The head of Britain's biggest bank, HSBC, has criticised the Government's handling of the economy and called for austerity to get the country back on track.
The FTSE 100 rose sharply Thursday following promising economic news from China.
US shares tumbled in early trading on the back of disappointing results for three major banks and reports of a significant tightening in China's monetary policy.
Nucleus has appointed Barry Neilson, formerly of F&C Investments, as business development director.
Prudential is extending its partnership with OBSR to launch five actively-managed and risk-rated funds to help advisers adapt to regulatory changes.
The James Hay Wrap will be separated from the SIPP business and sold, following the acquisition of James Hay by IFG Group.
Bluefin has sold its pension trustee business, SBJ Professional Trustees, to Pitmans Trustees Ltd.
Axa is to end its enhanced annuity pilot due to concerns over Solvency II.
AWD Chase de Vere has appointed a new non-executive chairman and two non-executives directors to its board.
Variable rate mortgages accounted for 80.9% of loans arranged by broker John Charcol in December 2009.