Papers

Just about every business page today leads off with the mangled floatation of internet search engine provider Google.

NORWICH UNION and Standard Life are imposing exit penalties on holders of with-profits pensions if they delay their retirement dates, says the Daily Telegraph .

THERE IS only one more interest rate rise to go, probably, if the reassuring message from the Bank of England is to be believed, says the Daily Telegraph.

YET ANOTHER final salary pension fund is about to be wound up, to the detriment of around 2,000 scheme members, says this morning's Times newspaper.

BANCO SANTANDER is thought to digging deeper into its pockets in a bid to head off a damaging bidding war for Abbey National, says this morning's Daily Telegraph.

A MAJORITY of economists believe the Bank of England's interest rate decision, which is to be revealed later today, is "pretty much baked in the cake".

ROYAL BANK of Scotland's chief executive Sir Fred Goodwing yesterday refused to comment on the group's position on Abbey, which last week agreed to an £8.2bn takeover by Spanish bank Banco Santander.

FOUR FORMER Equitable Life chief executives face charges of misconduct after the Institute of Actuaries blamed them for damaging the profession's reputation.

ABBEY SHAREHOLDERS are trying to persuade other UK banks to top Banco Santander's offer to buy the company as they believe it will offer customers a better deal, says the Guardian .

AN INCREASING number of insolvent companies on both sides of the Atlantic are threatening to overburden government safety nets indended to provide for employees who have lost some or all of their retirement savings.