Interest Rates
RBNZ house lending limits cement rate cuts
But one place where the Reserve Bank's tighter rules for property lending looks like it will have a direct impact is in the interst rate market. Audio
Two rate cuts this year to counter low inflation possible
Two interest rate cuts this year to a record low 1.75 percent cannot be discounted in the wake of another soft inflation reading and persistently high currency. Audio
Weak inflation strengthens case for interest rate cut
The case for a further interest rate cut next month by the Reserve Bank has been strengthened by another soft inflation number.
Reserve Bank to provide brief economic assessment next week
Expectations have been raised that the Reserve Bank will cut rates next month after the bank said it will issue an economic update next week. Audio
Bank of England surprises with rate hold
The Bank of England has surprised overnight by opting to hold interest rates steady although it siognalled a rate cut could be as close as three weeks away. Audio
RBNZ set to hold rates this week
Interest rates are most likely to be left unchanged this week by the Reserve Bank, and indeed it's possible we have seen the last cut in the current cycle. Audio
Kiwi hits near three-month high against Aussie
The New Zealand dollar has notched a near three month high against its Australian counterpart, as Australia grapples with weak inflation expectations and the possibility of further interest rate cuts.
…Bank suggests 50 basis point cut to OCR
Meanwhile ASB's chief economist suggests the Reserve Bank should cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.75 percent. Audio
Westpac sees further interest rate cuts
Westpac Bank says the Reserve Bank's restrictions on house lending and other measures to take the heat of of the housing market have improved the quality of its lending book, even if the market is… Audio
RBNZ seen holding rates for a few years
The Reserve Bank could end up leaving interest rates steady for the next three or more years. Audio
RBNZ expected to leave OCR on hold
Most economists are tipping the Reserve Bank will leave the cost of borrowing unchanged at a record low 2 point 25 percent this morning. Audio
NZ still attractive to overseas investors
An asset manager says New Zealand's comparatively high interest rates are still a winner with overseas investors and that's likely to be the case for some time. Audio
Higher NZ dollar may trigger quicker RBNZ rate cut
The strength of the New Zealand dollar may be a trigger for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates further and possibly quicker than expected. Audio
Women sport leaders aim to increase business sponsorship
The recent comments from the director of a United States tennis tournament about the relative commercial value of the men's and women's games has renewed debate about the disparity between genders in… Audio
Doubts lower OCR will further stimulate housing market
A banking expert is casting doubt on whether cutting interest rates further will inflame the housing market. Audio
Why are credit card rates still so high?
Banks are being criticised for keeping credit card interest rates at nearly 20 percent despite general interest rates being at their lowest in decades. Audio
Shamubeel Eaqub comments on Labour leader's banks proposal
Economist and author Shamubeel Eaqub joins Checkpoint to discuss Labour leader Andrew Little's suggestion to force banks to pass on Official Cash Rate cuts to customers. Audio
English says Labour's call to force banks a 'pretty dumb idea'
Finance Minister Bill English has described Labour leader Andrew Little's suggestion to force banks to pass on Official Cash Rate cuts to customers as a 'pretty dumb idea'. Audio
Interest rates will fall if inflation expectations drop
The Reserve Bank is reiterating it will cut interest rates further if consumers and businesses keep thinking low inflation is here to stay.