NZ banks granted 4438 home loans in the first quarter of this year, a 30 per cent drop on the same time last year.

The New Zealand dollar edged up against the greenback overnight, but remained largely within the US71c to US71.50c band where it has spent most of the time since Monday night.

Would-be housebuyers struggling to scrape together a deposit have a glimmer of hope, as banks appear to be loosening the purse strings.

Bank customers are being given the opportunity to have their say.