Financial services

The FSA is set to publish its first "health alert" shortly to warn about risky financial products, in a bid to halt the stream of mis-selling scandals.

Business secretary Vince Cable said UK banking reforms will go ahead despite criticism from industry leaders the plans threaten the economic recovery.

The UK's major banks remain on course to meet their targets for lending to businesses as part of their commitment to Project Merlin.

DOES A SHORTING BAN WORK?

France, Italy, Spain and Belgium have temporarily banned short-selling of financial stocks in response to sharp share price falls across Europe.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has warned investors against buying shares from cold callers claiming to be from Glencore International Plc.

Castlestone Management chief executive Angus Murray is to step down, replaced by director of global sales Jerry Devlin.

Fidelity FundsNetwork has laid down the gauntlet to rivals by pledging to disclose payments it receives from fund groups by the end of the month.

Fidelity's Gary Shaughnessy has criticised the FSA for delaying its decision on a proposed cash rebate ban in today's 'underwhelming' platform paper.

The FSA says more research is needed before it can make the final decision on whether to ban cash rebates.