By: Samuel Norman

City Reporter Samuel is a City Reporter for City AM covering banking, fintech and more across the City. He is a gold-standard NCTJ qualified journalist who's previously worked at the Daily Mail and Sky News. He can be contacted at samuel.norman@cityam.com and posts at x.com/samnormanwrites.

All 1040 Articles

‘Spectre of recession’ looms with growth set to dim in 2026

December 22, 2025

The government is facing a critical warning over the looming “spectre of recession” after economic growth stalled in the second half of 2025 and is expected to wane in the new year. On Monday, fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) downgraded the economy’s second quarter expansion to a sluggish 0.2 per cent [...]
First Equity sets sights on Northwest expansion

December 22, 2025

Historic London-based stockbroker First Equity is set to expand into the Northwest of the UK with a fresh presence in Liverpool. The firm, an independent broking boutique dating back to the 1980s, offers investment services to companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, AIM, Aquis Exchange, and JP Jenkins Private Markets. Senior Investment Manager Neil Blankstone, [...]
Private sector slump to drag on to Spring 2026, businesses say

December 22, 2025

UK business leaders have warned that the sharp downturn in the private sector is likely to continue until Spring 2026, after firms put plans for future investment on ice in the run-up to the Labour government’s Autumn Budget. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) anticipates private sector output to fall in the fourth quarter after [...]
UK economic growth downgraded for second quarter

December 22, 2025

Growth in the UK economy was revised downwards on Monday after fresh figures revealed economy expanded less than initially thought in the second quarter. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) cut the UK’s economic growth in the three months to June to 0.2 per cent from 0.3 per cent previously. The third quarter’s sluggish 0.1 [...]
Metro Bank handed capital boost from banking watchdog

December 19, 2025

High street lender Metro Bank is set for a major capital boost after a reclassification from the banking watchdog. The FTSE 250 firm said on Friday it has received confirmation from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) that it would be listed as a transfer firm under the newly introduced MREL regime from 2026. Introduced in [...]
UK government borrowing overshoots expectations in November

December 19, 2025

UK government borrowing exceeded expectations in November but still fell year-on-year after tax receipts surged following Rachel Reeves’ first Autumn Budget. The latest release from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed public sector borrowing topped £11.7bn in November. City economists expected government borrowing to come in at £10.2bn over the month. Despite this, the [...]
Banks to set own contactless limit as FCA scraps cap

December 19, 2025

UK banks will be able to set their own contactless limits under new rules set to be introduced by the City watchdog next year. In the current system, banks place a cap on payments of up to £100 per transaction when consumers are using physical contactless cards. But changes introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority [...]
‘Chance of 2026 recession’ despite interest rate cut – follow live

December 18, 2025

Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The Bank of England has handed Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Labour government a highly-desired Christmas present today. The central bank confirmed a chop to interest rates falling to 3.75 per cent – the lowest in nearly three years. It comes after inflation undershot expectations on Wednesday providing [...]
BP: FTSE 100 giant replaces top boss after just two years

December 18, 2025

FTSE 100 oil major BP has replaced its top boss after just two years in the role as the energy giant targets a major turnaround. BP will swap out incumbent boss Murray Auchincloss, who has been in the role since the start of 2024, for Woodside Energy chief Meg O’Neil. Auchincloss will step down with [...]
Monzo shareholders plotting chair coup after top boss was ousted

December 17, 2025

A group of Monzo shareholders are plotting a coup to oust the chair of the fintech following the shock exit of chief executive TS Anil. The investors, which include venture capital firms Accel and Iconiq, have strapped up with lawyers as they lobby to reinstate Anil, who is set to be replaced by ex-Google executive [...]

Lib Dems urge FCA probe into Mandelson leaks

The real Guinness Six Nations showdown is happening in the pub

How South Wales became one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations

By: Samuel Norman

All 1040 Articles

Subscribe