Invest NI Announces £29.2M Commitment to Investment Fund for Northern Ireland

The British Business Bank announced that in the two years since its launch the £70million Investment Fund for Northern Ireland has directly invested £30million into local firms. Additionally, these new investments into smaller businesses on differing stages of their growth journey have “crowded in co-investment… Read More

Bank of Ireland Clients Now Adopting Contactless Payments Methods as ATM Usage Declines

Analysis of Bank of Ireland customer behavior during the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 shows that contactless payments rose again while ATM usage continues on a downward trend, compared to the same period in 2024. In Q3 2025, eCommerce contactless card transactions (digital wallets, Apple… Read More

Basel Committee Finds United Kingdom Largely Compliant with Net Stable Funding Ratio Standard

The Basel Committee recently released its assessment reports that are focused on the implementation of its global standards in the United Kingdom. According to an update shared by BIS, assessments find the UK regulations largely compliant with the Basel Committee’s Net Stable Funding Ratio standard… Read More

Kraken to Acquire Backed, Enabling xStocks Expansion and Addressing Demand for Tokenized Equities

Digital assets trading and investing platform Kraken announced that have agreed to acquire Backed Finance AG, the company driving the issuance of xStocks, the leading industry standard for tokenized equities. The acquisition will accelerate the global adoption of xStocks; unifying issuance, trading and settlement to… Read More

CME Group Receives Regulatory Approval of New Securities Clearing House

CME Group, the world’s derivatives marketplace, announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the registration of a new securities clearing house, CME Securities Clearing Inc. With launch expected in Q2 2026, CME Group will operate CME Securities Clearing to help market… Read More

Cboe to Support Nearly 24-Hr Trading for Russell 2000 Options, Expanding Access to US Small-Cap Equities

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), the world’s derivatives and securities exchange network, announced plans to extend trading hours for its Russell 2000 Index (RUT) options suite to “nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week, beginning Feb 9, 2026.” RUT options are offered… Read More

UK VC Funds Launched Since 2020 Outperform US based Funds : Research

UK venture capital market continues to perform reasonably well as UK funds launched after 2020 reportedly outperform US funds, and earlier vintages performed in line or consistent with the Rest of Europe. Research from the British Business Bank, UK Venture Capital Financial Returns 2025, indicates… Read More

UK’s Aberdeen Introduces Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)

Aberdeen, which claims to be the provider of the UK’s second largest adviser platform by assets, announces the launch of a new Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and Junior SIPP. The SIPP and Junior SIPP brings flexibility, “intergenerational financial planning and enhanced user experience.” Clients are reportedly… Read More

UK Finance Reports Mortgage Activity Strengthening while FCA Review Indicates Access Constraints

UK Finance has recently released its latest Household Finance Review for Q3 2025, which explores trends in overall household spending, savings as well as borrowing. Mortgage lending activity returned to growth in Q3, after a quieter second quarter caused by many transactions having been brought… Read More

Lloyds Banking Group Provides £5M for UK Fraud Prevention Scheme

Lloyds Banking Group has recently extended its fraud prevention scheme, reinforcing a commitment to protecting unsuspecting consumers from the perils / harms of fraud. The latest update revealed by Lloyds Bank in the UK initiative, launched back in 2021, will have seen £15 million of… Read More

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