Economics / Markets

The FTSE has opened in negative territory after a gloomy assessment of the US economy pushed European shares lower.

David Cameron will today tell EU leaders to "agree a plan and to stick to it" amid fears Europe's disunited response to the Greek debt crisis will engulf the eurozone and drag down the pound.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has backed proposals to give the public shares in part-nationalised banks RBS and Lloyds.

The Federal Reserve has scaled down its growth forecast for the US in the face of higher energy costs and weak manufacturing data.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) continues to be split on interest rates as UK inflation remains at a two-and-a-half-year high, minutes of its latest meeting show.

One of the Bank of England's (BoE's) senior policymakers has hinted a further round of quantitative easing (QE) remains an option for the UK's central bank.

Emilio Botín, chairman of Banco Santander and one of Spain's highest profile public figures, is being investigated by the country's high court over allegations of tax-related offences alongside 11 other members of his powerful family.

News the EU and IMF have reached a deal on Greece which should prevent a default have failed to calm markets, as the beleagured nation faces a new round of austerity measures and a government reshuffle.

A Havant-based bank with just over 250 customers and around £7.4m in deposits has gone into insolvency, with the FSCS set to compensate victims.

Britain at risk of being sucked into a second bailout for embattled Greece, the financial sector's "ferocious" drag on the UK's recovery and the Fed considering an inflation target…we bring you the day's biggest news from the nationals.