Former Williams de Broë CEO Philip Howell is to join Rathbones as deputy chief executive as the group looks forward to 2013 with "more optimism".

Jupiter CEO Edward Bonham Carter has called into question the equity market rally, suggesting current moves do not yet signal the start of a new bull market.

Aberdeen has hit the acquisition trail with two new deals, agreeing to buy US asset manager Artio Global Investors and taking a majority stake in private equity fund of funds business SVG.

UK CPI inflation stood at 2.7% for the fourth consecutive month in January, but fears over longer-term forecasts sent sterling to a six month low in early trading.

Collins Stewart Wealth Management has recorded a pre-tax loss of £447,000 for Q4 2012 as parent Canaccord was affected by costs relating to recent acquisitions.

Swedish banking group Handelsbanken has acquired UK wealth manager Heartwood for an undisclosed fee.

RBS has been fined a collective £391m for its role in the LIBOR scandal, with the FSA's investigation finding over 200 "inappropriate" rate submissions.

Hargreaves Lansdown has risen 5.8% to top the FTSE 100 leaderboard as the blue-chip index recovers from yesterday's decline.

MPs have heavily criticised Barclays' defence of its bonus programme, labelling former CEO Bob Diamond's £2.7m bonus for 2011 as "absolutely extraordinary".

Total income at Brewin Dolphin for the final three months of 2012 fell by 5% on the quarter as trail income fell ahead of RDR implementation.