The clamp by banks and APRA on residential investment loans rubbed off on growth metrics of mortgage broking entity Australian Finance Group, with a dip in overall settlements over the December 2016 half year.This was pronounced in New South Wales, due to "changes to lending criteria" and also in Western Australia, where waning confidence (linked to the resources sector) will have had an impact.Rationing by major lenders under regulator pressure has opened the door to better sales on AFG's own brand (if still bank-funded) loans. AFG Home Loans "experienced an increase in settlements of 34 per cent", Brett McKeon, AFG's managing director, said on Friday.AFG said it net profit for the half year lifted 14 per cent to A$13.4 million. It lifted the interim dividend by 1.2 cents to 4.2 cents per share, a payout ratio of 67 per cent.Residential settlements overall AFG said were steady at $17.6 billion, while commercial settlements increased five per cent to $1.5 billion. The combined residential and commercial loan book AFG said was $127 billion.