Bank of England deputy governor flags concerns over ‘low for long’ interest rates October 14, 2019 Economic downturns are at risk of becoming more severe as a result of prolonged low interest rates, the deputy governor of the Bank of England has warned. The current environment of ‘low for long’ interest rates will make “demand management of the economy more difficult in downturns”, according to Jon Cunliffe. The Threadneedle Street official [...]
Extinction Rebellion targets Blackrock in protest over ‘climate criminals’ October 14, 2019 Extinction Rebellion protesters today targeted the London headquarters of Blackrock as they set their sights on the City over its role in what they describe as a looming environmental emergency. Climate activists glued themselves to the doors of the asset management giant, while others staged a mock dinner party with rolled up banknotes on their [...]
Chuka Umunna: Why Labour’s former star politician wants a City seat for the Lib Dems October 14, 2019 Not so long ago, Chuka Umunna looked like a Labour leader in waiting. The Lambeth-born smooth-talking solicitor-turned-politician, who counts rapper Tinie Tempah as one of his friends, was the cool one in Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet. After the shock election result in 2015 prompted a Labour leadership campaign, the Streatham MP surprised no one by throwing his [...]
Exclusive: Queen’s Speech to include Financial Services Bill in bid to safeguard City October 14, 2019 Plans to safeguard the City’s global pre-eminence after Brexit will be laid bare today in the Queen’s Speech. City PM understands the government will include a Financial Services Bill in its legislation as part of an effort to ensure the sector stays at the forefront of international trading after it leaves the EU. Read more: [...]
Canada Corporation looks east to China in post-Brexit plans October 13, 2019 London must capitalise on the US-China trade war to increase Chinese investment and help offset the potential effects of Brexit, according to the City’s governing body. Canada Corporation proposes to position London as a “top global financial centre” and as a “supporter to China’s financial reform” in a motion to be reviewed [...]
Revolut in bid to raise £1.2bn and become Europe’s most valuable fintech firm October 12, 2019 Fintech firm Revolut is seeking to raise £1.2bn from its investors in the coming months. The British-Based payment firm has hired investment bank JP Morgan to arrange a £395m equity raise and issuance of a £790m convertible loan, according to Sky News. Read more: Martin Gilbert to step down from Stand Life and join Revolut [...]
Mastercard and Visa join Paypal and others in abandoning Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency project October 12, 2019 Mastercard, Visa, eBay and Stripe have all pulled out of Facebook’s cryptocurrency project, Libra. It comes a week Paypal announced they were withdrawing from Libra and is a huge blow to the social network’s plans to launch what it envisioned as a global currency. Read more: Paypal become first firm to drop out of Facebook’s [...]
Royal Mint launches solid gold debit card worth £20,000 October 11, 2019 The Royal Mint has produced a payment card made of 18-carat gold which will cost almost £20,000. The firm worked with Mastercard and payments technology firm Accomplish to produce the cards, which will use a Raris account. Read more: Royal Mint releases new coin after August gold rush The debit cards can be personalised for [...]
Shares in housebuilders and UK banks jump on new Brexit deal optimism October 11, 2019 Shares in UK housebuilders and banks jumped this morning on renewed optimism a Brexit deal is achievable. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar met yesterday, with Varadkar saying he believes a deal is possible by 31 October. Read more: Sterling barrels past $1.25 as Donald Tusk welcomes progress on Brexit talks [...]
Barclays execs feared jail over plan to pay hidden fees to Qatar, fraud trial hears October 10, 2019 Senior Barclays bankers discussed their fears of going to jail as they scrambled to create a mechanism to pay extra fees to Qatar during a £2bn fundraising in 2008, a court heard today. Roger Jenkins, Richard Boath and Thomas Kalaris are standing trial at the Old Bailey, accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by false [...]
