The poorest have most to gain from the Financial Conduct Authority making it easier to innovate August 25, 2015 One of the FCA’s statutory objectives is to promote effective competition in the financial services sector in the interests of consumers. As the economy continues to settle into a new phase, it is fair to ask whether the FCA should adjust the balance of its focus on market enforcement and instead ensure resources are [...]
Unlimited upsides? Check. Too big to fail? Check. History tells us careful investors could be about to make millions in China August 21, 2015 The Chinese government could be forgiven if it now feels rather pleased with itself. After interventions including banning negative reporting on markets, threatening to prosecute short-sellers, and ordering companies to engage in share buybacks, it has succeeded in arresting a stock market crash – albeit with a few bumps along the way. Not many governments [...]
City Moves for 18 August 2015 | Who’s switching jobs August 17, 2015 Investec Roger Lee has been appointed to the bank’s large cap pan-European sales team. He joins from Macquarie, where he was first responsible for leading the development of its global sales platform in Asia and the Middle East, and subsequently relocated to London to develop its UK and European long-only coverage. Lee has over 20 [...]
Carphone Warehouse cyber attack probed by data watchdog ICO August 10, 2015 Dixons Carphone has suffered its first major blow since last year’s £4bn merger after admitting to a huge data breach that has put millions of customers at risk and sparked an investigation by the UK’s data watchdog. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) said yesterday that it is “making enquiries” into the attack after being [...]
Top banks could face millions in new PPI claims over commission August 10, 2015 Britain’s top banks are facing further fall out from the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI). The latest potential threat comes from a case brought by lecturer Susan Plevin, over a loan and PPI policy taken out in 2006. She was unaware that more than 70 per cent of the commission she paid on the [...]
QBE’s David Hall on how insurers are the unsung heroes of major sporting events: “I like to think we are the glue that allows the World Cup to operate” August 9, 2015 For A few short weeks next month, England's rugby team will find itself at the centre of the sporting universe. The World Cup will provide nailbiting thrills and drama, established stars will shine, new stars will burst into life, and seminal moments will be etched into the sport’s history books. Amid this landscape of excitement, [...]
Decline in Brits abroad as holidaymakers opt to stay home this summer August 8, 2015 The UK economy is recovering and consumer confidence is increasing – but not enough to encourage the majority of people to holiday abroad this summer. Read more: Why taking a holiday is vital to productivity Less than half of people in the UK will travel to other countries this year, a reduction on the 56 per [...]
City Moves for 06 August 2015 | Who’s switching jobs August 5, 2015 Savills The property adviser has appointed Julian Lyon as director in its worldwide occupier services team. He joins from General Motors UK, where he spent 17 years consolidating its UK property portfolio. Lyon has 30 years’ experience in the commercial property market. Standard Chartered Mark Smith has been appointed group chief risk officer at the [...]
City Moves for 04 August 2015 | Who’s switching jobs August 3, 2015 Legal & General Investment Management Andrzej Pioch has been promoted to co-fund manager in the investment management company’s multi-index team. He joined Legal & General Investment Management in July 2014 as fund manager from Aviva Investors. Argo Group International Holdings The underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products has appointed Steve McGill as global head [...]
EU outlook revised to “negative” from “stable” by Standard & Poor’s August 3, 2015 Standard and Poor’s has revised the EU’s outlook to negative due to the ongoing Greek debt crisis and growing fears that the UK could vote to leave the EU. The decision also reflects that S&P believe the EU’s AA+ credit rating has a greater than 1-in-3 change of being cut in the next 2 years. This [...]