The NZ Mortgage Brokers Association named the winners of its annual Broker of the Year Awards, plus the winner of a new award - lender of the year.

Govt eyes up changes to family trusts; Become a fan of Intelligent Investor; Morningstar rates Fisher's international fund; Deutsche completes Craigs IP purchase.

Christchurch

Allied Nationwide Finance had its credit rating cut to `CC' from ‘B' by Standard & Poor's after withdrawing a prospectus, a rating that means it is "highly vulnerable" to default.

Auckland

Standard & Poor's has revised its outlook on Marac lifting its ratings from negative to stable, however has kept its core rating unchanged.

Wellington

South Canterbury Finance has warned investors that they maybe about to get predatory offers to buy their investments at heavily discounted prices.

[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.