News

ETFM brings you a roundup of some of this week's ETF and indexing news.

The recent move of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to set a minimum exchange rate against the euro will impact favourably on the Swiss property market, predicts international property search specialist Quintessentially Estates.

Under 34s stand to inherit only half as much as their parents, according to a report by HSBC which points to a growing demand for advice on how to stop wealth being eroded before it can be passed on.

John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, is calling for a raft of measures to help first-time buyers, including revitalised Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee schemes to reduce the risk of higher loan to value mortgages.

Neil Woodford has led a boardroom overhaul at claims handler Helphire, ousting former Tory leader Michael Howard after the company posted a series of disappointing results.

A draft copy of the European MiFiD financial services reforms has singled out independent firms for the ban on commission, but stops short of confirming the rules will also apply to other advisers.

Lord Adair Turner, the head of the FSA, last night launched an outspoken attack on the banks, claiming their ability to create credit and money is ‘potentially dangerous'.

Germany's parliament has voted by a large majority in favour of supporting a more powerful fund to bail out troubled eurozone economies.

Ana Botín, the chief executive of Santander's UK business, has given a severe profits warning as the lender faces rising costs and difficult market conditions.

The Barclay brothers have bought three of London's top hotels, including Claridge's, for 800m euros (£695m).