Changes to KiwiSaver announced in this year's Budget have turbo-charged the semi-sompulsory savings scheme, however they don't go far enough.

The OCR will increase by 25 basis points to 8.00%. Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said: “Domestic demand has grown strongly since late 2006, particularly in the household sector.

NZX investment subsidiary Smartshares is launching a Kiwisaver scheme.

Auckland

Auckland

The insurance market has been relatively stable over the past 12 months with growth pockets emerging in specific areas and job types, according to the latest Hays Salary Survey.

The Institute of Financial Advisers is having its 9th annual conference in the new Rotorua Events Centre.

New fund, New fund manager, New sharemarket game, OCR preview, Finance company refunds $788,000.

A number of finance companies have reported results in the past week. Here is a wrap of how Lombard, Speirs and St Laurence have fared.

Fisher Funds is expecting to close its New Zealand Growth Fund to new investments later this year.

Listed finance company Lombard has bought Tasman Mortgage Group.