Current low interest rates are likely to sustain house price growth in the near term, but rising rates from 2020 onwards will trigger a fall in the market, economists at Westpac have warned.

A new code of conduct for financial advisers will not be signed off this year.

Reserve Bank deputy governor Geoff Bascand says the central bank is assessing whether current LVR restrictions are appropriate, following a stabilisation in house prices and bank credit tightening.

If insurers do not ask for evidence from advisers that they have delivered the service expected to their clients, those insurance companies must take some of the blame for any poor outcomes, one product provider says.

The Reserve Bank has taken another step towards opening up a mortgage-backed securities market in New Zealand, launching a consultation over a new mortgage bond standard.

Financial advisers have been warned to expect a wave of complaints to come when markets turn - as they will inevitably do.

Peer to peer lender Harmoney has cracked the $1 billion in lending mark with debt consolidation being the biggest use of funds.

Nominated representatives should not be given any leeway to skip the qualifications required of the rest of the financial advice sector, Financial Advice NZ says.

BNZ has followed ANZ and is now offering a fixed home loan rate under 4%

A New Zealand insurer says there's merit in considering limiting the ability for insurance companies to take the results of genetic tests into account in underwriting up to certain sum assured thresholds.

Calls are increasing for Parliament to finally pass the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill so advisers can get on with the changes.