What you need to know before the open April 4, 2014 European markets are set to have a positive opening this morning as investors await what are widely expected to be encouraging job numbers from the US. Analysts estimate payrolls to rise by around 200,000, which may raise confidence in the strength of the US economy. However, a better than expected hike in payrolls may renew [...]
After the Swiss franc bombshell: Traders should expect a bumpy year ahead January 19, 2015 From the Eurozone to the UK, volatility will keep on returning. The Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) shock decision to abandon the Swiss franc’s euro anchor last Thursday saw markets reel. At one point, the euro had crashed 30 per cent against the franc (see graph) before recovering some of its losses. Ajay Pabari, founder [...]
Complaints against financial services companies drop by 15 per cent April 9, 2014 The Financial Conduct Authority has announced that 2,479,029 complaints were opened against financial service firms between July and December 2013. That's down 15 per cent from the 2,911,154 complaints reported in the previous six month period. PPI claims saw the greatest number of claims, with 1,390,756 opened during the period. That number is down 22 [...]
Russia, Tesco and Alex Salmond feature in the seven biggest losers of 2014 December 17, 2014 It’s Christmas. The time of year when we’re all supposed to be a little more caring, charitable and considerate of those not feeling so swell. But for every champagne toast to success, there is regret at the bottom of a bottle. So summon some of that Christmas spirit for this sorry lot, the seven [...]
City Moves for 28 April 2014 | Who’s switching jobs April 28, 2014 Octopus Investments The fund management company has appointed Alex Miller as chief operating officer. He was most recently at Lloyds Bank, where he was director of strategy and operational performance. Prior to that, Miller held senior roles at BT Group and Orange UK. HSBC The bank has announced the appointment of Ian Stuart as head [...]
The man who could be kingmaker: Alex Salmond will stand as MP in 2015 December 8, 2014 Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond last night made a bold play for a seat around the Number 10 cabinet table, announcing he will stand to become an MP in 2015 and won’t rule out a coalition with Labour if he is elected. Salmond, leader of the unsuccessful Scottish independence campaign, is widely expected to [...]
The Montreal effect: Why the referendum could mark the end of Scottish finance September 17, 2014 As the history of the 2014 independence referendum is written, it may come to be seen as a turning point for financial services in Scotland. The lion’s share of its financial sector has warned that it has contingency plans in place to relocate to England in the event of a Yes vote. This follows a [...]
Banks back plan to use mobile numbers to simplify payments March 10, 2014 BANK payments will no longer require sort codes and account numbers as part of a new scheme that uses mobile phone numbers to route payments. The Payments Council yesterday detailed the scheme, called Paym, that launches in May with nine banks onboard including Barclays, Halifax and Santander. By the end of 2014 seven additional banks [...]
Albemarle and Bond is rescued from scrapheap April 15, 2014 THE UK’S second biggest pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond will remain a fixture of the high street after it was rescued from bankruptcy yesterday. The company, second to rival H&T in the pawnbroking market, has been acquired by a consortium led by former Bank of Scotland boss Sir Peter Burt and his investment firm Promethean Investments. [...]
Scottish independence: That WEF report could boost Salmond’s plans to keep the pound September 3, 2014 Most of the UK media attention given to the new World Economic Forum (WEF) rankings has been focused on Britain edging up one place to take spot number nine for global competitiveness. However, there may be more to glean from the WEF's report than the UK's marginal improvement in competitiveness. Specifically, the WEF's rankings on [...]