Accounting & Finance
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Royal Bank of Scotland to offer IP-backed loans in 2026
Royal Bank of Scotland will launch IP-backed loans in 2026, following new legislation enabling lenders to accept intellectual property as collateral. The move is designed to unlock growth finance for Scotland’s technology and innovation sectors, helping high-growth businesses access capital without relying on physical assets.
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Investec faces down challenges amid tough market
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 £800m to small business phoenixing
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 maps AI finance technologies for CFOs
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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Firms overcomplicate Consumer Duty rules, FCA says
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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Digital euro could be profit-making, ECB suggests
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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Start-up lending surge led by personal guarantee insurance
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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Tackling the hidden risks of payment data in a fragmented digital landscape
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 branches as digital rises
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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Stealth tax to cost high earners £7,000
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.