Natwest boss becomes latest City figure caught in AI social media scam July 3, 2026 The boss of Natwest has become the latest City figure to be depicted in an AI scam across social media. Paul Thwaite – the chief executive of the FTSE 100 bank – was posted on X alongside journalist Emily Maitlis in a deepfake picture attempting to create a BBC radio interview. The picture was shared [...]
UK fintech Starling to axe 130 roles in AI-powered simplification drive July 3, 2026 Starling is gearing up to cut some 130 roles in a bid to streamline its operations following a fall in profit over the last year. The London-based fintech told staff this week it would restructure its banking and tech operations as it leveraged AI across operations ahead of an influx of new projects. It said [...]
Square Mile Irish pub to be converted into youth hostel July 2, 2026 A Square Mile Irish pub is set to be converted into a youth hostel in the latest sign of the City’s gradual transformation from a work district to a visitor destination. Feeney’s pub, near Fenchuch Street station, as well as the offices above the pub, will be replaced by a “contemporary tourist hotel and hostel [...]
Interest rate cut is ‘off the table’, says Bank of England governor July 2, 2026 Andrew Bailey has said cutting interest rates is “off the table at the moment” in the clearest sign yet borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated for the rest of the year. The Bank of England governor said on a panel at the European Central Bank’s annual conference in Portugal that inflationary pressures following the [...]
‘It’s military precision’: meet the chefs crafting summer’s £6k corporate hospitality dishes July 2, 2026 Inside the race to create summer’s poshest corporate hospitality dishes Later this month, the thrice-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan will be serving Cornish lobster with pickled gooseberries, oysters with chicken glaze and Miso-roasted cod with smoked roe. In many ways, it will be the same as any other day for the 57-year-old from Southampton. At his [...]
‘It’s gone’: How a social housing scheme left amateur investors £40m out of pocket July 1, 2026 A social housing investment scheme that promised amateur investors huge returns with no risk has collapsed into administration owing its backers nearly £40m, City AM has learned. Alderley Group, which invested in affordable housing projects across the North West of England, has left around 1000 investors out of pocket after claiming it could guarantee returns [...]
Halifax ends 173-year high street run as Lloyds ditches branding July 1, 2026 Lloyds Banking Group is set to ditch its Halifax brand in a move that will end the retail bank’s 173-year run on the high street. The FTSE 100 titan – whose subsidiaries also include Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows – said on Wednesday it would rebrand Halifax under the central moniker of Lloyds. Lloyds [...]
Half time: London market lags as rivals across the Atlantic hit fresh highs July 1, 2026 London’s main stock market index ended the first half of 2026 within touching distance of a record high set earlier in the year, but remained off the pace set by its rival in New York. The FTSE 100’s positive-but-relatively-limited run for the period summed up a feeling of measured optimism. While it made overall gains, [...]
Nations Championship: Monzo makes first move into rugby, with Allianz and ITV July 1, 2026 Monzo have broadened its sponsorship portfolio, joining Allianz in sponsoring ITV’s coverage of rugby union’s Nations Championship competition. The challenger bank and insurance giant have each signed deals with the free-to-air broadcaster to be part of the channel’s coverage of the inaugural inter-hemispheric tournament. It is Monzo’s first step into rugby union and comes after [...]
House prices stay flat in June as Iran war fallout continues to weaken the market July 1, 2026 UK house prices were flat in June as the conflict in the Middle East and looming political uncertainty continue to subdue consumer confidence. The average price fell £540 in June, hitting £277,484. This was a slight drop from £278,024 the prior month where prices fell 0.6 per cent, according to the latest Nationwide house price [...]