Credit Union Baywide has been granted a strong enough credit rating to apply for the government's extension to the retail deposit guarantee, but has yet to make a final decision on whether it will sign up to the scheme.

Viaduct Capital, the finance company that was suspended by the government's deposit guarantee scheme earlier this year, has had a shake-up in its management team that has seen Bruce McKay and Richard Blackwood take over the reins.

The Code Committee for financial advisers may look at boosting the minimum competence standards for particular classes of authorised financial advisers, such as financial planners.

Central bank Governor Alan Bollard confirmed staff numbers were increasing as the Reserve Bank prepares to take on more regulatory roles, such as the oversight of insurance companies.

South Canterbury Finance, will seek cover under the government's extended retail deposit guarantee after it released a new prospectus earlier this week.

The housing market is posed for some challenging times and house prices will probably fall, according to the ANZ National Bank's eight property gauges.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard says that  the forthcoming non-bank deposit taking prudential regulations will not be a quick fix for the industry.

Whakatane-based non-deposit taker Asset Finance is one of the first to exit the government's deposit guarantee scheme.

The draft code of conduct for financial advisers is expected to be released by the end of the year, and the first discussion document on competency should be out in the next fortnight.

SBS, the bank that grew out of the Southland Building Society, has ruled out mopping up any failed finance companies as it looks to take advantage of any acquisition opportunities in the coming year.

Disclosure statements for authorised financial advisers should tell customers what they are able to sell rather than focus on what they are not allowed to under new regulations, according to the banks.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s rate hike is unlikely to damp the intense competition in term deposits, as New Zealand interest rates remain more attractive than those across the ditch.

Listed financial services company Dorchester is looking to do a deal with the debenture holders in its finance company to get going again.

Strategic Finance is asking debenture holders to hope for the best as the prospect of receivership looms over the finance company amid the downturn in the property market.

A new retail bond issue from state-owned Meridian Energy is unlikely to dent demand for high-grade corporate bonds, which remains strong in the face of historically low interest rates.

Credit Union Auckland will seek a credit rating to protect its reputation, despite falling outside the criteria for the central bank's non-bank deposit takers' prudential regime.