Remortgage lending figures surge in September over prospect of rate hike October 26, 2015 The number of people remortgaging their properties jumped in September as homeowners rushed to secure record-low rates ahead of a potential interest rate hike next year. The latest figures from property services group LMS reveal that remortgage loans reached 28,686 last month, up 12 per cent from 25,600 in August. This is also a four per cent [...]
WPP posts sales growth of 3.3 per cent but warns of caution among its clients as China slowdown takes hold October 26, 2015 WPP has posted net sales growth of 3.3 per cent as it warns of caution among clients The figures Third quarter revenues at the advertising giant were up 5.9 per cent at £2.93bn for the third quarter. Meanwhile, net sales rose 3.3 per cent to £2.5bn. Net new businesses was reported as £3.2bn in the first nine [...]
City Moves for 26 October 2015 | Who’s switching jobs October 25, 2015 KPMG Catherine Grum has been appointed head of the professional services firm’s family office. She joins from Salamanca Group, where she was head of the private office. Grum has also previously worked as head of wealth advisory, for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, at Barclays Wealth & Investment Management, and for the private client [...]
UK house prices: Deutsche Bank calls time on London prime property party October 22, 2015 Analysts at Deutsche Bank have called time on London’s prime property “party” in a scathing note that warns the boom of the past 30 years is a thing of the past. In the latest edition of its Konzeptmagazine, released yesterday, Deutsche Bank’s Sahil Mahtani argues that a looming interest rate hike, the Bank of England’s [...]
City Moves for 23 October 2015 | Who’s switching jobs October 22, 2015 SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS The law firm has appointed Dale Huxford as of counsel in its corporate practice in London. He joins from BroadTech Global. Huxford was also formerly a member of the emerging companies group at Orrick in London, where he provided legal services to early and growthstage technology companies. STRAWBERRY STAR The property company [...]
EU referendum vote: Switzerland’s looming battle with Brussels could embolden Britain’s no campaigners for Brexit October 22, 2015 The tensions between Swiss banks and businesses and Swiss politics have been heightened as a result of the country’s parliamentary elections held on Sunday. They could also have significant implications for Britain’s coming referendum on EU membership. The big winner was the populist, anti-EU Swiss People’s Party (SVP in its German acronym), which is [...]
Foxtons says London property transactions at “historically low levels” October 22, 2015 Upmarket estate agents Foxtons has said strong house price growth and stamp duty charges mean the capital's property transactions remain stuck at "historically low levels", pushing its focus towards outer London. Foxtons has opened seven new branches in the last year, most recently in high growth, outer London areas. "We are in a strong position to capitalise on market growth [...]
Bank of England’s new stress test: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, RBS, Santander UK and Standard Chartered to face risk tests twice a year October 21, 2015 The Bank of England has today announced that it will apply new stress tests to Britain's biggest banks and building societies over the next three years, taking into account both domestic and global risks. Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, RBS, Santander UK and Standard Chartered will face at least two stress tests per year under the [...]
In search of alternatives: Why new-look alternative investments are a good deal for those looking for bond-like returns October 21, 2015 This month marked the sixmonth anniversary of pension freedoms, and today’s retirees are having to make increasingly complex decisions about the future of their finances. With annuities no longer the only option, investors can turn to a multiasset approach, which can deliver a stable and attractive monthly income on a sustainable basis. In the [...]
City executives including Trinity Mirror’s Sly Bailey plan exchange for real estate October 21, 2015 A team of high-profile City executives is preparing to launch the world’s first exchange to trade shares in companies that own single commercial property assets, opening up commercial property investment opportunities to a wider range of investors. The venture, London Real Estate Exchange Limited, has been working on plans for months to allow the owners [...]