News

HSBC has today launched a £450 million lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland as part of a broader commitment to make banking cheaper and simpler for its customers. The £450 million fund is the largest package of support to be announced by HSBC for SMEs in Sc

The overwhelming majority (94 per cent) of recently retired pensioners are enjoying their retirement years, but more than two in five (41 percent) regret retirement-planning mistakes which have left them struggling financially, accord ing to the results of new research by Prudential. The provider of

Craig Semple The industrial lettings market in Glasgow is performing well with noticeable growth in demand across all size ranges, according to Bilfinger GVA’s latest Industrial Intelligence report.

Willie Park The oil and gas downturn could lead to a spate of companies falling foul of anti-bribery and corruption rules, a senior lawyer has warned.

Alastair Rae Scotland’s hospitality sector was led by strong performances by Edinburgh and Inverness during the traditional slow opening to 2016, according to the latest report by accountants and business advisers, BDO.

New data released by the Nationwide appears to confirm the old cliché of Scots being thrifty with their cash. According to the building society’s figures showing the UK regions with the most cash ISA holders, Scotland has some of the UK’s top savers.

DWF, which has a strong presence in Scotland, is to acquire niche law firm Fox Hartley to strengthen its insurance, litigation and product liability capability, enhance its sector expertise and help secure new domestic and international insurer clients.

UK freelancers and micro-businesses are missing out on millions of pounds worth of tax relief from unclaimed expenses they deem too small or time-consuming to put in their accounts, according to a new study. Provider of cloud accounting software for freelancers, contractors and micro-businesses, Fre

Aberdeen Asset Management has acquired The Hub, an 84 unit residential development in Harrow on the Hill, as part of its drive to commit £500 million to UK private residential property over the next five years. The development’s location in an improving suburb of London, its high quality and conf

The UK government’s flagship energy-saving programme, the Green Deal, has not achieved value for money because it failed to persuade householders that energy efficiency measures are worth paying for, the National Audit Office has found. A report by the watchdog, published yesterday, revealed that

The use of foodbanks in Scotland remains at record levels, figures published by The Trussell Trust have revealed. In the 2014/15 financial year, 133,726 emergency supply packages were given out to people in crisis by The Trussell Trust’s 51 food banks – an increase of 13% on the previous year.

Worker’s union Unite has today claimed that 73 per cent state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland is set to axe up to 600 more jobs throughout its retail business and shut 32 branches. The trade union said the plans will see the bailed-out Edinburgh-based lender, which encompasses the Natwest brand, slas

Martin Jennings Aberdeen Asset Management has announced the appointment of Martin Jennings to the newly created role of head of Aberdeen digital, a distinct division within the firm.

Liz Cameron The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has today claimed that the Scottish economy is currently sitting on “a knife edge between growth and recession” as it revealed data showing a mixed start to the year for businesses north of the border.

Edinburgh-based insurance giant Standard Life has made a formal bid to acquire Axa’s Elevate platform, according to reports. Global financial news outlet Bloomberg said Standard Life is in talks for the business unit as the French insurer seeks to sell off its UK life insurance and wealth investme