News

Across the UK, mortgage affordability - the proportion of disposable earnings devoted to mortgage payments - for both first time buyers and homemovers in quarter four of 2016 was lowest in Scotland, according to new Bank of Scotland research.

Brian Moore Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS) jumped a place in the list of Scotland's top dealmakers, with work on two of the biggest acquisitions of 2016 helping to cement its position as the only Scottish-headquartered firm in the top five.

Edinburgh-based Scottish Investment Trust (SIT) has agreed a buy back for cancellation deal with Aviva for the entire 11.88 per cent stake controlled by the pensions, investment and insurance giant.

Colin Dempster Scottish listed businesses issued five profit warnings in Q4 2016, two fewer than the previous quarter and one less than Q4 2015, but the annual total was the second highest on record, according to EY’s latest Profit Warnings report.

Blair Nimmo KPMG has been appointed at Fife-based oil and gas safety services company Sabre Safety after the firm was placed into administration.

An organisation representing shareholders in Royal Bank of Scotland who have called for the creation of a shareholder committee to help improve corporate governance at the bailed-out bank have accused it of obstructing democracy by dismissing the proposal.

EY has said new changes made to its UK student recruitment process are helping to ‘open up’ the doors of the profession to a more diverse range of talent.

Martin Gilbert Aberdeen Asset Management has posted a latest trading update showing assets under management have dropped as outflows hit £10.5 billion.

Maria McConnell Scottish accountancy firm French Duncan has been appointed to help businesses trade effectively on Amazon.

Edinburgh-based Tesco Bank, which employs 4000 at its base in the capital, has reduced the rates on a selection of its 2 year and 5 year fixed rate mortgage products to help customers take the next step on the property ladder.

Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed independent Scottish-based PR firm The Big Partnership to deliver regional media relations for its NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lombard and Invoice Finance brands across the UK.

Scott Rasmusen (R) and Gregor Mair. Edinburgh law firm Gibson Kerr has announced a second merger in three months as it further underlines its intentions within the residential and commercial property service in the capital.

Glasgow-based Clydesdale Bank has reported “solid start” to its financial year, despite market conditions remaining competitive and the looming spectre of Brexit.

Raj Mody New figures released today from PwC’s Skyval Index show the deficit of defined benefit (DB) pension funds stood at £470 billion at the end of January 2017.

Euan Stirling Edinburgh-based global investment manager, Standard Life Investments, has issued its Governance & Stewardship Annual Review for 2016 providing an account of its global engagement and voting activities during the year.