A raft of changes in home loan rates in the past fortnight have changed the shape of the competitive market and the yield curve.

Yesterday's Budget didn't deliver a lot for the financial services sector - except a bill for $4 million.

AIG Life has launched a new tool to help advisers determine the appropriate level of cover for their clients. The package, Lifestyle Check, is a New Zealand version of a needs analysis tool AIG has rolled out in many other countries.

The government has, for the first time, put a cost on regulating the financial services industry and said how much of the bill it would pay.

Tower's health business has been the standout performer in the company's six-month profit announcement made today.

Auckland

Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel is letting the watchdogs off the leash.

Liontamer has launched a pair of capital protected funds that provide investors with exposure to two new, and very topical, investment themes. FALLEN ANGELS Series 1 hunts for bargains amongst the global sharemarket fallout, while COMBI Series 5, the 'food and fuel' fund, continues Liontamer's successful series of commodity-linked investments.

Morningstar, in its review of New Zealand equities strategies, warns about fund managers holding too much of their portfolios in cash.

Although short-term fixed home loan rates have fallen in the past week, the majority of respondents to a housing confidence survey expect rates will rise.

The fate of over $300 million invested in MFS Pacific Finance debentures and notes now hinges on the company's Australian parent successfully selling down its assets over the next three years.

Standard & Poor's has assigned a BBB- issue rating on the proposed South Canterbury Finance $75 million secured bond offer.