Economics / Markets

Advisers should consider selling their businesses within the next 18 months before prices offered by consolidators fall, according to a consultancy firm.

Politicians in Cyprus are considering exempting bank accounts with deposits of 20,000 euros (£17,000) or less from the planned country-wide levy.

FIVE THINGS

Major indices across Europe fell in early trading on Monday as investors were spooked by Cyprus's decision to impose an unprecedented bank levy on deposits held in the country.

Chancellor George Osborne is to tell the electorate this week that his debt plans are in ruins, with the deadline for bringing UK debt down pushed back by many years.

Politicians in Cyprus are to hold an emergency parliamentary session to debate the 10bn-euro bailout which has angered the public.

CRYSTAL BALL

Outgoing Bank of England(BoE) governor Sir Mervyn King said last night the pound is now "properly valued" in a move to halt its slide.

Lloyds Banking Group has been criticised after announcing 550 job cuts which trade union Unite said would come on top of the 1,340 lay-offs revealed earlier this year.

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