Lloyds Banking Group could pay out more than £2bn in dividends to shareholders despite fears of higher costs related to PPI claims February 21, 2016 Lloyds Banking Group is reportedly getting ready to pay out more than £2bn in dividends to shareholders, despite fears of further costs related to the mis-selling of loan insurance. The Sunday Times reported today that Lloyds chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio is attempting to convince regulators that the bailed-out bank has enough capital to afford the [...]
Media giant Time Warner eyes office move to Battersea Power Station February 19, 2016 Media and entertainment giant Time Warner has lined up five major office schemes for its new London headquarters, including Battersea Power Station. The company, which currently operates out of several London offices including Turner House in Soho, has hired agents at CBRE to find new offices spanning at least 200,000 square feet. Battersea Power Station [...]
After HSBC’s voice recognition, selfies and Tinder could soon replace your banking password February 19, 2016 Banks are often accused of being slow to innovate, opting for tried and tested methods and services over new technologies and solutions. However, when it comes to security, there is a lot that even the most innovative digital enterprises can learn from the world of finance. The media is currently buzzing with news that HSBC [...]
Barclays confirms investment bank chief executive Tom King will retire next month February 19, 2016 Tom King, the chief executive of Barclays's investment bank business, is retiring next month, the bank confirmed today. King's last day will be 4 March, according to Barclays. Commenting on his decision to retire, King said: "After nearly 25 years in my career, and having now seen the Investment Bank through a period of extraordinary change and [...]
Amazon to create 500 new UK jobs as it opens giant distribution depot in Coalville, Leicestershire – right in the middle of the UK February 19, 2016 When the Forth bridge was closed just before Christmas because of high winds, Scots joked that one of Amazon's UK distributions centre was north of it. But Santa's elves need worry no more, after Amazon announced the impending opening of a giant, 1m sq ft, distribution warehouse in Coalville, Leicestershire, this autumn. Coalville, just FYI, is smack-bang in the centre of [...]
Royal Mail increases first and second-class stamp prices… by a penny February 19, 2016 Brace yourselves: the Royal Mail has announced an increase to the price of stamps. It's hiking prices by… one penny. That means a first-class stamp will cost 64p from March, while a second class stamp will cost 55p. The price of large letter (that's up to 100g) first and second class stamps will also rise [...]
FTSE 100 index still volatile as days two of the European Council summit in Brussels looms – but Coca-Cola’s share price fizzes February 19, 2016 The FTSE 100 index opened with volatility this morning after having fallen below 6,000 mark yesterday as investors continued to look to Brussels The UK's blue chip index was trading 0.09 per cent down at 5,970 points in the early morning, having risen to 5,987 points as the market opened. "Having stalled on Thursday after large gains the [...]
Mobile World Congress 2016: Google’s guide to getting your business noticed on smartphone February 19, 2016 On Monday, marketers will flock to Barcelona for the annual Mobile World Congress – four days of presentations, networking and plenty of sangria. But what most will be looking for is how to convince prospective customers to engage with their brand on the most intimate device we own. Smartphones have become so ingrained in our lives that for [...]
Uber is losing $1bn in China every year due to “fierce competitor” Didi Kuaidi, says chief executive Travis Kalanick February 19, 2016 Taxi-hire app Uber is losing more than $1bn (£699m) a year in China as it battles against what it has branded a "fierce competitor", according to chief executive Travis Kalanick. Uber launched in China in 2014, competing against the country's largest taxi app, Didi Kuaidi. The California-based firm is available in more than 40 cities [...]
So long, Siri: HSBC to launch voice and fingerprint recognition biometric system for up to 15 million users February 19, 2016 Always forgetting your password, have no idea what your grandmother's maiden name was or has that memorable place slipped your mind? HSBC thinks it has the answer: the bank is planning to launch voice recognition and touch security services in the UK. So long, Siri, this is all about "voice prints". First Direct customers will be [...]