State-owned bank now offering six-month rates of 5.19 per cent - and 4.59 per cent for a two-year term.

Martin Hutchin sold investment properties in Invercargill and Huntly and was described as a "risk to the community".

Chief executive Brian Roche said NZ Post starts $30m behind each year from the "structural decline" of the mail business.

NZ's five biggest banks continued to show strong earnings growth, but questions are being raised about whether this can be sustained.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards give people the chance to nominate an individual or community organisation that makes them proud to be a Kiwi.

Things are still looking healthy for New Zealand's banks, despite a fall in lending margins at the start of this year.

ANZ and KiwiBank have cut their mortgage rates as speculation grows the Reserve Bank will cut the OCR.

KiwiSaver providers are struggling to move savers out of the default funds despite a requirement by the Government to give people more information on their choices.

The lawyer heading up a legal fight against NZ's major banks over fees says he won't be throwing the towel in despite a ruling in favour of ANZ in Australia.

At least four banks have quietly dropped cash incentives aimed at wooing home loan customers.

Home loans became more affordable last month, with the typical home buyer saving $30 per week on mortgage repayments compared to December.

State-owned Kiwibank has posted a record interim profit of $71 million, and suggested it may commence dividend payments.

Middle-aged home buyers face being locked out of the property market because banks are worried they are too old to pay off their mortgage before they retire.

Home buyers seeking low-deposit mortgages could find it even tougher to secure funds after Kiwibank said it was suspending new loans.

Kiwibank has raised its home loan and deposit interest rates this morning.

KiwiBank customers whose bank accounts were cleaned out by a maintenance glitch on Sunday will have a longer wait to be reimbursed.

A young solo mother was left with no money after a bank fault cleared her account and left her having to borrow money for her baby's nappies.

The latest deal from a New Zealand bank to lure in new customers with "free" money and zero fees comes with a warning tag from financial experts.