British Bankers’ Association set to merge with rival trade associations June 9, 2016 British Bankers' Association (BBA), the trade body that was heavily criticised for its role as the administrator of the Libor interest rate benchmark, is expected to be merged with its rival associations. According to Sky News, BBA members are reportedly set to vote in favour of plans to merge the banking trade bodies to form a [...]
Accused ex-Barclays banker likely kept in the dark about any supposed Libor conspiracy by boss, court told June 9, 2016 An ex-Barclays submitter currently standing trial accused of Libor-rigging offences was likely kept in the dark about the full extent of any fixing activity by his boss, a court was told today. Jonathan Mathew, along with former Barclays traders Stylianos Contogoulas, Jay Merchant, Alex Pabon and Ryan Reich, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud on allegations [...]
HSBC sale of Brazil business given the thumbs up by Brazilian competition watchdog June 9, 2016 HSBC's sale of its Brazil business took one step closer to reality last night, after the deal was approved by Brazil's competition agency. The banking giant intends to sell its entire business in Brazil – which consists of HSBC Bank Brasil S.A – Banco Multiplo and HSBC Servicos e Participacoes Ltda – to Banco Bradesco, the fourth largest bank in [...]
EU referendum: Another bank has warned of possible UK job cuts if Brexit occurs June 9, 2016 Another US bank has threatened to cut its UK jobs if Britain votes to leave the EU in the referendum on 23 June. Citi has told UK staff that it will probably look to "rebalance" its operations in the event of a Brexit. The bank employs 9,000 people across the UK. "To continue to serve our clients [...]
Auto Trader grows sales, earnings and profit in first year as a listed company June 9, 2016 Online car selling service Auto Trader grew sales and profit in its first year as a publicly listed company The figures Revenue increased by 10 per cent to £281.6m in the 2016 financial year, up from £255.9m in 2015. Operating profit increased by 27 per cent to £169.6m, from £133.1m, and earnings per share grew [...]
Losing the EU financial services “passport” would be a disaster for the UK economy June 9, 2016 I read with real concern that the Leave campaign does not think that the “passporting” afforded by the EU is worth much to the City. “Such rubbish,” Vote Leave campaigner Andrea Leadsom called it recently. Her statement shows a tragic lack of understanding of what modern financial services need. Thanks to the EU, a UK [...]
EU rules could force Europe’s banks to raise €135bn in extra capital June 8, 2016 Banks across Europe could be forced to move nearly half a trillion euros in assets to comply with new EU financial services regulations, ratings agency Fitch has found. If EU regulators opt for the toughest new rules regarding how government debt should be classified on balance sheets, banks would need to raise another €135bn (£105bn) [...]
Challenger banks will take “years” to make money June 8, 2016 Ambitious digital challenger banks hoping to topple the big high street players will take "years" to make money according to one of the founders of a mobile bank with ambitions to do just that. Entrepreneur Tom Blomfield, founder and chief executive of the yet to launch digital bank Mondo which recently became the fastest ever crowdfunded business, told City [...]
Four of the best bank accounts: Get paid £100 just to change your current account June 8, 2016 Banks are offering customers free cash for switching their current accounts. The UK’s big four – Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBS – have been shaken up by the arrival of newcomers, from online-only “challenger” banks to European giants. Banks are working harder to draw customers, with several offering between £100-£200 to newcomers. “It appears free-in-credit accounts [...]
The CMA’s retail banking recommendations have been slammed by experts addressing parliament’s Treasury Select Committee June 7, 2016 The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) work on the retail banking market is a failed opportunity, MPs have been told. One challenger bank boss said that the concentration risk in the market will take “decades” to unwind, speaking at a Treasury Select Committee hearing earlier today. Meanwhile, a former Competition Commission member said that the provisional recommendations issued [...]