investment banks

The cost of buying insurance on debt issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland has hit a record high as fears over bank funding return to plague markets.

Europe's largest bank saw shares trading higher early on after reporting a climb in profits for the first half of 2011.

Morgan Stanley has been dubbed 'the new Morgan Sachs' after its equity and bond traders captured market share from rivals over the past quarter.

UK bank shares have risen after the Treasury Select Committee criticised the Vickers' report on the UK banking sector, arguing its proposed reforms are unclear.

The UK banking sector faces a further shake-up as the BoE's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) recommended an audit on banks' exposure to eurozone debt, as well as recommending cuts in dividends and bonuses.

The world's richest clients are now less loyal to their private bankers and wealth managers as well as less trusting and more demanding, according to a PwC survey.

George Osborne has confirmed UK banks will be forced to ‘ringfence' retail banking operations to protect savers from risks taken in investment banking arms.

Northern Rock is to be sold rather than remutualised or floated on the stock market, the Chancellor said last night.

Shares in major UK banks have fallen following reports Chancellor George Osborne will force lenders to ring-fence their retail arms.

Ratings agency Moody's is threatening to cut the ratings of 14 British lenders including RBS and Lloyds on concerns regulators including the Bank of England will harden their stance on future bailouts.