Regulation allied to relationships presents the adviser market with a number of key opportunities to take on their main rivals – the banks.

TSB Bank grew its mortgage book in the March quarter although its underlying net profit was virtually flat in what the bank describes as a “challenging” environment.

Standard & Poor's has announced it has raised its counterparty credit rating on PSIS from BB+/B to BBB-/A-3 and revised the outlook from positive to stable.

Moody's has downgraded New Zealand's big four banks by one notch, due to concerns around wholesale funding.

IFA takes professional development online; ANZIIF offers Level 5 accreditation; Ratings cut on NZ banks.

The insurance sector remains "one private members Bill away" from a ban on commissions, according to new Investment Savings & Insurance (ISI) chief executive Peter Neilson.

Kiwibank to join BNZ with an offset product.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has begun monitoring Authorised Financial Advisers (AFAs), calling for Adviser Business Statements from a selection of AFAs.

ISI chief executive Peter Neilson says the industry has paid out more than $12.5m in death claims as a direct result of the Christchurch earthquake.

The measures necessary to maintain financial adviser authorisation have been outlined by Kensington Swan partner and Code Committee member David Ireland and IBANZ CEO Gary Young.