Amid the tragedy and debris it feels harsh to talk about economics and daunting to talk about getting Christchurch back to business.

ANZ New Zealand says its plans to put the ANZ and National Banks onto one IT platform and restructure management by laying off 45 staff and establishing a new structure will cost it a total of $220m.

The New Zealand dollar has fallen to a near six-month low on a trade-weighted basis.

Credit rating companies say there is no immediate need to change the credit ratings of insurers because of the Christchurch earthquake but Moody's Investors Service said ratings pressure may develop over time on the banking sector.

An ASB Bank economist says she expects Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard to cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 2.5 per cent in part due to the economic impact of the Christchurch earthquake.

Kiwibank says half year profits fell 41 per cent as bad debt provisions more than doubled.

Tourism Holdings says it has resolved a banking covenants breach issue with its banks.

Nuplex Industries will pay $3m to shareholders as part of a settlement with the Securities Commission after failing to disclose it breached a debt covenant in 2008.

The kiwi dollar plunged nearly one US cent after today's Christchurch earthquake.

No one likes to hear the name of his bank and the phrase "possible credit rating downgrade" in the same sentence.

Foreign investors boosted their share of government debt on issue last month to just shy of $28b, as the Crown borrows $300m a week to maintain its spending programme.

Stocks on Wall Street were mixed as investors awaited a fresh reason to extend the rally, while commodities including oil, gold and copper were boosted on hopes that Chinese demand would remain strong.

Cellphone entrepreneur tries again, with venture targeting emerging markets.