Demystifying corporate social responsibility: It’s not just about ‘do-gooders’ February 4, 2020 When Nationwide Building Society asked us to maximise the impact of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) function, we were very excited. Nationwide already had a deeply embedded sense of social responsibility. The brand was born out of a social purpose, and since 2007 it has been committed to investing at least one percent of its [...]
FCA overdraft rules: What they mean and which banks have hiked fees December 18, 2019 Millions of people may see changes to their available bank balances today as new overdraft rules from the financial watchdog covering how overdrafts are displayed come into effect. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has ordered UK banks to stop including overdrafts in funds marked as “available” to customers, in a move designed to make it [...]
Mortgage approvals rebound after delay on Brexit deadline May 31, 2019 Mortgage approvals for house purchases hit a three-month high in April, rebounding after Britain's March deadline for Brexit was postponed. The number of residential mortgages approved in April ticked up to roughly 66,300, nearing a two-year average and bouncing back from a fall in March, according to new data released this morning by the Bank [...]
UK house price growth slows in May amid Brexit uncertainty May 31, 2019 Annual growth of UK house prices remained below one per cent for the sixth consecutive month in May, as political uncertainty continued to weigh on the property market. Prices fell 0.2 per cent month-on month, while annual house price growth slowed to 0.6 per cent, falling from 0.9 per cent in April and below the [...]
Britain’s small businesses deserve a simpler, fairer tax system May 21, 2019 “When you look after small business,” Sajid Javid said last week, “you look after Britain”. But too often, he admitted, the government has focused its attention elsewhere – big government finding it easier to talk to big business than small. Britain has an enviable record of company creation. Indeed, alongside our stellar job creation rates, [...]
Technology spend knocks Nationwide profit down by 15 per cent May 21, 2019 Nationwide saw its profit fall 15 per cent as the building society’s interest income was squeezed by strong market competition and it splashed out on technology, its full year results revealed today. Read more: Nationwide invests in ex-Barclays CEO's firm to boost business banking The figures The UK stalwart’s profit before tax fell to £833m in the [...]
Nationwide scoops £50m prize for small business lending May 14, 2019 Nationwide has won the latest round of funding from a high-profile grant designed to boost small business lending in the UK, pocketing the top £50m prize. Read more: Nationwide invests in ex-Barclays CEO's firm to boost business banking Investec and the Co-operative Bank were also named as winners, taking home £15m each. The awards, handed [...]
UK house prices suffer fifth month of ‘subdued’ growth amid Brexit uncertainty May 1, 2019 UK house price growth remained flattened in April, as the annual price growth rate rose less than one per cent, the latest data showed today. Read more: London house prices plunge in blow to UK housing market UK house price growth remained quiet in April, as the annual price growth rate rose less than one [...]
It’s time to write the next chapter in the City’s story of technological innovation April 15, 2019 When I travel across the globe, there is an issue I get asked about time and time again: what is it about London that makes it such a successful global financial hub? And what is it about the UK that makes us stand out from the crowd? A key part of the answer is innovation. [...]
Government moves to ban controversial ‘no-fault’ evictions April 15, 2019 The government will ban landlords from evicting tenants at short notice without providing a reason, it announced today, as it continues its shake-up of the private rental sector. Read more: Private Rented Sector investment to hit £75bn by 2025 The move was applauded by campaign groups for giving renters security and a ban has cross-party support, but landlords [...]