Hamilton

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp.'s New Zealand branch continued to lose market share in the mortgage market and its profits were down in the December quarter.

St Laurence gets its $50 mill, 10 for 10 campaign launched.

Rating agency Standards and Poor’s is planning to increase its presence in the New Zealand market rating finance companies.

Marac Finance has been given a BBB- rating by Standard and Poor’s which puts it just into the investment grade category.

Weekly Home Loan report: The next round of home loan rate cuts have started to kick in with some significant falls across the market.

Propertyfinance Securities is introducing trail commissions on its home mortgages Headstart and No Nonsense.

Dominion capital notes lowly rated, F&P Finance not on the market, Dual currency about to switch off.

Wellington

Investors fearing a New Zealand slow down are better off going offshore for their investments – particularly before the Kiwi dollar begins its slide – with Australia, Japan and Asian looking increasingly attractive.

Weekly Home Loan report: There is good news for the homeowners who are refinancing the $42 billion of fixed home loans that are maturing this year.