UK can be a ‘free agent’ in financial markets after Brexit, says think tank October 19, 2020 The UK can be a significant “free agent” in the global banking and financial markets once Brexit is over, a new report claims. As negotiations continue in the next few weeks and Bois Johnson steps up his no-deal rhetoric, the UK’s banking and finance industry is in for a seismic change. A report by think [...]
Amigo enters Asset Voluntary Requirement with regulator October 19, 2020 The City regulator has told Amigo’s new board it cannot transfer any assets outside of the group without its permission. Amigo (AMGO) has entered an Asset Voluntary Requirement (AVR) with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which means the lender will need its approval to transfer assets outside of the group. It also means it needs [...]
London fintechs secure billions from US investors despite virus and Brexit uncertainty October 16, 2020 London fintechs have secured $3.6bn in venture capital investment this year with more than half coming from US investors. Fintechs received $2.2bn, more than 60 per cent of overall investment, through funding rounds with at least one US investor, according to data from Dealroom and London & Partners. It is nearly double the US funding [...]
ICO fines British Airways £20m for data breach October 16, 2020 The ICO has fined British Airways £20m for a data breach affecting more than 400,000 customers. The watchdog found that the airline was processing personal data “without adequate security measures in place” breaking data protection law. Subsequently BA suffered a severe cyber attack in 2018, which it did not detect for more than two months. [...]
Man Group lifted by strong demand for alternative funds October 16, 2020 Hedge fund manager Man Group has reported a rise in funds under management after strong demand for alternative assets. The firm reported funds under management (FUM) rose to $113.1bn in the three months to September, as alternatives saw a $1.7bn inflow after a slowdown in redemptions. And a good market performance by the long-only funds [...]
Serco lifts annual outlook after Covid contract wins October 16, 2020 Serco (SRP) raised its full-year forecasts after contract extensions in the UK and cost-cutting measures boosted its third quarter results. In an unscheduled trading statement, the contractor said it had achieved strong revenue growth in the third quarter, with all regions performing better than expected. Serco said it had seen a strong performance in the [...]
Homeowners worried about mortgage renewals as payment holiday ends October 16, 2020 A quarter of the UK’s home-owners are worried about renewing their mortgage as the payment holiday comes to an end this month. As the country grapples with an impending recession the UK’s homeowners are concerned they will be unable to renew their mortgages as earnings stagnate and mass unemployment looms. A poll commissioned by Willow [...]
A lost generation of startups: are early-stage companies being left behind? October 15, 2020 Early-stage companies face a difficult winter ahead as barriers to funding increase and the number of failing tech startups soar. Last month saw a record number of filings for administrations, liquidations or dissolutions of the UK’s startups. Research by Plexal and Beauhurst published today reveals more than 1,000 tech startups have filed since the start [...]
Dame Sharon White: It is too early to predict the end of the high street October 15, 2020 Dame Sharon White has said it is too early to sound the death knell of the British high street even as she outlined further plans for the John Lewis partnership to move online. Speaking to the Times CEO summit, White said the “death knell for the High Street is rather premature”, just months after cutting [...]
Investment managers urged to join government’s Kickstart scheme October 15, 2020 Investment managers are being urged to support young people with work placements amid the pandemic. Investment 20/20, part of the Investment Association, is calling on the industry to provide placements for 16-24 year olds on university credit, as it announces a new initiative in support of the government’s Kickstart scheme. Last month the government urged [...]
