Bank of New Zealand chief economist Tony Alexander looks at interest rates in this week's newsletter. He says claims bank floating rates are too high are wrong.

Have you ever considered asking high-net-worth friends for their business but have been reluctant to do so? While you may be an expert at approaching strangers, you may find it difficult to ask successful friends or acquaintances to become clients.

Non bank deposit takers such as finance companies are facing a much tougher regulatory regime than previously expected.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand defended the potency of the official cash rate and indicated its disappointment with the retail banks' failure to pass on lower interest rates by reducing mortgage rates.

Wellington

Barry Read is joining Newpark and will take on the role as general manager.

Auckland

Wellington

Peter Lynn shares his thoughts this month on Strategic Asset Allocation methodologies.  And concludes that the key is to agree your risk and return objective. Overall, a continuation of challenging times for investors.

Fiscal stimuli worldwide may have averted the worst economic scenarios.  However, they are expensive - "Uncle Sam is running out of money". Andrew Hunt comments on the improvement seen in world markets.  And how this is likely to be temporary.

Salvus Strategic Investment (NZX:SAM) has reappointed the managers of its listed investment trust and changed its investment universe and benchmarks.