Lenders predict bridging loan spree in 2013 January 1, 2013 A DIFFICULT mortgage market will lead to an explosion in the use of short-term bridging loans, mortgage brokers said in a survey out this morning. Though mortgage lending is set to expand some 8.3 per cent in 2013, according to Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) predictions, the market will remain tight. This tightness will drive [...]
Banks already bouncing back from a disastrous year January 1, 2013 LAST year will be remembered as a terrible one for the banking industry. In previous articles I have described the wider impact scandals such as Libor-rigging had on the reputation of the industry as a whole. However, 2013 is a new year and consumer perception could be looking up for the likes of Barclays and [...]
Festive intruders in Heron Tower’s fish tank December 20, 2012 Visitors at the City’s Heron Tower cannot miss the giant fish tank residing in the lobby. The aquarium is the largest privately owned one of its kind in Britain, and home to 67 different species of fish. It was also home to two festive guests on Wednesday, when divers donning Santa suits entered to give [...]
Elegance and opulence in Rutland December 20, 2012 Built for George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham in the 17th century, Rutland’s Mansion House was severely damaged by Parliamentarians in the civil war. It was resurrected by Daniel Finch, second Earl of Nottingham and sixth Earl of Winchelsea, in 1694. The “new house” was built over the next six years. It was even considered for [...]
Top 10 new year’s eve hang-outs December 20, 2012 New Year’s Eve in London is one of those nights so quick-paced and freighted with expectation that it can quickly overwhelm. However, done correctly it can be the best night of the year. Booking one of the following parties is a good place to start. 1. Home House Marylebone The legendary members’ club is throwing [...]
Five sign but Arsenal set to miss Huntelaar December 19, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has declared his intention to build his team around a core of young British talent, after tying midfielder Jack Wilshere and four other players to new long-term contracts. Full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – all full England internationals – and Wales star Aaron Ramsey have joined [...]
The best Christmas gift can’t be found on the high street December 19, 2012 CHRISTMAS is a time of consumption and, this year, despite some conflicting statistics, central London seems heaving. The New West End company estimated that the first weekend of December saw 16 per cent more shoppers than in 2011, many from abroad. Retail sales in December are typically twice those of other months and, for many [...]
Bumi investors want Takeover Panel to get a move on December 18, 2012 FEW corporate situations have been quite as embarrassing for the reputation of the City of London as the preposterous mess that is currently Bumi. Bumi’s origins date back to the creation of a special purpose vehicle called Vallar, led by Nat Rothschild, that raised £600m in June 2010 for the purpose of investing in the [...]
John Lewis decks its halls with shoppers December 16, 2012 JOHN Lewis was the bearer of festive tidings yesterday as the group posted a second week of record trading. Sales at its 39 stores and online outlet reached £147.8m in the week to Saturday, up 11.1 per cent on last year. West End firms today voted to keep representative body New West End Company for [...]
Forever young: The scientists trying to cheat death December 11, 2012 Since our species became self aware, it has dreamed of cheating death and ensnaring eternal youth. Life extension experts think it's possible