Hamilton

Stubbs speaks with ASSET, House price growth eases some more, Offers and Offers.

One of the things I have observed over the years is that the government and others tend to have a habit of giving the financial services industry big presents at Christmas time.

Advisers associations are still getting their head around the bill introduced to Parliament this week which will regulate their members' business activities.

Capital + Merchant's legal attempts to stave off receivership have provided a disturbing insight into the poor shape of the business.

Auckland

This month's comment from Tyndall is penned by by London-based economist Andrew Hunt.

The number of people joining KiwiSaver continues to defy initial expectations with over 316,000 New Zealanders signing up in just the first five months, Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne said today.

The Official Cash Rate (OCR) will remain unchanged at 8.25%.

While many other asset classes have development PIE compliant funds to take advantage of the new rules which came into play on October 1, it has taken until this week for the first tax-efficient cash fund to be launched.

Investment advisers will be required to provide up-front disclosure of fees and remuneration including commission from February 29, Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel says.

The big news in the finance company sector last week was the collapse of Capital + Merchant, but that hasn't slowed down competition between remaining players.