Macroeconomic Variables and Mortgage Uptake in Commercial Banks and Mortgage Finance Companies in Kenya

Abstract

The Kenyan mortgage market has experienced slow growth over the last few years despite the upsurge of mortgage payments. The uptake of mortgage loans in the country is still considered low. Although the mortgage market is considered underdeveloped, it has the potential to grow and is important for housing and economic growth in Kenya. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of macroeconomic variables on mortgage uptake for commercial banks and mortgage finance companies in Kenya. The macroeconomic variables in this study include interest, inflation rate and money supply. This study will be guided by the following specific objectives; to determine the effect of inflation on mortgage uptake in commercial banks and mortgage finance companies in Kenya, to establish how money supply influences mortgage uptake in commercial banks and mortgage finance companies in Kenya and to investigate the effect of interest rate on mortgage uptake in commercial banks and mortgage finance companies in Kenya. The study will adopt descriptive research design. The target population of this study will be 34 commercial banks and mortgage finance companies offering mortgage services in Kenya. The study will use secondary data obtained from Central Bank of Kenya annual reports, Kenya Bankers Association annual reports, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics annual reports, the financial institutions reports and published financial reports. Panel data will be collected for a 6 year period, from 2010 to 2015. Data will be analysed using correlation and panel regression analysis.