By: Samuel Norman

Senior City Reporter Samuel is a Senior City Reporter covering all the top financial institutions from retail banks to fintechs as well as stories on capital markets and economics. He has broken stories on some of the biggest names in the City and regularly writes in-depth analysis pieces on companies and industry trends. Samuel also leads on City AM's morning liveblog from 7am everyday. He writes a weekly column found in print and online on Wednesdays. He can be contacted at samuel.norman@cityam.com and posts on LinkedIn and X at x.com/samnormanwrites.

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Saga shares jump after revealing banking tie-up with Natwest

June 24, 2025

Shares in over-50s group Saga rose on Tuesday after the firm revealed it was in “final negotiations” with FTSE 100 juggernaut Natwest for a banking partnership. The London-listed company quickly climbed three per cent in early trading to 176.80p. The firm posted the update ahead of their AGM on Tuesday, confirming it had “agreed heads [...]
Zopa: Fintech bank takes on HSBC and Lloyds with current account

June 24, 2025

Digital bank Zopa is parking its tanks on the lawns of the UK’s top lenders – with a new high interest current account. The London-based fintech has launched “Biscuit,” which it said will allow customers to make £256 in cashback and interest per year. The current account offers two per cent AER interest on balances, [...]
One twist left in the PHP and KKR bidding war for Assura

June 23, 2025

The Assura bidding war between KKR and PHP looked to be sealing its final chapter on Monday – but analysts warn there could be one more twist in the saga. Assura said on Monday it had recommended its board to accept a fresh cash offer from PHP, which valued the firm at £1.79bn. The deal [...]
Palestine Action: Invesco office attacked in latest red paint vandalism

June 23, 2025

Global investment firm Invesco has been hit in the latest string of “red paint” attacks on financial services companies. The Atlanta-headquartered firm had its Westminster office vandalised on Monday as red paint and graffiti was left plastered across the side of the walls of the Portman Square building. The vandalism, which was committed by activists [...]
HSBC’s return-to-office plans risk boss’ cost-cutting ambitions

June 23, 2025

HSBC’s cost-cutting agenda is set to face a major disruption as the lender faces a shortfall of desks in its office move. The banking juggernaut has been reported to be mulling a return-to-office mandate that would force employees back into the office for at least three days a week. This comes as the bank is [...]
Lammy: Iran blocking Strait of Hormuz would be ‘catastrophic mistake’

June 23, 2025

Foreign secretary David Lammy has warned Iran that blocking the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane would be a “mistake” after the nation vowed repercussions following the US’ attacks. Lammy told the BBC this morning: “It would be a catastrophic mistake. It would be a mistake to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.” The foreign secretary [...]
Spectris agrees to £3.8bn takeover but KKR threatens bidding war

June 23, 2025

Industrial group Spectris has agreed to a £3.8bn takeover by US private equity Advent but a bidding war could be brewing as KKR mulls a rival offer. The FTSE 250 firm has been valued at £37.73 per share in the deal. Shares jumped 13.5 per cent as markets opened on Monday to around 3,726. Private [...]
Revolut boss set for Elon Musk-style payday at $150bn valuation

June 23, 2025

The chief executive of Revolut could be set for a multibillion-dollar payout if the fintech’s valuation passes the $150bn milestone, sparking comparisons to Elon Musk’s controversial Tesla package. Nik Storonsky, who founded Revolut in 2015, has an incentive deal which would increase his stake in the London-based fintech by several percentage points if the valuation [...]
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 [...]
Brent crude could hit $110 if oil flow through Strait of Hormuz halved

June 23, 2025

Oil prices could surge to new highs, Goldman Sachs has warned, after the US attacked three sites in Iran spiking fears that a crucial Iranian-controlled waterway could be disrupted. The price of Brent crude oil spiked 5.7 per cent in the aftermath to $81.40 a barrel – marking a five month high. Prices later gave [...]

Post Office weighs bid for ATM operator in cashpoint expansion

Former Wasserman talent agency set for second rebrand after Ghislaine Maxwell scandal

Cloth Cornhill review: A London icon returns – and it’s fabulous

By: Samuel Norman

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