The BBC is planning to tap the bond markets for the first time in order to raise capital, according to the Times.

Ecclesiastical has appointed Mark Hews as group chief executive officer with immediate effect.

Lloyds Banking Group has reported pre-tax profits of £2bn for the first quarter, well ahead of analysts' estimates, after the lender made a number of cost savings and profited from selling 20% of its stake in St. James's Place (SJP).

Henderson Global Investors is preparing to add two funds to its risk-rated range of multi-asset solutions, led by Bill McQuaker.

Schroders has added a retail sterling share class to its offshore Global Multi-Asset Income fund, opening it up to retail investors for the first time.

Franklin Templeton Investments has appointed David Zahn to head its European fixed income team following an overhaul of its strategy in this area.

Schroders has poached Jupiter's Philip Matthews and Neptune's Alex Breese to replace Richard Buxton and Errol Francis who are moving to Old Mutual Global Investors.

UK consumer prices index (CPI) inflation remained unchanged at 2.8% in the year to March, after a slight rise during February.

The US' three major equity markets dropped overnight after a bomb blast at the Boston Marathon shook markets and weak data from China continued to weigh on stocks.

A former senior partner at KPMG has been charged with insider trading after it was alleged he exchanged stock tips for cash and jewellery including a Rolex watch.