All the economists at the major mortgage lending banks are in a rare state of unanimity: they all think the rise in the New Zealand dollar has been sufficient to prevent the Reserve Bank from raising interest rates later this month.

The housing market continued to roar late last year with new housing consents in November at their highest level for that month since 1973.

Former lenders look to establish their own broking group.

House prices are likely to rise a further 10% to 15% next year but they will fall "to some unforecastable extent" in 2005, according to Bank of New Zealand chief economist Tony Alexander.

The threat of rising interest rates (and an actual increase from Westpac Bank) failed to take any of the steam out of the housing market.

The New Zealand Mortgage Brokers Association is looking to form a wider industry association by February next year.

When a man who earns his living from arranging loans for people launches a service that helps people avoid debt, isn’t there something odd going on?

Although the Reserve Bank left interest rates unchanged last week, but the banks have started to hike their floating rates

As most expected, Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard has left the official cash rate (OCR) unchanged, but has warned that small increases may be needed next year to control inflation.

Economists are divided over whether the Reserve Bank will raise its Official Cash Rate (OCR) this Thursday from 5%, but all are convinced it will do so soon.

Those hoping it won't be necessary for the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates soon may draw some comfort from the latest housing consents figures - but not from those issued by Quotable Value yesterday.

Non-bank lender Wizard Home Loans has doubled its presence in New Zealand in the past year and is planning more growth.

NZMBA chairman Brian Berry says prosecution of mortgage broker a wake-up call to others.

Following the recent rise in longer term interest rates, Westpac economists are recommending people stick to shorter-term rates for their home loans.

The housing market was unambiguously back to boiling point in October, the latest Real Estate Institute figures show.