Latest from Banking and finance

Euro, shares fall as German economy shrinks
There was more bad news from Europe overnight, with data showing the German economy contracted in the last quarter.

NZ employment confidence drops to two-year low
New Zealanders are the most pessimistic about the jobs market in more than two years as companies trim back plans to take on more workers.

World shares up as China, Alcoa fuel hope
Equities in Europe and on Wall Street advanced overnight and so did commodities, as data showed China's import growth last month eased to the lowest level in two years.

NZ property values up but outlook cloudy in 2012 - QV
Property values extended gains in December, though government valuer Quotable Value says the outlook is a mixed bag for 2012.

US consumer debt surges on good news
American consumers are welcoming latest job creation stats by taking on more debt.

World investors take a loss as risk shunned
Investors are becoming so averse to risk that for the first time they have paid more for German securities than they will get on maturity.

Gareth Morgan: Retail banking must get back to basics
The world is really struggling to deal with the consequences of 30 years of debt profligacy...