FCA launches ‘safe space’ for AI as City firms rush to deploy new tech Tech The City’s top regulator has opened the doors to its first-ever ‘AI live testing‘ scheme, giving major financial firms a controlled environment to trial AI without fear of tripping regulatory wires. NatWest, Monzo, Santander, Scottish Widows, Gain Credit, Homeprotect and fintech Snorkl are among those in the inaugural cohort. The FCA says the scheme is [...]
Brits risk financial future as they fail to save for retirement Personal Finance UK savers are failing to put enough money away to fund retirement, despite growing calls from industry figures for people to get to grips with their pension savings. According to the latest report from Lloyds subsidiary Scottish Widows, nearly a quarter of working age people aren’t currently saving for retirement. Meanwhile, over a third are [...]
Scottish Widows owner: Pension funds deal risks making UK like China Economics Labour’s flagship deal with pension funds risks making the UK economy more like China, the boss of Lloyds Banking Group has warned after its subsidiary Scottish Widows chose not to sign up to the agreement. Chancellor Rachel Reeves won the support of 17 pension funds which agreed to invest at least five per cent of [...]
City watchdog takes on advice gap to unlock growth June 30, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a new form of financial help dubbed ‘targeted support’ in a bid to encourage greater consumer participation in financial markets and unlock more investment-led growth. The City regulator will target consumers with common financial characteristics, such as unsustainable pension drawdown, inadequate retirement savings and excess cash not being [...]
Blow to London Stock Exchange as Scottish Widows plots huge selloff June 19, 2025 The London Stock Exchange has been dealt another hammer blow after it emerged one of the UK’s biggest pension funds plans to massively cut its allocation for UK equities. The Edinburgh-based business, which manages as much as £72bn in pension assets, intends to slash the UK equities allocation in its highest growth portfolio from 12 [...]
Mercer: Pension funds need better pick of UK investments for key deal to work May 1, 2025 The government’s proposed pensions deal will not boost growth unless better UK investment opportunities are put on offer, the boss of one of Britain’s biggest funds has warned. In an interview with City AM, Benoit Hudon suggested a stronger pipeline of UK assets was needed as current options did not deliver good enough returns for [...]
High street giants facing shareholder revolt over low wages March 27, 2025 Investor groups and City giants have teamed up to target high street giants Next, M&S and JD Sports with shareholder resolutions over their low wages. Seven institutional investors managing over £1 trillion in assets have joined the campaign, including Axa, Scottish Widows and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. The campaign is being led by responsible [...]
Lloyds Banking Group unveils £200m plan for head office January 27, 2025 Lloyds Banking Group has unveiled £200m plans to transform the headquarters of Scottish Widows to become the giant’s main base in Scotland. The Port Hamilton building on Morrison Street, Edinburgh, is to be designed in partnership with Drum Property Group. Lloyds Banking Group employs around 10,000 people in the Scottish capital. Located in the city’s [...]
Home REIT: Beleaguered property fund value falls 60 per cent January 14, 2025 Scandal-hit housing investor Home REIT has published its long-delayed 2023 annual results, revealing its property portfolio has been valued at just 40.7 per cent of its original purchase cost. The results for the year to 31 August 2023 revealed that the value of Home REIT’s assets had decreased by more than a third in a [...]
The Notebook: Closing the gender pensions gap remains at least 20 years out of sight November 13, 2024 The gender pensions gap means many women are facing poverty in retirement. And without urgent action, it may never close, writes Scottish Widows MD Jackie Leiper.