By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
THE Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) has disbursed a total of K61.8 million for mortgages this year.
Managing director Joseph Chikolwa said a total of K61.8 million has been disbursed since January to the second week of December this year, from which 298 mortgages have been created.
Mr Chikolwa said this in an interview that, ZNBS had another successful year in the area of providing housing finance to Zambians this year.
He said the company was committed to providing affordable mortgages to the people and would soon commence the construction of  housing units.
Mr Chikolwa said women mortgagors had increased from 35 per cent to 45 per cent this year and that, ZNBS deliberately gave incentives to women applicants to increase access of housing finance by women.
“Our real success in mortgage portfolio this financial year has been the ability to significantly change the mix of our mortgage customers where men have been dominating.
“Previously only 35 per cent of mortgages have been for women and Iam happy to report that in this calendar year, the fraction of women mortgagors
has increased to 45 per cent,” he said.
Mr Chikolwa attributed the increase of women mortgagors to the “Women Mortgage Promotion” which was conducted for 60 days from May 6 to July 6, this year.
He added that the baby wallet savings promotion was launched in March, this year with the aim of encouraging parents and guardians to save money for their children’s future.
The baby wallet promotion was pinned on the baby wallet account which is an award winning product as it fosters financial inclusion by targeting children below the age of 16.