In April, New Zealand was under Level 4 restrictions and most countries were in some form of lockdown. In financial news, share markets around the world were just starting to recover from the lows in March but there was not yet a clear indication on how long this market recovery would last or if there would be further sell off. Since then we have seen an extraordinary market recovery, not just in New Zealand but around the world.

After a 2020 filled with instability, finding ways to crisis-proof our finances has become more relevant than ever. That’s why last month we introduced a series of articles on this important topic and started by looking at the importance of an emergency fund. This month we’ll move onto another important area: why certain types of debt are particularly harmful and how to get rid of them.

As a part of our working life, most of us expect to one day retire, and to live out our remaining years reaping the dividends of a productive life. In this article we discuss the importance of understanding investments and getting the advice you need to achieve your retirement goals.

At the end of June, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) released its Statement of Intent and Statement of Performance Expectations for 2020-2021. These describe the regulator’s strategic focus in the coming year, as well as their response to the “current and emerging impact” of COVID-19 on financial markets and participants in those markets.

Bravura Solutions Limited (ASX:BVS) (Bravura) has extended its long-standing partnership with leading New Zealand outsourcer, Trustees Executors, which includes an upgrade to the latest version of Bravura’s Sonata platform.

Many things no doubt got lost in the wash during COVID-19 lockdown and its aftermath, one of them may have been the FMA’s online Fund Manager FAQs notification of May 15, 2020. Tucked away at the end of the notification was an item entitled The use and disclosure of buy/sell spreads, with the subtitle Does the FMA support the use of buy/sell spreads for Managed Investment Schemes? The FMA then proceeded to answer in the affirmative.

If there’s one lesson that we can all take away from the COVID-19 outbreak it’s that we can’t predict the future. Yet it’s these types of unexpected events that are the most important to prepare for. By looking at your full financial picture you can make sure you are as ready as possible for unforeseen circumstances.

With an uncertain economic outlook ahead, the effects of COVID-19 will, no doubt, be felt across all sectors. Philanthropy New Zealand recently surveyed 120 of its philanthropic and grant-making member organisations to gain a snapshot of how COVID-19 has impacted on grant-making.

Grassroots clubs are the lifeblood of rugby and a force for good in the local community. For the delayed 2020 rugby season TE are proud sponsors of Grammar TEC Rugby

Utilising data from reports prepared by the World Economic Forum, Michael Coote from our Corporate Trustee Services Team, shares his thoughts on the prospective impacts to asset classes and on the choices we have in relation to the environment as the global economy recovers from COVID-19.