FCA moves fast to let firms provide mortgage breathing space June 30, 2023 The City regulator says it has moved quickly to make rulebook changes, to help give households some relief from rising mortgage rates. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said lenders should make the options available to borrowers clear and accessible. Sheldon Mills, executive director for consumers and competition at the FCA, urged homeowners who are struggling [...]
Watchdog raises ‘greenwashing’ concerns over sustainable loans – but experts question need for ‘hard laws’ June 30, 2023 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has highlighted a number of issues in sustainable lending which are stymying the growth of the market. In a letter sent yesterday to sustainability heads at banks, the watchdog noted that the market for sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) – which link borrowing costs to sustainability targets – had “grown rapidly” over [...]
Starling Bank: Five things that defined Anne Boden’s time at the top June 30, 2023 The chief and founder of digital lender Starling Bank Anne Boden will hand over the reins to her number two today as she steps back from the top job after nine years. Boden has undoubtedly blazed a trail in British banking. The Swansea native remains the only woman to have launched a bank in the [...]
As the Financial Services and Markets Act becomes law – here are the 5 things you need to know June 30, 2023 The Financial Services and Markets Bill received royal assent yesterday, securing the passage into law of the government’s landmark overhaul of financial services regulation. The government claims the reforms enable the UK to capitalise on ‘Brexit freedoms’, unlocking billions of pounds which could be directed to investment in the UK. In short, the act empowers [...]
Nigel Farage claims he may have to leave UK after bank accounts closed June 29, 2023 Nigel Farage has claimed he may have to leave the UK after his bank accounts were closed. The former UKIP leader and Brexiteer today posted a six-minute long video on Twitter, stating his accounts had been closed and he was unable to secure banking services elsewhere. He wrote: “The establishment is trying to force me [...]
HSBC lifts savings rates after government pressure June 29, 2023 HSBC UK and First Direct have unveiled plans to boost savings rates. Customers with HSBC UK accounts will see some savings interest rates increase from Friday 30 June, alongside a change to increase the higher-paying tier on the bank’s online bonus saver account. Those with an online bonus saver will be able to earn four [...]
Lack of available finance hampering SMEs – and things aren’t getting better anytime soon June 29, 2023 Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are struggling to access funding as rising rates force banks to put up the costs of lending. According to YouGov data collected for AIM-listed Manx Financial Group, 40 per cent of SMEs had to stop or pause an area of their business due to a lack of funding over the [...]
Streamline tax rules to stop Paris ‘biting’ the City’s heels, Deutsche Bank’s UK head warns June 29, 2023 The UK should reconsider the high rate of tax it charges on banks and financial services firms to boost London’s standing, Deutsche Bank’s UK head said. Speaking at The City UK’s annual conference, Tiina Lee, who has been in the role for nearly five years, said “the one area to highlight” in regards to the [...]
Big US banks pass Fed stress tests months after SVB collapse in sign they’d ‘weather a severe recession’ June 29, 2023 The largest banks in the US sailed through the Federal Reserve’s annual stress tests, suggesting they would survive a sharp economic downturn. The Fed said the results demonstrate that large banks are “well positioned to weather a severe recession and continue to lend to households and businesses even during a severe recession.” Despite projected losses [...]
Bank of England’s PRA sets out new post Brexit Solvency UK details in bid to unlock investment June 29, 2023 Britain’s main financial watchdog has set out a raft of changes to the EU’s Solvency II regime to improve the competitiveness of the UK insurance market and unlock investment in the economy. In an announcement this morning, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) provided more detail on how it will make adapt the EU’s Solvency II [...]
