Credit inclusivity must go beyond buy now pay later to cater for those in need of access May 13, 2022 Credit has a huge inclusivity problem in the UK. It’s encouraging to see buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) firms make moves to share their data with credit referencing agencies (CRAs) ahead of regulatory deadlines. However, there’s much more to be done to help millennials improve their credit, and a real risk in advising consumers to increase BNPL usage [...]
Tingo and MICT agree to merge May 12, 2022 African agri-fintech company Tingo and financial services provider MICT have executed a definitive merger agreement to consolidate both operations across the African and Asian markets.
UK recession to hit sooner than first thought as economy unexpectedly shrinks May 12, 2022 The UK is “dangerously close” to tipping into a recession sooner than predicted due to households already cutting spending ahead of the cost of living squeeze tightening. That’s according to City economists’ assessment of weaker than expected GDP figures published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The economy shrank 0.1 per cent in [...]
The City View: Subpar UK economic figures, and more rate hikes to come May 12, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to City A.M.’s Economics and Markets reporter Jack Barnett. They go through the gloomy economic figures released by the ONS this morning measuring the economy’s performance, and explain what this will mean for rate hikes going forward. And in the news: BT has confirmed a joint sports venture with Warner Bros [...]
Grainger: UK’s largest listed landlord sets aside £9.2m for fire safety remediation May 12, 2022 The UK’s largest listed residential landlord has taken a £9.2m provision to fix historic fire safety defects. The build-to-rent developer was not asked by the government to sign up to the building safety pledge, however reviewed its estate in a similar fashion. Speaking to CityA.M., CEO Helen Gordon said the company had “mirrored” housebuilders and [...]
First of its kind deal: Deliveroo riders unionise with GMB union May 12, 2022 Deliveroo riders have unionised with GMB Union, bringing together more than 90,000 self employed riders. Through a Voluntary Partnership Agreement, GMB will have rights to collective bargaining on pay and consultation rights on benefits and other issues, including riders’ health, safety and wellbeing. GMB Union and Deliveroo have signed an historic union recognition deal covering [...]
‘You can’t catch a break’: Leaseholders face high insurance fees amid cost of living crisis May 12, 2022 Leaseholders have said soaring building insurance fees amount to “daylight robbery,” amid the City watchdog’s probe of the market. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was asked to review the insurance market for blocks of flats earlier this year, after housing minister Micheal Gove said he was “extremely concerned” by accelerating costs faced by leaseholders. In [...]
Welcome the era of integrated finance, led by banks and fintechs partnerships May 12, 2022 The digital revolution is transforming the way people do business and, whether we like it or not, innovation is now at the heart of our banking system. Traditional banks are no longer lone players in the field. Fintech innovators are gaining momentum by fully digitising their services and revitalising customer relations. These new players know [...]
Aviva chief Amanda Blanc speaks out against City sexism following ‘inappropriate’ comments at AGM May 11, 2022 Aviva chief Amanda Blanc has spoken out against sexism in the City, after she was subjected to a barrage of “sexist and derogatory” comments at Aviva’s annual general meeting (AGM). The insurance industry veteran said she had observed an increase in incidents of overt sexism during her 30+ years in the financial services sector, as [...]
The City View: Aviva CEO calls out City sexism, and recession likely May 11, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to City A.M. reporters Leah Montebello and Jack Barnett. Jack takes us through a prediction by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research of a technical recession at the end of the year, and talks inflation worries; and Leah discusses ITV’s new streaming service, and Channel 4’s partnership with YouTube. [...]