ANZ today announced a drop in its one-year fixed interest mortgage rate to 4.95%p.a., down from 5.19%p.a., for lending when there is at least 20% equity.

Shopping using debit and credit cards in New Zealand increased during April 2013, Statistics New Zealand said today.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, the value of electronic card spending in the retail industries increased 0.6 percent in April.

The countdown is on to the reopening of Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch next week.

Statistics from New Zealand’s leading credit bureau show consumers have backed off a pre-Christmas demand for credit returning to a far more cautious approach to managing their debt.

In the lead up to Youth Week (May 4th to 12th), financial services research group CANSTAR urges parents to teach their kids some good financial habits that could help set them up for life.

Kiwis are continuing to move away from cash towards using debit and credit cards or internet banking, according to MasterCard’s Survey on Consumer Purchasing Priorities released today.

Shopping using debit and credit cards in New Zealand decreased during March 2013, after five months of increases, Statistics New Zealand said today.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, the value of electronic card spending in the retail industries decreased 0.5 percent in March.

By Frank and Muriel Newman

The possible class action against bank charges for late payments has attracted a lot of attention lately. The publicity stirred a reader to write to us about their experience.

Shoppers in New Zealand spent more using debit and credit cards in February 2013, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Kiwibank has declared a profit of $58 million after tax for the six months ended December 31, 2012. This compares with a profit after tax of $38 million for the same period in 2011. In the six months from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012:

Mako Networks has today announced a new partnership with IP Solutions International to bring enhanced payment card security services to the Australian market.