BlockFi to pay $100m in settlement with US financial watchdog February 14, 2022 Crypto lender BlockFi must pay $100m as part of a settlement with the US financial watchdog over its high yield lending product.
Uncertain week ahead: Nervous markets hold their breath as Ukraine-Russia tensions reach boiling point February 14, 2022 Despite Friday’s weakness European markets still managed to finish the week higher, with the FTSE100 finishing higher for the second week in a row. For US markets it was a week of two halves, with a decent first half undermined by two days of sharp losses, which were prompted by an unexpectedly hot January CPI [...]
Britain’s banks prepare to pay out bumper bonuses amid cost of living crisis February 14, 2022 Britain’s banks are bracing themselves for a public backlash as they prepare to dish out more than £4bn in bonuses while customers grapple with a growing cost of living crisis.
Higher interest rates and rebounding loan demand to boost UK banks February 10, 2022 A higher interest rate environment and a rebound in loan demand is set to boost Britain’s biggest lenders. UK banks’ net interest margins will widen on the Bank of England and the world’s biggest central banks launching a rate hike cycle this year to tame inflation, analysts are betting. Final quarter earnings for UK banks [...]
Retail banking rebound boosts Societe Generale profits February 10, 2022 A sharp rebound in retail banking activity has boosted French lender Societe Generale’s profits, it announced today. Profits in the final three months of last year came in at €1.79bn (£1.51bn), up substantially from the €470m booked in the same period in 2020. An uptick in loan demand driven by consumer confidence recovering as the [...]
End of an era: Prudential chief Mike Wells steps down with new boss and all top roles moving to Asia February 10, 2022 Insurance giant Prudential said this morning that its chief Mike Wells plans to retire at the end of March after seven years in the role, with his replacement set to be based in Asia. Chief finance officer and chief operating officer Mark FitzPatrick will replace Wells as chief executive on an interim basis, but has [...]
Wealth manager Blackrock to offer crypto trading, say reports February 10, 2022 The world’s biggest asset manager Blackrock is reportedly planning to offer crypto trading to its investor clients.
Scandal ridden Credit Suisse sees £1.6bn loss in latest quarter February 10, 2022 Credit Suisse's latest financial results were dragged by legal woes and a slowdown at the bank's investment and wealth management arms.
Bailey’s wage dilemma is real, but the Bank has dragged its feet on inflation February 10, 2022 It is often argued the signal central banks’ bond buying programmes send to markets is more effective at shaping financial conditions than the purchases themselves. It is all about influencing expectations by sending the message that monetary policy will stay loose. Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey’s message to workers to temper pay [...]
The Monzo effect: Challenger banks make life increasingly difficult for traditional high street rivals February 9, 2022 Challenger banks are outperforming traditional and established financial institutions more and more, with a growing number of Brits taking up accounts with Starling, Monzo or Triodos. According to new data shared with City A.M. this morning, the digital-only banks beat traditional institutions when it comes to customer service and mobile apps. Consumer group Which! asked [...]