FAMNZ boss leaves
The head of adviser association, FAMNZ, is hanging up his shingle leaving the New Zealand seven months after the country head resigned.
Predictions for next week's OCR announcement
OCR expected to be held at 2.25% at first review of the year.
ASB accelerates mortgage lending and profit margins
ASB Bank continued to accelerate its mortgage lending at above its market share in the six months ended December and managed to lift its profit margin as well.
Big move back to two-year fixed interest rates
Two-year fixed interest rates surged back into popularity with home owners taking out new mortgages in December.
Challenger aims for a stake in Pepper Money
Australian annuities player, Challenger, has made an offer to acquire listed non-bank lender Pepper Money.
Investors no longer sitting on the fence as mortgage pile rises
The mortgage pile for residential investors is rising faster than that for owner-occupiers.
Cost of living dropping as mortgage interest rates tumble
Mortgage interest payments falling 17.3% last year kept the cost-of-living hikes for the average household at just 2.2%.
More stories
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Fewer complaints against advisers
Dispute resolution scheme Financial Services Complaints says it has received fewer complaints about financial advisers in the second half of last year than in the same time a year earlier, even as overall complaint numbers rose.
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Hybrid human-AI client model the most effective for adviser success
Being a good mortgage adviser requires combining technical expertise in lending with exceptional customer service to build trust.
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Mortgage lending reaches all-time high in big bank cash backs frenzy
As expected, billions of mortgage dollars washed around the major banks at the end of last year as homeowners chased the big cash backs on offer.
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Competing with fintechs the way to go
Traditional mortgage advisory companies have been told to take the lead from fintechs in becoming more agile, innovative and aggressive.
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Interest rates could be higher by the middle of this year
The ASB and ANZ have joined Westpac in thinking the Reserve Bank will be forced to raise the OCR this year instead of next.
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From Programme to Practice: Making Transformation Part of Who We Are
In today’s fast-moving financial landscape, embracing transformation isn’t optional—it’s essential. For advisers, the benefits are clear: more time with clients, less time on admin, and smarter tools that support better conversations and outcomes.
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Home owners back to favouring floating rates in big numbers
Despite cajoling from advisers and economists that the past couple of months have been the time to fix at low long-term rates – down to 4.75% for three years – home owners have been ignoring that advice.
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Mortgage fraudster gets home detention
Second defendant sentenced in SFO mortgage fraud case.
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Networks the trusted source amid information overload for advisers
New global research from LinkedIn shows professionals, such as mortgage advisers, are turning to their networks as they feel overwhelmed by rising AI expectations.
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Five things to look out for as the economy recovers
The mantra of survive til ‘25 transitioned into survive thru ‘25 as the economic recovery proved gradual.
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Why mortgage holders don’t feel like there is more money in their pocket
Fixed interest rates have fallen substantially, since the middle of 2024, coming down from about 7% to the mid 4% range over that time.
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Mortgage rates are again sneaking higher
Stimulatory mortgage rates positive for economic recovery but risks remain.
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One OCR hike pencilled in by Westpac
Westpac economists reckon there will be just one OCR hike this year and have pencilled it in for December after the election.
