Bank of New Zealand FY cash earnings climb 21 percent as mortgage demand widens margins

Bank of New Zealand FY cash earnings climb 21 percent  as mortgage demand widens margins
Oct. 31 (BusinessDesk) – Bank of New Zealand, the local unit of National Australia Bank, posted a 21 percent gain in cash earnings, saying its net interest margin widened on demand for variable rate mortgages. Cash earnings rose to $741 million in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, from $612 million a year earlier, Net operating income climbed 6 percent to $1.88 billion. New Zealand marked a bright spot for National Australia Bank, as the group’s total cash earnings fell 0.5 percent to A$5.4 billion and net profit dropped about 22 percent to A$4....