Aldi gives us a Lidl bill of the week for Christmas #FestiveFeast with chef Jean-Christophe Novelli November 24, 2014 The Cotes du Rhone and Riesling were free-flowing at terribly trendy Home House members club last night, but it wasn’t serving its usual crowd. Discount supermarket warrior Aldi was hosting its #FestiveFeast, along with celeb chef Jean-Christophe Novelli – serving a five-course Christmas meal to a room full of customers who won their seats [...]
Lord Bilimoria and the power of partnerships at Mishcon de Reya’s Summit House November 24, 2014 The name of Mishcon de Reya’s Holborn HQ, Summit House, became all the more pertinent last night as the law firm held the second of its “The Leap” events – aimed at encouraging growth businesses to reach their own summit. Last night’s theme was the Power of Partnerships. The audience, a mix of venture capitalists, [...]
Win tickets to Movember’s gala at York Hall November 24, 2014 If you’ve been growing your Mo, or supporting the cause as a Mo Sista this Movember, there’s only one place to be this Friday night – the Movember Gala Parté, in York Hall. The fancy dress bash gives Mo Bros a chance to show off their facial achievements, while dressing to suit their mo in [...]
Deloitte probes Bank of England payments crash November 24, 2014 The Bank of England yesterday hired Deloitte to investigate the crash in its payments systems last month. On 20 October the, Real-Tim Gross Settlement (RTGS) system failed, causing faults in the Chaps payments channel, which is used for large-scale transactions. The system is largely used by companies and banks to transfer funds, but individuals also [...]
US firms hire more staff despite slowing services sector growth November 24, 2014 The booming American economy is showing signs of slowing down from the breakneck speed it achieved earlier in the year, an influential survey of businesses showed yesterday. Its dominant services sector slowed for the fifth consecutive month in November, according to Markit. The purchasing managers’ index came in at 56.3, down from 57.1, but still [...]
Watchdog plans more stress tests November 24, 2014 Central counterparties (CCPs) need to show regulators clearer, tougher stress tests, the Bank of England’s David Bailey said yesterday. The Bank is finalising its stress tests of the banking system, and now wants to use the examinations more broadly across the system. “There is no requirement for CCPs to disclose the details of the stress [...]
McCafferty: Private sector data plugs holes in ONS’ statistics November 24, 2014 Official statistics do not give information on the vital “animal spirits” which hint at the future path of the economy, Bank of England policy maker Ian McCafferty said yesterday. He praised private sector surveys and the Bank’s direct contact with firms as ways to gain more information on sentiment in the wider economy, and to [...]
Citi fined $15m for poor control of its analysts November 24, 2014 Citi failed to monitor its analysts’ communications properly, allowing the staff to indirectly participate in clients’ flotations, a top US regulator said yesterday. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra) fined Citigroup Global Markets $15m (£9.6m) for the failings from January 2005 to February 2014. The US bank sent around 100 warnings to staff over the [...]
Aim withdrawal on the cards for Bank of America November 24, 2014 Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) looks set to withdraw its status as a nominated adviser (nomad) on Aim, reports revealed yesterday. BAML’s departure would leave only three remaining large “bulge bracket” banks advising Aim-listed companies. It would also leave oil and gas firm Bowleven without a nomad. A number of the big investment banks [...]
Focusrite IPO: Audio products company looks to amplify growth with Aim listing November 24, 2014 British music and audio products company Focusrite yesterday announced its intention to float on London’s Alternative Investment Market (Aim). The High Wycombe-headquartered company provides hardware and software products for musicians. It has two established brands: Focusrite, which makes audio interface and other products for audio recording musicians; and Novation, which allows customers to make electronic [...]