Legacy banks must ‘radically modernise’ or lose to fintech stars, says former Barclays boss Banking A decade ago, Antony Jenkins was ousted from his role as chief executive of Barclays and months later warned the banking sector was reaching an “Uber moment”. Jenkins declared technology would be an “unstoppable force” in the banking sector and could lead to hundreds of branch closures and potentially slash the industry’s workforce by half. [...]
Motor finance: What’s next for banks and consumers in 2026? Banking The City watchdog wrapped up the consultation on its motor finance redress in December but the two-year long scandal threatens to rumble on into the new year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pushed the deadline for feedback on its scheme to 12 December after it was originally pencilled in for 18 November. The delay came [...]
FCA: Motor finance lenders ‘very focused’ on negatives of redress Banking The boss of the UK’s financial watchdog has taken a swipe at motor finance lenders that are begrudged with the regulator’s redress scheme, stating they are “very focused” on the negatives. In a session with the Treasury Select Committee, Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) opened the door to changing the [...]
2025: It’s been one hell of a year for UK business December 11, 2025 From political drama to market volatility, cyber attacks, takeovers and trade wars – 2025 has not been plain sailing. January: motor finance and angry farmers We began the year reporting on the exodus from the London stock exchange noting that 2024 had been the quietest year on record for new listings and we suggested that [...]
FCA launches ‘safe space’ for AI as City firms rush to deploy new tech December 3, 2025 The City’s top regulator has opened the doors to its first-ever ‘AI live testing‘ scheme, giving major financial firms a controlled environment to trial AI without fear of tripping regulatory wires. NatWest, Monzo, Santander, Scottish Widows, Gain Credit, Homeprotect and fintech Snorkl are among those in the inaugural cohort. The FCA says the scheme is [...]
Santander: UK businesses shift away from China as tensions flare November 18, 2025 UK businesses are moving away from China as risks mount amid flaring geopolitical tensions. Over half of firms are taking steps to bring their supply chains closer to home, with one in five having already relocated their network closer to the UK. The moves come amid questions over China’s dominance in the supply chain, with [...]
MEET THE FINALISTS November 13, 2025 Meet the 2025 Santander X Awards finalists. These nine businesses will pitch live at the National Final at Unity Place, Santander UK’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, on 13 November. This year’s panel of judges includes Mike Regnier, Santander UK Chief Executive, Claire Williams, former Williams F1 boss, and Deborah Meaden, Businesswoman and Entrepreneur. PulpaTronics PulpaTronics [...]
TSB’s profit soars ahead of Santander takeover November 13, 2025 Profit at high street unit TSB Bank soared in the third quarter as the lender readied the ground for its blockbuster takeover by Santander. The bank’s pre-tax profit hit £271m for the first nine months of the year – a 38.2 per cent jump from the same period in 2024. It came as the bank [...]
Santander X – Ana Botin November 12, 2025 At Banco Santander, in the past 10 years we have developed a global proposition focused on three core pillars: education, employability and entrepreneurship. We are truly committed to these goals in close partnership with universities, entrepreneurs and small businesses across the world. In 2024 alone, over 50,000 businesses engaged with Santander X Awards, our long-standing [...]
City watchdog extends motor finance consultation after backlash November 5, 2025 The City watchdog has extended its consultation for its motor finance redress scheme following mounting backlash from lenders and consumers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced that it would push back the deadline – initially scheduled for 18 November – to 12 December at 5:00pm. The final criteria of the scheme is expected to be [...]