Investec set for profit boost despite challenges in the UK September 20, 2024 Investec delivered an upbeat trading update for the first half, with profit on track to increase compared to last year despite challenges in the UK. The bank expects adjusted operating pretax profit in the six months to September to be between £450m and £482m, up from £441m in the same period last year. Headline earnings [...]
New access to cash rules kick in for UK banks and building societies September 18, 2024 New rules from the UK's financial regulator to ensure access to cash have come into force, handing new powers to local communities and placing stricter requirements on banks looking to close branches.
Close Brothers boss to take temporary medical leave of absence September 16, 2024 The bank said it would provide a further update "in due course". Its full year results will be announced on Thursday as planned.
Natwest chair says he ‘deeply regrets’ time at Petrosaudi after £1.3bn ‘scam of the century’ September 15, 2024 Natwest chairman Rick Haythornthwaite has expressed his regret and sadness for his role at the UK arm of oil company Petrosaudi, which was involved in a £1.37bn “scam of the century” against Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. Haythornthwaite said he took the role “in good faith” without knowing the existence of the fraud, which channelled money [...]
City minister: New capital rules will give banks certainty and stability September 12, 2024 As City Minister, I know that our financial services will underwrite the growth our country needs in the decade to come. The facts speak for themselves. More than £20bn worth of equity capital has been raised in London alone this year, which is over three times what has been raised in the next three European [...]
Bank of England makes ‘substantial amendments’ to proposed banking overhaul September 12, 2024 "The bottom line is that we have made substantial amendments to our proposals in response to consultation feedback and evidence," Phil Evans, director of prudential policy, said in a speech published on Thursday.
Lloyds, Barclays and Natwest could weather Labour tax raid, analysts say September 10, 2024 Lloyds, Barclays and Natwest would see their 2024 profits fall by “low single digits” if the Labour government decides to raise taxes on banks in October’s Budget, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Bloomberg analysts said Lloyds Banking Group and Natwest would likely offset the hit to their profits by repricing their loans, while they did not [...]
HSBC mulls merger of investment banking and commercial arms in cost-cutting drive September 9, 2024 HSBC is mulling a merger of its investment and commercial banking arms as part of a push by new chief Georges Elhedery to slash costs, according to reports. Elhedery, who took over as group CEO last week, is considering combining the lender’s global banking and markets arm with its trading and investment banking division, Bloomberg [...]
Nationwide to complete £2.9bn takeover of Virgin Money after FCA and PRA approval September 6, 2024 Nationwide is to complete its £2.9bn takeover of rival Virgin Money next month after the deal was given the green light by the UK’s financial regulators. The banks said in statement issued to the London Stock Exchange that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have both approved [...]
Banks could do more to support debanking victims, FCA finds September 4, 2024 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said banks could do more to support those who want an account, after finding that several providers could make it easier to apply for one. A new FCA report has urged banks to increase awareness of basic accounts that allow people to make and receive payments but do not [...]