News

Troubled building society Norwich and Peterborough (N&P) has agreed the terms of a proposed merger with Yorkshire Building Society.

Updated at 14.30: London's FTSE has stormed through the 6,000 barrier to hit 6026, up 2.2%, as strong corporate earnings and a new record high for gold prices triggered a European rally.

Gross mortgage lending in March was an estimated £11.3bn, a 21% rise from £9.3bn in February, according to CML data.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was again divided six-three against a rate rise earlier this month, minutes from the April meeting reveal.

Employers are lagging behind government policy on auto-enrolment into workplace pensions and it will be difficult to enforce their compliance, experts warn.

Pensions provider AJ Bell has added an ISA and a dealing account to its Sippdeal platform, and will now offer an annual fund rebate of up to 0.5% across all three accounts.

Capita Financial Software is hosting a platform comparison and due diligence day for advisers in June.

Structured products represent a third way for investors who have previously considered themselves restricted to either ETFs or full active management, according to the head of UK retail structured product sales at Citi.

The FSA gave platforms just one week to respond to another follow-up questionnaire as it explores "other scenarios" alongside the ongoing cash rebate controversy, it has emerged.

The Prudential's correction payments for investors with Scottish Amicable pensions will create additional costs for IFAs and clients, an adviser warns.