CPP future still at risk as banks withdraw backing February 26, 2012 TROUBLED credit card insurer CPP faces the loss of its banking facilities unless it can reassure lenders that its business is secure. Barclays, Santander and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are considering whether to withdraw financial backing from the York-based firm when the existing arrangement ends next year. The firm currently has borrowings of around [...]
CPP says FSA probe risks firm’s future February 20, 2012 CREDIT CARD insurance firm CPP says the Financial Services Authority (FSA) could force it out of business, after the regulator asked for a retrospective review of sales tactics. The company suspended its shares on the London Stock Exchange yesterday after declaring that the new demands “are disproportionate and threaten the viability of the business”. The [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING April 1, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES BSkyB begins board overhaul Two key independent directors at BSkyB are set to leave as the pay-TV company embarks on an overhaul of its board that could weaken its unanimous backing of James Murdoch as chairman. Dame Gail Rebuck, chief executive of Random House, the publisher, and Lord Wilson of Dinton, former cabinet [...]
A more rewarding way to travel April 12, 2012 Never has everyday spending had the potential to take you so far. Virtually every time you use the Card, you’ll earn Membership Rewards® points which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car hire, gift experiences and lots more. When it comes to earning rewards, American Express makes it easy to build up points fast. [...]
War on Britain’s aspirational classes March 6, 2012 THERE is something very wrong with Britain’s tax system. Imagine you are an aspiring, successful hard-working individual; after several years putting in the hours, you now earn £42,475 a year. You’re already a victim of the tax system: you pay no tax on your first £8,105, but then face 20 per cent tax on the [...]
War on Britain’s aspirational classes March 5, 2012 THERE is something very wrong with Britain’s tax system. Imagine you are an aspiring, successful hard-working individual; after several years putting in the hours, you now earn £42,475 a year. You’re already a victim of the tax system: you pay no tax on your first £8,105, but then face 20 per cent tax on the [...]
Bank seeks new powers over lending March 25, 2012 NEW regulations cannot absolutely prevent the possibility of another financial crisis or of banks failing, a Bank of England policy maker announced just days after the Bank had pushed for stronger powers over the industry. The culture within banks, as well as changes to the structure of incentives, will be the most important changes, financial [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS March 27, 2012 JLT Pension Capital Strategies The specialists in corporate consulting and pension scheme de-risking have appointed Martyn Phillips to the new role of head of buyout consulting, with effect from 2 April. Phillips will assume responsibility for buyout and settlement activity across the company. Prior to joining, Phillips was a senior consultant at Lane Clark & [...]
A recession made in Downing Street – but not caused by cuts April 26, 2012 IS this a recession made in Downing Street? In part, yes. Obviously, Gordon Brown is the main culprit. It will take years to recover from his mismanagement of fiscal, monetary, tax and regulatory policies, as well as from the global, cheap money bubble. But George Osborne can no longer escape blame either. His desire to [...]
A recession made in Downing Street – but not caused by cuts April 25, 2012 IS this a recession made in Downing Street? In part, yes. Obviously, Gordon Brown is the main culprit. It will take years to recover from his mismanagement of fiscal, monetary, tax and regulatory policies, as well as from the global, cheap money bubble. But George Osborne can no longer escape blame either. His desire to [...]