Latest fromWestpac Banking Corporation
![Consumer confidence at highest level in nearly two years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Consumer confidence at highest level in nearly two years
Bank says more households expected the economy to strengthen over the coming year.
![Retail spending up in November but retail outlook remains ‘cautious’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Retail spending up in November but retail outlook remains ‘cautious’
Stats NZ data showed card spending was up across all categories last month.
![OCR announcement: Will the Reserve Bank change its interest rate plans?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
OCR announcement: Will the Reserve Bank change its interest rate plans?
With a last hike for the year looking unlikely, what does the bank expect for 2024?
![Mortgage relief? Westpac first major bank to start cutting rates again](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Mortgage relief? Westpac first major bank to start cutting rates again
Westpac is cutting a range of its longer-term home loan rates.
![Westpac NZ annual profit drops 7pc, says it is well-positioned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Westpac NZ annual profit drops 7pc, says it is well-positioned
The bank reported a net profit of $963 million for September year.
![NZ 'winning the war on inflation', no more rate hikes needed, Kiwibank says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
NZ 'winning the war on inflation', no more rate hikes needed, Kiwibank says
Economists are reassessing their interest rate outlooks after inflation data surprised.
![Solution in reach after Westpac, The Warehouse strikes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Solution in reach after Westpac, The Warehouse strikes
Union confident talks made progress after strikes at bank, retailer.
![Consumer confidence plummets further](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Consumer confidence plummets further
The big concern for New Zealand households is the pressure on their finances.
![NZ no longer in recession, GDP result exceeds expectations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
NZ no longer in recession, GDP result exceeds expectations
Strong exports, IT services, manufacturing helped drive growth in second quarter.
![Westpac, several smaller banks lift home loan rates - again](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Westpac, several smaller banks lift home loan rates - again
More banks have announced changes to their home loan rates.
![‘Worst two hours of my life': Russell Brown conned by bank scammers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
‘Worst two hours of my life': Russell Brown conned by bank scammers
'I wouldn't wish how I felt this evening on my worst enemy.'
![Banks’ preparations for tough times could dampen profits](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Banks’ preparations for tough times could dampen profits
KPMG sees banks continuing to make provisions for higher bad debts.
![Scam concerns intrude on big bank probe announcement](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Scam concerns intrude on big bank probe announcement
The nasty and costly scams have prompted a warning and some advice from ministers.
![Lower inflation on food prices ‘a long way away’, economists say](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Lower inflation on food prices ‘a long way away’, economists say
Annual food price inflation is still close to 30-year highs.
![Retail spending slump signals looming economic downturn](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Retail spending slump signals looming economic downturn
Card spending fell for the first time since February.
![Retail sales down, signs of 'stark' year for Kiwi households](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Retail sales down, signs of 'stark' year for Kiwi households
Some sectors sacrificed as surging cost of living forces tough choices.
![Westpac NZ’s boss sees risks of hard landing for NZ economy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Westpac NZ’s boss sees risks of hard landing for NZ economy
Westpac chief executive Catherine McGrath says more customers are feeling the pinch.
![Data shows official inflation rates underestimates Kiwis' true pain](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Data shows official inflation rates underestimates Kiwis' true pain
Who is feeling inflation the most and why.
![Westpac customers hit again: Store 'turning people away'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Westpac customers hit again: Store 'turning people away'
The Australian-owned bank has apologised for the second time in a week.
![$400k gone: The 'sickening gut punch' when you learn you've been scammed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
$400k gone: The 'sickening gut punch' when you learn you've been scammed
They thought they'd invested $400,000 at Westpac. Weeks later they learned it was a scam.
![Challenging year ahead, says Westpac NZ CEO Catherine McGrath](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Challenging year ahead, says Westpac NZ CEO Catherine McGrath
Westpac NZ CEO says high cost of living and high interest rates will keep pressure on.