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☆ UK banks’ Big Bang thankfully looks like big flop
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Yet, the mooted changes would probably only benefit middling lenders like Santander UK, Virgin Money (VMUK.L) and Banco Sabadell’s (SABE.MC) TSB Bank, according to the FT. And on Wednesday, the BoE’s supervisory body said it planned largely to stick to international bank-capital rules, dubbed Basel 3.1. But the big flop might not be such a bad thing for the country’s financial sector. Separately, the government’s City minister Andrew Griffith said on Nov. 29 that he wanted to relax the so-called ringfencing regime that forces large British lenders to separate their retail and investment banking arms. According to the Financial Times, the ringfencing regime would still apply to the biggest UK banks but there could be exemptions for lenders with limited trading operations including Santander UK, Virgin Money and TSB Bank.

Australia's fourth-largest bank also said it would reduce exposure to its largest carbon-emitting customers that do not improve their emission transition plans by 2025. ANZ also disclosed that it would lower its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2025 and 90% by 2030. "Our exposure to thermal coal will continue to decline in line with our existing commitments, which includes no longer onboarding any new business customers with material thermal coal exposures, or directly financing new thermal coal mines or power plants," ANZ said. In July, Westpac (WBC.AX) unveiled plans to reduce its lending to coal, oil and gas companies by nearly a quarter by 2030 to slash emissions. read more($1 = A$1.4786)Reporting by Tejaswi Marthi and Jaskiran Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Uttaresh.VOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

SummarySummary Companies Coal miners struggling to fund expansion plansThermal coal costs more than coking coal after price surgeMost Western bankers pulling back from coal industryLONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - It's the best of times, it's the worst of times. At least when it comes to mining coal. With funding hard to come by from Western banks, coal miners outside China have turned more to equity markets this year. "With regard to thermal coal mining, any transaction in coal mining requires an enhanced environmental risk review," a Deutsche spokesperson said, adding that the bank was updating its coal policy. Bens Creek listed shares partly because of the lack of appetite from banks to support any expansion of coal mining, chief executive Wilson said.

☆ Malaysia needs higher taxes and should roll back subsidies: Maybank
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | 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 EmailMalaysia coalitions' party manifestos don't mention anything close to fiscal responsibility: AnalystAnand Pathmakanthan of Maybank Investment Banking Group says it's "very clear" that the country needs higher taxes and should roll back subsidies, but the parties have "very populist manifestos."

☆ Swedish c.bank set to hike policy rate to 2.5% this week, poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Simon Johnson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But core inflation continues to pick up speed and thirteen of sixteen analysts in the poll forecast a hike to 2.5% when the central bank announces it policy decision on Nov. 24. "After high inflation in October, most indications point to a rate hike by at least 75 bps," banking group SEB said. The central bank forecast rates would peak at 2.5%. Households are already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis and the economy is expected to slow sharply - banking group Nordea expects a 2% contraction in GDP and the central bank a 0.7% fall in 2023. Furthermore, the European Central Bank (ECB) doubled its deposit rate to 1.5% at the end of October and promised more tightening in the months to come.

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) on Monday said it would contribute A$42 million ($28.10 million) to settle a class action lawsuit brought by law firm Slater & Gordon (SGH.AX) in 2020 over the sale of three consumer credit insurance products. The class action was filed against ANZ, QBE Insurance Australia (QBE.AX), OnePath Life, and OnePath General Insurance alleging that the entities made customers believe their policy payments were "compulsory or provided value to them", according to the law firm's website. ANZ said the settlement contribution is covered by a provision held as of Sept. 30. QBE Insurance, and OnePath Life and OnePath General Insurance, which are indirectly held by Swiss firm Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S), did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. ($1 = 1.4948 Australian dollars)Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; editing by Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Three of Australia's 'big four' banks settled separate class action lawsuits for A$126 million ($84.51 million) with Slater & Gordon (SGH.AX), who took the banks to court two years ago over sale of credit insurance products, the companies said on Monday. Law firm Slater & Gordon in 2020 filed class action lawsuits against Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX), Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) on behalf of around one million customers. ANZ, along with QBE Insurance, and OnePath Life and OnePath General Insurance, indirect units of Swiss firm Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S), will pay a total of A$47 million to their customers under the settlement, with ANZ contributing A$42 million, Slater & Gordon said. Westpac would pay A$29 million, subject to court's approval. ($1 = 1.4910 Australian dollars)Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; editing by Diane Craft and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reveals it sold about $4 billion of US Bancorp stock - and likely scored a $600 million profit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sold over 60% of its US Bancorp stock for about $4 billion. Buffett's company has counted US Bancorp among its largest holdings since 2007, and owned 145 million shares worth $8.1 billion at the start of January. Now it holds just 53 million shares valued at $2.4 billion, reflecting its stock sales and the 22% drop in US Bancorp stock this year. US Bancorp shares traded around $45 a share between July 1 and October 31, the period when the vast majority of selling took place. Buffett and his team will file a portfolio update next week, confirming how much US Bancorp stock they sold in the quarter.

The banks are now less conservative in counting expected rental income when assessing loan applications, said the four sources. In September, about a third of new bank mortgage lending was for investment. On Nov. 12, NAB will also halve its discount on rental income to 10%, including for Airbnb-like short-term rentals, the sources said. NAB, Westpac and ANZ trail market leader Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX), which has a quarter of the mortgage market. Commonwealth continues to apply a rental income discount of 20% on mortgage applications, a sixth source said.

☆ Australia's NAB flags slowing lending growth from rising rates, shares fall
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Sameer Manekar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A National Australia Bank (NAB) logo is pictured on an automated teller machine (ATM) in central Sydney September 12, 2014. The country's second-largest lender also warned that economic uncertainty created by rising interest rates owing to soaring inflation could challenge some customers, however, said it expects strong employment conditions and substantial home and business savings helping it weather the impact. NAB forecasts a steep decline in business and housing lending volumes in fiscal 2023 in Australia, with business credit growth seen decelerating to 3.6% from 14.7% in fiscal 2022. NAB, the country's biggest business lender, recorded strong growth in its business and home lending during the year ended September, with windfall benefit from rising interest rates boosting its cash earnings to A$7.10 billion ($4.62 billion). That compares with A$6.56 billion reported a year earlier and analysts' estimate of A$7.08 billion, according to Refinitiv Eikon.

☆ Australia's Westpac to tap U.S. dollar bond market - term sheet
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Thomson Reuters | Scott Murdoch Has Been A Journalist For More Than Two Decades Working For Thomson Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Australia's Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) has mandated banks to work on two- and five-year U.S. dollar bond issuances, according to a term sheet reviewed by Reuters. Westpac raised A$2.8 billion ($1.82 billion) in an Australian-dollar-denominated bond on Monday, domestic media said. The bank plans to issue in U.S. dollars a two-year fixed rate bond, a two-year floating rate note, and a five-year fixed rate transaction, the term sheet showed. The final pricing is due to be set later in the New York trading session on Wednesday, subject to market conditions, according to the term sheet. Westpac planned to use the U.S. dollar proceeds from the bonds for general corporate purposes, the term sheet showed.

☆ Lender PCF to withdraw from UK market after rescue fails
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Sinchita Mitra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares in PCF fell by around 62% to 0.4 pence in early trade following the news on Wednesday, six weeks after Castle Trust Capital withdrew its intention to make an offer for PCF. "This has been a very difficult strategic decision for the board to make given the consequences for the business, colleagues, customers, intermediaries and shareholders," Chief Executive of PCF Bank, Garry Stran, said in a statement. To cancel the AIM listing, it must consult investors. PCF, which has a market value just under 4 million pounds ($4.6 million), said it will continue to explore strategic transactions with interested third parties and it retained the support of Somers Limited, its biggest shareholder with a 73.24% stake. Reporting by Sinchita Mitra in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V and Sinead Cruise and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Swedish central bank calls on banks to restrict dividends as risks rise
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The central bank said the biggest risk to banks was their exposure to highly indebted commercial property companies, but added high levels of household debt were also a problem. "The economic development entails an increased risk for major credit losses among major Swedish banks," the central bank said in a regular report on financial stability. Property companies make up about 43% of banks' corporate lending. "In the worst case, higher borrowing costs could lead to property companies defaulting on their payments," the Riksbank said in its report. Shares in Sweden's major banks traded lower on Wednesday, reflecting a fall in the wider European index.

☆ Australian lender Westpac sees profit drop on charge, raises cost target
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Harshita Swaminathan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

3 lender Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) on Monday reported a drop in annual earnings, hit by a charge on the sale of its life insurance unit, and raised cost guidance as it flagged lower home prices and higher unemployment into 2023. Westpac revised its target for costs incurred to A$8.6 billion ($5.52 billion) by fiscal 2024 from a prior target of A$8 billion, citing wage increases from a tight labour market and continued regulatory costs. Westpac's cost target excludes its specialist business and some other items. Analysts at Citi said this implies a total cost base of A$9.2 billion for fiscal year 2024, which consensus estimates have already priced in. Shares of the lender fell over 3% to A$23.38, while the broader market (.AXJO) was up 0.5%.

☆ Powell says Fed officials recommitted to meeting new ethics standards
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged on Wednesday the U.S. central bank's latest ethics stumbles and said it was working hard to make sure it meets its new, very stringent standards. "The public's trust is really the Fed's, and any central bank's, most important asset," Powell said at a news conference after the end of the central bank's latest policy meeting. Citing the new ethics standards imposed on policymakers earlier this year, Powell said "anytime one of us, one of the policymakers, violates or falls short of those rules, we do risk undermining that trust." Powell spoke in the wake of the latest developments in a controversy that's dogged the Fed for little over a year now. Reporting by Michael S. Derby; Editing by Leslie Adler and Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Shopify's new C-suite: After a year of high turnover, the new leaders at Shopify include a CFO poached from Morgan Stanley and a new HR lead who is working to overhaul the e-commerce company's perform
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Here are the people leading the e-commerce company through its next phase. Leinwand was previously senior vice president of engineering at Slack, and before that he was CTO at ServiceNow. Tia Silas, chief human resources officerTia Silas, Shopify's chief talent officer. John Asante, chief information-security officerJohn Asante, Shopify's chief information-security officer. Bobby Morrison, chief revenue officerMorrison joined Shopify as chief revenue officer — a new role for Shopify, reporting to the COO — in August.

☆ UK stocks rise as investors count on upbeat earnings
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.2%, extending gains to hit a three-week high, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) up 0.4% by 0724 GMT. Shell PLc (SHEL.L) rose 2.7% as the oil heavyweight said it would sharply boost dividend after reporting a third-quarter profit of $9.45 billion, which came in slightly ahead of expectations. read moreShares of Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) gave up 1.7% after the lender posted a decline in third-quarter pre-tax profit due bad loan charges. read moreThe broader European index (.STOXX) shed 0.3%, as investors cautiously await a likely 75-basis-point rate hike by the European Central bank around 1215 GMT. read moreReporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) reported a slide in quarterly profit on Thursday, as the lender braced for a potential rise in loan defaults as inflation squeezes borrowers. Market turmoil sparked by Truss' tax-cutting plans pushed up the country's borrowing costs and led lenders to ratchet up mortgage rates, piling further pressure on households. Despite its lower profit, Lloyds said the strength of its underlying performance meant it could raise its forecast on several performance metrics for the year. However, Lloyds said asset quality - measuring potential loan defaults - was expected to be slightly worse this year. Actual loan defaults remained low for the time being, it added.

☆ ANZ's annual cash profit rises 5% on home loan boost, higher interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ.AX) on Thursday reported a 5% rise in full-year cash profit as its home loans business improved and higher interest rates boosted margins in the second half. The country's fourth-largest bank has been overhauling its home loan processing capabilities after failing to cash in on a COVID-driven housing boom because of delays in processing applications. Group net interest margin, a key measure of profitability, grew 10 basis points from the first half to 1.68% in the second half of the year. Runaway inflation has pushed the Australian central bank to pursue its most aggressive tightening cycle in decades, boosting margins for banks that had grappled with record-low interest rates for the past two years. ANZ's cash profit from continuing operations was A$6.52 billion ($4.23 billion) for the financial year, beating a Visible Alpha consensus estimate of A$6.31 billion.

☆ ANZ assessed $16 mln fine for withholding account benefits
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) was fined A$25 million ($16 million) for failing to provide agreed benefits to certain customers with offset transaction accounts, Australia's market regulator and the lender said on Wednesday. The accounts, offered under ANZ's "Breakfree" package introduced in 2003, provided fee waivers, interest rate discounts on home loans, credit cards and transaction accounts, and other benefits in exchange for an annual fee. ANZ's offset transaction customers were entitled to interest rate reductions on eligible home and commercial loans, which were not always passed on, the ASIC said. "ANZ ... for many years failed to prioritise and deploy the systems and processes necessary to fulfil its obligations." "ANZ accepts that its conduct fell short of expectations and apologises to its customers who have been impacted," the lender said.

☆ ANZ faces $16 mln fine for withholding account benefits for 20 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) was fined A$25 million ($16 million) for failing to provide agreed benefits to customers with offset transaction accounts under its 'Breakfree' package, Australia's market regulator said on Wednesday. The Breakfree package, introduced in 2003, offered fee waivers, interest rate discounts on home loans, credit cards and transaction accounts and other benefits in exchange for paying an annual fee. ANZ's offset transaction customers were entitled to interest rate reductions on eligible home and commercial loans, which were not always passed on, the ASIC said. "ANZ ... for many years failed to prioritise and deploy the systems and processes necessary to fulfil its obligations." ($1 = 1.5657 Australian dollars)Reporting by Shashwat Awasthi, additional reporting by Harshita Swaminathan; Editing by Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Australia's Westpac sees $824 mln hit in second half from unit sale
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 24 (Reuters) - Australia's Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) warned on Monday that its second-half reported net profit and cash earnings will be reduced by A$1.3 billion ($824 million) after tax, citing a loss on the sale of its life insurance business, among others. Westpac, the country's third-largest lender, said the one-off charge will have a net positive impact of 12 basis points (bps) on its common equity tier 1 capital ratio as the unit sale added 17 bps. Westpac is set to announce its fiscal 2022 results on Nov. 7. Rivals National Australia Bank (NAB.AX) and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) will report their annual results on Nov. 9 and Oct. 27, respectively. ($1 = 1.58 Australian dollars)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mortgage rates expected to fall to 5.4% by late 2023, banking group projects
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —After more than doubling this year, mortgage rates are expected to retreat in 2023, according to an updated forecast from the Mortgage Bankers Association. MBA is forecasting mortgage rates to end 2023 at around 5.4%. Ultimately, the Fed’s ongoing efforts to tame inflation will slow homebuyer demand for mortgages in 2023, according to the forecast. But since more homeowners are staying put, unwilling to give up their ultra low mortgage rates, it means fewer starter homes are available. She also said that amid this slowdown, the mortgage industry will take a hit.

☆ Nordea profit tops consensus, outlook improves
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STOCKHOLM, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Finnish banking group Nordea (NDAFI.HE) posted third-quarter operating earnings just above market expectations on Thursday on the back of rising interest income and said its outlook for the full year had improved. The Nordic region's biggest bank reported an operating profit of 1.30 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in the quarter, up from 1.27 billion a year ago, beating the mean forecast of 1.26 billion in a Refinitiv poll of analysts. Earlier this week, Swedish rival Handelsbanken (SHBa.ST) reported record earnings on the back of a surge in interest income while reassuring about credit quality ahead. The Nordea group, created through the merger of several Nordic banks just over two decades ago, raised its full-year outlook somewhat, forecasting a cost-to-income ratio of 48–49% versus the previous 49–50%. ($1 = 1.0238 euros)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Niklas Pollard, editing by Terje SolsvikOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ FTSE 100 extends gains, UK inflation back at 40-year high
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 up 0.1%, FTSE 250 down 0.2%Oct 19 (Reuters) - UK's blue-chip index edged higher on Wednesday after a strong Wall Street session driven by earnings optimism, although data showed UK inflation hit a 40-year high again, highlighting persistent price pressures that have hurt consumer spending. The FTSE 100 index of top UK companies (.FTSE) rose 0.1% by 0714 GMT, entering its fifth day of gains, aided by a historic reversal of the new government's failed fiscal plan that had battered the bond markets. Meanwhile, futures signalled a strong start for U.S. stocks after Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) projected more growth ahead. The wider banking index (.FTNMX301010) was down 0.4%, while the investment banking & brokerages index (.FTNMX302020) dropped 0.7%. The domestically exposed FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) slipped 0.2% after a four-day winning run.

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