The Serious Fraud Office has announced it will not press charges against the Blue Chip group of companies, citing a lack of evidence, but is probing two other failed finance companies.

An ex-finance company director has admitted SFO theft charges - the first major conviction from the finance company sector collapse.

Corporate turnaround man Sandy Maier is no longer working for South Canterbury Finance and has been paid a confidential settlement to finish early.

The Serious Fraud Office's investigation into Natural Dairy will damage its reputation but not the Crafar farms deal itself, the company says.

Despite the SFO now probing Natural Dairy, Crafar farm receivers say the Chinese-backed bid is still the best offer on the table.

Natural Dairy says it has "nothing to hide" after the Serious Fraud Office announced it was looking into the company's land transactions.

Natural Dairy's plans to buy 20 Crafar farms soured yesterday as the Serious Fraud Office said it was investigating the Hong Kong-listed firm.

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating the company seeking to buy more than $200m worth of dairy farms from the receivers of the Crafar companies.

Reciever says he's not surprised the SFO is looking at certain loans.

Auckland businessman Martyn Scott has been remanded in custody after today pleading guilty to stealing $1.4m from a family-owned company.

Business newspaper NBR has agreed to hand over documents relating to South Canterbury Finance to the Serious Fraud Office.

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating five related party loans involving South Canterbury Finance made between 2005 and 2009.

The Serious Fraud Office has just announced it has launched an investigation into South Canterbury Finance.