I was in the bank a few days ago and overheard (I couldn't help it - I was in the cubicle adjacent) a new S/O BEGGING the bank for a loan.
Heart wrenching really. The bankers (two of them) were very politely explaining that he earned too little, had a massive tax liability and frankly, hadn't a hope at his salary level, despite him trying to boost it by adding subsistence and travel allowances(!)
For a loan, they added, he would have to come up with 33% of sale value plus stamp duties before they could even consider it, but that he was a long way off with barely $10K a month in savings.
He left rather dejected, a few bank brochures in hand, almost in tears.
This, newbies and wannabees, is the reality of this "new" Cathay.
What more can I say?