Borrowers who have missed payments or who are considered high risk for other reasons are increasingly likely to be turned away if they try to refinance with new lenders.

Sovereign Home Loans, one of the most popular non-bank lenders in New Zealand, has announced further tightening in its lending criteria.

Is it the beginning of the end for the fixed rate mortgage so beloved of New Zealand home owners?

Asteron Life has pulled out of the New Zealand mortgage market following the decision by funder GE to withdraw fixed rate loans, as turmoil in the credit industry continues to take its toll on smaller lenders.

Lenders in New Zealand are watching developments in the United States anxiously as conditions in credit markets deteriorate.

The mortgage market is changing rapidly again as funders and lenders react to continuing turmoil in international credit markets. One major lender has warned that mortgage rates may rise again and it has also reduced the range of fixed rate terms available.

Mortgage brokers may be suffering a further blow to their incomes as a result of problems in the economy.

Mortgage Link remains opposed to its brokers selling KiwiSaver investment plans, chief executive Rod Templeton has confirmed despite plans by a branch to run an event featuring high profile speakers linked to a scheme being promoted specifically to brokers.

More mortgages will qualify for payment through KiwiSaver as a result of changes announced by the Government.

Financial markets and commentators expect to see a further cut in the official cash rate of interest next week. The Reserve Bank is due to announce its latest decision on the rate on Thursday 11 September.

Mike Pero Mortgages has a new chief executive for the second time in a year.

The mortgage market has gone quiet over the past week with few changes in rates.

The mortgage broking industry is continuing to consider how brokers will be policed under the latest set of proposals for regulating financial advisers.

Lenders are continuing to tweak their rates downwards as they react to the cut last month in New Zealand's official rate of interest and look forward to further falls.

The boss of one of New Zealand's largest groups of mortgage brokers remains hopeful that the household-name banks that refuse to sell home loans through brokers will do so in future.

Most mortgage brokers look likely to escape full-scale government regulation if the latest blueprint for policing financial advisers becomes law, according to the head of the mortgage broking industry's leading trade organisation.