Britain: a case study in low-growth economic mediocrity February 22, 2013 BRITAIN is stuck in a rut. No wonder that investors and credit rating agencies are losing patience: the coalition doesn’t have the guts or decisiveness needed to jolt the UK out of its present mediocrity, while the opposition is busy dreaming up new taxes, thinks that a slightly looser fiscal policy would transform our prospects [...]
Moody’s blues already anticipated by markets February 25, 2013 The loss of the UK’s AAA has shocked nobody WHEN Moody’s stripped the UK of its AAA rating on Friday, few were surprised. It is a move that the markets had been anticipating for months, and the lack of any significant market reaction shows just how much the decision had already been priced in. From [...]
Lawyers warn planned regulations on shadow banks could result in a renewed credit crunch December 2, 2012 INVESTMENT funds and insurers could become a major new source of credit, particularly in the loan-starved European economy – but finance regulators risk choking off the flow of funds with heavy-handed new rules, law firm Allen and Overy warns in a new study published today. The so-called shadow banking sector is made up of financial [...]
Who’s switching jobs December 4, 2012 Aon Hewitt The human resources consultancy has appointed Andrew Woolnough as client development director in its flexible benefits team. He was most recently head of flexible benefits at Enrich Reward, and has also held senior roles at Jelf Group. JP Morgan Private Bank The private bank has announced two new appointments to its London-based South [...]
Pope Benedict saw why the capitalist system is virtuous February 11, 2013 THOSE who study Pope Benedict, who announced his retirement yesterday, have been impressed by his humanity and by his understanding of human nature. Statements he has made on the economy, written in his own hand, reflect that. The Pope, for example, did not see the problems that led to the financial crisis as solvable by [...]
Osborne’s gambled on the wrong policy March 23, 2013 THERE is a striking paradox at the heart of George Osborne’s approach to the economy, as demonstrated yet again in yesterday’s Budget. He was remarkably risk-averse with his tax and spend policies, refusing to embrace the kinds of shock and awe tax reforms many of us wanted, or to cut spending faster, though he did [...]
Pension changes cheered but high earners take a hit January 14, 2013 BUSINESS leaders hailed the government’s plans for a “simple, understandable, state pension” yesterday, but admitted that both employers and staff would have to take a financial hit as part of the proposed reforms. “The introduction of a flat-rate state pension, with an end to means-tested retirement income benefits, is essential if pension saving is to make [...]
FTSE 100 flat after hitting multi-year highs January 25, 2013 The leading share index was flat in this morning’s trading, after the FTSE 100 hit its highest level in almost five years yesterday, giving London its best start to the trading year since 1989. The blue chip index surged past the 6,200 level, closing up just over one per cent at 6,264.91 last night. But [...]
FSA ends CPP misselling probe with a record £10.5m penalty November 15, 2012 CPP has been slapped with a joint-record £10.5m fine for misselling card protection insurance, following an FSA probe that lasted more than a year and wiped 90 per cent off the firm’s market value. The company has been left with a bill for £33.4m, including redress for customers and costs associated with the investigation, but [...]
Aviva appoints former AIA head Mark Wilson as chief executive November 20, 2012 AVIVA, the UK’s second-biggest insurer, yesterday announced it had appointed former AIA boss Mark Wilson as chief executive. The New Zealand-born insurance veteran prepared AIA for its 2010 listing and was credited with successfully steering the Asian firm through the financial crisis in his four-year tenure. His appointment at struggling Aviva comes six months after [...]