Wellington

Consumer has mystery-shopped financial advisers again and says the results show that the level of financial advice being provided is "scandalously poor".

Auckland

Patrick Middleton has resigned as head of Westpac Wealth Management to take on the role of chief operating officer at the newly-formed Perpetual Asset Management (PAM).

When financial crisis happens, it's not easy. My strategy is to go back to the basics, like when I first started in the business. I try to be positive myself.

Nationwide

Diana Crossan's position as Retirement Commissioner has been reaffirmed until January 2013.

Value managers recover strongly; The lastest finance company and rates news; Pending pension crisis bigger than GFC.

ANZ and National Banks have taken the lead in the deposit rate war, boosting their returns on terms for 12 months or more, amid grumbling from group chief executive Mike Smith that the fight for retail customers was "ridiculous" and was pricing banks out of business.

Equitable to take up the government's extended guarantee; Commerce Committee pushes out deadline for finance company inquiry; TrustPower considering entering the retail bond market; Pyne Gould shakes up boardroom.