Hanover has formally entered the funds management market offering structured finance products for retail investors.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen has signalled a government U-turn on investment tax, telling a pre-caucus media scrum the risk free rate of return approach is back on the agenda.

Wellington

Industry heavyweights have weighed in with counterproposals for the government’s changes to how investments offshore are taxed.

Creating one trans-Tasman securities market, Fisher Funds gets sharper Oz focus, New online ethical investing course, S&P confirms Commodity Bonds rating.

The Trustees Association is gearing up to fight proposed tax changes which will see the tax rate on family trusts rise from 33% to 36%.

Tower Health and Life's head of distribution Jeff Page is setting up his own advisory business.

ING has named long-standing staff member Philip Houghton-Brown as its new chief investment officer (CIO), replacing Rebecca Thomas.

Auckland

Rapid Ratings research on finance is coming back by popular demand.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services says it is supportive of the discussion on finance company ratings kicked along last week by a series of discussion papers. However it does not necessarily advocate a mandatory ratings regime.

Alex Fowler's Strategic Asset Management group has merged with West Australian-based firm Plan B.