Independent financial advisory firm Broadbase has shrunk dramatically to a core group of just six planners in three South Island offices.

Wellington

Macquarie says the cocktail of very weak growth mixed with deteriorating confidence in the finance company sector presents an extremely challenging environment for even the most robust financial institutions.

Home loan rates are, like petrol prices, starting to head down. But like petrol, there is plenty of uncertainty about where prices are going and if they will settle down for a while.

Mortgage brokers are actively starting to promote KiwiSaver to their clients as they look for other business opportunities now the housing market has slowed.

Auckland

Wellington

The government is backing the establishment of a Commissioner of Financial Advisers who will be a member of the Securities Commission, as suggested in a second interim report issued by the Select Committee considering two Bills to regulate financial advisors and institutions.

Online mortgage business Fundit is looking to ramp up its presence this spring targeting brokers and the large pool of refinance business.

Wellington

Wellington

The financial advisory industry is rife with changes at the moment with at least three transactions this week and another rumoured.

Wellington

KNOCKOUT Series 1 is a new fund brought to you by Liontamer Investments. It's the first launch of a knockout fund in the New Zealand market – a concept that has proven hugely popular with investors all across Europe.

As with Liontamer's other funds, it is based on market performance, but this time the objective is to provide a high potential coupon, which will be paid even if a particular sharemarket has low or zero growth.

Napier

How often recently have you heard the world 'extraordinary' used to describe our financial markets. These are, indeed, volatile times. Just compare commodity and oil prices now to a month ago.