The economics of gift giving: It probably isn’t worth it December 20, 2019 It is Christmastime, which means that on Tuesday I will be frantically rushing around doing some very last-minute shopping and attempting to wrap presents. I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to buy people this year, although my young nieces are proving to be particularly tricky. As I’ve never been a four-year-old girl, [...]
Queen’s Speech promises wide-ranging public spending December 19, 2019 A wide ranging Queen’s Speech has set out the government’s plans to boost NHS spending, slash business rates, implement stricter prison sentencing and to leave the EU. Queen Elizabeth’s second state opening of parliament in three months began with the government’s promise leave the EU by the end of January. Read more: NHS to be [...]
SRI investing and Islamic finance: the same but different December 17, 2019 Sustainable, responsible, and impact (SRI) investing and Islamic finance share similar origins and aspirations. Yet for the most part, these two modes of finance have existed as distinct approaches in parallel worlds. Common to both is an ethical underpinning that puts stewardship and societal value creation at the forefront of finance. CFA Institute has recently [...]
Pension funds are putting more money into property debt December 17, 2019 When the Alternative Credit Council recently predicted that the global private debt market will be worth in excess of $1 trillion by the end of 2020, some might have called the claim a little audacious. Only seven years ago, less than £1 in every £10 lent in the UK came from an alternative lender. Today, [...]
Federal Reserve ends cycle of cutting interest rates December 11, 2019 The US Federal Reserve left interest rates on hold today, bringing to an end the cutting cycle instigated in July. The decision came after a booming US jobs report on Friday showed that employment rose by its most in ten months in November. The Fed’s target interest rate will stay at between 1.5 and 1.75 [...]
Saga appoints ex-Superdry boss Euan Sutherland to CEO role December 11, 2019 Over-50s insurer Saga has found a new chief executive in the former boss of Superdry, Euan Sutherland. Sutherland will start at Saga on 6 January, replacing retiring boss Lance Batchelor, who will leave the business at the end of January. Read more: Saga could sell care operations under Elliott break-up threat Sutherland recently quit the [...]
TfL: Crime on London public transport soars December 5, 2019 Crime on London’s public transport network has surged by 30 per cent in the past year. Transport for London (TfL) today released statistics for the first quarter of 2019-20, revealing the increase in crime on its services was three-times as large as the increase for the capital as a whole. Read more: London Night Tube [...]
Moody’s downgrades outlook for global banks December 5, 2019 The outlook for global banks has been slashed by credit ratings agency Moody’s. Weakening economic growth, low interest rates and more volatile operating conditions will increase the credit challenges for lenders across the world, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report published today. The agency cut its outlook from stable to negative. Read more: Metro [...]
How can banks factor in climate change without damaging the economy? December 5, 2019 In a few weeks, we will get the results of the UK bank stress tests, which is a measure of our biggest banks’ ability to withstand the toughest of economic shocks. In 2021, these tests will include a scenario on climate change. The regulator wants to know that our biggest financial institutions really can weather [...]
City of London Corporation puts up posters in City pubs in bid to combat sexual harassment December 3, 2019 The City of London Corporation is set to be the latest square mile institution to campaign against sexual harassment in the financial industry. The Reframe the Night Campaign will feature 600 posters at various City venues that are adorned with phrases traditionally used to excuse sexual harassment. Read more: Lloyd’s of London to put up [...]