Blockchain just had two major firsts with new social payment app Circle, Barclays and Britain’s financial regulator April 6, 2016 London may be the centre of fintech innovation, but there’s one huge trend we’ve failed to jump on board with yet – social payment apps. Messaging your mate with that fiver you owe for last night’s round at the pub and a big smiley face emoji is pretty common in the US and China, especially [...]
From the new state pension to the new lifetime allowance: Here’s everything you need to know about three pension changes taking place today April 6, 2016 Callooh, callay: it's the day a raft of changes to the pensions regime come into force. A week after the last tranche came into effect. Yep – on top of pension freedoms and various Isas, chancellor George Osborne has decided to make even more changes to the system. Confused? From the new state pension to the lifetime allowance, here's [...]
Recently launched Research Tree raises £450,000 in second funding round from investors including Liberum April 6, 2016 A recently launched investment research firm has today unveiled plans for expansion after raising £450,000 in a second funding round – and is hoping to attract more private investors to use the service. Research Tree, which was established by former equity research analyst Rob Mundy, began operations last month. The company provides investment research from 20 different [...]
What can the public sector teach firms about innovation? April 6, 2016 Effecting change can be difficult for all organisations, but particularly for established ones with an entrenched position. It’s exactly this struggle which makes it hard to react to a changing environment and to meet changing customer expectations. After all, standing still in any sector quickly turns into going backwards. So what can be done? I [...]
Women face retirement poverty: The feminisation of poverty means more older females live below the breadline April 6, 2016 Females are losing out when it comes to having a decent retirement and need to plan better to avoid poverty in old age. The pay gap, taking time off to have children and the fact greater numbers of women work part-time are all part of the problem. Read more: Three charts that show if you can [...]
Cummings leaves TheCityUK for Investment Association top job April 5, 2016 The Investment Association (IA), which represents managers who handle upwards of £5.5 trillion, has recruited TheCityUK boss Chris Cummings as its new chief executive, following a six month search. Cummings will fill the void left by the departure of former IA chief Daniel Godfrey, who stepped down after a row with the groups members. “I [...]
ISA investors rushing to beat 2015/16 tax deadline might be searching for safer portfolios April 5, 2016 One in four savers are feeling more nervy than this time last year, as they prepare to shift their portfolios into less risky assets, according to new research out today. Swings on the stock markets, along with uncertainties surrounding the EU referendum, the Chinese economy and oil prices were all cited as reasons by retail [...]
New tax year brings dark clouds for some savers as pensions allowances slashed and dividend tax credits abolished April 5, 2016 Oh what a beautiful morning? Perhaps not if you're a saver, as this group will wake up tomorrow to less generous treatment for a major type of investment and a substantial shakeup for another. From tomorrow, those saving up for a comfortable retirement will see the amount they can add to their pension pot tax-free cut, [...]
Inflation’s going to rear its head again: Epic money printing through QE is going to cause a spurt of price rises April 5, 2016 Inflation, the silent force that raises prices, could be coming back with a vengeance. Whether it’s a pernicious tax that erodes ordinary people’s purchasing power or a necessary part of healthy economies is still open for debate. But inflation has been around since ancient times. The price of barley spiked in Babylon during the reign [...]
These are the hottest 50 fintech companies right now (and half are from London) April 5, 2016 London continues to dominate the world of financial technology with more than half of the hottest fintech startups located in London. Of the 50 startups to make the Fintech50, a comprehensive annual list of the best new businesses disrupting finance and chosen by leading venture capitalists and top tech execs, 29 were spawned in London. The newly [...]
