Vince Cable has spoken of how bad the British economy has been hit after the global financial crisis. According to the Business Secretary, the crisis and the recession has meant the country is poorer and it has been a “challenge” for the Government to explain what a bad state the economy is in. Speaking to [...]
Official figures today from Statistics Iceland revealed the economy contracted 1.5% in the October the December period. The figures come after the economy grew for the first time in the third quarter after contracting for seven consecutive quarters. The small economy of Iceland only emerged from its deep recession in the third quarter of last [...]
Banking giant Lloyds has today reported it has returned to profit – its first since the bank had to be rescued by the Government at the height of the financial crisis in autumn 2008. Lloyds Banking Group, which is 41% owned by the taxpayer, posted pre-tax profits of £2.2 billion, compared with a £6.3 billion [...]
The US Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission has concluded that the financial crisis of 2008 could have been prevented. The investigation into the crisis, which was overseen by Alan Greenspan – former chairman of US central bank, the Federal Reserve, saw over 700 witnesses interviewed. The 10-member Commission, established in May 2009, said Government officials and [...]
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is set to publish a report on the near collapse of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) following an investigation into the bank. The report, to be published by the end of March, comes after the bank had to be bailed out at the height of the financial crisis in autumn [...]
Iceland has finally emerged from recession after its economy contracted for seven consecutive quarters. Official figures today from Statistics Iceland revealed the economy grew by 1.2% in the July to September period. However, on an annual basis, the economy shrank by 1.6%. The once-thriving financial sector collapsed in October 2008 which led to three of [...]
Outgoing chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, Eric Daniels, is calling on the Government to allow the bank to keep HBOS. The controversial takeover, which occurred at the height of the financial crisis, could be scrapped if a Government investigation establishes it has damaged competition. Final recommendations with regard to the takeover will be known [...]
It has been reported that the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is axing approximately 500 administrative jobs at its investment banking division. The bank, which is 84% owned by the taxpayer, has axed around 26,000 jobs since the onset of the financial crisis. In a statement today, the bank said: “We continue to make efficiencies [...]
Troubled lender, Anglo Irish Bank, has today had its debt rating slashed by credit agency Moody’s, sending the euro down against the US dollar. Moody’s cut the bank’s senior unsecured debt by three notches to Baa3 – just one notch above junk status. It also downgraded Anglo Irish’s subordinated debt by six notches to Caa1. [...]
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has today warned banks over their excessive bonuses, suggesting the coalition Government will take very serious action if they “pay themselves unjustified bonuses”. Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme, Mr Clegg said: “Clearly, if the banks pay themselves unjustified bonuses, we reserve the right to take very serious action [...]
A survey by accountancy firm, BDO LLP, has revealed business confidence has slumped to a level not seen since the height of the financial crisis two years ago. The firm’s optimism index (which reflects how businesses expect trading to develop two quarters ahead), fell from 95.5 in July to 93.1 last month. According to BDO, [...]
As the second anniversary of the Lehman Brother collapse nears, regulators and central bank governors have met in Basel, Switzerland this weekend to discuss tougher capital rules. The agreement could force banks to raise fresh equity in order to withstand future downturns in the global financial system. Following the global financial crisis, the G20 leading [...]
Virgin Money is to bring 200 jobs to Edinburgh, it has been announced today. The financial division of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group was granted a banking licence by city watchdog, the Financial Services Authority, earlier this year. The launch of the retail bank later comes at a time when consumers have lost confidence in [...]
Iceland’s Central Bank (Sedlabanki Islands) has slashed its key interest from 8% to 7%. While a cut was expected, it was not as much as economists had forecast after inflation eased and the country’s currency, the krona, strengthened. The central bank has aggressively cut interest rates after they hit a record high of 18% in [...]
Britain’s over-50s have reduced their retirement savings by nearly £18 billion over the last year, according to new research by LV=. The pensions, investments and insurance group found 21% of those approaching retirement have reduced their retirement savings by an average of more than £300 per month in the past 12 months. In the same [...]
From January next year, restrictions on bankers’ bonuses will take effect, the European Parliament has announced today. Under the deal agreed by the EU members last month, cash bonuses will be capped at 30% of the total bonus. 60% of bonuses should be variable and for future payment only, with at least 40% having to [...]
Since the financial crisis city bankers, fund managers and financial advisers have become more aware than ever before of green and ethical investment options. Recent research by F&C Investments found 73% of investors would consider taking advantage of an ethical investment trust if one became available. According to the UK sustainable investment and finance association [...]
The Treasury and Lloyds senior executives could be sued over the controversial takeover of HBOS, which took place at the height of the financial crisis. An investor group called Lloyds Action Now, which was established a year ago, claimed investors were lured into voting for the takeover, while not being provided with all the relevant [...]
The US Treasury Department has today announced it is selling its 27% stake in Citigroup this year, in what will be one of the largest stock sales ever. According to the department, around 7.7 billion shares in the bailed-out bank will be sold in stages. The stock is currently worth around $33 billion (£22 billion) [...]
M&S Money launches 3% cash ISA
M&S Money has launched an Advantage Cash ISA paying 3 per cent, and which allows transfers in from other ISAs. It can be opened with a minimum deposit of £100 lump sum followed by minimum monthly deposits of £25. The 3% rate is variable, but there is no short-term bonus so the return won’t plummet [...]
Google suspends UK Compare Mortgages site
Google has closed its UK mortgage comparison site which it launched in July last year, after it proved to be less popular than expected. Mortgage comparison sites are designed to allow visitors to compare mortgages quickly and easily without having to visit each lender’s individual site. Google was competing with several well-established comparison sites, including [...]
AA launches ‘black-box’ policy for young drivers
The AA is launching an innovative car insurance policy called Drivesafe which could help younger drivers save up to £850 a year. Younger drivers already pay substantially higher premiums than other motorists and these costs are increasing. A new study by Confused.com suggests insurance costs for younger driver have gone up by 5.7 per cent [...]
ATOL scheme updated to protect online bookers
ATOL, a financial protection scheme managed by the Civil Aviation Authority, is being extended to protect up to six million more holidays a year. The scheme ensures that holiday makers do not lose out financially if a travel company collapses, and that they are not stranded abroad. An increase in the number of holidays booked [...]
Home repossessions lowest for four years
The number of UK homes repossessed fell to 36,200 in 2011, significantly below the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ forecast of 40,000, and lower than 2010 when 37,100 homes were repossessed. With interest rates remaining low and lenders adopting a sympathetic attitude to customers in financial difficulty, repossessions fell to their lowest level since 2007. However, [...]
Monthly pay lasting just 17 days
Workers are running out of money just 17 days after receiving their monthly pay, according to new research by the Halifax bank. This means that the average UK worker spends half the month worrying about money. The study, based on the responses of more than 2,000 adults, found that 10 per cent of workers start [...]
Women disadvantaged by auto-enrolment changes
Government proposals to increase the auto-enrolment threshold to £10,000 could put 1.8 million women at risk of missing out on a pension, the TUC has warned. Under the auto-enrolment scheme, which will be phased in from October, private sector employers will automatically enrol workers between the age of 22 years and the state pension age, [...]
Emergency household repairs company Homeserve is taking longer than expected to get back on track after its operations were suspended last October. The company expected customer numbers to fall by 5% this year but it has increased this estimate to 8% and announced the loss of 200 jobs. It estimates that renewal revenue in 2013 [...]
Sale rumoured for Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks
There is growing speculation that National Australia Bank (NAB) may sell Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank after the Australian parent company announced a strategic review of the two banks’ operations. The Australian economy is performing well and NAB reported strong profits for the final quarter of 2011 but with the UK economy at a virtual [...]
More women experiencing debt difficulties
Women in Debt, which offers female-focused debt advice, has warned that the number of UK women facing serious debt has grown significantly over recent years. The organisation believes that more women will need advice on solving debt problems in the future because they are building up an unsustainable level of indebtedness. Women in Debt’s director, [...]
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