Markets fall as fears over economic recovery mount August 31, 2010 The FTSE 100 dropped today (Tuesday) led by falls in risk sensitive assets such as banks and commodity stocks as fears intensified over the sustainability of the global recovery. The index shed 61.37 points, or 1.2 per cent at 5,140.19, erasing the 0.9 per cent gain on Friday, as traders returned after the Bank Holiday [...]
Two staunch defenders of the banks make it on to City A.M.’s inaugural awards shortlist August 30, 2010 TWO personalities who have fought steadfastly for the interests of banks have made it onto the shortlist to win City A.M.’s personality of the year, one of the biggest prizes at October’s City A.M. awards. Mayor of London Boris Johnson was chosen for springing to the defence of the banks in the aftermath of the [...]
Omitting Casey was a big call but I can see Monty’s logic August 30, 2010 WITH the number of top-class players he had at his disposal, there was always going to be controversy and the odd surprise in Colin Montgomerie’s three wildcard picks for the Ryder Cup. Indeed, the fact that the new world No8, Paul Casey, couldn’t force his way into Monty’s thoughts for Celtic Manor just goes to [...]
Klein earned $10m from Lehman deal August 30, 2010 FORMER Citigroup high-flyer Michael Klein pocketed $10m (£6.4m) as a flat fee for helping Barclays buy Lehman Brothers’ US brokerage at the height of the financial crisis. The investment banker’s pay deal, revealed during the ongoing legal wrangle between the two sides regarding the takeover, was described as being “of great interest” by bankruptcy judge [...]
Get on your bike to avoid Tube congestion August 30, 2010 ANYONE who works in the Square Mile will know how empty it can feel in August as City workers – myself included – decamp for a well earned break. And yet, somehow, this summer downturn appears to have no impact whatsoever on the overcrowded tubes, trains and buses bringing commuters into the City at rush-hour. [...]
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR August 30, 2010 IT’S been another tough year in the City. Stock markets are still nervy, the recovery is by no means secure and a double-dip is on many people’s cards. But it is hard times that form characters. Our five nominees for Personality of the Year have proved their mettle over the past 12 months. One is [...]
S&P CASTS DOUBT ON BANK REVIVAL August 26, 2010 RATING agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) cast doubt on the strength of the UK banking sector’s recovery yesterday, saying lenders had been buoyed by a rising economic tide. The claim, made after this month’s bumper first-half earnings season, was immediately rebuffed by banking industry figures. While institutions realise they have been helped by an improving [...]
PERSONAL FINANCE NEWS August 26, 2010 RECESSION FLAT SHARE ANYONE? According to a new survey by easyroommate.co.uk there has been a surge in the number of people looking for flat shares in the wake of the recession. It found that flat sharing was up 59,000 since the start of the crunch and now the total number of people who flat share [...]
Watchdog slaps £1.6m fine on SocGen August 25, 2010 THE Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulator fined French bank Societe Generale £1.575m yesterday for failing to provide accurate transaction reports. The fine handed out to SocGen, which in 2008 lost around €5bn (£4.1bn) in a trading scandal, follows previous penalties handed out to Barclays, Credit Suisse and Commerzbank for similar failings. The FSA said that [...]
Getting a grip on listed products August 25, 2010 TOO much choice can be a problem for investors these days. Online consumer champion Which? singled out structured products as being some of the most confusing instruments on offer and was particularly unhappy about their lack of transparency, particularly when it comes to counterparty risk. The UK Structured Products Association hit back at the research [...]