Brussels tries to ban prop trading in UK and Europe January 29, 2014 BANKS face a ban on proprietary trading in the UK from 2017 under European Commission proposals published yesterday, a major shock to lenders who had not expected an outright ban. The proposals will force big banks to set up separate arms for any activity which is not standard retail or commercial banking, and could even [...]
Humiliation for UK as Europe overrules finance veto January 22, 2014 THE CITY is braced for a beating from Europe, after Britain lost a key legal case that could set a precedent for Brussels to overrule the UK in financial services. In a shock decision the European Court of Justice (ECJ) went against its own legal adviser to give the European Securities and Markets Authority the power [...]
Britain defeated as ECJ upholds ban on short selling January 22, 2014 Britain’s attempt to overturn the EU’s ban on short selling of shares in market emergencies has ended in failure after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) dismissed the case.The UK had argued that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) was given greater discretion than was justifiable under EU law.The court rejected all four of [...]
Britain defeated as ECJ upholds ban on short selling January 22, 2014 Britain's attempt to overturn the EU's ban on short selling of shares in market emergencies has ended in failure after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) dismissed the case. The UK had argued that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) was given greater discretion than was justifiable under EU law. The court rejected all [...]
Private healthcare companies told to sell off nine hospitals January 16, 2014 TWO PRIVATE healthcare firms have been ordered to sell off nine hospitals in a bid to improve competition and cut prices, which one lawyer described as “draconian”. The Competition Commission said HCA should dispose of London Bridge and Princess Grace hospitals, while BMI has been told to sell seven sites across the country. “Requiring operators [...]
EU rules make it harder for firms to cut risk exposure January 15, 2014 BUSINESSES and their customers could face higher costs after new EU rules were approved which could make it harder to cut their risks, lawyers warned yesterday. Rules to increase transparency in derivatives markets could make the industry safer and easier to police, but also mean firms will not be able to find bespoke products to [...]
EU moves toward new regulatory crackdown on HFT January 15, 2014 The European Union has agreed to introduce a plethora of new regulations governing high frequency trading (HFT,) commodity speculation and derivatives trading. The measures come shortly after the introduction of a cap on banker bonuses. The revision to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) is to be implemented by the end of 2016 and [...]
Overseas investment in London property to hit pre-crisis levels January 13, 2014 OVERSEAS investment in London’s property market could top pre-recession levels by the end of this year, boosted by an influx of spending from Asian buyers. According to figures released today by law firm Mayer Brown, Asian investors doubled their investment in the central London market to £5.8bn last year, up from £2.91bn the previous year. [...]
Banking Bill gets go ahead December 16, 2013 A RAFT of new banking rules got the green light in the House of Lords last night. The rules introduce a licensing regime for senior bankers and erected a ringfence between banks’ retail and investment arms. But lawyers said much detail still needs to be worked out. “It remains to be seen whether this will lead [...]
UK banks get break from Volcker’s toughest plans December 10, 2013 BRITISH banks with US arms will be allowed to trade in UK government bonds on their own books, US authorities revealed yesterday, diluting earlier plans to ban the transactions. The incoming Volcker Rule is designed to stop banks trading on their own behalf on many financial markets, in a bid to stop what critics believe [...]