Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard kept the official cash rate unchanged at a record low 2.5%, as expected, and brought forward the likely timing of interest rate increases, forecasting a faster pace of economic recovery.

Trust in the financial service sector has taken a "battering" according Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan, and industry is much more willing to work with agencies such as her own to help rebuild public confidence in financial advisers.

Brokerage McDouall Stuart has raised questions about a related-party loan to outgoing South Canterbury Finance chief executive Lachie McLeod to let him buy into parent-company Southbury, though it sees a lot of value in two of the finance company's longer-dated bonds.

The Institute of Financial Advisers has continued along its path of "naming and shaming" advisers, and has placed Timaru-based member Neville Cant on an interim suspension for failing to respond to queries over several complaints.

Investors in Liontamer's EASY Series 4 and JAPAN Series 1 funds will get their money back as the funds mature and the capital protection kicks in after the financial crisis devastated share-markets around the world.

Hanover shareholder Mark Hotchin is urging investors to ignore their personal dislike of him and accept the $400 million all-stock deal offered by Allied Farmers to get the failed finance firm out of moratorium.

New Zealand property values continued to recover lost ground and stayed above their 2008 level for a second month in a row, as sellers remain skeptical about the time it takes to sell their house.

Lombard Finance, which was put into receivership by its trustee, has made its first payment to debenture holders of 6.5 cents in the dollar.

Strategic Finance is gearing up to make its first payment to debenture holders under its moratorium agreement, and expects this to go through over the Christmas-New Year's period.

AMP NZ is being coy as to whether it will follow its Australian counterpart in severing commissions for financial planners and advisers, saying the Ripoll report has a “unique context.”

Dorchester Pacific is looking to exit its moratorium in an offer to debenture holders that would see them recoup between 87 cents and 91 cents in the dollar.

October has been a timely reminder that "it's not all plain sailing for the real estate market" and house prices are probably going to ease, according to ANZ National Bank's property gauges.

Lachie McLeod will leave South Canterbury Finance, the finance company controlled by Timaru businessman Allan Hubbard, at the end of the month.

China is not the panacea to the meltdown of financial markets over the past 18 months, though emerging markets are still the growth areas for investors.

McDouall Stuart has praised the transparency of St Laurence for keeping its investors informed and meeting specific repayment targets as part of its moratorium arrangement, while it raised questions around the ability of Strategic Finance's ability to meet repayments.

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