Mortgage holders are switching away from floating rates into fixed-term loans in droves as net mortgage lending rises sharply, the latest Reserve Bank figures show.

Mortgage holders are switching away from floating rates into fixed-term loans in droves as net mortgage lending rises sharply, the latest Reserve Bank figures show.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard held interest rates steady, as expected, and provided no new guidance as to when interest rates might begin to rise.

Blue Star Group has decided to sell the business even though that is almost certain to mean its listed bonds are worthless.

GFNZ Group, formerly Geneva Finance, is planning a one-for-four rights issue to raise $1.5 million which has been fully underwritten by 20% shareholder Federal Pacific Group.

Dorchester Pacific wants to redeem its nearly $15 million of capital notes more than nine months early because the company's obligation to repay them is preventing the company from securing funding to grow its lending book

Benign inflation data, the still strong currency and the fragile global economy are likely to offset any concerns Reserve Bank Alan Bollard might have about the stronger than expected domestic growth data for the March quarter and rising house prices.

Asset Finance expects to have a new prospectus registered within the next 10 or 12 days, "if not sooner," says managing director and 66% shareholder Clive George.

Two former Capital + Merchant Finance directors and former chief executive Owen Tallentire have been found guilty on various fraud charges involving transactions worth about $28 million brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Two former Capital + Merchant Finance directors and former chief executive Owen Tallentire have been found guilty on various fraud charges involving transactions worth about $28 million brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Property seminar provider Steve Goodey has won a $396,000 High Court judgement against fellow property guru Phil Jones of Richmastery fame but he may have difficulty collecting.

 For some time there has been the peception that floating rates move in lockstep with changes to the official cash rate. In the past that has been true, but the linkage between the two has reduced in recent years. Jenny Ruth explains.

More potential house buyers are attending open homes and real estate agents rate it a sellers' market, according to the Bank of New Zealand's latest survey of more than 10,000 agents.

The Reserve Bank will keep interest rates on hold for some time in the face of the lacklustre economic recovery and contained inflationary pressures, according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER).

The Reserve Bank will keep interest rates on hold for some time in the face of the lacklustre economic recovery and contained inflationary pressures, according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER).

House prices are likely to rise further all year but the strength will only last until mortgage rates start rising, according to Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens.