Posted by Stewart Wilkinson, Partner
The High Court has recently considered the interesting question of whether a 400% increase in the interest rate applicable under a loan agreement after the loan redemption date had passed, constituted an unacceptable penalty and should therefore be struck down.
Posted by Bharti Moore, Senior Associate
Contributing authors: Moses Akanmu
According to the Financial Times, across UK banking, the market in green and sustainability-linked financing is growing at an estimated 80%, making it among the fastest-growing segments of the credit market.
Posted by Priya Pandya, Partner
Contributing authors: Josh Craig
Fraud has been in the spotlight recently: “Take Five” anti-fraud campaign has made headlines, and UK Finance has released their report on fraud covering the first half of 2021. We are taking the opportunity to look at some fraud statistics; the challenges the industry is facing from fraud; areas which are particularly sensitive or exposed to fraud; and the overall impact that fraud can have on businesses.
Posted by Tom Llewellyn, Partner
Contributing authors: Tim Gofton
From the deliberate poaching of staff, through to people leaving to set up a competitor – for many financial services firms leavers present the biggest security risk.
Posted by Jack Pestill, Senior Associate
As has been widely reported in the news, much of Afghanistan is currently under Taliban rule. Many UK banks are therefore seeking advice regarding the evolving Afghan situation, and what to do as regards their customers, and wider business, in the region.
Posted by James Worrall, Partner
As we approach the end of the first six months after the signing of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, uncertainty continues for UK firms offering financial services within the EU market.
Posted by Richard Woodman, Partner
Contributing authors: Josh Craig and John Nevin
Banking and financial services businesses have for many years monitored the work patterns and behaviours their staff. Since the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent seismic shift in working patterns, we are now seeing an increasing number of employers monitoring their staff in their own homes.
Posted by James Worrall, Partner
The long awaited, government-backed review into the UK’s fintech industry has warned that the UK risks falling behind in the global fintech race if its recommendations aren’t swiftly implemented.
Posted by Tom Llewellyn, Partner
Restrictive covenants are an essential tool for retaining goodwill and value in any business that you are looking to acquire. This is particularly so where the seller is intrinsically linked to the business or has the skillset to immediately compete with the target business, and could therefore quickly diminish its value.
Posted by Richard Woodman, Partner
Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan this week announced the Government’s plan to set up a Centre for Greening Finance and Investment (CGFI), supported by £10 million of funding from UK Research & Innovation. The intention is for this organisation to have a joint physical presence “research hubs” in London and Leeds.
Posted by Tom Llewellyn, Partner
From the deliberate poaching of staff, through to people leaving to set up a competitor – for many Financial Service firms leavers present the biggest security risk.
Posted by Bharti Moore, Senior Associate
Whilst 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic has forced lenders to embrace new practices, the financial services sector has tried to remain resilient during the turbulence at the same time as providing support to their customers who need it. At the end of 2020, the British Business Bank reported that the Coronavirus loan schemes had supported a total of over 1.5m facilities to businesses, providing over £68 billion of finance.