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.

The Auckland housing market is in the final phase of the current boom, but it’s likely to get even hotter before it finally cools, according to Kieran Trass at Hybrid Consulting.

Economists have brought forward their expectations for interest rate rises following stronger than expected unemployment figures yesterday.

The Bank of New Zealand has stuck its neck out and suggested the RBNZ will raise rates early next year.

Directors and management of the New Zealand Rural Property Trust faced a gruelling grilling from a handful of disgruntled unitholders at the annual meeting in Napier on Friday.

Financial Group New Zealand (FGNZ) has severed its ties with umbrella organisation The Mortgage Alliance.

The booming housing market just gets hotter: the latest housing consents figures for September show more new houses were approved than in any September since 1973.

Mortgage brokers view ANZ Bank’s $5.7 billion purchase of National Bank with near universal misgiving and are sceptical that the Australian bank will continue running both brands for long.

As expected, Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard left his Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged this morning at 5%, says that was still likely to keep inflation within the bank’s zero to 3% target range.

While the Real Estate Institute says the housing market "went from a boil to a simmer" in September, the figures remain very strong.