m&a

Accelerating share buy back programme

Further acquisitions

24.9% stake

Pre-tax profits up 15% to £46.1m

Economies of scale

Creating UK's fifth-largest bank

The increase of M&A activity in the UK year to date is dramatic with take-outs announced across the market by size in a variety of sectors.

Global equities have delivered ample volatility, but very little return for investors so far this year.

Worldwide M&A breaks $2trn barrier

Investor and corporate confidence remains intact