Bill English says the greatest influence on the housing market will continue to be interest rates and supply constraints created by the planning system, writes Brian Fallow.

The higher the exchange rate is, the lower interest rates can be, writes Brian Fallow. Asset price inflation, in the Auckland housing market at any rate, is alive and well.

Profits in the finance sector rocketed up last year despite New Zealand's sluggish economic growth with the banks making close to $3.7 billion.

Good news, bad news - Fisher Funds buying Tower's investment business means it will stay local, but there'll be less competition.

Today's banks are complex. Over the years they have grown from small retail operations into sprawling financial institutions, along the way acquiring other businesses, inheriting product lines and processes.

Another company linked to Dame Jenny Shipley is under pressure and may be forced to stop operating by September if it cannot meet new Reserve Bank requirements.

British actor Brian Blessed has been picked as the new look of the ASB Bank.

The NZ dollar has risen above 85 US cents for the first time since September 2011 amid expectations retail sales figures today will add to a string of strong data.

BNZ has launched a marketing push to capture a bigger share of the youth market by launching a new internet banking product.

Former independent directors of failed construction group Mainzeal said they had full knowledge of the company's financial position at all times, refuting earlier media reports.

The overarching theme for banking around the world in 2013 will continue to be financial stability - how to achieve it, and how to maintain it, writes Kirk Hope.

The dollar gained against the greenback as improving US employment figures underpinned a rally on Wall Street.

Imagine it would be if you had just struggled to save a 10 per cent deposit for your first home only to be told you now had only half the money you need, writes Liam Dann.