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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Global markets hold breath as Trump draws out EU trade talks

May 26, 2025

Donald Trump has global investor sentiment hanging on his every word once again, as European markets rallied on Monday after the President retreated on his latest tariff tirade against the European Union. Trump agreed to extend his trade talks deadline with the EU by over a month, which comes after he threatened to slap a [...]
Close Brothers slapped with a downgrade after rocky third-quarter

May 26, 2025

Close Brothers was handed a downgrade by Peel Hunt analysts on Friday after its third-quarter update did little to calm investor nerves. The bank said fees and expenses were still at an “elevated level” in the recent quarter as net expenses jumped to £13.9m. This was up from £11.6m in the same period last year. [...]
London vs New York: Who will win the fintech IPO war?

May 24, 2025

A battle with New York awaits as Rachel Reeves sets her eyes on London fintech IPOs. The Chancellor has courted top fintech darlings in her attempt to boost listings on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) as a fleet of firms are flirting with floating in the near future. Monzo is reportedly consulting with investment bankers on [...]
Investec rakes in £1bn profit after lending and deposit boost

May 22, 2025

Investec’s profit soared to more than £1bn in its latest financial year after increased lending and deposits bolstered its revenue. The FTSE 250 bank recorded a 7.8 per cent annual jump in operating profit to just over £1bn for the year to 31 March, 2025. This beat the bank’s own upgraded forecast in March, where [...]
Impax’s takings slump after global retreat on sustainability

May 22, 2025

Impax Asset Management recorded a slump in revenue in the first half of the year as a global retreat on green policies turned clients away from its sustainability offering. The firm cited a “challenging first half of financial year” with assets under management falling to £25.3bn. This was down from £37.2bn at the end of [...]
Motor finance: Is Close Brothers heading for a car crash?

May 22, 2025

Costs are mounting, loan books are shrinking, an existential motor finance ruling looms – is Close Brothers heading for disaster? It’s been a bruising 12 months for the lender, with its stock down over 25 per cent. Recent rallies have helped it claw back gains of over 65 per cent in the last six months [...]
HSBC UK to slash bonuses for staff not turning up to office

May 21, 2025

HSBC has told its UK-based retail workers that failing to show up to the office could see their bonuses slashed. Europe’s biggest bank informed staff in the retail and domestic commercial arm that if they are not following the firm’s three-day minimum requirement to work in office they could be paid less as a result. [...]
Reeves warned against bank tax raid

May 21, 2025

Rachel Reeves has been warned of the growth consequences of upping tax on lenders after a leaked memo from Angela Rayner called for the Chancellor to launch a cash grab on banks. Reeves was sent a memo by the Deputy Prime Minister ahead of the spring Statement, which called for an annual £700m hike on [...]
Close Brothers shares drop as costs rise from motor finance threat

May 21, 2025

Close Brothers said fees and expenses were still at an “elevated level” in a third-quarter update on Wednesday as motor finance troubles continued. The group’s net expenses hit £13.9m for the period, compared to £11.6m for the third-quarter in 2024. The lender said it continued to experience heightened “professional fees and expenses” following the Financial [...]
Currys: Shares dip despite interest rates helping sales at retailer

May 21, 2025

Electrical retailer Currys has reported a jump in profit after sales jumped thanks in part to a boost from lower interest costs. In a trading update on Wednesday, the firm said it expects pre-tax profit to come in at £162m, up 37 per cent year-on-year. Previous guidance had indicated profit for the period ending May [...]

Fashion in Formula 1: How the paddock became global catwalk

Fashion in Formula 1: How the paddock became global catwalk

Ian McKellen flirts with Ncuti Gatwa in delightful Frank and Percy film – review

By: Samuel Norman

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