Archive: Banking Crisis

Clegg pushes for bank share handout

Nick Clegg has called for shares in Britain's bailed-out banks to be distributed to taxpayers, in a victory for the party's backbenchers.

Lib Dems propose bank share handout

Clegg and Cable go on the offensive over 'ludicrous' bonuses

Clegg: Unregulated banks 'biggest mistake in history'

Treasury 'lacks will' to take on banks

The Treasury was unwilling to impose sanctions on publically-owned banks like Lloyds.

The Treasury lacks the will to force banks to lend, an influential committee of MPs has found.

'Ringfencing' the customers: Bankers escape retail-investment split

Lloyds has around 30% of UK current accounts, after its HBOS acquisition

Banks' retail banking and investment banking divisions should not be split into "wholly separate firms", a major review of the financial sector has said.

Lib Dems propose bank share handout

Public should be given RBS shares, Lib Dem backbenchers suggest

Backbench Liberal Democrats have called for shares in two state-owned banks to be handed out to 45 million Brits.

Barclays boss offered £6.5m bonus

In January, Bob Diamond said the `period of remorse` for banks was over.

Barclays' boss Bob Diamond is to be offered a bonus worth £6.5 million, according to reports.

Balls: HSBC profits 'a good thing'

Ed Balls said HSBC's profits showed the need for an international agreement on bonuses

Banking giant HSBC's announcement that its profits more than doubled last year reinforces the need to tax bankers' bonuses, shadow chancellor Ed Balls has said.

Another year of losses for RBS

The state-owned bank made a £1.1 billion loss in 2010, it has announced.

Govt 'lacks comprehensive growth strategy'

MPs said increasing lending from the banks was the key to growth

A committee of MPs today urged the government to "deliver" on increasing bank lending rates.

Union anger with Barclays bonuses

Bob Diamond's bonus will be announced in March

Barclays bank has announced it paid £3.4 billion in bonuses last year, inciting the fury of the unions.

Bank bonus battle lines drawn

Another big bonus payout expected this week

Vince Cable has called the banks' enthusiasm to "fuel" their bonus culture "offensive", but Labour says the coalition is not doing enough to confront the City.

'Project Merlin' bank deal unveiled

Chancellor unveils details of the Project Merlin talks later

Bank lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises will increase by 15% this year, chancellor George Osborne has announced.

Osborne's £800m raid hits banks

Some bad news over breakfast for City bankers

The City's bankers found themselves £800 million worse off this morning after chancellor George Osborne unexpectedly hiked taxes.

Comment: Anger alone won't reform the banks

The temptation to 'go medieval' on banks is strong, but may be unwise

The government has to match some of its tough rhetoric on banks if public opinion is going to weather the spending review. But simple retribution won't do.

Govt unity questioned in delayed bank talks

George Osborne was accompanied by Vince Cable in the meeting

A ministerial meeting with Britain's biggest banks has been overshadowed by the stormcloud hanging over the business secretary.

Osborne bank meeting latest victim of weather woes

Ministers are hoping to avoid a lavish Christmas bonus round

A key meeting between bank bosses and ministers has been cancelled due to the chaos caused by the weather.

Taxpayers will be supporting banks 'for years to come'

Taxpayers may have to wait some time before the burden of guarantees for the banks will be lifted

The cost of government support to the financial sector has fallen, but the taxpayer is likely to endure paying out guarantees to the banks for 'years to come', a new report claims.

Exodus: 25% of financial services industry considers leaving UK

Financial institutions are considering migrating to Switzerland and the Channel Islands, the thinktank says

Taxes and regulation is driving the financial services industry in London to seriously consider undergoing an exodus to low-tax economies like Switzerland, according to a survey.

FSA feels the heat over RBS decision

The regulator may have its functions taken over by the Bank of England

The City watchdog has defended its decision to bring an individual investigation against Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) board members amidst heavy criticism.

Brown: 'We were misled' by the banks

Gordon Brown tells of his 'fury' with banks at the height of the financial crisis

Gordon Brown has spoken of banks' 'chronic recklessness' in extracts from his new book.

King calls for root-and-branch banking reform

The government's proposals don't go far enough for Mervyn King's liking

The governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, has indicated that current plans to reform the banking system do not go nearly far enough.

Sketch: Cable in the lions' den

Business leaders always sniff trouble when a politician tells them his arguments are a "defence of capitalism". Vince Cable was no exception.

Robin Hood campaign concedes Tobin tax

Campaigners are pinning their hopes on an 'alternative' Robin Hood tax after David Cameron underlined the lack of support for a Tobin tax within the government.

IMF: Banks at risk of return to 'crisis mode'

More bailouts? Banks may need additional support say the IMF

The recovery of the financial sector is far from secure, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned, adding that European banks are at risk of needing further support from governments.

PM confirms tougher bonuses stance

Banks will likely be on the receiving end of more tough government rhetoric as public spending cuts bite

David Cameron has confirmed he supports the tougher attitude to bank bonuses implied by the chancellor which could see the government intervene if banks fail to lend.