Purpose – This paper seeks to analyse reasons behind the difficulties faced by Northern Rock (NR) and the UK financial system and proposes a return to a more traditional/prudent banking business model, based on a sound balance between sources and uses of funds. Design/methodology/approach –...

Purpose – This paper seeks to analyse reasons behind the difficulties faced by Northern Rock (NR) and the UK financial system and proposes a return to a more traditional/prudent banking business model, based on a sound balance between sources and uses of funds. Design/methodology/approach –...

The lack of understanding of pensions amongst a large proportion of the UK adult population, combined with low levels of financial literacy generally, have been identified as significant barriers to saving for retirement. This article draws on the findings of the International Institute of...

Purpose – Bank regulators across the world have recently lifted restrictions on where banks can operate and what type of activities they can perform. Following the deregulation of the sector, bank mergers and acquisitions have grown substantially. The purpose of this paper is to outline bank...

Purpose – While executive compensation has attracted quite a lot of media interest in the UK over the past decade, it is worth emphasising that the debate in the UK has had far less “heat” than that in the USA; this seems to be explained by the UK avoiding, for a number of reasons, the...

Some sections of society have expressed concerns that consumer debt has risen to a dangerous level. However, there is little evidence regarding how consumers themselves feel about debt. This paper reports up-to-date findings from the International Institute of Banking and Financial Services’...

If the UK retail financial services sector is to seize the opportunities which will emerge in the future, it will be necessary to restore consumer confidence in the market. This paper argues that this will only be achieved through a radical transformation in the nature of regulatory compliance....

This paper examines the potential effects of the Internet and e‐commerce on money laundering activity. Money laundering is a continuing problem both for regulators who are seeking to maintain trust and confidence in the financial system and the investigating authorities who are charged with...

This paper considers the principles underpinning the proposals for a comparative information scheme for personal financial services products. In October 1999 the Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued Consultation Paper 28: ‘Comparative Information for Financial Services’ which outlines...