Financial watchdog pushes through changes to “unfair and unclear” buy-now pay-later contracts February 14, 2022 The Financial Conduct Authority has pushed through changes to potentially “unfair and unclear” terms in the contracts major buy-now pay-later (BNPL) as the government prepares for a regulatory clampdown on the sector this year.
Britain’s banks prepare to pay out bumper bonuses amid cost of living crisis February 14, 2022 Britain’s banks are bracing themselves for a public backlash as they prepare to dish out more than £4bn in bonuses while customers grapple with a growing cost of living crisis.
Boris Johnson will ‘restore smaller state’ in Number 10 reset, says Barclay February 13, 2022 Boris Johnson’s government will take a “step back from people’s lives” as a part of a pivot to a more traditional conservative platform, new Number 10 chief of staff Steve Barclay has said. Barclay said the government will “restore a smaller state” and “make the centre of government work like the best-run companies” as Johnson [...]
Retailers slash ties with unethical suppliers to tune of £7.1bn in cancelled contracts February 10, 2022 Retailers severed ties with suppliers who did not meet ethical standards to the tune of £7.1bn in cancelled contracts last year. Research published today from Barclays Corporate Banking has highlighted that one in five UK retailers distanced themselves from suppliers who did not meet sustainability or ethics standards. Of those who did slash ties, an [...]
Higher interest rates and rebounding loan demand to boost UK banks February 10, 2022 A higher interest rate environment and a rebound in loan demand is set to boost Britain’s biggest lenders. UK banks’ net interest margins will widen on the Bank of England and the world’s biggest central banks launching a rate hike cycle this year to tame inflation, analysts are betting. Final quarter earnings for UK banks [...]
The Monzo effect: Challenger banks make life increasingly difficult for traditional high street rivals February 9, 2022 Challenger banks are outperforming traditional and established financial institutions more and more, with a growing number of Brits taking up accounts with Starling, Monzo or Triodos. According to new data shared with City A.M. this morning, the digital-only banks beat traditional institutions when it comes to customer service and mobile apps. Consumer group Which! asked [...]
City access to the Chancellor: 80 per cent of Rishi Sunak’s meetings are with banks and financial services firms February 8, 2022 As the government is looking to ease rules and regulations for the City of London, it has been revealed that Chancellor Rishi Sunak met with dozens of financial firms, banks, consultancy firms, hedge funds and lobby groups in recent months. According to new analysis, published by the Independent, around 80 per cent of all businesses [...]
Explainer-in-brief: Gloria Gaynor and the other new aides of No10 February 8, 2022 After a slew of aides at No10 quit last week amongst the turmoil of the Sue Gray report, Downing Street has spun the resignations as Boris Johnson “taking charge” of staffing problems. Steve Barclay will take the vacant role of chief of staff. He’s an old ally of Rishi Sunak and looks ready to steady [...]
London markets climb as airlines take off February 7, 2022 London markets posted a strong start to the week yesterday, led higher by airlines taking off. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 0.76 per cent higher at 7,573.47 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, added 0.39 per cent to reach 21,797.29 points. [...]
Losses deepen for London-listed Bitcoin miner Argo Blockchain February 7, 2022 Losses have deepened for London-listed bitcoin mining company Argo Blockchain following legal woes and a dip in the price of Bitcoin.