Thinking around corners on UK rental market could transform life for the better June 1, 2021 With pubs and restaurants open across London once again, the capital’s young professionals can return to one of their favourite pastimes: gathering together over a drink to complain about the rental market. We all know the stereotypical ladder: you begin in a slightly shabby, probably shared flat, you move on to somewhere on your own [...]
Bank of England felt no Treasury pressure to give Greensill preferential treatment, says Bailey May 24, 2021 The Bank of England did not face pressure from the Treasury or David Cameron to give Greensill Capital preferential treatment in evaluating the firm for a large-scale loan, according to bank governor Andrew Bailey. Bailey told MPs today that lobbying efforts from Cameron did not mean the failed supply chain finance firm had better treatment [...]
SFO launches money laundering probe into Gupta family over ties to Greensill Capital May 14, 2021 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said this morning it is launching an investigation into the Gupta Family Group Alliance. “The SFO is investigating suspected fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering in relation to the financing and conduct of the business of companies within the Gupta Family Group Alliance (GFG), including its financing arrangements with Greensill [...]
David Cameron denies speaking to Lex Greensill about future job while Prime Minister May 13, 2021 David Cameron has denied he spoke with Lex Greensill about one day working for his supply chain finance firm while he was Prime Minister. Greensill, an Australian former investment banker, worked as an adviser in the Cabinet Office from 2011 while Cameron was Prime Minister. Cameron went on to work for now failed Greensill Capital [...]
Lex Greensill apologises for Greensill Capital collapse as he faces ‘fraudster’ allegations May 11, 2021 Lex Greensill has apologised for the collapse of Greensill Capital and has blamed it on the firm’s insurance provider Tokio Marine pulling its coverage in March this year. Speaking to a Westminster committee today, Greensill said that “I bear complete responsibility for the collapse of Greensill Capital”, while also apologising to its clients and the [...]
Taxman owed millions following Greensill collapse May 9, 2021 The taxman is owed millions of pounds following the collapse of scandal-hit finance firm Greensill Capital. Documents from administrator Grant Thornton show that HM Revenue & Customs is among more than 200 creditors out of pocket since the company’s collapse in March. It is owed $8m (£5.7m), the Sunday Times reported. In total Greensill owes [...]
EU urged to bring in tougher climate finance rules May 5, 2021 European Union policymakers today faced a call to break a ‘climate-finance doom loop’ by making banks hold up to three times more capital to cover risks from fossil fuel activities. Finance Watch, which campaigns to improve how finance works for society, has written to EU President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the union to toughen [...]
Credit Suisse’s ravaged reputation is salvageable but it will be a long slog April 28, 2021 Credit Suisse faced the music again last week. The Swiss bank posted a devastating first quarter loss of £593million after the dramatic collapse of US hedge fund Archegos. The bankruptcy was hot on the heels of the downfall of financial firm Greensill. The bank’s chief executive, Thomas Gottstein, branded the loss “unacceptable”. Even as it [...]
Sunday Sitdown: ‘Skittish’ banks need to up their game, says CEO of Ezbob April 25, 2021 Following a nightmare year that was hugely disrupted by the pandemic and three subsequent lockdowns, the City is slowly switching into recovery mode as the economy starts to re-open and many sectors are coming back to life. To discuss the way back up, City A.M. sits down with Tomer Guriel, chief executive of Marble Arch-based [...]
Public debt: Who has lent a staggering £2.1 trillion to Rishi Sunak? April 23, 2021 Government debt has hit its highest point as a portion of gross domestic product since the early 1960s when the country was still paying off what it had borrowed to fund the fight against Nazi Germany, new figures showed this morning. Last year spending skyrocketed to pay for dozens of programmes to prop up the [...]