Absa is loosening the credit taps in its mortgage business, hoping to grow its share of new home loans now that Barclays is no longer dictating its credit criteria and risk appetite. After Barclays’ sale of its majority stake in the bank, Absa Home Loans was the first business unit to approach the group’s credit committee to increase its credit risk, Carel Grönum, head of Absa Home Loans, said on Wednesday. "The Barclays sell-down will provide us with the opportunity to make our own decisions," Grönum said. These sentiments echo those voiced by Barclays Africa Group CEO Maria Ramos last week. Delivering the group’s maiden set of financial results since the sale, she said there was a fresh energy at the bank.