SME lender Simply Asset Finance posts record revenue as small firms shun big banks May 13, 2024 Specialist lender Simply Asset Finance has posted a record annual revenue as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) turn away from big banks for funding.
Treasury finalising plans for Natwest share sale to accelerate privatisation May 13, 2024 The Treasury is poised to unveil a multibillion-pound sale of a chunk of its remaining stake in Natwest in the coming weeks in a bid to accelerate its privatisation process and boost retail investment in the UK.
Exiled Hong Kong activist: HSBC ‘short-sighted’ for lobbying Sunak to ease China crackdown May 13, 2024 A leading Hong Kong pro-democracy activist has called major firms like HSBC and Standard Chartered "short-sighted" for lobbying the UK government to ease its planned clampdowns on China.
Virgin Money’s largest investor slams board for £2.9bn Nationwide deal May 12, 2024 Virgin Money's largest independent investor has slammed the bank's board for accepting a bid from Nationwide, saying it is "likely to sell shareholders very short".
GoCardless: Fintech ‘open-minded’ on further acquisitions as it eyes profitability in 2025 May 11, 2024 London-based payments fintech GoCardless is weighing up further acquisitions in the open banking space as it looks to rebound from a challenging 2023 and achieve profitability next year.
Standard Chartered chair bemoans share price but rules out ditching primary London listing May 10, 2024 Standard Chartered's top brass has once again bemoaned its weak share price but ruled out moving its primary listing from London.
Barclays opens door to bigger bonuses as it eyes investment bank rebound May 9, 2024 Barclays shareholders have waved through a proposal paving the way for it to award bigger bonuses to its top UK bankers as the lender reiterated confidence in its dealmaking arm.
Barclays chair says ‘plenty of evidence’ it will meet climate targets as protesters removed from AGM May 9, 2024 Barclays' chair has defended its record on climate change, saying there is "plenty of concrete evidence" it is on track to meet its financed emissions targets, at a feisty annual meeting that saw a number of protestors removed.
Allica Bank chief bets on rapid growth to force improvement in SME finance May 9, 2024 Allica only launched in 2020 but has already become a certified fintech darling. It was named by Deloitte as the UK’s fastest-growing fintech last year and in April posted its first annual profit of £16.1m.
Ex-Bank of England economist claims he was ‘debanked’ like Nigel Farage May 9, 2024 Ex-Bank of England economist Andy Haldane has said he was refused a bank account because of his "political" connections, comparing himself to Nigel Farage, as MPs criticise lenders for "debanking" individuals due to reputational concerns.
