BoE’s Cunliffe sees strong case for UK digital currency May 13, 2021 Bank of England Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe today said he could see good reasons for the central bank to launch its own digital currency. Cunliffe said the Covid crisis had accelerated the shift away from ‘public’ cash issued by the BoE and in favour of ‘private’ money used for online payments. “We may not be [...]
France wants to delay UK-EU Brexit financial services pact over fishing row May 12, 2021 France is aiming to block a post-Brexit financial services pact between the UK and the EU over a row about fishing rights. The UK and EU announced in March that it had drafted a regulatory co-operation agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding, on financial services, however it is yet to be signed or made [...]
UK GDP falls in Q1 but Sunak confident in recovery after March rebound May 12, 2021 Britain’s economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 2.1 per cent in March, picking up speed in what Chancellor Rishi Sunak expects to be a sharp economic comeback. The monthly growth beat economists’ predictions of a 1.3 per cent leap, the Office for National Statistics said this morning. “Despite a difficult start to this year, economic growth [...]
Brexit hit: City of London suffers £2.3 trillion derivatives loss in a single month May 11, 2021 The City of London suffered a loss of £2.3 trillion in a single month in its lucrative derivatives trading market, with Wall Street trading platforms the ones that benefitted. U.S. swap-execution facilities pulled in more trades across euros, pounds and dollars in March while London experienced an exodus compared to last July, while venues in [...]
Lex Greensill apologises for Greensill Capital collapse as he faces ‘fraudster’ allegations May 11, 2021 Lex Greensill has apologised for the collapse of Greensill Capital and has blamed it on the firm’s insurance provider Tokio Marine pulling its coverage in March this year. Speaking to a Westminster committee today, Greensill said that “I bear complete responsibility for the collapse of Greensill Capital”, while also apologising to its clients and the [...]
FCA launches formal probe into Greensill’s UK operations May 11, 2021 The City regulator has launched a formal investigation into the UK operations of collapsed supply chain firm Greensill Capital as part of wider global probes. The Financial Conduct Authority’s chief executive Nikhil Rathi gave the first confirmation the regulator is investigating Greensill seen it collapsed into administration in March. Greensill Capital was the brainchild of [...]
JP Morgan’s UK staff set to return to office from next month May 11, 2021 JP Morgan has told its UK staff that more of them will return to the office from next month as restrictions start to ease. The American bank told staff to prepare for a “consistent schedule” which combines both remote and office working but offices will operate at maximum 50 per cent of capacity, according to [...]
Extinction Refinancing: Banks are the next generation of climate activists withholding funding for carbon-heavy businesses May 11, 2021 Banks are unlikely to be the first group that comes to mind when thinking of climate activists. Although there is now immense and growing pressure on every area of the financial community to drive down emissions and lead the transition to a low-carbon economy, banks often seem to face the most scrutiny. A massive 92 [...]
‘Can I give you lunch?’ David Cameron sent more than 40 messages to ministers and officials to lobby for Greensill May 11, 2021 David Cameron complained that a decision to exclude failed Greensill Capital from a government bailout programme was “bonkers” and “nuts” in a spray of more than 40 texts and emails to ministers and officials, new documents today revealed. Evidence compiled by the Treasury Select Committee for an inquiry show Cameron messaged ministers, Treasury civil servants [...]
Zumo launches virtual Visa debit card May 11, 2021 Zumo, the Edinburgh-based crypto wallet, has today announced the launch of its Zumo virtual card in partnership with Modulr.