The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed its final decision to make a Market Investigation Reference (MIR) to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in relation to investment consultancy and fiduciary management services.  This is the first time that the FCA has made such a reference to the CMA.
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The term ICO refers to a digital way of raising funds from the public using a virtual currency, also known as cryptocurrency. An ICO can also be known as ‘token sale’ or ‘coin sale’. ICO issuers accept a cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ether, in exchange for a proprietary ‘coin’ or ‘token’ that is related to a specific firm or project. ICOs vary widely in design. The digital token issued may represent a share in a firm, a prepayment voucher for future services or in some cases offer no discernible value at all. Often ICO projects are in a very early stage of development.
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The Generali Group has entered into a share purchase agreement to dispose its entire shareholding (98.56%) in Generali Nederland N.V.(Generali Nederland). The transaction is part of its strategy to optimize its geographical presence, increase operational efficiency and improve capital allocation.
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When it comes to information technology there is no such thing as absolute security. The security expert Gene Spafford hit the nail on the head when he said, “The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards”. In this article this issue will be addressed of cyber security from a central banker’s standpoint. Continue reading…

The Basel Committee published the results of its latest Basel III monitoring exercise based on data as of 31 December 2016. The Committee established a rigorous reporting process to regularly review the implications of the Basel III standards for banks, and it has published the results of previous exercises since 2012. For the first time, the report provides not only global averages but also a regional breakdown for many key metrics. Continue reading…

Globally, Islamic finance has been making headways as it makes its presence felt. Many jurisdictions have offered Islamic finance as part of their banking system’s products and services. This is good progress. But Islamic finance should not be looked upon as a value proposition only for the Muslims. Islamic finance is for all. It incorporates universal concepts and values that cater to all and sundry. An important distinction that is worth reminding. Continue reading…

EU member states are preparing to implement new rules on cybersecurity that mean certain attacks need to be reported. Simon Creasey asks how businesses will be affected. In its 2016 Internet Security Threat Report, global cybersecurity consultancy Symantec revealed a scary series of statistics. Continue reading…

Introductory statement by Mr Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank, and Mr Vítor Constâncio, Vice-President of the European Central Bank, Frankfurt am Main.
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Ten years ago this month, the world witnessed the first tremors of what we now think of as the Global Financial Crisis and the subsequent Great Recession. For the United States and many other countries, this would turn out to be the most painful economic period since the Great Depression.
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Nordea expects the global economy to grow by 3.6 per cent this year, 3.7 per cent in 2018 and 3.6 per cent in 2019, in a new forecast released today. The outlook for the advanced economies looks solid amid uncertainties surrounding Donald Trump’s economic policy, the Brexit negotiations, increasing geopolitical risks and financial market reactions to the expected tightening of monetary policy. Also Emerging Markets seem to be back on a more sustainable growth trajectory, says Helge J. Pedersen, Nordea’s Group Chief Economist. The outlook for the Nordic countries has improved further, and 2017 seems to be the strongest growth year for the region since 2010. Continue reading…