Homeowners should consider their ability to service a mortgage that is two to three percentage points above existing rates before taking it on, say ANZ economists.

The past half-decade has seen more shifting in the landscape for New Zealand trusts than in the several decades before: the Trusts Act 2019 was introduced and took effect in early 2021 after years of consultation and review, reporting and disclosure requirements for Trusts have increased considerably through the IRD; and now the trustee tax rate is to be raised from 33% to 39% on 1 April (excluding charitable trusts) – effectively an 18.2% rate increase. The rationale is to align this rate with the top personal tax rate of 39% for income above $180,000.

House sales have plunged to their second lowest level in about 40 years, only 2% up on January’s sales last year, which were the lowest since 1983.

A Complaint Response and Management course, launched last year by Massey University’s financial education and research (Fin-Ed) centre and the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) has reached 100 enrolments.

Chubb names replacement for David Haak.

Melanie Purdey is leaving the Compliance Refinery for something quite different.

Magellan nabs Maple-Brown Abbott CEO to lead the company. 

First Mortgage Trust adds new chief financial officer to help it on the next phase of its growth.

Helping clients through the claims process has made Katrina Church a better insurance adviser, she says.

Most articles and reports about AI focus on its generative capabilities, which are admittedly more exciting to discuss when it comes to creating content and handling tasks traditionally thought strictly as ‘human’. However, AI has been around for years in various algorithms and solutions used by advisors to help them be more efficient, responsive, and comprehensive with their roles and customers.

[UPDATED] ASB has reported a 10.8% fall in first-half statutory net profit, reflecting a sharp drop in profit margins as well as sharp drops in both interest income and interest expense.

Stewart Investors become founding member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative Investor Network.

Inflation expectations falling back across the board will be welcome news for the Reserve Bank.