Merrill Lynch debt capital markets heavyweights quit March 9, 2010 AMIR Hoveyda, an esteemed debt capital markets (DCM) heavyweight at Bank of America Merrill Lynch has quit the bank after a management shake-up that has also resulted in the departure of his colleague Sid Prasad. Hoveyda, who sat as head of the bank’s Europe, Middle East and Africa DCM division, left after 16 years with [...]
FSA alters draft rules regulating the sale of payment protection insurance March 9, 2010 THE Financial Services Authority has altered draft rules governing the sale of payment protection insurance (PPI) in response to criticism from insurers and lenders. As a result of the proposed changes, companies would have to pay smaller refunds to customers who bought single premium PPI policies, which have since been banned. Providers of PPI, which [...]
CBI TO FOCUS?ON CREATIVE INDUSTRIES March 9, 2010 CBI president Helen Alexander has vowed to help the beleaguered creative industries over the next five years. She said yesterday the CBI would focus on issues such as piracy and protecting intellectual property, regulation, tax, education and skills, as well as helping provide finance to the industry.
US delays BAE’s export licenses March 9, 2010 The US State Department said yesterday it would delay action on any new export license requests by BAE Systems after the British military contractor pleaded guilty to violating several US laws. BAE pleaded guilty on 1 March to conspiring to make false statements in connection with foreign arms contracts and agreed to pay a $400m [...]
Welsh Water chair ex-BA boss March 9, 2010 Former British Airways chief executive Bob Ayling, has been made chairman of Welsh Water, the not-for-profit utility that provides water and waste water services for 3m people. Ayling, ousted from BA a decade ago, will replace Lord Burns of Pitshanger, the former Treasury mandarin.
Mandelson hits out over a lost US defence deal March 9, 2010 LORD Mandelson hit out at the US Pentagon yesterday, after British defence group EADS said it was prevented from fairly bidding for a massive American contract. EADS and US partner Northrop Grumman said they would not submit a new bid for a $35bn (£23.3bn) contract to make 179 mid-air refuelling aircraft. The pair said the [...]
UK trade gap worsens as exports drop March 9, 2010 ● Exports in January dropped by seven per cent compared with December. ● The figures were the worst in 17 months. ● Exports to countries outside the EU dropped by 12.5 per cent.
Merlin’s magical results mean IPO could happen March 9, 2010 Merlin Entertainments is ready to make a sensational U-turn and resurrect its shelved flotation plans. The change of heart follows the release of tub thumping results by the London Eye owner, with Ebitda shooting up 16.6 per cent last year to £238.6m. Merlin’s revenue for 2009 rose 16.1 per cent to £769m, translating to 9.4 [...]
Prudential charm offensive pays off as a £23bn deal looks likely March 9, 2010 PRUDENTIAL is confident its investors will give the green light to a record breaking £14bn rights issue after the second day of a charm offensive. Chief executive Tidjane Thiam flew back to London for face-to-face talks with key investors to convince them the deal to buy the Asian operations of American Insurance International –?AIA –? [...]
Lord Paul says he will give up his non domicile status March 9, 2010 Labour donor Lord Paul will give up his “non-dom” status amid the furore over Lord Ashcroft. The Indian-born businessman said he will step into line with new regulations that will ban peers in the House of Lords from not paying tax in the UK on money earned abroad. He insisted his case was far removed [...]