Returns to 31 December 2010

Geneva makes early payment; HSBC launches RMB savings account; Building Societies debuts and falls.

Bank of New Zealand has appointed a new head of wealth and private banking.

BNZ has pushed back its view on when the official cash rate (OCR) will increase from June to September, joining the predictions of ASB and Westpac.

Southern Cross Finance has admitted charging unreasonable loan establishment fees and will refund just under $700,000 to 250 customers it overcharged between July 2006 and October 2009.

Brent McGregor is leaving OnePath after nine years to join Allied Kiwi as its sales manager.

Insurance adviser Andrew Smith finds that the six steps to get a girl also work a treat when it comes to insurance sales.

Speaking to delegates at the Newpark conference Smith outlined the following steps:

A.M. Best has affirmed Fidelity Life's financial strength rating of A- (excellent) and issuer credit rating of "a-" with the outlook for both ratings being stable.

In a nutshell inflation is driven by growth versus economic slack and analysing these areas brings to light a reduced chance that the official cash rate (OCR) will increase in June making September more likely.