UK Newspaper Archive (July 2020-Present)

The Financial Times reports that investment banks across the world generated a record $124.5bn (£92.2bn) in fees this year as companies raced to raise money in order to survive the coronavirus pandemic.

The Financial Times says three of the world’s top central bankers have predicted the breakthrough on a coronavirus vaccine would lift the uncertainty weighing on the global economy.

Leading the Daily Express is a story about the “end of free banking” moving closer as HSBC warns of the possible introduction of monthly account charges.

The Financial Times leads with two of the biggest banks – HSBC and Santander – declaring the worst of the economic damage from COVID-19 is behind them. 

‘Banks act to stifle home loan boom’ is the headline on the Financial Times, referring to attempts to ease the rush of buyers taking advantage of the stamp duty holiday.

The Financial Times reports on a boost for HSBC’s share price after a Chinese investor increased its stake in the bank.

The Financial Times leads with comments from the governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, who says there is still plenty of financial firepower left to fight the impact of COVID-19.

Outrage over US companies paying senior executives multi-million dollar bonuses shortly before declaring bankruptcy is The Financial Times’ lead story.

The Financial Times reports that Santander slumped to an €11.1bn loss in this year’s second quarter – the first loss in the Spanish bank’s 163-year history – in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Financial Times reports on the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic in the European finance sector, saying banks are preparing to allocate £23bn to cover loan losses.

The Financial Times reports that a top civil servant had warned the government against investing $500m (£392m) in a bankrupt satellite operator – but Downing Street pushed ahead still. 

The Financial Times reports that investment banking fees rocketed to a record $57bn in the first six months of the year, boosted by a series of lucrative debt sales during the coronavirus crisis.