Cool reaction to Celsius, Black Rock adds fund, St Laurence buys syndicate property.

For once all the attention has been on something other than finance companies. Rather the big news story this week has been Blue Chip.

Hanover has taken the unusual step of responding to a series of newspaper articles critical of its business.

Strategic Finance has reported a fully audited net profit after tax of $14.64 million for the six month period ending 31 December 2007.

Allied Nationwide Finance has settled with the Commerce Commission in an out-of-court agreement to refund $173,000 to more than 1200 customers.

Wellington

Geneva Finance, which is currently about halfway through a moratorium on interest payments, has been left on creditwatch with developing implications by credit agency Standard & Poor's.

Wellington

Westpac subsidiary BT Funds Management is to focus on retail funds management in support of the bank's commitment to the management of its customers' wealth.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has set the minimum dividend rate on up to $200 million perpetual preference shares, issued to fund infrastructure projects.

Property investor St Laurence Property & Finance (SLPF) is to raise up to $24.4 million through a rights issue.

KiwiSaver is all about the long-term prospects. That's the message being shouted from the rooftops in the face of recent short-term uncertainty.

Broadlands Finance business development manager Ian Hardman talks about the effects media commentaries are having on investors.