BBC News

BBC News - Business

The Federal Reserve held rates between 3.5% and 3.75% after Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of the central bank.
Posted: 17-06-2026
The Transport Secretary had been aiming to reduce the backlog to seven weeks by this autumn.
Posted: 17-06-2026
The interest rate set by the Bank of England affects mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.
Posted: 17-06-2026
Higher petrol prices were offset by slower price rises for meat, dairy and vegetables, according to the ONS.
Posted: 17-06-2026
The war in Iran is expected to push UK Inflation further above the Bank of England's 2% target.
Posted: 17-06-2026

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Speech by Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, delivered at the International Bar Association (IBA) Anti-Corruption Conference. I’ve been practising law for over 3 decades now.Starting out, I thought every case would be like the ones on US television: dramatic, with a big reveal and resounding outcome, all packed into a single 30-minute episode. But real law looks nothing like television. Hollywood doesn’t show the months, if not years, of work before we even step into a courtroom. Or the drawn-out disclosure exercises!Like many of you, I have had cases that led to high-profile trials and newspaper headlines. Cases that exposed wrongdoing and visibly held people accountable, like:Fining Nationwide £44m for anti-money laundering failings.Securing €250m for investors from H2O Asset Management for their due diligence failures – and trying to conceal them.Another 7-figure fine and a ban for former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, who tried to mislead us about the nature of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.And convicting the Korfuzi siblings of insider trading, with a combined 11-year prison sentence.Although these cases took time, they were the right response – the kind that keep the system clean and build trust.But running alongside this is work that, while less obvious, matters just as much: the quiet prevention of harm. Every day, our teams are monitoring market integrity.Looking for a sign that something is wrong, long before it becomes visible to anyone else.Reviewing financial promotions and taking down misleading adverts before they reach consumers.And working alongside firms to help them deliver good customer outcomes.This kind of work is perpetual. And largely invisible. Let me give you an example.A life sciences company was attempting to raise funding.When we reviewed the prospectus, we realised it resembled a pump-and-dump scheme we were tracking that had already targeted other UK securities.The proposed structure would have concentrated shares in the hands of a few bad actors, who could artificially inflate the share price through misleading online ads.They would then cash out at the peak, leaving consumers exposed when the price suddenly collapsed.So we stepped in and put a pause on approval.Soon after, the company announced it was ending the fundraising entirely. We had cut harm off at the root.And yet… there was no press release. No headline.Does that concern you? Or does it reassure you?
Author: FCA
Posted: 01-01-1970
Speech by Emad Aladhal, director of retail banking at the Later Life Lending Summit. IntroductionIn the years ahead, housing wealth will become an increasing part of how many people provide for their retirement. But it continues to be seen as an option of last resort, if thought about at all.Knowing I had this speech, as an experiment at a recent BBQ I had a conversation with my friends about retirement and savings – none of whom work in financial services. They talked about their employers’ pensions, SIPPs, ISAs, investments, and potential business ventures to supplement income in retirement. None brought up later life lending, or how they could use their home to help.I don’t believe my friends are unique in this.When consumers begin to consider their options for funding their retirement, they usually look to pensions: their state pension, workplace pensions, and personal pensions. The 3 pillars.But why should it stop there? Why should retirement planning focus only on these 3 pillars, and not on all assets available to the consumer?I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you here today – you are the leaders from across the later life lending market, and through your actions the future of this market can be reshaped to meet the increasing needs of UK citizens. In this speech I want to deliver a simple message:There is an increasing generational and social need to provide greater funding in retirement.There is real opportunity to respond to this future demand by developing products people need, improving access to advice, and building trust.And the FCA will do its part to foster good outcomes for consumers and the appropriate growth of this market to meet future needs.But you need to step forward. Because if you don’t, I expect others will step in to define that future.A future where consumers think about their accumulated housing wealth as a fourth pillar for retirement funding, both by choice and necessity.
Author: FCA
Posted: 01-01-1970
The High Court today confirmed the appointment of special administrators for Euro Exchange Securities UK Limited (EES). EES did not seek to overturn the court’s initial decision, which saw the firm cease trading with immediate effect last week.In light of the FCA's actions, EES agreed it is not in the company’s interests to seek to return to normal trading and will work with the appointed special administrators to ensure client money is returned as quickly as possible.Duncan Perring and James Bennett of Teneo Financial Advisory Limited have been appointed as joint special administrators, under the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021.Since being provisionally appointed last week, they have taken control of the firm, secured a significant amount of material and frozen funds.This is the first of its kind case for the FCA, and it will continue to use its powers to their fullest extent to protect consumers and the integrity of the markets. It did so after lengthy engagement with the firm and because of serious concern with the way EES operated its business, which indicated significant financial crime risk. The FCA acted with partners across government, including the Security Industry Authority, as part of joint strategies to disrupt financial crime.Matthew Long, director, payments and digital assets, FCA said: 'The risk of payment firms being used by criminals to launder cash to fund other offences is significant, which is why they must meet expected standards. Fighting financial crime is at the heart of our strategy – and that means using our powers to their fullest extent to protect consumers and the integrity of the financial system.'Notes to editorsOn 4 June 2026, the FCA required EES to cease carrying out any regulated electronic money or payment services and, on the FCA’s application, interim managers were appointed by the Court over EES.The FCA acted based on serious concerns around the way EES operated its business indicated there were significant risks of financial crime. This includes systemic weaknesses in the firm’s financial crime framework and safeguarding arrangements, alongside its ownership and governance.The special administrators are responsible for managing customer claims against the firm and returning funds to customers where possible.If you have any questions regarding the special administration process, please contact the special administrators directly by emailing EESUKCustomers@teneo.com.
Author: FCA
Posted: 01-01-1970
On 9 June 2026, Amplifi Capital (U.K.) Limited (Amplifi) entered administration. Robert Spence and Gareth Slater of Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators. Amplifi is authorised by the FCA. Amplifi trades under the names Reevo Money and My Community Finance. Reevo Money provided personal loans to consumers. My Community Finance acted as a credit broker, introducing customers to credit unions; My Community Bank (MCB) and Castle Community Bank (CCB) which issued loans and savings products. All existing loan agreements remain in place and will not change because of the administration. However, Amplifi can no longer issue new loans.Loans or savings with MCB or CCB will not change because of the administration.Customers should continue to make repayments toward any outstanding loans held with Reevo Money, MCB and CCB as usual. Not making repayments is likely to impact your credit score and future borrowing ability.
Author: FCA
Posted: 01-01-1970