HSBC launches $2bn share buyback after rising rates helps bank beat expectations August 1, 2023 HSBC launched a new $2bn (£1.56bn) share buyback programme after comfortably beating expectations in the second quarter. In the three months to June, pretax profit hit $8.8bn (£6.86bn) – over $4bn higher than last year and surpassing the $8bn predicted by analysts. The strong performance reflected the impact of rising interest rates around the world [...]
Banks and watchdog exploring expanding open banking to savings accounts to boost competition August 1, 2023 Banks have committed to explore the expansion of open banking into the savings market, the City watchdog revealed yesterday. In its report on the savings market, the regulator confirmed that banks and building societies have committed to explore how investment in open banking can be used to support savings customers. This includes carrying out a [...]
London expansion picks up pace for Spanish bank Alantra as series of hires give boost to the City July 31, 2023 Spanish investment bank Alantra has made a series of new hires in the year so far as its push into the London market picks up the pace. So far this year it has brought in Graham Nicoll from Barclays to lead its Midlands team while Sulaiman Bosha has joined from Crito Capital as a managing [...]
Savings rates: Nine big banks face ‘robust’ action if they can’t prove fair value July 31, 2023 The nine largest banks have passed on just 28 per cent of base rate increases in easy access savings accounts since the beginning of last year, as the City watchdog issued a new set of rules to ensure savers get a fair deal. Under new rules coming into place, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said [...]
Vanquis Banking Group acquires Dame Jane-Anne Gadhia’s fintech AI app Snoop July 31, 2023 Vanquis Banking Group has announced the acquisition of the fintech firm Snoop for an undisclosed sum. Snoop, founded by Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia in 2019, provides its customers with “personalised insights” by using AI and open banking data to help them manage their finances. Gadhia was formerly boss of Virgin Money and lead the government’s 2016 [...]
Move faster on data sharing or watch rivals ‘leapfrog’ the UK, competition tsar warns July 31, 2023 John Penrose, the government’s competition tsar, has urged the government to move faster in enabling the safe sharing of customer data or watch global competitors “leapfrog” the UK. Alongside a coalition of business groups – including the Payments Association and Open Banking Excellence – Penrose argued that the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill needs [...]
Consumer Duty comes into force in biggest regulatory shake-up for a decade July 31, 2023 The City watchdog’s flagship new regulation, the Consumer Duty, comes into force today with experts describing it as the most important regulatory change in a decade. The new principle aims to ensure firms deliver good outcomes for consumers on the quality and price of products and services, and make sure a higher standard of consumer [...]
Financial services tribunal can boost competitiveness and help small businesses, experts argue July 30, 2023 A financial services tribunal could boost the City’s competitiveness by providing a body of consistent case law and a route for firms to seek justice, experts told City PM. Speaking to City PM Richard Samuel, barrister at 3 Hare Court Chambers, said “London’s common law dispute resolution system is a key part of what makes [...]
Interest rate boost slowing for banks as changing customer behaviour cuts margins July 30, 2023 The UK’s high street banks have warned that the boon from rising interest rates might be coming to an end as changing customer behaviour and an increasingly competitive mortgage market hits margins. Natwest, Barclays and Lloyds recorded bumper profits last week, but investors were dismayed by the more cautious outlook. Both Natwest and Barclays UK [...]
Debanking: Number of account closures since 2016 skyrockets as banks take tough line on financial crime July 30, 2023 The number of bank accounts being closed climbed to nearly 350,000 last year as banks adopted an increasingly vigilant stance towards their customers. According to data from a freedom of information request submitted by the Daily Mail to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the number of accounts being closed has increased from under 50,000 in [...]
