News

Prudential's operating profit before tax rose 9% to $1.81 billion in the first half to June 30, as the insurer raised its interim dividend by 15% and unveiled a further $300m share buyback. The firm reported that its adjusted operating profit after tax increased by 10% to $1.52bn. Adjusted earnings

Banking and credit card providers attracted six times more complaints than the average across all other financial services sectors, according to new analysis. Analysis by Huntswood, a subsidiary of ResultCX, found the average number of complaints handled over six months was 15,360 for organisations

Anas Sarwar has pledged his commitment to Scotland's financial services sector following a meeting with BlackRock and other industry leaders in Edinburgh. Lord Sarwar stepped down as leader of the Scottish Labour Party before taking up a seat in the House of Lords, so he could take a job within Andy

Alternative Income Reit (AIRE) has urged its shareholders to vote against Glenstone REIT's offer to take over the company, accusing it of creating "unwarranted uncertainty" about the future of the fund. The board of AIRE launched the scathing attack against its largest shareholder, claiming it has f

Accountancy firm Hall Morrice has revealed plans to launch a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) service following a record year. The Aberdeen-based business recorded turnover reaching £6.2 million, due to an increase in its statutory audit work and demand for its advisory services.

Young investors trust AI tools more than TV or influencers, according to new research. Data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that 56% of 18-40 year-olds who own or are considering investments trust AI tools, compared with 47% for TV and radio, 46% for news media (down one percentage

Liquidators FRP Advisory sell Sutherland Spaceport assets to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Chad Griffin and Graham Smith of FRP were appointed joint liquidators on June 3, 2026. Sutherland Spaceport was established in 2020 by Moray-based space launch company Orbital Express, which ent

The Bank of England has been urged by economists to halt its bond-selling programme, arguing it is driving up the government's borrowing costs at the expense of taxpayers. A group of bond investors and analysts warned the bank's approach to unwinding quantitative easing is adding pressure to already

Glenstone real estate investment trust (Reit) is in a bidding war with AEW UK over the smallest of the UK generalist property trusts Alternative Income Reit (AIRE), as concerns grow over shareholders facing a future in an unlisted and illiquid trust. Last week, Glenstone, its largest shareholder, ma

Chesnara's chief executive says the company is on the hunt for further acquisitions, after its takeover of HSBC Life UK helped drive the firm back into profit. The pension consolidator recorded a pre-tax profit of £61 million in the first half of 2026, bouncing back from a £4.6m loss for

Aberdeen Investments has proposed to investors combining its abrdn Real Estate Fund (aREF) and the abrdn Real Estate Feeder Fund with the abrdn Global Real Estate Fund (GREF) to create a flagship global hybrid real estate fund with more than £700 million in assets under management. The proposa

AJ Bell Custody Solutions has signed an agreement with Daintree Wealth Management. Daintree will use AJ Bell's Model B solution, designed to give advisers with more control and flexibility over the client experience. Firms partnering with AJ Bell Custody Solutions retain ownership of the client rela

Henderson Loggie has successfully negotiated the sale of Allan Corfield Group out of liquidation to a management buyout team to secure the long-term future of the business. Shona Campbell was appointed liquidator of Allan Corfield Architects and its sister company, Allan Corfield Structures and help

The total assets under administration (AUA) across DIY investment platforms grew to £653bn by the end of June 2026, according to analysis by Boring Money. It found that over the last five years the total AUA had grown by 87%, with the average DIY investment provider growing 12% in quarter two