Why Monte dei Paschi shares might get kicked from the blue-chip index tomorrow February 8, 2017 Monte dei Paschi di Siena's management board need to decide tomorrow whether it is going to reinstate its shares in the near future, or risk being kicked from Milan's blue-chip index. Shares in the troubled Italian lender have been suspended for trading since last December, when a private sector rescue plan, designed to pump €5bn (£4.3bn) into the [...]
When fintechs and banks go speed dating February 8, 2017 While the seemingly age-old debate about whether fintech startups will kill banks still rages on, FinovateEurope demonstrates why that question is now largely redundant – things have moved on. The 80 startups on stage at the two day event in the heart of the City are pitching the banks, insurers and City institutions in attendance more [...]
MPs add to calls for fairer overdraft charges February 8, 2017 MPs have today added to calls to urgently review overdraft charges, placing a cap on the amount lenders can levy if needs be. Rachel Reeves, the Labour MP who brought this morning's Westminster Hall debate, described some of the current levels of overdraft charges as "disproportionate with the offence you have committed", adding: "I don't [...]
We built it, they didn’t come: TSB to shut branches as more people bank online February 8, 2017 TSB is closing the doors on 29 of its branches, as people increasingly favour banking online. The challenger bank, which was spun out from Lloyds before being snapped up by Spanish Sabadell in 2015, said today some of its least popular locations are now serving fewer than 200 customers per week, pushing it to make the decision to [...]
Dipped into your overdraft recently? You might have been better off with a payday loan February 8, 2017 Bad news for anybody who has gone into their overdraft recently – you might have been better off with a payday loan. Research published today by consumer group Which? found charges from the big high street lenders could cost as much as 180 per cent of the amount borrowed. Customers needing as little as £100 could find [...]
Berenberg reports highest earnings in its 427-year history, as the bank cements its place on the investment scene February 7, 2017 Berenberg began today on a high, announcing its highest annual earnings to date in its 427-year history. The figures The world's second-oldest bank reported net profits had risen to €161m (£139m), up 56 per cent compared with €104m the year before and marking the second year in a row its bottom line has set a new record. Meanwhile, gross income grew [...]
Advisers on London Stock Exchange-Deutsche Boerse deal could rake in up to £305m February 7, 2017 The London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse could pay up to £305m between them to bankers, lawyers, accountants and PRs working on their merger. The top-end estimate was revised up today from £234m in light of an extended probe by the European Commission into the deal. Credit Suisse analysts noted today: We believe merger related [...]
Six traders from Deutsche Bank and Barclays plead not guilty to Euribor rigging February 7, 2017 Six traders pleaded not guilty to Euribor-rigging offences in a London court today, as part of the first case focusing on the Brussels-based benchmark brought by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The traders in question are Christian Bittar, 45, a former employee of Deutsche Bank, Achim Kraemer, 52, who still works for Deutsche Bank, and four ex-Barclays [...]
Arrivederci: Barclays ditches more of its Italian non-core assets February 7, 2017 Barclays today announced it has agreed to sell of more of its non-core assets in Italy. The banking giant revealed it would be selling a portfolio of non-core performing and non-performing small business and corporate loans to AnaCap Financial Partners, but did not disclose a sale price. The portfolio, which has a book value of roughly €177m (£152.7m) [...]
Premium Bonds just lost some of their shine, as NS&I slashes rates on four of its key products February 7, 2017 Lady Luck was not on the side of Premium Bond holders this morning, after National Savings & Investments (NS&I) revealed it was slashing rates on four of its products. Along with cutting the prize fund rate for Premium Bonds, NS&I will be lowering the interest rate on its Direct Isa, Direct Saver and Income Bonds [...]