Institutional trades have predominated since the historic move to direct convertibility of the New Zealand and Chinese currencies began last month.

The New Zealand dollar fell ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen.

A now-disbarred lawyer accused of helping a property developer borrow millions of dollars from a finance company cannot argue he was an innocent agent, says the Crown in its closing submissions.

The New Zealand dollar held its gains of last week against the greenback before public statements by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen amid speculation she may clarify the central bank's view on the start of any interest rate hikes in the US.

Calls are being made for clearer rules around what happens to a person's KiwiSaver savings when they are declared bankrupt.

ASB customers will soon be able to ditch their wallets and pay for small purchases with their phone by attaching a sticker.

The Kiwi dollar extended its decline against its trans-Tasman counterpart after figures showed Australian unemployment unexpectedly fell last month.

One of the first companies hoping to offer equity crowd funding says it already has 11 firms lined up wanting to raise money this year.

Two-thirds or so of the way through the Government's financial year the tax take is $1.1 billion below forecast.

The Commerce Commission has offered immunity from prosecution to a financial markets participant as part of an investigation.

The damage inflicted on US households by the collapse of the housing market and recession wasn't evenly distributed.

Stock exchange operator NZX says it will ramp up its efforts to help investors understand how it regulates the market this year.

A Queenstown bank worker has been charged over allegations of a long-running $400,000 fraud in which money was paid into fictitious accounts.

NZ resident and former British banker Darrell Read faces more criminal proceedings, from Britain's Serious Fraud Office, for his part in an alleged international rates-rigging scheme.

The Bank of New Zealand has again proven to be something of a springboard, propelling its current chief executive, Andrew Thorburn, to the role of chief executive of the parent company, National Australia Bank, in Melbourne.

A "financial coaching" company which can avoid new mortgage-lending limits placed on banks is offering 100 per cent finance to families wanting to buy their first home.

The kiwi was the worst performing currency tracked by Reuters overnight, falling as low 85.45 US cents after rising as high as 87 cents earlier this week.