Subdued inflation expectations among both businesses and households reinforce perceptions interest rates won't be going up any time soon.

New business in the four key life insurance products bounced back strongly in the June quarter after an extremely weak March quarter and was up 5.3% from the June quarter last year.

ANZ has reported the biggest ever quarterly increase in home loans.

AMP New Zealand showed modest first-half growth and it says underlying trends in the business are “positive in a challenging market.”

Not only is Blue Star Group selling the business and removing any last hope bondholders have of getting any money back, it now plans to keep them in the dark about business developments.

Dorchester Pacific's noteholders have approved it buying back the notes early at a discount, paving the way for the company to look at ways of growing again.

A group of Blue Chip investors have won the right to void contracts forcing them to buy apartments.

A group of Blue Chip investors have won the right to void contracts forcing them to buy apartments.

Mortgage holders are switching away from floating rates into fixed-term loans in droves as net mortgage lending rises sharply, the latest Reserve Bank figures show.

Mortgage holders are switching away from floating rates into fixed-term loans in droves as net mortgage lending rises sharply, the latest Reserve Bank figures show.

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard held interest rates steady, as expected, and provided no new guidance as to when interest rates might begin to rise.

Blue Star Group has decided to sell the business even though that is almost certain to mean its listed bonds are worthless.

GFNZ Group, formerly Geneva Finance, is planning a one-for-four rights issue to raise $1.5 million which has been fully underwritten by 20% shareholder Federal Pacific Group.

Dorchester Pacific wants to redeem its nearly $15 million of capital notes more than nine months early because the company's obligation to repay them is preventing the company from securing funding to grow its lending book

Benign inflation data, the still strong currency and the fragile global economy are likely to offset any concerns Reserve Bank Alan Bollard might have about the stronger than expected domestic growth data for the March quarter and rising house prices.

Asset Finance expects to have a new prospectus registered within the next 10 or 12 days, "if not sooner," says managing director and 66% shareholder Clive George.