Financial services growth "modest"

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The financial services industry grew at the fastest rate since Northern Rock collapsed in the last three months - but the "modest pick-up" in activity was lower than expected.

Although the sector saw its fourth consecutive quarter of improving profitability, the latest CBI PwC survey suggests firms expect activity to level off over the coming three months as concerns about regulation and red-tape mount. Asked how business volumes fared in the three months to June, the balance of 9% was far weaker than expected. However, a balance of 63% expect business volumes to rise over the next three months - the most positive outlook since 1993. As such, firms are planning to expand staff numbers. Businesses expect staff numbers to increase next quarter - which will ma...

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