Home owners are paying off more of their mortgages, with payments rising in value by 40% to 50% at the three big banks since the beginning of this year, Nos television reported on Wednesday.

The trend started last year when there was extra media attention on the high mortgage debts many home owners have. Some have also been prompted to make extra payments because of the low interest paid on savings.

‘Almost one in five of our clients has made extra payments,’ ABN Amro director Paulus de Wilt told the broadcaster.