Claim-hit Wonga stops taking loan applications as it ‘considers its options’ August 30, 2018 Wonga appeared to be on the verge of folding this morning, as it made the decision to stop taking new loan applications. The payday lender told customers that it “continues to assess its options” in the wake of a huge number of compensation claims that led to shareholders providing an emergency £10m earlier this month. [...]
Lloyds Banking Group: Q1 results analysis May 7, 2019 By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. After a stunning share price performance, do these 'hit and miss' results justify optimism? Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) investors, in need of a silver lining after an underwhelming earnings season from UK lenders, only have to look back 24 hours earlier to the surprise gift handed to the bank [...]
Why Lloyds Banking Group pleased its City fan club February 22, 2019 Our head of markets explains why the City reacted positively to these results despite a profits miss. Despite missing expectations at a pre-tax profit level, Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) is not only in rude health but also has a clear vision on where next to take the business. The bank describes its own model as [...]
Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro review, specs, price and details: The Mi 8 Pro marks the Chinese phone company’s UK debut January 24, 2019 At the end of last year, Chinese phone giant Xiaomi finally launched its first products in the UK. A household name in its home nation, the company is the fourth biggest phone manufacturer in the world after heavyweights Huawei and Samsung, and just a hare’s fart behind Apple. Xiaomi introduced itself to Britain with four [...]
Jes Staley seeks to brush off Bramson challenge but Barclays still faces the headwinds October 24, 2018 Barclays CEO Jes Staley struck a bullish tone yesterday, insisting his investment banking division was on the up. Third quarter profits jumped to £1.5bn, up from £1.1bn a year ago. If this puts a spring in Staley's step, there are plenty of items in his in-tray to pull him back down to earth – not [...]
RBS declares first dividend in a decade August 3, 2018 RBS declared an interim dividend of 2p, pending the settlement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ). This announcement was a pleasant surprise, and projects a positive image about the firm’s financial health. The UK government is a majority shareholder in the bank, and the dividend will be welcomed by Westminster, but the pay-out will [...]
New powers that could see cold call firms fined up to £500,000 come into force September 8, 2018 Companies cold-calling customers without their consent could be fined £500,000 from today as new measures come into force. Previously consumers had to opt-out of receiving calls by registering with the free Telephone Preference Service or withdraw their consent during the call. But the new powers will put the onus on the callers to make sure [...]
Huawei Matebook X Pro review: The Chinese tech giant’s laptop is a true MacBook Pro rival December 13, 2018 Huawei has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. The news comes at a time when the Chinese phone giant is only just beginning to drum up some real brand recognition in Western markets. In a few short years critics have stopped making jokes about how difficult it is to pronounce the company’s name [...]
Barclays prepares for hard Brexit as Irish expansion gathers pace October 24, 2018 The chief executive of Barclays said the bank is fully prepared for a hard Brexit as its Irish expansion plans gather pace. Jes Staley said it would be business as usual for customers after Britain leaves the EU on March 29. The bank will use its Irish subsidiary as a central European hub to guard [...]
What went Wronga? Payday lender pays price of poor reputation and rip-off loans August 30, 2018 As recently as five years ago, Wonga was flying high. A £1bn New York listing was on the cards even on a fairly conservative valuation for a firm mentioned in the same breath as tech unicorns – and which even featured as Newcastle United’s shirt sponsor for four years. Yet today the payday lender collapsed [...]