Kiwibank continues to growth its market share of the mortgage market at the same time as dramatically improving profitability.

Liberty Financial would be prepared to consider allowing New Zealand Finance Holdings to take Mike Pero Mortgages private if that's in the best interests of the mortgage broking company, says Liberty founder Sherman Ma.

After four years trying to build up a business out of providing finance companies with both quantitative and qualitative credit ratings, Rapid Ratings has decided to pull out of that segment of the market.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard has left interest rates unchanged, as expected, but is ruling out any prospect of interest rates falling.

Economists expect recent data has been sufficiently soft to allow the Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard to leave interest rates unchanged when he reviews his official cash rate (OCR) on Thursday.

House price inflation accelerated again in December, continuing to confound expectations the housing market is poised to slow, according to the latest Quotable Value figures.

Bank of New Zealand lost a smidgen of mortgage market share in the September quarter but its profitability nearly doubled compared with the same quarter last year.

Mike Pero Mortgages' independent directors are recommending shareholders reject New Zealand Finance Holdings' takeover offer for their shares but that they should accept for their options.

ASB Bank continues to be the stand-out winner among the major banks of the mortgage market war instigated by Bank of New Zealand.

As expected, Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard has raised interest rates again, although the market is interpreting his comments and economic projections as less hawkish than expected.

Economists expect the Reserve Bank will raise the official cash rate (OCR) this week with much of the debate centring on just how much.

Westpac's share of the New Zealand mortgage market has remained remarkably steady, especially because it refused to enter the price war that erupted last year.

Taranaki-based TSB Bank has been increasing its profitability as well as its mortgage book, although its mortgage market share has slipped slightly.

The New Zealand Mortgage Brokers Association is going ahead with its planned advertising campaign, kicking off by sponsoring a television program beginning in the second week of January.

New Zealand Finance Holdings is to launch a full takeover bid for Mike Pero Mortgages next week.

Resi Mortgage Corporation is restructuring its business and introducing a separate brand, Olympic, which will be exclusive to mortgage brokers.