Bank of England’s Breeden warns on rivals overtaking UK on innovation February 2, 2026 The Bank of England’s lead for fintech policy and digital currency has laid out a sweeping vision for the UK’s next generation of payments infrastructure amid a rallying cry for the UK to not lag behind its peers. Sarah Breeden, a rate-setter at the central bank and the deputy governor for financial stability, said the [...]
The City is leading the charge against fraud February 2, 2026 Fraud now accounting for 44 per cent of all UK crime, but the City is fighting back, says Chris Hayward Last week marked a generational milestone for policing – and one we must get right. In publishing her long-awaited White Paper, home secretary Shabana Mahmood set out a blueprint to modernise policing in England and [...]
K2 International Expands Financial Lines Capabilities with Acquisition of Rising Edge’s Management Liability Business February 2, 2026 Transaction establishes new division, K2 Executive Risk Limited, led by Yoel Brightman
Pepper Advantage Closes Computershare Deal February 2, 2026 Pepper Advantage, a leading international credit management and technology firm backed by J.C. Flowers & Co., today announces the closure of its acquisition of Computershare’s UK mortgage servicing business, Computershare Loan Services. The strategic acquisition increases Pepper Advantage’s assets under management (AUM) in the UK to around £50 billion and its global AUM to €75 [...]
Scrapping stamp duty could boost investment in UK stocks February 2, 2026 Brits have called for the removal of stamp duty on UK shares in order to incentivise them to allocate capital into the London market. Three quarters of investors said that the scrapping of stamp duty on UK shares and trusts would prompt them to take more interest and potentially invest more, according to the latest [...]
Trainline calls for better delay repay after passengers lose out on £80m January 30, 2026 London listed ticketing app Trainline has launched a new campaign urging the government to improve delay repay compensation after consumers lost out on millions. Rail passengers are missing out on an estimated £80m in compensation for journeys each year, with the “bureaucratic and inconsistent claims” process being too frustrating for passengers to navigate while preventing [...]
Old hands vs new kids on the block: Investment platforms battle for customers January 28, 2026 Last year marked a significant change in attitudes towards retail investing in the UK, after the Treasury made tearing consumers away from the safety of their cash savings a firm ambition. In the government’s bid to revitalise London’s flagship index, Rachel Reeves slashed the cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000, introduced a three year [...]
£300m tax relief for pubs ‘a sticking plaster’ January 27, 2026 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a £300m package to support to pubs in their battle against rocketing business rates after widespread backlash to Budget announcements, representing yet another government U-turn on tax plans. The Treasury has announced it will give pubs and music venues a 15 per cent discount on business rates bills from April [...]
Formula 1 signs Standard Chartered up as major partner January 27, 2026 Standard Chartered has penned a deal with Formula 1 to become the motor sport’s wealth management and investment banking partner. The City of London-headquartered firm will be involved with Formula 1 as part of a multi-year deal, with Standard Chartered’s branding set to feature trackside. The bank’s chief of corporate and investment banking, Roberto Hoornweg, [...]
Hargreaves Lansdown overhauls fees in face of rising competition January 26, 2026 The UK’s largest DIY investment platform is reducing fees for roughly half of its 2m-plus customers as it continues to face escalating competition within the industry. Hargreaves Lansdown said it will cut its annual account and share dealing fees, but add a charge for fund trading in its first overhaul of pricing in more than [...]