TOWER Investments has restructured and relaunched its international bond funds so the benefits of Fair Dividend Rate (FDR) tax rules can be passed on to taxpaying unitholders.

Mercer has elevated Martin Lewington to the role of New Zealand business leader, extending his current role as head of investments to oversee the company’s entire business in New Zealand.

New Zealand households have increased their wealth by 85% over the past 10 years and there are signs that the composition of their balance sheet is changing.

Insurance advisers are being urged to take advantage of an Inland Revenue programme on GST for income earned on risk insurance products, such as income protection and health and disability.

The Securities Commission has laid charges against directors of Nathans Finance and the remaining directors of Bridgecorp over misleading documents.

Head of Mercer’s investment consulting business in Australia and New Zealand, Simon Eagleton, discusses these six trends for 2009.

Mercer’s investment consulting business has identified six key investment themes for 2009 to help institutional investors steer a path through the current capital market storm.

Guardian Trust has appointed Greg Campbell to the role of Managing director. Campbell is currently managing director of Tyndall Investment Management and will retain this position.

New closing date for tax bill submissions; Mint rolls into Rio; St Laurence welcomes tax changes; FDR better option for Tower funds; S&P withdraws rating on Credit Suisse fund

Fonterra Co-operative Group has announced it is considering raising $300 million via an offer of senior retail bonds, with the ability to accept oversubscriptions.

Retirement Commissioner Dianna Crossan has spelt out to her new minister a raft of issues which are hurting the financial sector.

Under the plan the 7,200 investors, owed $168 million, will be repaid their principal over three years.

Non-bank lender Wizard Home Loans is closing down its New Zealand operations, while its Australian business is being sold to National Australia Bank.

Russell Investments is making organisational changes to its New Zealand operations following the resignation of its managing director Ed Schuck.

The magnitude of events in the financial markets this year make it unusually difficult to even do a traditional year-end reflection.

There can be no doubting the gravity and profoundness of recent events within the global economy, Andrew Hunt reports.