News

Debt collectors are now allowed to reach out to American borrowers on social media and by text message, according to new rules enacted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The change, which was approved by the CFPB last year under the Trump administration, requires creditors to contac

Independent accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has expanded its operation in London following a series of significant business wins. The firm has secured a larger office in the heart of the City to support its continued growth – just over two years after opening its fir

The Cabinet Office has threatened to ban KPMG from bidding for government contracts if it does not improve its audit standards. The Financial Times reported that the department wrote to KPMG warning that the action would be taken if the firm could not guarantee that there would be no further miscond

The Aberdeen office of accountancy and business advisory firm Azets has made a further senior hire with the appointment of Richard Stephenson as director of the firm’s Accounts and Business Advisory Services (ABAS) department. The ABAS team oversee the technology-led delivery of all compliance

KPMG has told its UK auditors that it expects them to be in the office or at client sites four days a week in the future. Catherine Burnet, KPMG’s head of audit in the UK, informed UK employees in an email last week that client-facing staff should now be working at least two days a week either

abrdn has announced the launch of its Emerging Markets Sustainable Development Corporate Bond Fund, which aims to address environmental and social issues without sacrificing returns. An Article 9 product, the Fund is among the first in the Emerging Market Debt marketplace to have a sustainable inves

M&G Real Estate, part of M&G plc’s £65 billion private assets and alternatives business, and property developer partner Qmile Group have agreed pre-lets for 55% of Haymarket One at the £350 million Haymarket Edinburgh development.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is "encouraged" by reporting by applicants on stewardship, according to a new report which analyses reports from the first signatories to the revised Code published in September 2021. According to the report, 'Effective Stewardship Reporting: Examples from 2021

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today confirmed a series of rule changes to ensure that the UK’s public markets remain a trusted and attractive place to list successful companies, providing opportunities for companies to grow from which investors will benefit. The reforms address, an

A consultation has been launched by the Scottish Government on a new heating benefit that will give around 400,000 low income households the reassurance of a guaranteed £50 payment every winter. The Low Income Winter Heating Assistance will be introduced from winter 2022 to replace the current

A nightdress and chemise belonging to Queen Victoria are set to go up for auction on December 7.

Accountancy firm Azets has maintained its expansion strategy with the acquisition of a Yorkshire firm Garbutt + Elliott. Established in 1896, Garbutt + Elliot is one of the largest independent accountancy firms in Yorkshire with over 200 staff, 15 partners and a turnover of £12 million. It wil

TSB has announced it will close 70 branches in 2022, with nine Scottish locations set to shut up shop, as it responds to declining branch use and increasing numbers of customers switching to digital banking services. In recent years, the bank has seen a significant decrease in branch use, with the a

Edinburgh-based financial services firm Aegon UK has appointed Jim Ewing as its new chief financial officer.

Annual house price growth remained strong in November at 10.0%, marginally higher than the 9.9% recorded in October, according to the latest Nationwide House Price Index.