So long, Siri: HSBC to launch voice and fingerprint recognition biometric system for up to 15 million users February 19, 2016 Always forgetting your password, have no idea what your grandmother's maiden name was or has that memorable place slipped your mind? HSBC thinks it has the answer: the bank is planning to launch voice recognition and touch security services in the UK. So long, Siri, this is all about "voice prints". First Direct customers will be [...]
Get out your glad-rags: City heavyweights have been shortlisted for the British LGBT Awards 2016 February 18, 2016 It's been called the "Gay Oscars" by loyal fans; the shortlist for this year's British LGBT Awards is now public, and London's financial firms are forerunners for a few gongs. Shattering perceptions of stuffy conservatism, business leaders and global corporations including Barclays, Citi and Goldman Sachs have been shortlisted for accolades ahead of the big night at London's Grand [...]
Barclays’ investment bank chief Tom King could be set to retire next month February 17, 2016 Tom King, head of Barclays' investment bank, is reportedly planning to retire as early as next month. King, who is based in New York and has worked for Barclays since 2009, has long been expected to step down from his post at the top of the bank's investment banking business, but multiple media reports out [...]
Oil production freeze deal: All eyes of Iran as Opec members try for its participation February 17, 2016 International attention will fall on Iran today, as Opec members try to secure its participation in what will be the first global oil deal in 15 years, potentially by offering its special terms. Today’s outcome is crucial because Saudi Arabia and Russia have said that the agreement to freeze production at January levels is contingent [...]
EU referendum: BT chairman Sir Mike Rake says British voters will choose to remain in the European Union as he takes up role at the International Chamber of Commerce February 17, 2016 Sir Mike Rake, who chairs both telecoms giant BT Group and the payment processing company Worldpay, has said that he expects Britain to remain in the European Union, even if the forthcoming EU referendum proves to be a closely-contested vote. “If common sense prevails and the facts can be got in the public domain, the [...]
FTSE 100 index opens higher as oil price rebounds on production freeze as Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Glencore share prices jump February 16, 2016 The FTSE 100 index opened higher this morning after markets were encouraged by quantitative easing hints from European Central Bank president Mario Draghi yesterday, as well as the rebounding price of oil. The UK's blue chip index rose 0.93 per cent to 5,878 points, led higher by Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Glencore. "European markets picked up where [...]
FTSE 100 index rallies after Asian markets as the share prices of Reckitt Benckiser and IAG rise February 15, 2016 The FTSE 100 index shot higher today after a rally on most Asian stock markets, despite poor trade data coming out of China. The UK's blue-chip index rose 2.26 per cent to 5,836 points in early afternoon trading, led higher by Reckitt Benckiser and British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG). "No severe sell-off in Chinese markets after a [...]
Greed is not so good: Britain’s bankers are more stressed than ever February 15, 2016 It might be time to feel sorry for Britain's bankers. Apparently turning into social pariahs after the financial crisis has taken its toll on their mental health. Demand for insurance to protect revenues against the cost of paying staff who are too stressed to work has surged, according to data from financial services group Willis [...]
European bank share prices bounce – but report warns negative rates could make the sector’s woes even worse February 15, 2016 European banks looked more positive today, as markets continued Friday's rally. In the UK, HSBC was up 0.76 per cent to 443.75p, while Barclays was up 2.5 per cent to 161p. Lloyds was up 1.5 per cent to 59.39p, while Royal Bank of Scotland group rose 1.7 per cent to 244.3p. That came after HSBC confirmed [...]