Two more major financial planning groups, Money Managers and Westpac Bank, have had their adviser education programmes endorsed by the Financial Planners and Insurance Advisers Association.

Christchurch

Foreign currency trader FX Invest says there is a growing interest in currency as a form of investment and the returns are good at the moment because of the volatility in FX markets.

Strategic Finance has reported an unaudited net profit after tax of $11 million for the six months ended December 31, 2004. This compares to $10.1 million for the same period last year.

Auckland

Christchurch

Salvus partially shows its hand, Tax cuts for trusts called for, Promina posts strong result, AMP Capital gets into the retirement village game, Proposed hedge fund gives away shares.

Well it had to happen – another price war looks like breaking out, and once again it is the Bank of New Zealand which is starting the fight.

New Commerce Minister Pete Hodgson has issued further reassurances to the financial services industry over regulation and, in particular, fears that the Australian regime will be imported to New Zealand.

Winston Peters, leader of NZ First, recently addressed the attendees at a Financial Planning Forum held in Wellington on the need for New Zealand to introduce compulsory savings.

Christchurch

Wellington