Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in European financial services, excluding government-led deals, sunk to its lowest levels for six years in 2009, according to figures from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Administrators Ernst & Young are attempting to drum up buyer interest for the remains of failed Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer & Friendlander (KSF).
The villain in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, is a private banker. This will not come as a surprise to many IFAs who view private bankers as one of their natural competitors.
Rathbone Investment Management has acquired Dexia's UK private banking business for an undisclosed sum.
Figures from Tulip Financial Research suggest Britain's private banks are missing out on the opportunity to advise clients on some £285bn in investment business.