Numis struggles with IPO shutdown ahead of takeover by Deutsche Bank July 5, 2023 Numis struggled with the “effective closure” of the IPO market in the third quarter, with revenue falling ahead of the bank’s takeover by Deutsche Bank. The London-based investment bank said revenue in the three months to the end of June came in below the first half, reflecting the “deteriorating market backdrop” across investment banking. Although [...]
Headcount at six largest UK banks ticks up for first time since pandemic July 5, 2023 The number of employees at the six largest UK banks increased slightly last year, the first increase since the pandemic. According to statistics in the Banker’s Top 1,000 World Banks report, the six largest UK lenders – HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, Standard Chartered, Natwest and Nationwide – increased their headcount by 0.6 per cent last year. [...]
Natwest calls for greater commercial incentives to boost open banking take-up July 5, 2023 Natwest has called for a “step change” in the regulation of open banking as the sector moves towards the next stage of its life. Citing research from consultancy firm Oxera, Natwest argued there should be greater commercial incentives for expanding the reach of open banking. Claire Melling, head of bank of APIs at Natwest, said: [...]
Savings rates: Big banks to meet regulator this week after ‘blatant profiteering’ claims July 4, 2023 Banks will meet with the regulator this week to discuss the savings rates on offer as pressure grows on the UK’s largest lenders to avoid so-called ‘profiteering’. Heads of the largest UK banks – including Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays and HSBC – will meet with the Financial Conduct Authority on Thursday, according to people familiar with [...]
Fraud ‘epidemic’ may be even worse than figures suggest, experts warn July 4, 2023 The scale of fraud in the UK may be significantly higher than figures show, suggesting the fraud epidemic is even worse than feared, according to industry experts. Fraud has skyrocketed in recent years as a result of the rise of online payments, the pandemic and lax enforcement. Figures from UK Finance put the total lost [...]
Bank of England warns lenders of ‘fiendishly unpredictable’ risks from climate change July 4, 2023 The Bank of England has cautioned lenders that they need to keep a close eye on commodities and private credit to avoid financial problems. Speaking at a UK Finance event, Nathanaël Benjamin – who is responsible for authorising the UK arms of international banks – warned there were a range of dangers facing banks. Benjamin [...]
MPs to probe if SMEs can get cash they need – or if the government should step in July 3, 2023 The Treasury Committee has launched a new inquiry into the problems small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in accessing financing. Over the next couple of months the cross-party group of MPs will explore issues in the industry and how regulation and government can respond. Harriett Baldwin, chair of the Committee said: “Small businesses are the [...]
Meta urged to press paws on pet fraud as dog ads drive Facebook scam surge July 3, 2023 Fraudsters on Meta-owned platforms are increasingly taking advantage of British animal lovers, new data shows. According to research from Lloyds, pet scams were up 24 per cent compared to last year with the average victim losing £307. Dogs were the most common pet used to scam unsuspecting Brits out of their money with Yorkshire Terriers [...]
HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest under fire for ‘measly’ savings rates… again July 3, 2023 Banks are in the firing line for low savings rates once again after the big four lenders received another letter from the influential Treasury Committee. Writing to the UK heads of the big four banks, Harriet Baldwin – chair of the Treasury Committee – said the Committee was “concerned that banks’ savings rates remain too [...]
LendInvest given £500m investment boost from Chetwood to fund buy-to-let mortgages July 3, 2023 LendInvest, the London-listed property fintech, has received a £500m investment boost to fund some of its future lending from Chetwood Financial. The investment will fund mortgage originations from LendInvest’s buy-to-let mortgages, aimed at professional landlords, and residential mortgages, for those underserved by high street mortgage providers. Chetwood, a Wrexham-based digital bank, has become the latest [...]