DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Southeast Asia markets are poised for a comeback with valuations at 'bargain basement,' Maybank says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mohd Rasfan | Afp | Getty ImagesSoutheast Asia markets could see a turnaround in 2024 on the back of cheap valuations and potentially high economic growth, after losing some steam last year, according to Maybank. Improving growth, rising exports, a pick up in manufacturing and a better-than-expected outlook by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company last week all mean that Southeast Asia markets are poised for a better year, said Thilan Wickramasinghe, head of research for Singapore at Maybank Investment Banking Group. "Southeast Asia really is a bargain basement of markets, when it comes to valuations," Wickramasinghe told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia." watch nowThe MSCI Southeast Asia index fell a little over 3% in 2023, compared with a more than 20% rise in the broader MSCI World index, whose top five constituents are U.S.-listed technology giants including Apple and Microsoft . The MSCI's Southeast Asia index was trading at about 13.21x its 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio, according to data from MSCI, as of Dec. 29, compared with a 16.57x forward P/E for the MSCI World index.

Persons: Mohd Rasfan, Thilan Wickramasinghe, Wickramasinghe, CNBC's Organizations: 51st Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Afp, Getty, Maybank, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Singapore, Maybank Investment Banking Group, Apple, Microsoft Locations: Philippines, Republic, Korea, Singapore, Asia

☆ A U.S. recession alone wouldn't 'dampen the story' of Southeast Asia, Maybank says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailA U.S. recession alone wouldn't 'dampen the story' of Southeast Asia, Maybank saysThilan Wickramasinghe, head of research for Singapore at Maybank Investment Banking Group, says that's because markets like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are "strongly driven by domestic consumption."

Persons: Maybank, Thilan Wickramasinghe Organizations: Singapore, Maybank Investment Banking Group Locations: Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

☆ Biden administration plans to slash overdraft fees at big banks: 'I call it exploitation,' president says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Wednesday proposed a set of new rules that would slash the fees banks charge customers for withdrawing more than the available funds in their account. Americans have paid an estimated $280 billion in overdraft fees since 2000, according to data from the consumer watchdog agency. "For too long, some banks have charged exorbitant overdraft fees — sometimes $30 or more — that often hit the most vulnerable Americans the hardest, all while banks pad their bottom lines," President Joe Biden said in a statement. Overdraft fees affect some 23 million households in a given year, and the proposed cutbacks would save Americans about $3.5 billion annually, the CFPB says. Much of that money would theoretically return to the pockets of lower income bank customers: Consumer Reports says 8% of bank customers generate nearly 75% of banks' revenue from such fees.

Persons: Joe Biden Organizations: Consumer Financial, Biden, Consumer

Wells Fargo now says it pegs the odds of a recession at 40% in 2024. The Blue Chip Economic survey released last week echoed the bonhomie. More than two-thirds, 69%, of small business and 67% of midsize business leaders expressed optimism about their company’s performance. This week, members of Congress will learn the details and begin signaling whether the plan has the support of both houses. Meanwhile, in Davos, Switzerland, where many of the world’s leaders, business executives and others have gathered for the World Economic Forum’s 54th meeting, Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a bullish speech on China’s economic prospects.

Persons: –, Wells, “, ”, Wells Fargo, Sam Bullard, ” Bullard, JPMorgan Chase, Li Qiang Organizations: Federal Reserve, BCA Research, Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta’s, University of Michigan, Wells, Investment Banking, JPMorgan, Capitol Locations: U.S, Davos, Switzerland

Last Friday provided a split-screen view of the markets and the Federal Reserve. “Indeed, we look for the return of striking workers to add nearly 45K jobs to November’s payrolls. Wednesday brings the first measure of the November job market when private payroll firm ADP releases its monthly survey of employers. October came in at 150,000, a drop from the recent trend of around 200,000 jobs added per month. Consequently, we expect the post-meeting statement will keep the door open to the possibility of additional tightening this cycle.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, ” William Blair, Richard de Chazal, that’s, de Chazal, –, payrolls, “, Sam Bullard, November’s, Bullard, Wells Fargo Organizations: Federal Reserve, Spelman College, “, Futures, United Auto Workers, UAW, Hollywood, Wells, Labor

☆ Maybank Investment Banking Group's head of research discusses the prospects for ASEAN markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMaybank Investment Banking Group's head of research discusses the prospects for ASEAN marketsThilan Wickramasinghe, Maybank Investment Banking Group's head of research, says Singapore's DBS is a good stock to play the artificial intelligence investment theme.

Organizations: Maybank, Banking, ASEAN, Thilan, Maybank Investment Banking, DBS

☆ UK bars Abu Dhabi-backed group from acquiring Telegraph, pending review
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Britain's government on Friday blocked an Abu Dhabi-backed group from taking ownership of the media group that owns the Telegraph newspaper while its takeover bid is scrutinised by regulators over freedom of expression concerns. The government intervened in the planned deal on Thursday when it asked regulators to examine the deal. On Friday, culture and media minister Lucy Frazer set out an enforcement order preventing any transfer of ownership of the Telegraph Media Group without her permission and also stopping any changes of its structure or senior editorial staff. As well as the right-leaning Telegraph newspaper, the group owns the Spectator magazine. They are up for sale after Lloyds Banking Group in June seized control following a long-running dispute with owners, the Barclay family.

Persons: Lucy Frazer, Barclay, Jeff Zucker, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Camilla Tominey, Tominey, William Schomberg, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, Ofcom, Spectator, Lloyds Banking Group, IMI, CNN, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gulf

A lot of the spending was driven by deals and buy-now, pay-later programs. The Fed’s “beige book” report on the economy is out on Wednesday, and that will show how inflation is affecting businesses and consumers. But consumers continue to express concern over inflation that has left overall prices higher by about 18% since 2021. “With inflation falling as the Fed keeps rates unchanged, real interest rates continue to tighten,” said Richard de Chazal, macro analyst at William Blair. But consumers remain concerned about inflation and just how much will be seen on Tuesday when the Conference Board releases its consumer confidence index for November.

Persons: SpendingPulse, ”, Vivek Pandya, Signifyd, Richard de Chazal, William Blair, “ Organizations: Adobe Analytics, Adobe Digital, Consumers, Retailers, Federal Reserve, Fed, Wells, ”, Conference Board

[1/2] Former governor of Argentina's central bank, Luis Caputo, speaks during a news conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 4, 2018. In the meeting, however, Caputo declined to confirm that he would be the new economy minister, two of the sources said. The roadmap is orthodox and without crazy things," Caputo told the assembled bank representatives, according to a senior banking source who attended the meeting. Earlier on Friday, though, he said shutting the central bank was "non-negotiable". The second bank source said Caputo had discussed the need to fully attack inflation and lower the Leliq pile, though did not have details on how this would be done.

Persons: Luis Caputo, Marcos Brindicci, Javier Milei, Caputo, Milei, Mauricio Macri's, Javier Bolzico, ADEBA, Milei's, " Caputo, Jorgelina, Jorge Otaola, Adam Jourdan, Alistair Bell Organizations: REUTERS, La, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Argentina's, Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Argentine, Rosario

☆ Japan's Mizuho applies to set up securities company in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Mizuho Financial Group logo is seen at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan August 20, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/TOKYO, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T) has sought to establish a securities company in China, becoming the latest foreign firm to make inroads into China's onshore securities market with a fully-owned entity. The China Securities Regulatory Commission has received the application from the securities arm of the third-largest Japanese banking group, according to a filing record issued on Wednesday from the regulator's website. The application comes as Mizuho is hoping to tap China's lucrative capital markets fee pool, the largest after the United States and Europe. Citigroup (C.N) and Standard Chartered (STAN.L) are also in the process of establishing securities units in China after Beijing allowed wholly-owned foreign securities companies in 2019.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Mizuho, Makiko Yamazaki, Jacqueline Wong, Mrigank Dhaniwala, Kim Coghill Organizations: Mizuho Financial, REUTERS, Rights, Mizuho Financial Group, China Securities Regulatory Commission, Citigroup, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights BEIJING, TOKYO, China, Mizuho, United States, Europe, Beijing, Hong

Barclays Bank logo is seen in this illustration taken March 12, 2023. Tesco Plc and Tesco Bank declined to comment. It could not be established how much the proposed deal would value the Tesco Bank assets. Tesco Bank was launched in 1997 as a joint venture between the British supermarket group and Royal Bank of Scotland, with Tesco later taking full control of the company. Despite seeing it as a growth area in the past, Tesco has been scaling back its banking services, including no longer offering current accounts and offloading its mortgage portfolio to Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L).

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Amy, Jo Crowley, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Lawrence White, Iain Withers, Anousha Sakoui, Jane Merriman Organizations: Barclays Bank, REUTERS, Barclays, Reuters, Tesco Bank, Tesco, Tesco Plc, British, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group, Thomson Locations: British, Kensington

☆ Portuguese Bankers Warn Political Instability Could Undermine Reforms, Public Finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Sergio GoncalvesLISBON (Reuters) - The resignation of Portugal's prime minister will trigger instability that could delay economic reforms, while making it harder for the country to keep a balanced budget and further reduce debt, bankers warned on Thursday. The government remains fully functional for the time being, at least until parliament has had its final vote on the 2024 budget on Nov. 29. He said reforms should create an environment for companies to achieve better results and compete more effectively globally. The 2024 budget projects economic growth will slow to 1.5% in 2024 from 2.2% expected this year and political instability may also delay public investment, such as using COVID recovery funds, and private investment. "Probably no one wants to invest when there is great instability," said Pedro Castro Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal.

Persons: Sergio Goncalves LISBON, Portugal's, Antonio Costa, illegalities, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Antonio Horta, Osorio, Miguel Maya, Pedro Castro Almeida, Paulo Macedo, Sergio Goncalves, Catarina Demony, Mark Potter Organizations: Credit Suisse, Lloyds Banking Group, Santander Portugal, Caixa Geral Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, Horta, Caixa, Depositos

☆ Portuguese bankers warn political instability could undermine reforms, public finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Sergio Goncalves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Antonio Horta Osorio, CEO of Lloyds Banking Group, arrives at a garden party at Buckingham Palace, London, May 22, 2018. The government remains fully functional for the time being, at least until parliament has had its final vote on the 2024 budget on Nov. 29. He said reforms should create an environment for companies to achieve better results and compete more effectively globally. The 2024 budget projects economic growth will slow to 1.5% in 2024 from 2.2% expected this year and political instability may also delay public investment, such as using COVID recovery funds, and private investment. "Probably no one wants to invest when there is great instability," said Pedro Castro Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal.

Persons: Antonio Horta Osorio, Simon Dawson, Portugal's, Antonio Costa, illegalities, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Antonio Horta, Osorio, Miguel Maya, Pedro Castro Almeida, Paulo Macedo, Sergio Goncalves, Catarina Demony, Mark Potter Organizations: Lloyds Banking Group, REUTERS, Rights, Credit Suisse, bcp, Santander Portugal, Caixa Geral, Thomson Locations: Buckingham Palace, London, Rights LISBON, Lisbon, Portugal, Horta, Caixa, Depositos

People walk past the new headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Canary Wharf, London, Britain, September 14, 2023. REUTERS/Alishia Abodunde/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Move follows Hungary govt exit from Erste unitGovt raising financing for airport transactionExit 'good news' for sector's stability -EBRDBUDAPEST, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is selling its 15% stake in Erste Group Bank's (ERST.VI) Hungarian unit back to the Austrian group after the Hungarian government's recent exit from the bank, a top EBRD official told Reuters. Austrian lender Erste said on Friday it was repurchasing a 15% stake in its Hungarian subsidiary, currently held by Hungarian state-owned Corvinus International Investments. Francis Malige, EBRD managing director of financial institutions, said the investment had been designed to help the Hungarian bank recapitalise while supporting a positive relationship with the authorities. "We received a call notice from Erste last Friday and are proceeding with the sale of our stake to the group, based on terms agreed during our 2016 investment."

Persons: Alishia, Viktor Orban, Marton Nagy, Francis Malige, Malige, Orban, Gergely Szakacs, Louise Heavens Organizations: European Bank for Reconstruction, REUTERS, Erste Group, Reuters, Economic, Budapest Airport, Austrian, Erste, International Investments, Erste Bank, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, Hungary, Erste, BUDAPEST, Austrian, Hungarian, Erste Bank Hungary

☆ German union calls for strike at Deutsche Bank's DB Direkt over wages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies Deutsche Bank AG FollowBERLIN, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Germany's Verdi union has called on workers at Deutsche Bank's DB Direkt GmbH subsidiary to go on a one day strike on Wednesday, it said, raising pressure in wage talks. "Employers left the first round of negotiations without an offer. This is an affront to the workers, who are suffering from persistent high prices in light of low wages," said Jan Duscheck, head of Verdi's banking group said in a statement. Writing by Madeline Chambers; editing by Matthias WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Verdi, Jan Duscheck, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams Organizations: Deutsche Bank, BERLIN, Deutsche Bank's DB Direkt, Employers, Thomson

☆ Goldman leads new funding for Fnality blockchain payments firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Goldman Sachs company logo is on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, U.S., July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Fnality, a blockchain-based wholesale payments firm, said on Tuesday it has raised 77.7 million pounds ($95.09 million) in a second round of funding backed by Goldman Sachs and other blue chip financial firms as it awaits Bank of England approval to start operations. UK-based Fnality seeks to bridge the gap between mainstream and digital finance to cut the time and cost of settling, managing collateral and making payments for financial market transactions. Fnality said the round was led by Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas, with participation from settlement houses DTCC and Euroclear, as well as Nomura and WisdomTree. Finality raised 55 million pounds in its first whip round in June 2019.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Brendan McDermid, Fnality, Mathew McDermott, Goldman's, Huw Jones, Susan Fenton Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, of, BNP, Nomura, Banco Santander, BNY Mellon, Barclays, CIBC, Commerzbank, ING, Lloyds Banking Group, Nasdaq Ventures, Street, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, UBS, Sterling, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, DTCC

The week starts off with a bevy of unpleasant surprises for the markets and the economy but with maybe a hope of good news on the inflation front. “The decline in oil prices will feature prominently in explaining October's CPI and PPI reports. Core CPI likely slowed in October as well, with lower prices of new and used cars, lower airfares, and lower shelter costs all leaning the same way. PPI inflation likely moderated in October, too, with diesel prices following crude oil prices lower, albeit not by as much as gasoline. Powell’s comments were not anything new, but the timing seemed to suggest he was dampening down enthusiasm in the markets.

Persons: Moody’s, Mike Johnson, ”, Bob Doll, Republican Sen, Tim Scott of, David Cameron, Rishi Sunak, Stocks, Bill Adams, Waran Bhahirethan, ” Adams, Jerome Powell spooked, ” Powell, Oliver Rust, Sam Bullard, ” Bullard Organizations: U.S, AAA, Louisiana Republican, GOP, Senate, Crossmark Global Investments, Republican, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Conservative, Analysts, Comerica Bank, PPI, CPI, Federal Reserve, International Monetary Fund, Central Bank, “, Wells Locations: U.S, Louisiana, Tim Scott of South, London, Iraq, Syria, Gaza City, September’s, Israel, Washington

☆ Australia's ANZ sinks as record annual profit falls short of market forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Rishav Chatterjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of the ANZ Bank is seen at Lambton Quay, in Wellington, New Zealand November 10, 2022. The banking group's Aussie commercial business recorded 11% revenue growth over the year with lending rising to record high of A$62 billion. ANZ intends to expand its commercial business with focus on its currency and payment sites while reducing costs, it said. ANZ declared a final dividend of 94 Australian cents apiece, up from 74 Australian cents apiece announced a year ago. ANZ, however flagged that the external environment will likely remain challenging adding that higher interest rates will impact economic activity as it sees "another year of cost-of-living pressures."

Persons: Lucy Craymer, Azib Khan, Rishav Chatterjee, Roushni Nair, Grant McCool, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: ANZ Bank, REUTERS, ANZ, Citi, P Capital, Suncorp, Thomson Locations: Lambton Quay, Wellington , New Zealand, Australia, Bengaluru

Many people subsequently turned to remote work, and the workforce recovered but only to be plunged into three years of an incredibly tight labor market. Today, the unemployment rate is at 3.9% following an increase in October from the prior’s month’s 3.8% level, and by most measures the labor market is considered very strong. “It does seem like the labor market is getting a little more balanced,” says Gene Tannuzzo, global head of fixed income at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. The overwhelmingly takeaway is that the labor market has defied most predictions and shown a level of resiliency and adaptability that has surprised many observers. This was the “excess retirements” who were causing the labor market to be exceptionally tight.

Persons: Gene Tannuzzo, “, ”, Bill Armstrong, “ We've, Guy Berger, James Neave, ” Neave, –, Berger, ’ Berger, Sarah House, it’s, women’s Organizations: Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Safeguard Global, Technology, LinkedIn, Walmart, General Motors, Google, Wells, Louis Federal Reserve Bank, & $ Locations: Minnesota

☆ UK house prices rise in October for first time since March: Halifax
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - British house prices ended six months of consecutive falls in October, reflecting a lack of homes being put up for sale, but prices are still lower than a year ago, mortgage lender Halifax said on Tuesday. Halifax, part of Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L), said house prices in October were 1.1% higher than the month before, the first increase since March on a seasonally adjusted basis, after a 0.3% monthly drop in September. This is likely to have strengthened prices in the short-term, rather than prices being driven by buyer demand, which remains weak overall," Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages, said. Compared with a year earlier, house prices in October were 3.2% lower versus a 4.5% annual decline in September, leaving the average house price at 281,974 pounds ($347,279), nearly 10,000 pounds lower than a year earlier. Halifax said it expected further falls in house prices, and a return to growth in 2025.

Persons: Toby Melville, Kim Kinnaird, Kinnaird, David Milliken, Sarah Young, Kate Holton Organizations: REUTERS, Halifax, Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Bristol, Britain, Halifax

☆ UK house prices end six-month losing streak - Halifax
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( David Milliken | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Compared with a year earlier, house prices in October were 3.2% lower versus a 4.5% annual decline in September, leaving the average house price at 281,974 pounds ($347,279), nearly 10,000 pounds lower than a year earlier. British house prices surged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to low interest rates, greater demand and temporary tax breaks. Halifax's house price index is still 18% higher than it was in February 2020, despite a 4% fall since its peak in June 2022. Halifax said it expected house prices to fall further this year, with a return to growth in 2025. "The high cost of borrowing alone is not sufficient to trigger the leg down in house prices we predicted," Capital economist Andrew Wishart said.

Persons: Toby Melville, Kim Kinnaird, Huw Pill, BoE, Kinnaird, Andrew Wishart, David Milliken, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Halifax, Lloyds Banking Group, The Bank of England, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Bristol, Britain, Halifax, British

Do policymakers look back to last week’s report that the nation’s economy grew at a 4.9% rate in September, beating expectations? Or this week’s report on job growth for October due out on Friday after the Fed meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday? On Wednesday, the jobs data onslaught begins with private payroll firm ADP reporting its monthly employment survey for October. Political Cartoons on the Economy View All 602 ImagesWednesday also has the Fed announcing its decision on interest rates. These include adjustments to the Fed’s new regime of higher interest rates for a longer period and the government’s fiscal situation that requires a greater level of debt issuance.

Persons: Jerome Powell, ” Sam Bullard, Wells, ” Bullard, ” Chris Diaz, ”, Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Conference Board, Fed, Treasury, Federal, Brown Advisory, Labor Department, McDonalds, Apple, Dow Industrial, Louisiana Republican Locations: Louisiana

☆ Swedbank beats Q3 profit estimates, says economy "remains resilient"
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Tom Little/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSTOCKHOLM, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Swedish banking group Swedbank (SWEDa.ST) reported a bigger-than-expected third-quarter net profit on Thursday, and said the economy remained resilient despite turbulence and higher interest rates. Sweden's biggest mortgage lender posted a net profit of 9.13 billion crowns ($817 million), well above a forecast of 8.57 billion crowns in a LSEG poll of analysts. It had posted a profit of 5.59 billion crowns in the year-ago period. Swedbank, a rival to lenders such as Handelsbanken (SHBa.ST), Nordea (NDAFI.HE) and SEB (SEBa.ST), said interest income, which includes revenues from mortgages, rose to 12.9 billion crowns from 8.36 billion crowns a year ago, slightly beating expectations. Swedbank booked loan loss provisions of 347 million crowns, down from 602 million crowns in the year-ago quarter, and below analysts' expectations of losses of 583 million crowns.

Persons: Tom Little, Jens Henriksson, SEB, Swedbank, Johan Ahlander, Anna Ringstrom Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Stockholm, Sweden, Rights STOCKHOLM, Swedish, Swedbank

☆ This startup wants to make nature a balance sheet-grade asset. Check out the 19-slide pitch deck The Landbanking Group used to raise $11 million.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A climate fintech startup that wants to make nature a balance sheet-grade asset has just raised $11 million in seed funding. The Landbanking Group, founded in 2022, has created a software platform for land owners and investors. These assets can then be sold on to the likes of investors or corporations set on decarbonizing their supply chains. But in compensation markets, "you need to do harm first, for you to have an incentive to actually engage with nature," Stuchtey said. From there, the startup is positioning itself as a depository bank where nature assets are held, exchanged, and settled.

Persons: Martin Stuchtey, Sonja Stuchtey, Stuchtey Organizations: McKinsey, Force, 4P Capital Locations: Munich

Britain's biggest mortgage lender on Wednesday reported a pre-tax profit of 1.9 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) for the three months to September 30, in line with the 1.8 billion expected by analysts in forecasts compiled by the bank. The bank's quarterly profit was up on 576 million pounds the prior year, which was restated due to accounting changes. Analysts welcomed the steady set of results, noting a bad loan charge of just 187 million pounds - versus 668 million in the same quarter a year earlier - was much lower than expected. However, Lloyds said it increased its deposits by 500 million pounds during the third quarter, reversing a trend of outflows seen by many banks this year. Deposits remained down 5 billion pounds year to date at 470 billion pounds.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Zoe Gillespie, Banks, Iain Withers, Lawrence White, Jason Neely Organizations: Lloyds Bank, REUTERS, Lloyds Banking Group, savers, Lloyds, Barclays, RBC Brewin, Thomson

Search resuls for: "Banking Group"

25 mentions found