Submissions close on May 16 for the government's new plan to overhaul the financial Advisers Bill - throwing out co-regulation and narrowing its target. David Chaplin reports on why political expediency has won out.

Tyndall's head of strategy, Peter Lynn, comments on the markets and on Investment Performance Surveys, concluding that they are nearing the end of their useful lives. Food for thought.

With financial markets easing, this month Andrew Hunt comments on whether the credit crunch is over, and questions whether inflation is now the worry? The global economy delivers our Central Banks a complex state of affairs.

March is normally a bumper month for lending, but that hasn't been the case this year with a slowing housing market.

Morningstar has released further reviews of the New Zealand share strategies used by locally based fund managers.

• Enhance and implement innovative strategies
• Grow the business in a competitive environment
• Sector knowledge an advantage but not essential

Brook goes direct with Rabo, Liontamer offers two new funds, nabInvest takes stake in Pengana Capital, GPG wants more of Tower.

This past week has been a big one for the finance company sector - yet again - with a mix of good and not so good news.

Bluestone may have missed out on getting control of Geneva Finance, but it hasn't stopped looking for finance company acquisitions in New Zealand.

ING Life is looking to provide an add-on to its trauma policy which provides women with a lump sum payment if they give birth to a child with various birth defects. Its Australian sister company launched such a policy this week and has received a huge amount of publicity.

George Gould, who took over and listed the Mike Pero Mortgages business, has emerged as the potential buyer of Vestar.

Finally there is a glimmer of hope for borrowers that home loan rates will start falling. This glimmer has been intensified by a little competitive pressure.

Standard & Poor's has increased Geneva Finance's rating three notches, but remains negative on the company.