Economists recommend that borrowers stay floating in the run up to the Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) this Thursday as floating and fixed rates could fall if the Official Cash Rate (OCR) is cut.

AXA Asia Pacific Holdings (APH) minority shareholders have voted in favour of the proposal to merge its Australian and New Zealand businesses with AMP and to sell the Asian businesses to AXA SA.

The Prime Minister John Key says he expects the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates next week as New Zealand deals with the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.

ANZ and National banks opened the flood gates for rate changes yesterday with Westpac, ASB, BankDirect, Sovereign, NZ Home Loans, Cairns Lockie, General Finance and TSB all following their lead.

ANZ and National banks have cut their one-year, 18-month, two and three year mortgage rates in response to wholesale rates which have dropped since the Christchurch earthquake.

With just 31 days till the authorised financial adviser (AFA) application deadline, a mere 165 advisers have completed the Standard Set C assessment which has the Securities Commission concerned.

ASB and the Deutsche Bank expect the Reserve Bank to deliver a 50 basis point cut in the Official Cash rate (OCR) to 2.50% at the March 10 meeting - if not sooner.

Christchurch is reeling after a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake which means the Official Cash Rate (OCR) is unlikely to rise until 2012, with a possibility it could even be cut.

The Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA) says it will be lobbying the government and agencies to look at an extension to regulation deadlines for Christchurch advisers.

Financial associations are asking Christchurch advisers to reach out for help in the wake of today's devastating earthquake.

John Bolton has taken away the Allied Kiwi mortgage adviser of the year award for the second time running, Adam Brownie insurance adviser of the year and Kiwi Mortgage Market Dunedin, the financial services business of the year for 2010.

The New Zealand Mortgage Brokers Associations (NZMBA) focus for 2011 is to use the collective strength of its membership to generate supplier benefits and to help members generate more business.

The Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA) has put out primary and secondary disclosure document templates for its members combining the IFA’s Code of Ethics and the requirements of the Financial Advisers Act.

Fidelity Life and AMP have made increases to their premiums this year with tax changes being part of the catalyst.

The Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA) has looked at Hong Kong’s professional development courses and would consider developing its own says president Nigel Tate.