A leading fund management group is believed to have sparked an investigation into insider dealing in HBOS shares immediately before last week's takeover plan, reports The Telegraph .

Reita, the trade body representing REITS and other commercial property investments, is to make data on net asset values (NAV) available to the public.

Relentless trading on the FTSE helped it to a near 9% gain on Friday and a record one-day rise.

The ban on short-selling 29 financial stocks should be extended to commercial property, urges the Real Estate Investment Trust Association (Reita).

Brokers need to think about new ways of bringing in income or they will struggle to survive in the current climate, according to the manager of Financial Network's Mortgage Club Paul Platten.

The US Government plans to invest billions of dollars in taxpayer money to stem the financial crisis, saying it is ultimately a less costly options for American citizens.

Zurich's UK Life business is set to recruit 60 additional sales consultants from across the industry.

The number of Chartered Financial Planners has reached 1504 which is more than a 50% annual increase, according to the Personal Finance Society (PFS.)

The current Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS), which allows lenders to swap mortgage assets for capital, does not give a level playing field for all firms in the market, according to the Intermediary Lenders Association (IMLA).

Pointon York has announced its PY SIPP can now accept protected rights following changes in the rules made by the Government.