Central bank liquidity requirements will probably have the last say in the deposit rate war as the cost of wholesale funds begins to ease, according to the chief executive of New Zealand's largest bank.

A High Court decision in Napier ordering VPFS Financial Planning to pay some $260,000 to a widow for recommending she buy into Blue Chip property investment has highlighted the ongoing problem clients trying to get redress face when things go pear-shaped.

Commerce Minister Simon Power and his Labour Party opposite Lianne Dalziel reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring pending regulation will not stifle risks inherent in attracting capital to the New Zealand economy.

OPI Pacific Finance, formerly MFS Pacific Finance, has been dealt the death blow. After 16 months sitting on moratorium row, the receivers have finally been called in.

Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's expects Equitable Mortgages will meet the central bank's capital requirement when it finally announces its prudential regime for non-bank deposit takers, and has reaffirmed the finance company's BB rating.

PSIS has launched its first PIE fund as competition for deposit funding remains tight.

New Zealand house prices edged higher and properties were sold in a shorter amount of time last month as strong demand amid rising net migration and low interest rates continue to show signs of stabilisation in the property market.

Deposit funding costs have soared above the price of wholesale funds as banks look for more secure sources of funding following the credit crunch last year, according to the Reserve Bank.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard held the official cash rate at 2.50% today, as expected, and reiterated his view that the rates will stay low until the end of next year.

Gold is still a safe bet and part of a good portfolio after prices topped US$1,000 an ounce yesterday.

The Reserve Bank has talked down the prospect of another housing boom, saying the recent gains in house prices have been driven by “an unusually low number” of residential properties for sale, and this should ease as more building consents are issued to meet a surge in demand from a growing number of migrants.

ANZ National Bank’s eight gauges of the property market found property indicators had continued to improve due to rising net migration, but warned the recent gains might not be sustainable.

Dorchester has outlined four steps it needs to take to survive and one of those is a settlement with its debenture holders.

Kiwibank chief executive Sam Knowles says bank customers be given accounts "for life" to make it easier to change providers.

Marac Finance is undeterred in its goal of becoming New Zealand's only publicly listed bank and asset manager now it has divested itself of risky property impairments and remained profitable.

Company investment statements set to undergo an overhaul in Securities Act shake-up in the next two years need to be “relevant” and not disclose copious amounts of information that will never be read, according to Commerce Minister Simon Power.