Birmingham Post - Business News - Financial

Bank share prices hit by Moody's warning

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:15:17 GMT

The UK’s biggest banks suffered stock market falls today after an influential credit ratings agency threatened more than 100 lenders with downgrades.

A roundup of news from the region's financial sector in the past week

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:54:00 GMT

The Birmingham office of accountants and business advisers Mazars has picked up two new contracts with housing associations.

Mortgages, loans and job losses creating a debt crisis in West Midlands

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:12:00 GMT

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service has reported that West Midlands households are struggling to meet mortgage payments, spending a high proportion of their incomes on debt repayments and struggling to make ends meet.

Handelsbanken reveals 31% rise in lending to UK customers

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:53:00 GMT

The loyalty of local customers has been credited with driving growth at a Swedish bank which has branches in Birmingham and Solihull.

Inflation rate lowest for 14 months

Birmingham Post — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:24:00 GMT

Midland business leaders have welcomed the biggest fall in inflation for 14 months.

Barclays cap cash bonuses as profits see slight slip to £5.8 billion

Birmingham Post — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:30:15 GMT

Barclays handed out £1.5 billion in bonuses to investment bankers for last year - although the lender slashed the pot by 32 per cent amid mounting pressure over the controversial payouts.

Mazars corporate team advise on three major deals in January

Birmingham Post — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:15:00 GMT

The Birmingham corporate finance team of accountants Mazars has advised on three major deals including two businesses moving from the Stock Market to private ownership.

A round up of news from the region's finance sector in the past week

Birmingham Post — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:16:00 GMT

Nick Clegg’s calls for the Chancellor to give working families a boost in the spring Budget by increasing the income tax threshold to £10,000 have come under fire.

Former Royal Bank of Scotland chief Fred Goodwin stripped of knighthood

Birmingham Post — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:32:00 GMT

Former banker Fred Goodwin has had his knighthood removed, it has been announced.

Profits down 40 per cent at Santander

Birmingham Post — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:39:00 GMT

Banking group Santander revealed a 40 per cent drop in UK profits but hailed its success in increasing support to small and medium sized firms.

RBS boss Stephen Hester given near-£1m bonus

Birmingham Post — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:45:00 GMT

The boss of a taxpayer-funded bank has been awarded a bonus worth £963,000, around 60% of his entitlement, following political pressure to limit the payout.

A round up of news from the region’s financial sector in the past week

Birmingham Post — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:21:00 GMT

A round up of news from the region’s financial sector in the past week

Recession fears after fall in GDP

Birmingham Post — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:55:13 GMT

The UK’s economy has suffered a worse-than-expected 0.2% contraction in the final quarter of 2011 – fuelling fears of another recession.

Investment firm Quilter sold to Bridgepoint

Birmingham Post — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:45:14 GMT

Investment management firm Quilter has been sold to private equity firm Bridgepoint in a deal reported to be worth about £175 million.

Chairman and chief executive step down as RSM Tenon reveals loss

Birmingham Post — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:30:14 GMT

Senior executives at business adviser RSM Tenon have stepped down after the group revealed it expects to report a loss for the first half due to pricing pressures amid a difficult economy.

A round up of news from the finance sector in the past week

Birmingham Post — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:43:00 GMT

A round up of news from the finance sector in the past week

Royal Bank of Scotland shares soar after £5bn sale

Birmingham Post — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:40:00 GMT

Taxpayer-funded Royal Bank of Scotland has seen its shares climb five per cent after announcing its biggest ever single disposal – the sale of its aircraft leasing business for nearly £5 billion.

Dramatic drop in inflation welcomed by Midlands business leaders

Birmingham Post — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:17:00 GMT

A raft of high-street promotions in the run-up to Christmas has triggered the largest drop in inflation in nearly three years.

Low growth UK heading for a 'very tough year', claims KPMG partner

Birmingham Post — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:49:00 GMT

The UK is set for low growth in a “very tough” 2012 while Europe will face only a mild recession, according to KPMG senior partner Mike Steventon.

Private equity buy-outs in West Midlands back above £1bn

Birmingham Post — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:14:00 GMT

The West Midlands’ private equity buy-out market rose above the £1 billion threshold for the first time since before the recession last year – despite depressed deal levels elsewhere in the UK.