IT Brief New Zealand - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
New Zealand

Financial Literacy Stories

Global Stories

Financial Literacy stories

Xero launches industry benchmarks for Asia businesses
Data Analytics

Xero launches industry benchmarks for Asia businesses

Asia-based Xero users can now compare revenue growth, margins and cash metrics with local peers to spot problems earlier.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Last week
Kiwibank attacks bonus rates in New Zealand savings
Westpac

Kiwibank attacks bonus rates in New Zealand savings

Households could be losing hundreds of millions in interest as bonus savings rates vanish when monthly conditions are missed.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month
PocketSmith launches Open Banking hub for Australians
Software-as-a-Service

PocketSmith launches Open Banking hub for Australians

Australian consumers unsure about sharing bank data now have a plain-language guide as PocketSmith expands its use of consented open banking feeds.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • This month
bunq adds stock baskets as crypto trading tops EUR 100m
Crypto

bunq adds stock baskets as crypto trading tops EUR 100m

The neobank is widening its investing offer as retail demand grows, while new fraud checks now cover every payment, stock trade and crypto deal.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month
Exclusive: Google Cloud reshaping finance with agentic AI
Digital Transformation

Exclusive: Google Cloud reshaping finance with agentic AI

Banks must move beyond isolated pilots if they want agentic AI to deliver enterprise-wide gains, Google Cloud says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Stake adds portfolio chart & stock move explainers
Data Analytics

Stake adds portfolio chart & stock move explainers

Retail investors using Stake can now see fuller portfolio history and stock-move context in-app as markets swing more sharply.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Financial Literacy stories

NAB redesigns app & online banking for retail customers
Digital Transformation

NAB redesigns app & online banking for retail customers

Customers will spend less time hunting for bills and security settings as the bank rolls out a simpler mobile and online layout.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week
ChatGPT adds Plaid-linked personal finance preview
Data Protection

ChatGPT adds Plaid-linked personal finance preview

Users can now ask ChatGPT about their own spending and savings after OpenAI added a Plaid-linked finance preview for US Pro subscribers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Menna & Equifax UK add credit data for SME funding
Fintech

Menna & Equifax UK add credit data for SME funding

The integration aims to help SMEs spot credit issues earlier, as approval rates fall and a GBP £22 billion funding gap persists.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Raise buys GreenLife Insurance Broking for India push
Digital Transformation

Raise buys GreenLife Insurance Broking for India push

It gives Raise a foothold in India's fragmented insurance market as the group aims to expand beyond investing and trading products.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month
Recludo buys stake in My Expert to grow mortgage network
Risk & Compliance

Recludo buys stake in My Expert to grow mortgage network

The deal lifts Recludo's combined residential loan book above USD $3 billion, underscoring a wider push to consolidate mortgage brokers.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month
Lightyear launches ready-made plans for UK investors
Fintech

Lightyear launches ready-made plans for UK investors

A simpler route into the stock market may appeal to UK savers, as most hold cash while fewer than one in six own shares or funds.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • This month
Digital assets drive record growth in Australian SMSFs
Crypto

Digital assets drive record growth in Australian SMSFs

Younger investors and cryptocurrency demand helped push Australia’s SMSF sector to a record 33,224 net new funds last financial year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • This month
Wealthsimple adds futures & options for active traders
Fintech

Wealthsimple adds futures & options for active traders

Canadian self-directed investors will get more advanced tools as Wealthsimple opens futures and broader options access on one platform.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • This month
Edinburgh study calls for youth-friendly banking redesign
Gaming

Edinburgh study calls for youth-friendly banking redesign

Researchers found young Scots want simpler digital banking, stronger scam protection and advice that fits milestones such as jobs and rent.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • This month
Broadridge AI project in Ireland to simplify disclosures
Fintech

Broadridge AI project in Ireland to simplify disclosures

The study could help more Irish savers move money out of cash and into investments by turning dense fund documents into plain English.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Astor raises USD $5 million to guide retail investors
Fintech

Astor raises USD $5 million to guide retail investors

The funding will help Astor expand its AI adviser for retail investors as younger savers increasingly turn to social media for tips.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
State Street honours Asia-Pacific institutional journalists
Fintech

State Street honours Asia-Pacific institutional journalists

Around 250 entries underscored the region's appetite for specialist coverage, as State Street's awards again spotlighted reporting on institutional finance.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month