[UPDATED] General Finance's earnings bounced back last year as the subsidiary of lender Cairns Lockie gears up to roll-over its guaranteed debenture stock.

Economists from the major banks are now expecting a pause in the tightening cycle from the Reserve Bank after the unemployment rate surprised everyone bouncing up to 6.8% in the June quarter from 6.0%.

Health insurers paid 10% more in claims in the year to the end of June than they did last year, according to figures released by the Health Funds Association (HFANZ).

The Investment Savings and Insurance Association (ISI) Board is actively recruiting for a new chief executive after the resignation of Vance Arkinstall at the end of last month.

Fidelity Life has appointed Peter Mensah as corporate marketing manager to develop and implement the company's marketing strategy in the life insurance and investment market.

Strategic Finance investors set to get first repayment; Redgroup listed bond yields spike as covenant breach looms; Geneva Finance makes early repayment; BNZ to launch five-year bond, will pay brokerage fees.

The government shot down a private member's bill that would have legislated for crown entities to invest in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, saying it was unnecessary.

The Supreme Court granted GE leave to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that the financial services firm’s loan to a Whangarei couple was oppressive under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.

South Canterbury Finance is blaming a 39% plunge in its preference share price on a financial adviser who told clients it will struggle to get a new cornerstone investor

ASB has been first off the mark again to increase mortgage rates nearly a week after the Reserve Bank increased the official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 3.00%.

It was not the Reserve Bank's actions but rather its words last week which have caused a stir in the market, with its guarded stance and specific references to a more gradual series of hikes sending the market reeling according to ANZ.