Westpac continued to increase its share of the mortgage market and its profitability rose 15% in the June quarter.

Bank of New Zealand grew its mortgage book strongly in the June quarter but still lost a smidgeon of its share of the mortgage market and its profit for the quarter was flat.

Nathans Finance has become the fifth New Zealand finance company to collapse in the last two years after questions about its dealings with its parent company, VTL Group, which has also collapsed, and about VTL's proposal to "sell" its US operations for US$67.5 million ($96.8 million).

Nathans Finance has become the fifth New Zealand finance company to collapse in the last two years after questions about its dealings with its parent company, VTL Group, which has also collapsed, and about VTL's proposal to "sell" its US operations for US$67.5 million ($96.8 million).

New Zealand Funds Management's $400 million Super Yield Fund has only been marginally affected by the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, says principal Richard James.

Finance companies shouldn't be waiting for regulation to improve the way they operate, says Strategic Finance chief executive Kerry Finnigan.

Even before Bridgecorp collapsed, Instant Finance had decided on a different approach to marketing, offering higher interest rates on its debentures to investors introduced to it by financial advisers and relying far less on advertising.

Warning of sustained inflationary pressures, Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard has raised interest rates, in line with most economists' expectations but in defiance of political pressure amid concerns about the impact of the soaring New Zealand dollar on exporters.

The odds are that Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard will raise interest rates this week, despite the highly politicised debate over the relentless rise of the New Zealand dollar.

Belgrave Finance is aiming to capture more conservative investors in the wake of the collapses of four finance companies with the launch of a new product shortly.

One Bridgecorp company that escaped receivership is Compass Capital. Jenny Ruth finds out what's happening with the company.

Other major finance companies are expecting some fallout from Bridgecorp's collapse but they're hoping it will be relatively minor, similar to the impact of the collapses of three smaller companies last year.

National Australia Bank-owned Bank of New Zealand's share of the mortgage market ticked up during the March quarter, as did that of TSB Bank while HSBC's looked to have dipped.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard raised interest rates, blaming strong household demand, the strong housing market and relatively robust consumer confidence.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard raised interest rates, blaming strong household demand, the strong housing market and relatively robust consumer confidence.

Most economists are expecting the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady when it releases its next monetary policy statement on Thursday but governor Alan Bollard’s comments are likely to be on the hawkish side.