Exclusive: Banks failing to prioritise the climate will lose customers, survey shows December 22, 2020 Customers are expecting more from their banks when it comes to climate change and could lose out to more green competitors if they fail to prioritise the environment. Some 71 per cent of UK banking customers are more likely to choose a bank with a positive social and environmental impact, according to new research from [...]
FTSE 100 bounces back as investors absorb impact of mutant strain December 22, 2020 The FTSE 100 inched into the green on Tuesday even as the prospect of another national lockdown loomed amid concerns of a new strain of coronavirus. London’s blue-chip index opened 0.43 per cent lower to 6,388 points before bouncing back to trade up 0.35 per cent by 9.30am. The more domestically focused FTSE 250 is [...]
Central London’s luxury property dips on Brexit uncertainty December 22, 2020 The allure of luxury property in central London has waned this year amid Brexit uncertainty and weaker demand. With Brexit reaching an impasse ahead of the end of the transition period, the annual price change in prime central and prime outer London properties grew to its widest this month. Average prices in prime central London [...]
How activist investors will circle in on UK corporates in 2021 December 20, 2020 As companies plan for their post-pandemic future there are signs that they will have to contend with a new threat: activist investors. Activists have so far been biding their time. The usually vocal Edward Bramson paused his campaign against Barclays boss Jes Staley at the start of the year. Bramson has repeatedly called for the [...]
Facebook UK notched up £1.1bn in sales last year December 18, 2020 Facebook UK reported a staggering £1.1bn in sales last year and boasted of further growth as it increased its headcount. Revenues rose 28 per cent in 2019 from £797m to £1.1bn, of which the vast majority came from sales support, marketing services and engineering support services. The social media platform also said its advertiser reseller [...]
President Trump ‘could lift UK travel ban’ from next week December 18, 2020 President Donald Trump is reportedly considering lifting the US travel ban on the UK and Europe from next week. It followed a recommendation from the US Department of Homeland Security, according to the Telegraph, which has also won support from members of the White House coronavirus task force and other public health agencies. The President [...]
Natwest buys Metro Bank’s £3bn mortgage portfolio December 18, 2020 Natwest is set to buy Metro Bank’s £3bn mortgage portfolio in a deal which will see 13,000 customers transferred over to the lender. The deal comes after the high street bank returned to profit after taking a £.21bn hit from the pandemic in the first half of the year. “Growing our mortgage book is an [...]
PM ‘hoping to avoid’ post-Christmas lockdown December 18, 2020 Boris Johnson has not ruled out a post-Christmas lockdown following a surge in infections driven by London and the South East. In a visit to Bolton, the Prime Minister failed to eliminate the prospect of following Wales and Northern Ireland into lockdown after Christmas. “Obviously, we’re hoping very much that we’ll be able to avoid [...]
Costcutter snapped up by Bestway after strong year of sales December 18, 2020 Wholesaler Bestway has bought Costcutter from Bibby Line for an undisclosed sum in a significant move in independent retail. Under the deal Costcutter will become part of Bestway Wholesale’s retail division and operate as normal. “The acquisition of CSG by Bestway Wholesale enables us to further build on our solid foundations in Independent Retail, allowing [...]
Whatsapp to launch video calls on desktop in bid to rival Zoom December 18, 2020 Whatsapp is set to introduce video and voice calling to its desktop version next year following a surge in popularity for video-conferencing services. Currently Whatsapp only allows video and voice calls through its mobile app but a move to desktop calls would put it on par with Zoom and Google Meet. With over 2bn global [...]
