Most economists expect Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard will seize on lower than expected inflation figures and weak September quarter economic growth figures as an excuse to hold interest rates steady next week. But it will be a close decision.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard met expectations by keeping official interest rates unchanged and by talking tough but still managed to surprise wholesale interest rate and currency markets with his forecasts.

Whether or not Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard decides to hike interest rates on Thursday appears to be a finely balanced decision, but a slim majority of economists now think he will.

HSBC has lifted its second quarter net profit 12.9%, although its share of the mortgage market continues to slide.

ANZ National Bank has reported a sharply higher third quarter net profit and increased its market share of the mortgage market marginally for a second consecutive quarter.

Although Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard left interest rates unchanged, as expected, he’s again talking tough and opened the door to the possibility of a further rate hike.

Hanover Group chairman Greg Muir expects further fallout within the finance sector following the collapse of three companies so far.

Economists again expect Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard will leave interest rates unchanged when he reviews his official cash rate (OCR) on Thursday.

Kiwibank has more than doubled both its latest quarterly and annual net profit and continues to grow its share of the mortgage market, consolidating its position of being the fifth largest home lending registered bank.

Bank of New Zealand’s net profit surged 36.9% in the June quarter although its share of the mortgage market slipped a fraction, as did Westpac’s, their latest disclosure documents show.

New Zealand Mortgage Brokers Association chairman Geoff Bawden says he is in the process of taking his business "to the next level" and is acquiring a partner in the process.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard has confirmed expectations that he would leave interest rates unchanged and, while he is ruling out the likelihood of a rate cut for "some time," he also doesn’t expect to have to raise rates further.

ING New Zealand chief investment officer Rebecca Thomas has resigned after about two years in that position.

None of the economists are expecting Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard will shift the official cash rate (OCR) this week and neither are they currently expecting a rate cut this year.

St Laurence Mortgages has deliberately built up its cash holdings both to provide it with the ability to take advantage of opportunites that might present themselves and also as a defence mechanism, chief executive Paul Chapman says.