‘We have been ignored for most of our life,’ says FTSE 100’s newest bank Banking Lion Finance thought of itself as the London Stock Exchange’s wallflower. But after its promotion the the market’s blue-chip index earlier this year, the bank is finally getting noticed. Shares in the group formerly known as Bank of Georgia have enjoyed a quiet ascent since the beginning of 2022. In that four-year window the stock [...]
The Bank of England is keeping Britain in the waiting room Opinion The MPC’s decision to holding the Bank rate for the fourth meeting is downstream of a government, and a country, that’s run out of ideas, says Emmanuel Igwe What sound does a country make when it has run out of ideas? Rather than cacophonous noise or a muted groan, I would say that sound is [...]
JP Morgan chief threatens to pull £3bn investment if Labour becomes ‘hostile to banks’ Banking The chief executive of JP Morgan has threatened to pull a major investment from the UK if Labour government policy turns “hostile to banks”. Jamie Dimon – the influential American banker – revealed plans for a £3bn square feet tower in Canary Wharf last year, which is projected to inject as much as £10bn over [...]
‘Twenty years of caution’: Banking industry ramps up efforts to fix ‘anaemic’ UK growth May 11, 2026 The UK’s industry body for banking has stepped up its lobbying efforts for the government to improve “anaemic” growth figures and bolster the financial services sector. A new report published by UK Finance – the body representing around 300 firms that provide UK banking services – has issued a nine-point plan, which calls for “clear [...]
A bank tax hangs in the balance at the local election ballot May 6, 2026 As speculation of a leadership challenge – or sweeping reshuffle – surrounds the forthcoming local elections, in this week’s column Samuel Norman looks at what a change in Chancellor would mean for the banking sector. It is no secret that Thursday’s local elections carry a weight far heavier than the fate of a few neighbourhood [...]
It’s not the Bank of England’s job to support the Chancellor May 5, 2026 the Bank of England's MPC is acting as if its role is to support the Chancellor and protect the real economy, rather than control inflation.
Bank of England set to hold interest rates January 31, 2026 The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates at 3.75 per cent next week as policymakers continue to battle against sticky inflation. At the monetary policy committee (MPC)’s first meeting of the year, the Bank is expected to suggest it is too early to cut rates due to the lack of available data [...]
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 [...]
Don’t penalise banks amid private credit jitters, Lloyds boss urges November 5, 2025 The chef executive of Lloyds Banking Group has weighed in on the bubbling tension in the private credit market with a stark warning. In a session with the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee, Charlie Nunn said the UK needed to be “very careful not to make banks accountable for the risks of the [...]
Standard Chartered shares hit 12-year high after income upgrade October 30, 2025 Banking giant Standard Chartered has upgraded its income target for the full-year after its booming wealth business powered profit higher. The FTSE 100 lender posted a pre-tax profit of $1.8bn (£1.36bn) in the three months to September, ahead of the $1.5bn pencilled in by analysts. Shares in the bank jumped to a 12-year high after [...]