Accounting & Finance
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Investec remains on track despite challenging economic conditions. The bank anticipates adjusted operating profit for the first half to align with last year’s figures, maintaining its strategy amidst market volatility and progressing with its £100m share buyback programme.
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HMRC loses £836m to tax loophole abuse, exceeding estimates. The practice of ‘phoenixing’ has significantly impacted HMRC’s ability to collect taxes, with losses reaching £836m in the 2022-23 tax year, surpassing previous estimates by 45 per cent.
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Gartner’s new hype cycle maps AI in finance. The research identifies nine technologies set to reach mainstream adoption within two years, including generative AI, responsible AI and hyperautomation, while cautioning CFOs against the risks of over-inflated expectations.
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FCA warns firms against excessive compliance with Consumer Duty rules. The financial watchdog aims to simplify compliance, addressing concerns about regulatory burden and cost. The FCA seeks to clarify expectations and improve flexibility, ensuring businesses do not overinterpret requirements.
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ECB forecasts digital euro will generate returns for payment providers. The European Central Bank says payment service providers stand to profit from distributing the digital euro, which is nearing the end of its preparation phase. A formal decision on issuing the currency is expected by October.
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UK start-up loan demand rises as PG insurance uptake grows. A growing number of start-ups are securing finance with personal guarantee backed loans, as new data points to increased risk appetite and lender support among early-stage UK businesses.
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Payment data creates hidden risks in fragmented digital systems. Large organisations are increasingly exposed as customer and supplier payment details spread across spreadsheets, shared folders, and manual processes. Mark Bish, Principal Product Manager at Bottomline, explains how tokenisation can reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen compliance, and streamline operations without disrupting payment workflows.
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UK banks close over a third of branches in five years. Traditional banks have significantly reduced their physical presence, citing increased digital banking adoption. This trend is driven by changing customer preferences, though it has raised concerns about access to cash services.
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Rachel Reeves may extend the freeze on income tax thresholds. Such a move could increase the tax burden on high earners and draw more individuals into higher tax brackets. Analysts predict potential tax rises to address fiscal challenges.
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Europe is losing climate ground, warns the bloc’s first commissioner. Former EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has warned that political and corporate complacency is eroding the European Union’s environmental leadership. Her remarks follow a series of policy rollbacks and investor concerns over the credibility of Europe’s net zero transition.