Economics / Markets

HSBC and Standard Chartered have agreed record settlements over money laundering allegations as the former agrees to pay $1.9bn to US regulators.

FIVE THINGS

The UK is not heading towards a triple dip recession, the Treasury chief secretary has said.

Firms and individuals are to be encouraged to self-report on instances of market abuse, a senior Financial Services Authority (FSA) figure has said.

Equity markets have been given a boost by the latest monthly jobs figures from the US which show a further fall in the unemployment rate in November.

The ECB has cut growth forecasts for next year as President Mario Draghi warned of a continued gloomy outlook for Europe in 2013.

Two-thirds of bank staff with sales roles are finding themselves under "more pressure than ever" to hit targets, despite the slew of major mis-selling scandals in recent years, Which? has said.

DOG'S BREAKFAST

The Bank of England has held the base interest rate at 0.5%.

Britain could lose its AAA credit rating after George Osborne admitted he will miss his target to reduce Britain's debts and have to borrow an extra £100 billion.