As the Co-Op Bank goes on sale, is now the time to buy UK banks? February 14, 2017 It wasn't hard to spot the irony when Paul Flowers, chairman of the avowedly ethical Co-Operative Bank and a methodist minister, was arrested for drug possession in 2013. In the same year, the mutual Co-operative Group ceded control of the ailing lender to its bondholders, after a massive £1.5bn hole was discovered in its balance [...]
Now Santander lets you make payments using just your voice February 13, 2017 More proof that voice control is the future… Santander is now letting customers make payments just by asking their phone, along with several other new functions that work in a similar way to Apple's Siri or Amazon's Alexa Users of the bank's SmartBank app can use their voice to check their account balance, report a lost [...]
France 22-16 Scotland: Scots only have themselves to blame, admits try-scorer Stuart Hogg February 12, 2017 Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg admitted his side were the architects of their own downfall after two Camille Lopez penalties inside the final 10 minutes proved decisive for France. Hogg’s 15th Test try was cancelled out by Les Bleus centre Gael Fickou, while Tim Swinson’s touchdown regained the lead for the visitors before Lopez’s boot came [...]
Barclays mulls plans to freeze chief executive Jes Staley’s £8m a year pay as investors reach breaking point over bumper deals February 12, 2017 Barclays is considering freezing its chief executive's maximum pay at £8m for the next three years, in a bid to dodge fallout from a potential shareholder spring. According to Sky News, which first reported the story, the chair of the bank's remuneration committee has briefed leading investors on plans to keep salary and incentives for Jes Staley, who [...]
Stress tests could be watered down in Dodd-Frank shake up February 9, 2017 The days of US stress tests for banks in their current guise could be numbered as Donald Trump and his team dismantle the Dodd-Frank rules. The President signed an executive order earlier this month to review the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial regulations. Now, a leaked memo from House Financial Services Committee chairman Jeb Hensarling, which has been seen by [...]
Trio of ex-Barclays bankers convicted of Libor rigging due to face confiscation hearing tomorrow February 8, 2017 Three ex-Barclays bankers previously found guilty of Libor-rigging offences are scheduled for confiscation hearings in a London court tomorrow. Jonathan Mathew, Jay Merchant and Alex Pabon were convicted and handed jail sentences last summer in the third case brought to court as part of the Serious Fraud Office's ongoing Libor investigation. Former submitter Mathew is currently serving a [...]
When fintechs and banks go speed dating February 8, 2017 While the seemingly age-old debate about whether fintech startups will kill banks still rages on, FinovateEurope demonstrates why that question is now largely redundant – things have moved on. The 80 startups on stage at the two day event in the heart of the City are pitching the banks, insurers and City institutions in attendance more [...]
Bill Gates ignored opportunity to buy Liverpool ahead of 2010 FSG takeover February 8, 2017 World's richest man, tech pioneer, philanthropist…football club owner? Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world's wealthiest people, passed up on the opportunity to add the latter title to his resume after being offered Liverpool Football Club in 2010. Intermediaries trying to find a buyer for the Premier League club from [...]
City Moves for 8 February 2017 – who’s switching jobs? February 8, 2017 Today's City Moves cover banking and online travel. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Aldermore Specialist lender and savings bank Aldermore has appointed two leading industry figures to its business finance team to drive further growth in its asset finance lending operations. Patrick Jelly joins the Bank as commercial director for asset finance. [...]
Troy Deeney interview: Watford’s captain on how prison spurred him to the Premier League February 7, 2017 For most players it’s a motivational pep talk, a successful loan move or a dramatic moment on the pitch that is the catalyst for propelling a career to new heights. But for Watford striker Troy Deeney, the script really begins at the moment the door to his cell in Warrington’s Thorn Cross prison slammed shut at [...]