The days of the cheque are numbered.

Westpac's runaway millionaires are a step closer to keeping the cash after the bank bungled an attempt to recover it.

Perceived cost and inconvenience are the main reasons people hold back from switching banks.

New Zealand house values rose 1 per cent in the 12 months ended November 30, up from a 0.20 per cent gain in the period through October, says QV Valuations.

In a move that reverses changes during the 1990s, Westpac is opening 10 new community branches in Auckland.

Official interest rates are likely to stay on hold next week, says Deutsche Bank economist Darren Gibbs.