It turns out I am a suburban branch manager of one of the biggest banks in the country. The Bank of Mum and Dad, according to a new survey, now ranks as the fifth largest lender on mortgages in Australia, just behind the big four. And the business is growing fast.

After a survey of just over 1000 people around Australia, the financial comparison website, Mozo, has come up with figures showing the Bank of Mum and Dad has lent $65.3 billion to young home buyers – otherwise known as "the kids".