London used as ‘money-laundering base’, mafia trial prosecutor says April 28, 2021 In Italy’s largest mafia trial in three decades, the UK’s capital has been roped in as a potential hotspot for organised crime, particularly post-Brexit. The trial will see around 900 witnesses testify against more than 350 ’Ndrangheta defendants, including politicians and officials charged with being members of Italy’s most powerful criminal group. Defendants are set [...]
LinkedIn: Barclays, Tesco and NatWest ranked top three UK workplaces April 28, 2021 Barclays has been crowned the best company to work for, followed by Tesco and NatWest, according to LinkedIn’s list of the 25 top workplaces in the UK. The list ranks workplaces on their capacity to build and sustain a long-term career and have been compiled based on actions taken by the platform’s 30m UK members [...]
Pandemic-resilient companies employ higher-paid, higher educated staff April 26, 2021 Companies that coped better through the pandemic were more likely to employ people who were paid better, had higher education and were born in Poland or India. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that workers in industries classed as “resilient” to the pandemic were paid £628.89 per week on average, compared with [...]
Hostelworld investors revolt over CEO pay and political donations April 26, 2021 More than a quarter of Hostelworld investors have rebelled against the pay deal for bosses at the pandemic-hit firm. The global hostel operator said that 29 per cent of shareholder votes were cast against an amendment to its remuneration policy after generous incentive schemes were criticised. Shareholder advisory group ISS had recommended that investors vote [...]
NatWest refuses to jump on the crypto bandwagon amid money laundering charges April 26, 2021 NatWest’s reluctance to enter the crypto market should be seen as out of step with the wider financial services ecosystem, according to a leading London lawyer. Earlier this week, the bank said it has ‘no appetite’ to serve business customers which accept cryptocurrency, as the bank is taking a ‘cautious approach’ following recent money laundering [...]
John McAfee on life in prison… and the price of Dogecoin April 26, 2021 Speaking from behind bars in a Spanish jail, computer legend John McAfee says he’s stunned by the price of Dogecoin.
Bank earnings preview: What to expect in this week’s quarterly results April 26, 2021 While the banking sector has recovered somewhat in the past two months this week the issue of bad loans and customer defaults will be front of mind. The sector set aside billions in provisions for bad loans at the start of the pandemic, expecting a huge increase in defaults. However with thanks to government support [...]
Boost for first-time buyers as more ultra-low deposit mortgages hit the market April 24, 2021 In a further boost to first-time buyers, more lenders are bringing 5 per cent deposit mortgages onto the market. New deals announced by Metro Bank and Cambridge Building Society are not part of a new government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme which was launched this week to increase the availability of 5 per cent deposit loans. Major [...]
Money laundering: NatWest calls criminal charges ‘disappointing’ as case moves to court April 22, 2021 NatWest Group has insisted it is making financial crime detection a “key priority” as it faces criminal action by the City watchdog for alleged money-laundering failures. In a speech to shareholders, ahead of the bank’s annual meeting on 28 April, NatWest chairman Sir Howard Davies called last month’s announcement of the launched criminal case “disappointing.” [...]
Treasury Select Committee chair calls out UK banks for treatment of SMEs during Covid crisis April 20, 2021 Treasury Select Committee chair calls out UK banks for treatment of SME during Covid crisis