British banks shed workers at fastest pace since 2018 July 2, 2025 British bankers were on the chopping block in 2024 as UK lenders marked the steepest drop in headcount since 2018 amid an industry-wide digital push. Total employee numbers at British lenders slumped 5.25 per cent to 580,371, falling to the lowest number in a decade. Standard Chartered and HSBC made the biggest culls at 4.5 [...]
Government accused of ignoring SMEs as firms fight for survival June 26, 2025 Three in five small business owners feel ignored by the government, according to a fresh survey, an increasing amount firms raise the alarm on their fight to stay afloat. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are calling on Westminster to take further measures to support businesses after 57 per cent fear for their survival in the [...]
Exclusive: Tandem to name ex-Vanquis chief as new boss June 23, 2025 Digital lender Tandem will this week name the former boss of specialist lender Vanquis and Sainsbury’s retail banking arm as its new chief executive, City AM can reveal. The fintech challenger is set to appoint Neil Chandler, who will replace outgoing chief Alex Mollart. Chandler has most recently served at the helm of digital Banking-as-a-Service [...]
High street banks’ SME lending comeback won’t rattle challengers June 20, 2025 High street banks are flocking back to small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending but face a battle against fintechs which have captured their spot. The Big Four banks have shed their market stronghold in SME lending. Research from the British Business Bank in March revealed challenger banks make up around 60 per cent of gross [...]
Financial services firms expected to dump green finance and DEI June 18, 2025 The financial services industry is taking a dramatic step back from green finance and diversity policies. Over half of UK senior financial professionals believe their leadership will place less focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies in the coming years. Meanwhile, a similar proportion, 54 per cent, believe diversity, equality and inclusion commitments will [...]
Banco Sabadell weighing sale of TSB Bank June 17, 2025 Banco Sabadell is mulling the sale of its British high street bank TSB after receiving expressions of interest. The Spanish lender confirmed last night that it has been approached regarding a potential takeover. Sabadell is reportedly working with advisers to examine the sale of the high street lender and has been in contact with potential [...]
Paragon Bank shares jump after analysts hike target June 16, 2025 Shares in Paragon Banking Group jumped on Monday after analysts reiterated their ‘Buy’ rating. The FTSE 250 bank’s stock climbed over two per cent in afternoon trading, reaching 908.50p. This came after Peel Hunt analysts upped their target price on the lender to 1,030p from 950p. “The group’s capital and funding position remain strong, with [...]
Barclays and Natwest shares jump as conflict sparks inflation fears June 16, 2025 Shares in the FTSE 100’s top banks were rising on Monday as the intensifying conflict in the Middle East triggered inflation fears. Barclays and Natwest were up nearly two per cent and Lloyds over one per cent during early trading as oil prices crept up another one per cent to $74.90 a barrel. This follows [...]
Will fintech banks survive falling interest rates? June 13, 2025 Fintech lenders have accelerated their swing to profitability after interest rates spiked. The UK’s neobanks pocketed record revenues in the last 12 months. Revolut’s takings grew 72 per cent topping £3.1bn. Meanwhile Monzo’s revenue hit £1bn for the first time. But this came as interest rates maintained a post-financial crisis high of 5.25 per cent [...]
Bank Aston to be first locally licensed Guernsey bank in 30 years June 12, 2025 Bank Aston has secured a banking licence from the Guernsey regulator that will make it the first locally licensed bank in the jurisdiction within 30 years. Bank Aston positions itself as a specialist provider for offshore trustees, investment funds, and family offices, which are key sectors in the Channel Islands’ financial services industry. The firm [...]