New Zealanders are applying for mortgages in greater numbers than at any time in the last seven years.

Delays to Canterbury's rebuild, diminishing inflation pressures and the strength of the New Zealand dollar mean Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard will probably keep interest rates steady this week and for much, if not all, of this year.

Westpac says people should fix their home loan rates as there is little to be gained in staying on floating rates. It views two- to four-year fixed mortgage rates as currently being the best value for borrowers.

NZAX-listed GFNZ Group (Geneva Finance) has announced a share placement giving financial services company Federal Pacific Group (FedPac) a 19.9% stake.

Partners Life gets a highly respected banking man onto its board

Partners Life gets a highly respected banking man onto its board.

Today we reveal the finalists in the Fund Manager of the Year Awards; the new look IFA conference programme.

Three of the country’s largest insurers have yet to see any rise in stress-related claims from Christchurch, despite a counselling group in the city reporting a 100% rise in people seeking stress-related treatment.

The NZMBA board says that it is “absolutely committed” to the proposed amalgamation with the PAA.