Zopa Bank hunts for fintech acquisitions after £68m fundraise December 6, 2024 Zopa Bank is on the hunt for acquisitions as the digital lender looks to step up its challenge to the likes of Revolut, Monzo and Starling ahead of a potential float on the London Stock Exchange. The London-based fintech, which launched as a fully licenced bank in 2020, said on Friday it had raised €82m [...]
CBI downgrades forecast for UK economy after Budget December 6, 2024 The UK economy is set for slower than expected and “unimpressive” growth in 2025 thanks partly to punitive measures introduced in October’s Budget, a leading business group has predicted. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) now expects Britain’s economy to grow by just 1.5 per cent next year, it said in its latest economic forecast, [...]
Burford Capital turning its back on London over government delays December 5, 2024 Listed legal financial firm Burford Capital is rolling back on using London due to "uncertainties" in the legal market as a result of government delays
Gatwick and Birmingham airport chiefs urge Rachel Reeves to tackle business rates threat December 5, 2024 Chief executives from Gatwick and Birmingham Airport have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves' planned changes to business rates.
Will Keir Starmer meet his pledge to improve living standards? December 5, 2024 Before the General Election Labour was proudly proclaiming its commitment to generating economic growth. The first ‘mission’ in the party’s manifesto was to secure the highest sustained growth rate in the G7. After Keir Starmer’s speech earlier today, that mission has been downgraded to an ‘aim’. The new pledge, heavily trailed before the speech, is [...]
How high will bitcoin go? December 5, 2024 Bitcoin has finally broken through the $100,000 mark, a few hours after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell referred to the cryptocurrency as “digital gold“. The surge in bitcoin’s value from $50,000 in February of this year can be attributed to several factors but the largest by far has been the US presidential election. Former president [...]
UK start-ups punch above their weight — and it’s being noticed worldwide December 5, 2024 Despite the “doom and gloom” narrative and post-Budget fears looming over the UK’s start-up ecosystem, the country still holds its ground at the forefront of global innovation. At least that is the view of Ashish Patel, managing director at Houlihan Lokey’s Capital Market Group, who says that a rise of international investment into UK start-ups [...]
Bank of London shakes up UK board in investor-led recovery plan December 5, 2024 The Bank of London has appointed four new directors to its UK bank board and replaced its chair as the troubled fintech ‘unicorn’ looks to recover from a string of setbacks in recent months. The lossmaking start-up, which has faced heavy scrutiny over its governance and finances, said on Thursday that Metro Bank director Catherine [...]
Watches of Switzerland: Why shares in Rolex seller are on the road to recovery December 5, 2024 Shares in Rolex seller Watches of Switzerland have surged to their highest value since January after the retailer revealed positive half-year results. The Leicester-headquartered group reported a revenue of £785m for the six months to 27 October, 2024, a four per cent rise. In a trading update issued to the London Stock Exchange, Watches of [...]
New HSBC boss continues leadership reshuffle with more executives to depart December 5, 2024 HSBC has announced the departure of several senior executives in the latest leadership reshuffle overseen by its new chief executive. Georges Elhedery, who succeeded Noel Quinn in September, said the changes will help Europe’s biggest bank “better focus on the businesses where we have clear competitive advantage”. They are part of a sweeping restructuring of [...]