Banking

A total of 87% of UK SMEs are unaware of their business’s total carbon emissions, despite good intentions, with almost half (45%) of UK SMEs recognising it is important to lower their emissions in the near future, according to new research published by NatWest. These stark statistics follow Na

The Bank of England has increased the interest rate for the third time in four months, with rates rising from 0.5% to 0.75%. The increase means that rates are now at their highest level since March 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns were first implemented.

HSBC UK has revealed that it will close 69 branches across the UK, including two in Scotland. The two Scottish branches set to close are in Perth on 26 July, and in Inverness on 27 September.

Bank of Scotland owner Lloyds Banking Group and FinTech Scotland have launched three new strategic innovation challenges.  The duo has opened the second cohort of its Launch Innovation Programme, which invites fintechs from all over the world to take part. 

The Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) has partnered with Black Professionals Scotland (BPS) to support Black ethnic minority professionals across Scotland. The Bank will work to provide greater professional opportunities for individuals within the Black community through its partnership with

Fintech and Financial organisations have come together so that financial data can inform the COVID Recovery. Sage, Equifax UK, Moneyhub and FreeAgent have followed NatWest in supporting the Scottish-based Smart Data Foundry to open finance for good.

As the country begins to look at life beyond the pandemic, new research from Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed that nearly half (42%) of young people surveyed in Scotland view spending money on fun as more of a priority post-lockdown. Despite the renewed sense of freedom and recent relaxation of r

The Bank of England has launched a consultation on whether to scrap affordability rules for mortgage lending. In 2014, the bank's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) introduced two Recommendations to guard against a loosening in mortgage underwriting standards and a material increase in household indeb

Equity investment in Scotland's smaller businesses reached £403 million by the end of 2021's third quarter, more than double the same period in 2020, according to new research from the British Business Bank. Total investment values increased by 141% compared to the first nine months of 2020 an

Key players in the financial services industry are re-evaluating their approach to growth and battling for the best talent, according to a new ‘State of the Industry’ report from Barclays Corporate Banking.

Eilidh Mactaggart, chief executive officer, of the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) has resigned. The bank has announced that Sarah Roughead will act as CEO with immediate effect whilst the board initiates a process to find a new, permanent CEO.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Barclays Bank £783,800 for oversight failings in its relationship with collapsed payments firm Premier FX. Barclays was Premier FX’s sole banker in the UK.

Bank of Scotland owner Lloyds Banking Group has posted statutory profits after tax of £5.9 billion in 2021. The group has highlighted a 'solid' net income of £15.8bn, up 9% for the year, with an underlying net interest income of £11.2bn. Underlying other income has also increased b

NatWest Group has reported an operating profit of £4 billion in 2021. This is a substantial increase from the loss of £351 million in 2020. Across the whole banking group, the operating profit reached £4.3bn.

The number of UK sectors reporting output growth rose in January as supply conditions improved, according to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Recovery Tracker. However, businesses continued to face significant cost inflation, which translated into a record uptick in selling prices among service sector firm