Australian listed Challenger has bought non-bank lender Bluestone Home Loans New Zealand mortgage book for $597 million.

With a $500 million capital injection, Kiwibank says it can save New Zealanders $1.5 billion by having more aggressive pricing, better terms and better turnaround.

Mortgage interest rates should fall back and settle somewhere between 4.5% and 5% next year.

ASB has warned mortgage borrowers, interest rate markets are volatile and can change quickly and being aware of the risks is an important part of choosing a mortgage strategy.

OCR cuts have had a big effect for new mortgage borrowers.

ANZ says it is building a nimble and agile banking system to stay relevant when innovative financial technology companies are popping up to provide stiff competition in niche areas.

Starting with institutional investment and an eventual IPO is an excellent start for turning Kiwibank into a meaningful disruptor, David Cunningham Squirrel Mortgages chief executive says.

For the second year in a row profit for non-bank lenders has fallen.

While mortgage lending grows most borrowers are shying away from long term fixed rates as the Reserve Bank indicates it has more OCR cutting to do.

As most of the country’s economic indicators fall, the BNZ and Kiwibank are calling for an immediate OCR cut.

An OCR cut could come as early as next month, the ASB says.

What constitutes fairness in financial services is generally something people agree on.

Lenders are happy the new Responsible Lending Code has landed with no nasty surprises.

Two of the country’s major banks have slashed their house price growth forecasts for the rest of the year.

A woman touting herself as “the biggest scammer out there” has been ordered to pay a $5.9 million fine – the biggest ever individual criminal fine under the Fair Trading Act.

Auckland-based entrepreneur Derek Handley has set up a privately funded financial services group offering an alternative first home loan scheme.