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☆ NatWest admits 'serious failings' in Nigel Farage incident; shares slide after earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of NatWest, a retail unit of RBS, outside a bank branch in London, U.K., on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Simon Dawson | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesTrading in NatWest shares was briefly suspended on Friday morning as the stock slid after a combination of lacklustre earnings and regulators flagging possible rule-breaking in a highly mediatized case. NatWest CEO Alison Rose then admitted to discussing Farage's bank account with a BBC reporter, supplying information that was used in a story and later proved to be inaccurate. Alison Rose, NatWest chief executive, (right) departs 10 Downing Street in London, after meeting with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. NatWest Group Chairman Howard Davies said the report "sets out a number of serious failings in the treatment of Mr Farage."

Persons: Simon Dawson, Coutts, Nigel Farage, Farage, Alison Rose, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, James Manning, Howard Davies, Mr Farage, Davies Organizations: NatWest, RBS, Bloomberg, Getty, Trading, Authority, NatWest Group, BBC Locations: London

☆ UK watchdog finds potential NatWest 'regulatory breaches' in Farage fiasco
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Iain Withers | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Signage is seen for the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), the UK's financial regulatory body, at their head offices in London, Britain March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - British watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority said on Friday that it had identified potential "regulatory breaches" in NatWest's handling of a decision to close former Brexit party leader Nigel Farage's accounts. NatWest said it would disclose a decision on whether to dock its former CEO Alison Rose's pay over the matter "as soon as possible". "This report, and additional information we have considered, has highlighted potential regulatory breaches and a number of areas for improvement," the FCA said in a statement, adding it was reviewing the firm's governance, systems and controls. Reporting by Carolyn Cohn and Iain Withers, editing by Lawrence WhiteOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toby Melville, Nigel Farage's, Farage, Alison Rose's, Travers Smith, Alison Rose, Carolyn Cohn, Iain Withers, Lawrence White Organizations: FCA, Financial, Authority, REUTERS, British, NatWest, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ Morning Bid: Amazon and goldilocks ride to the rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Unlike the reaction to similarly decent results from some of its Big Tech peers this week, shares in the online retail giant Amazon climbed 5% after hours. And both Nasdaq and S&P500 futures were set to bounce into the weekend later after the cash markets closed at their lowest since May. With nominal U.S. growth running at close to 8%, depending on which inflation gauge you use, the heat is impressive. And even the racy headline GDP growth rate was below many assumptions of a 5%-plus print. That bond relief has perhaps flattered the overnight stocks bounce - although on aggregate the earnings season is pretty decent too.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Mike Dolan, megacaps, Wang Yi, crumb, Sanofi, TRowe Price, Stanley Black, Decker, CBRE, Christine Lagarde, Jane Merriman Organizations: Chevron Corp, Hess Corp, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Amazon, Big Tech, Nasdaq, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Fed, Big, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Apple, of Japan, European Central Bank, Britain's NatWest, Financial, Authority, University of Michigan, Colgate, Palmolive, Xcel Energy, Charter Communications, Phillips, Central Bank, European Union Summit, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, United States, China, Syria, Europe, Dallas, Abbvie, LyondellBasell, Brussels

A man walks past ATM machines at branch of the NatWest bank in Manchester, Britain September 21, 2017. The bank's shares fell as much as 18% in early trading before closing down 12% - their largest daily drop since the Brexit vote in June, 2016. Farage said in a statement on Friday that he viewed the report as a "whitewash" and its findings "laughable". She added that the review showed she did not leak detailed financial information and had been unaware of "deeply unpleasant and unfair" internal staff comments made about Farage. A NatWest document unearthed by Farage in July found that an internal committee had deemed his views did not align with the bank's own.

Persons: Phil Noble, Nigel Farage, Coutts, Farage, Alison Rose, Travers Smith, Howard Davies, Rose, Mr Farage, Davies, Paul Thwaite, Rick Haythornthwaite, Iain Withers, Lawrence White, Samuel Indyk, Jason Neely, Sharon Singleton, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: NatWest, REUTERS, Financial Conduct Authority, Barclays, Rival, Lloyds, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain

☆ UK's data watchdog to review handling of Farage's NatWest privacy complaint
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man walks past ATM machines at branch of the NatWest bank in Manchester, Britain September 21, 2017. Picture taken September 21, 2017. The ICO had found former NatWest CEO Alison Rose infringed Farage's data rights when she discussed his relationship with the bank with a BBC journalist, according to a copy of the ICO decision seen by Reuters and other media on Wednesday. In a statement on Friday, the ICO said Rose had since expressed concerns. An ICO spokesperson reiterated on Friday that the regulator had upheld two parts of Farage's complaint, but did not intend to take further regulatory action for now.

Persons: Phil Noble, Nigel Farage, Alison Rose, Rose, Ms Rose, Iain Withers Organizations: NatWest, REUTERS, ICO, BBC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain

☆ BoE likely to keep high rates on hold even as signs of slowdown mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The last Monetary Policy Committee meeting in September resulted in five members voting to pause, just outnumbering the four who sought another increase. So far, investors are not challenging the BoE's message that interest rates will stay high for a considerable period. BOE Chief Economist Huw Pill likened the outlook for monetary policy to the lofty, flat and long profile of Table Mountain during a visit to South Africa in late August. But economists expected little change in the BoE's previous forecasts that inflation will fall to 2% in two years' time. "Recent geopolitical events will probably induce a modicum of monetary policy caution, reinforcing the likelihood of unaltered policy settings," analysts at NatWest Markets said.

Persons: Hollie Adams, BoE, Andrew Bailey, James Smith, Smith, BOE, Huw Pill, Pill, Bailey, Rishi Sunak, Price, William Schomberg, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Bank of England, City of, REUTERS, Reuters, ING, Investors, U.S . Federal, Monetary Fund, NatWest Markets, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, South Africa

☆ NatWest ex-CEO infringed data rights of former Brexit party leader Farage, ICO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Iain Withers | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Britain's data watchdog said on Wednesday that former NatWest CEO Alison Rose infringed Nigel Farage's data rights when she discussed the former Brexit party leader's relationship with the bank with a BBC journalist. "We fully co-operate with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) in its assessment of any customer complaint but it would not be appropriate for us to comment on this individual case," a NatWest spokesperson said. The ICO said in its response to Farage's complaint about the incident, seen by Reuters, that in its view Rose shared "misleading information" and that Farage's rights were infringed as a result. Farage welcomed the response and said NatWest should cut Rose's notice pay and bonuses. "It would be an outrage if she walked away with a huge sum of money," Farage said on television channel GB News.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Alison Rose, Nigel, Coutts, Rose, Farage, Travers, Iain Withers, David Gregorio, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: NatWest, REUTERS, BBC, ICO, Reuters, Financial Times, Natwest, Thomson

A branch of Barclays Bank is seen, in London, Britain, February 23, 2022. Barclays shares fell nearly 7% in early trading, while shares in rivals Lloyds (LLOY.L) and NatWest (NWG.L) each dipped around 3%. SLUGGISH INVESTMENT BANKThe lender reported pre-tax profit for the July-September period of 1.9 billion pounds ($2.33 billion) on Tuesday, down from 2 billion pounds a year ago but above a consensus analyst forecast of 1.77 billion pounds. Barclays reported a 6% drop in income at its investment bank for the quarter, following a similarly downbeat performance at the half-year results update in July. ($1 = 0.8151 pounds)Reporting By Lawrence White and Iain Withers; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Peter Nicholls, Venkatakrishnan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley's, Venkat, Matt Britzman, Hargreaves Lansdown, Jes Staley, Jeffrey Epstein, Staley, Lawrence White, Iain Withers, Kirsten Donovan, Emelia Organizations: Barclays Bank, REUTERS, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, JPMorgan, Reuters, Banking, Jefferies, Revenue, Bank of America, Financial, Authority, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

[1/2] Chairman Anthony Thomson (L) and Vice Chairman Vernon Hill pose with a dog outside the first branch of Metro Bank in Holborn in central London July 29, 2010. Metro declined to comment on Tuesday. A Starling spokesperson said the lender was making inroads into the big banks' market dominance. Metro is not the only smaller bank to have faced problems. One option is for smaller banks to gain scale through mergers and acquisitions.

Persons: Anthony Thomson, Vernon Hill, Toby Melville, John Cronin, Caius Capital, Jaime Gilinski, Dorita, Gilinski, Monzo, Starling, We've, Morgan Stanley, Gary Greenwood, Rupak Ghose, Shore Capital's Greenwood, Ghose, Shawbrook, Iain Withers, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Anousha Sakoui, Huw Jones, Amy, Jo Crowley, Sinead Cruise, Chiara Elisei, Nelson Bocanegra, Alexander Smith, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Metro Bank, REUTERS, Yorkshire, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC, Barclays, Metro, Caius, Varde Partners, Harvard, Forbes, Finance, Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, The Bank of England, Prudential, Authority, Shore Capital, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Shore, Financial, Bank, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Holborn, London, BOGOTA, Starling, Colombian, Latin America, Metro, Bogota

Persons: Anthony Thomson, Vernon Hill, Toby Melville, John Cronin, Caius Capital, Monzo, Starling, We've, Morgan Stanley, Gary Greenwood, Rupak Ghose, Shore Capital's Greenwood, Ghose, Shawbrook, Jaime Gilinski, Dorita, Iain Withers, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Anousha Sakoui, Huw Jones, Amy, Jo Crowley, Sinead Cruise, Chiara Elisei, Alexander Smith Organizations: Metro Bank, REUTERS, Yorkshire, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC, Barclays, Metro, Caius, Varde Partners, Finance, Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, The Bank of England, Prudential, Authority, Shore Capital, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Shore, Financial, Bank, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Holborn, London, Starling, Metro, Colombian

Failure to secure the cash they need at rates they can afford, could lead to insolvencies and layoffs. "I think we're now starting to finally see the fall of some of the zombies," she added. This can include restructuring loan repayments, offering reduced rates or other more relaxed terms and can help banks avoid loan write-offs. "Banks and private equity shops have waited to see if the tide turned but higher rates don't allow hiding anymore." Any large corporate failures are likely to have a "contamination effect", said Tim Metzgen, an A&M managing director.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Alvarez, Julie Palmer, Begbies Traynor, we're, Begbies, Nicola Marinelli, Banks, Paul Kirkbright, Kirkbright, Eva Shang, Katie Murray, Naresh Aggarwal, Ravi Anand, Anand, Tim Metzgen, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Britain's, National Statistics, Casino, Regent's University, of England, Bank of, Finance, M's, NatWest Group, Association of Corporate, Companies, Thomson Locations: Europe, Middle East, Africa, England, Wales, U.S, Basel III

☆ UK's embattled Metro Bank expected to struggle to raise capital with 'no easy solutions'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.K.'s embattled Metro Bank has launched talks to sell a third of its mortgage book in an urgent attempt to shore up its balance sheet. LONDON — The U.K.'s Metro Bank will likely struggle to raise fresh capital to shore up its balance sheet, according to analysts, who outlined bleak prospects for the beleaguered bank. The turmoil came amid reports that the embattled bank was seeking to raise up to £250 million ($305 million) in equity funding and £350 million of debt. Metro Bank confirmed in a statement early Thursday that it was considering "how best to enhance its capital resources." Metro Bank did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the reports; nor did any of the rival banks cited.

Persons: Fitch Organizations: Metro Bank, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Sky News, Investment, Bank of, Barclays Bank Locations: Wednesday's

LONDON (AP) — Shares in the troubled British lender Metro Bank bounced back by a third on Friday on reports that it has been sounding out bigger rivals to buy a chunk of its assets. Sky News reported that advisers to the bank have contacted Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest Group among others. But it stressed that “no decision has been made on whether to proceed with any of these options." Gary Greenwood, an equity research analyst for Shore Capital Markets, suggested that the business could struggle to find backers for a potential fundraising exercise. Political Cartoons View All 1202 Images“Metro Bank has been struggling for a number of years to establish itself as a profitable and self-sustaining bank," he said.

Persons: Gary Greenwood Organizations: Metro Bank, Sky News, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, London Stock Exchange, Shore Capital Markets, Bank Locations: Britain

☆ Coinbase CEO slams JPMorgan for banning crypto payments in UK, suggests government should act
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is unhappy with JPMorgan Chase's decision to block crypto-related transactions at its U.K. digital banking subsidiary, Chase UK. "I don't think that's OK. I don't think that's the rule of things in our society. Other British lenders have taken similar steps to bar crypto transactions, citing the risk of fraud. Examples include NatWest, which placed limits on the amount of cash that can be sent to crypto exchanges, and HSBC , which banned crypto purchases altogether.

Persons: Brian Armstrong, Armstrong, CNBC's Organizations: Coinbase Global Inc, JPMorgan, Chase, NatWest, HSBC Locations: New York

JPMorgan Chase Bank is seen in New York City, U.S., March 21, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - JPMorgan's (JPM.N) British retail bank Chase will ban crypto transactions made by customers from Oct. 16 due to an increase in fraud and scams, the company said on Tuesday. "We've seen an increase in the number of crypto scams targeting UK consumers, so we have taken the decision to prevent the purchase of crypto assets on a Chase debit card or by transferring money to a crypto site from a Chase account," a spokesperson for the bank said. JPMorgan has attracted more than 1.6 million customers to its Chase retail bank since launching the mobile app-based service in Britain two years ago, and plans to roll out the consumer bank in other international markets over time. Spain's Santander said last year it would block UK customers from sending real-time payments to crypto exchanges as part of measures to protect customers from scams.

Persons: Caitlin Ochs, Chase, Spain's Santander, Iain Withers, Tom Wilson, Susan Fenton, Christina Fincher Organizations: JPMorgan Chase Bank, REUTERS, Chase, JPMorgan, NatWest, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Chase, Britain

NEW YORK (AP) — Chase UK, JP Morgan's British digital bank, says it will bar customers from making cryptocurrency transactions starting next month — citing an uptick in scams and fraud. From Oct. 16 onward, Chase customers will no longer be able to make crypto transactions using their debit card or through an outgoing bank transfer, the bank said Tuesday. “If we think you're making a payment related to crypto assets, we'll decline it,” Chase said in an email to customers. The AP also reached out to Action Fraud for statement Tuesday following Chase's decision to stop customers from making crypto transactions. to make it harder for customers to participate in crypto markets and therefore less likely to fall victim to scams,” they wrote.

Persons: —, JP, Chase, ” Chase, Dan Wyatt, Christopher Whitehouse, JPMorgan Chase, Wyatt, Whitehouse, ” Organizations: — Chase, Associated Press, AP, JPMorgan, Chase, NatWest Locations: British, London

☆ JPMorgan's UK digital bank blocks customers from buying crypto
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chase UK, the British challenger bank brand of JPMorgan, has blocked customers in the U.K. from purchasing crypto assets. The company said in a statement Tuesday that, starting Oct. 16, Chase UK customers would "no longer be able to make crypto transactions via debit card or by outgoing bank transfer." Chase UK cited data from Action Fraud, Britain's fraud reporting agency, that showed U.K consumer losses to crypto fraud increased by over 40% in the last year, surpassing £300 million for the first time. Chase UK is the latest bank in the country to take steps to limit the ability of their customers to purchase cryptocurrencies. "We're committed to helping keep our customers' money safe and secure," a Chase spokesperson told CNBC via email Tuesday.

Persons: Chase, We're Organizations: Chase, JPMorgan, Wales, Office, National Statistics, cryptocurrencies, NatWest, HSBC, Nationwide, CNBC Locations: England

☆ Goldman says these global stocks are set to soar on share buybacks — giving one over 100% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Analysts from Goldman Sachs named the European stocks they predict will announce significant buybacks until 2024 — which they say will present substantial upside to their share prices. Stocks with massive upside potential On its list of "companies forecast to execute buybacks over 2022-24," Goldman Sachs included financial players NatWest Group , Lloyds Banking Group , Barclays and BAWAG Group . NatWest Group is expected to have a share reduction of 18% between 2022 and 2024. Barclays — which is penciled to have a share reduction of 11% between 2022 and 2024 — was also rated a buy. The company is looking at a 12% share reduction over the next two years.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Buybacks, —, Goldman, Prosus, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Companies, NatWest Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, BAWAG Group, BAWAG, Media Locations: Europe, United States

☆ NatWest appoints former Nationwide CFO to its UK bank board
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man walks past ATM machines at branch of the NatWest bank in Manchester, Britain September 21, 2017. Picture taken September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - NatWest (NWG.L) has appointed Mark Rennison, a former Nationwide Building Society Chief Financial Officer, to the board of its ring-fenced retail bank, the British lender said on Friday. Rennison will serve as a non-executive independent director on the board of NatWest Holdings Limited (NWH), which contains the lender's retail, commercial and wealth banking businesses. Rennison's appointment follows Graham Beale stepping down from the NWH board on Aug. 31, as NatWest announced in April.

Persons: Phil Noble, Mark Rennison, Rennison, Graham Beale, Lawrence White, David Evans Organizations: NatWest, REUTERS, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Holdings Limited, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain

☆ Some UK banks improving interest rates for savers, says watchdog
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage is seen for the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), the UK's financial regulatory body, at their head offices in London, Britain March 10, 2022. Lawmakers have criticised lenders for being quick to pass on higher Bank of England interest rates to borrowers, but much slower raising rates offered to savers. "In July, we outlined a 14-point action plan to ensure people can access a competitive savings market. The FCA said that since its plan was published, it had seen a greater availability of higher interest rates in both term limited and easy access accounts. "We have also seen moves by some savings providers to align the rates available on accounts currently on sale and those now closed," the watchdog added.

Persons: Toby Melville, Huw Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: FCA, Financial, Authority, REUTERS, Bank of, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bank of England

☆ The Bank of England is facing major losses on its bond purchases — and it's set to get much worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In late July, the central bank estimated that it would require the U.K. Treasury to backstop £150 billion ($189 billion) of losses on its asset purchase facility (APF). It saw the BOE accrue £895 billion worth of bond holdings while interest rates were historically low. However, the pace at which the central bank has had to tighten monetary policy in a bid to tame inflation means the costs have risen more sharply than anticipated. watch now"First, interest rates have risen far above levels assumed in the fiscal watchdog's spring forecasts. "On the other hand, though, while QE gilts are not sold, the BoE pays Bank Rate on the ~£900bn reserves it created to buy them.

Persons: Dan Kitwood, BOE, Sanjay Raja, Raja, Imogen Bachra, BoE, Bachra, QE Organizations: Bank of England, Getty, Deutsche Bank ., Treasury, AFP, Deutsche Bank, Bank, NatWest, — Locations: —

☆ NatWest weighs clawing back bonus from former CEO Rose
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of NatWest Bank, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland group is seen outside a branch in Enfield, London Britain November 15, 2017. Rose stepped down on July 25 after admitting to a "serious error of judgment" in discussing Farage's relationship with NatWest-owned Coutts with a BBC journalist. Natwest said Rose would continue to earn a fixed salary and fixed share awards totalling 2.4 million pounds ($3.03 million), and pension contributions worth 10%, in line with her 12-month notice period and pending the outcome of the inquiry. "Like other employees where an investigation outcome is pending, Alison is currently receiving her fixed pay," a NatWest spokesperson said. The lender will pay new CEO Paul Thwaite 1.05 million pounds ($1.39 million) in fixed salary, just below the 1.16 million it paid Rose, in addition to a fixed share allowance of about 1.1 million pounds, NatWest said.

Persons: John Sibley, Alison Rose, Nigel Farage's, Rose, Coutts, Alison, Farage, Rose's, Paul Thwaite, Chandini, Lawrence White, Sinead Cruise, Sharon Singleton Organizations: NatWest Bank, Royal Bank of, Enfield , London Britain, REUTERS, NatWest, BBC, Natwest, Thomson Locations: Enfield , London, Bengaluru, London

☆ Stingy UK bank saving rates may become a non-issue
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Banks are keeping the fruits of higher interest rates for themselves. Between January 2022 and May 2023, the Bank of England hiked rates by 4.25 percentage points. The nine largest UK banks boosted the interest on easy-access savings accounts by 1.18 percentage points, the FCA found. The upshot is that they’ll have to bid more aggressively for funding in the future, for example by raising interest rates on savings accounts. Second-quarter results suggest it too is paying more for funding: interest expense almost doubled between the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

Persons: juicier, BoE, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Authority, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of, FCA, Monday, Reuters Graphics Reuters, NatWest, Barclays ’, Lloyds, Banco Santander, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, European Central Bank, Bank of England, ECB, Spanish, Financial, HSBC, Santander UK, Nationwide Building Society, TSB Bank, Virgin Money, Bank, Thomson Locations: Britain, Spain, Bank of England, Italy, Hungary

☆ NatWest cuts forecast peak for BoE rates to 5.5% from 6%
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Signage at a branch of NatWest Bank pictured in central London, May 21, 2008. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - NatWest Markets cut its forecast for the peak in Bank of England interest rates to 5.5% after the BoE's announcement of a latest rate hike and new guidance on Thursday, down from 6% it previously forecast. "We are revising our Bank Rate forecast and now look for just one more 25bp hike to 5.5% in September," NatWest Markets' chief UK economist, Ross Walker, wrote in a note to clients. "The apparent rowing-back in the MPC's policy-tightening guidance leaves us comfortable maintaining our negative bias on sterling," NatWest added. Reporting by David Milliken Editing by William SchombergOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luke MacGregor, Ross Walker, David Milliken, William Schomberg Organizations: NatWest Bank, REUTERS, NatWest, Bank of, NatWest Markets, Thomson Locations: London, Bank, Bank of England

☆ HSBC CEO on Farage-Coutts spat: 'We do not exit clients based on their lawful personal views'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

HSBC's U.K. headquarters are seen at the Canary Wharf financial district of London on July 31, 2018. Although refusing to discuss details of other banks and their clients, HSBC boss Quinn told CNBC on Tuesday that "our policy is not to de-bank or exit a client based on their lawful personal views." "We also have a responsibility as an institution to look at any areas of financial crime compliance or we have an obligation to collect information on KYC (Know Your Customer), so we have those competing obligations but to reiterate, as a policy we do not exit clients based on their lawful personal views." The closure of Farage's account triggered a heated debate in the U.K. and rocked the domestic banking industry. NatWest CEO Alison Rose was forced to resign, after she admitted discussing details of Farage's Coutts account with a BBC reporter in the wake of his allegations.

Persons: Tolga Akmen, Noel Quinn, Coutts, Nigel Farage's, Farage, Coutts —, —, Quinn, Alison Rose, Farage's Coutts, Peter Flavel, Rishi Sunak, Jonathan Bachman Organizations: AFP, Getty, LONDON, HSBC, Trump, NatWest Group, CNBC, NatWest, BBC, Brexit Party, UKIP Locations: London, U.K

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