quarter, and 2 per cent lower on an annual basis.
The owner-occupier and buy-to-let loan markets recorded diverging trends.
There was a net increase of owner-occupier, fixed-rate loans of €1.5 billion in contrast to fixed-rate, buy-to-let loans which declined by €38 million.
Household deposits increased by €2.6 billion, or 3 per cent, over the year to the end of September.
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Meanwhile, the Central Bank warned consumers that a company calling itself GVQ Investment Funds (Dublin) plc has been operating as an investment firm without authorisation to do so. It has cloned the name and address of a separate firm — which is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank — the regulator said.
A spokesman for the Central Bank said it should be noted that there is no connection whatsoever between the authorised firm and the unauthorised entity that has cloned its details.
Certain unauthorised firms “cold call” or email consumers offering financial services, the spokesman said.
People who have been cold-called or emailed and offered financial services should make additional checks to ensure that the firm they are dealing with is the legitimately authorised firm, he added.
The best way to do so is to contact the regulatory body the firm has indicated it is authorised by to verify its claims.