Private credit is crowded — but disciplined capital still knows where to look AD As more lenders move into private credit, the lower mid-market focused on financing small and medium sized businesses is standing out for a simple reason: it still rewards discipline. In a market increasingly focused on scale, selectivity may matter more. Private credit is no longer a quiet corner of the market. It is bigger, busier [...]
Investec eyes City hiring spree in major move into UK private banking Investec Investec, the FTSE 250 financier, has unveiled plans to boost its UK private bank in a major strategic move that will include hiring new talent in the City. The expansion will boost its banking presence in London, as it seeks out wealthy clients for what will become a ‘full service primary bank”. It has identified [...]
Renters’ Rights Act: How are property investors and firms adapting their strategy? AD Established property investors and larger firms continue to commit to the property market. The Renters’ Rights Act marks a significant shift in the UK housing market, introducing tighter regulation aimed at improving tenant security and raising standards across the private rented sector. With measures such as the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and increased compliance requirements, [...]
Three reasons AI will not replace the mortgage broker April 29, 2026 Mortgage advice has never been a simple numbers game, and it is becoming even less so. Technology is speeding up sourcing, suitability checks and paperwork. Clients are also more digitally confident than ever, and lenders are ever more competitive. But for anyone advising complex borrowers, especially in the high-net-worth space, the idea that AI will [...]
Female rugby CEOs on breaking barriers in male-dominated industries April 10, 2026 Senior female leaders have warned that progress at the helm of UK Plc is stalling, as they lay out the barriers women still face in leadership in male-dominated industries. In a conversation with Investec Bank Channel Islands CEO Jane Niles, leading rugby union CEOs Julia Chapman and Andrea Pinchen reflected on their experiences running top-flight [...]
What does the Middle East conflict mean for global growth? March 23, 2026 Middle East conflict sends shockwaves through oil, inflation and global growth: This is what Investec experts are thinking In our latest Q&A, Investec experts Callum Macpherson (Head of Commodities), Philip Shaw (Chief Economist) and Chris Holdsworth (Chief Investment Strategist for Investec South Africa) explain what could happen if the Middle East conflict continues, what key [...]
What does Rachel Reeves’ ‘low-key’ Spring Statement mean for markets? March 2, 2026 Ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement on Tuesday, Investec’s Chief Economist Philip Shaw sat down with City AM’s Rupert Hargreaves to discuss what investors should look out for in the key statement. Rupert Hargreaves: Next Tuesday, the Office for Budget Responsibility publishes updated economic and fiscal forecasts, as required under the 2011 Budget Responsibility Act, [...]
London property prices: Canary Wharf defies market trends February 20, 2026 Canary Wharf has become a hotspot for prime property in London with the number of homes listed for more than £1m, jumping 40 per cent in 2025 according to our annual Property Index. The index, which analyses listing data from Greater London and the Home Counties, found that 466 properties in the Docklands were listed [...]
Bonus season and the illusion of wealth February 11, 2026 As bonus season begins across the City, many higher earners continue to struggle to manage the difference between headline pay and usable cash Headline pay figures for City bonuses always grab attention and this year the expectation is cash bonuses will not disappoint. For many city professionals this is the moment to build liquidity, buy [...]
Maximise cash savings in a falling rate landscape January 26, 2026 The new year tends to bring personal finances into focus and is therefore an optimal time to consider savings strategies, including protecting the value of existing savings. The economic backdrop has changed significantly over the last few years. Inflation has finally started to cool and monetary policy is easing. The Investec economics team is currently [...]