Standard and Poors has again painted a gloomy picture of the life insurance industry in New Zealand saying that the outlook continues to be negative "reflecting a small and languishing industry that exhibits low growth."

More legal action on market timing practices, Police get new adviser for super scheme.

Melville Jessup Weaver reviews the Periodic Review Group's report on superannuation, focussing on the issues primarily from the perspective of sponsors and trustees of employment based superannuation schemes.

Investors in collatoralised debt obligation (CDO) backed investments learnt how quickly a credit rating for their security can be downgraded just before Christmas.

Moody's Investors Service says the prospects for Australia's life insurance market are challenging, while long-term growth potential is apparent in the superannuation market.

The Periodic Review Group tells advisers that they should have a self-regulation plan finalised by the end of next year.

Promoting workplace superannuation is currently the focus of the government, and it is being pushed by the Periodic review Group, however one large firm is opposing these initiatives.

Often at this time of the year bank advisers get a brick bat from the Banking Ombudsman – but not this year.

ACT New Zealand Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide says that the failure of the Government's Super Fund to meet its targets was hardly a surprise.