A monthly business survey conducted by high street banking group, Lloyds, has revealed a sustained rise in business confidence across the UK. Business confidence increased by 1 point to 51% in June nationwide, with the North-west seeing a 3 point rise to 55%. The rise follows a sharper rise in … [Read more...]
News for: Finance
Handelsbanken research reveals generational differences in financial habits
Research commissioned by Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management has revealed the generational differences in financial tasks and decision making. The relationship bank's research found found that 39% of 18-34-year-olds use their phones for mortgage and rental payments, compared to just 8% of … [Read more...]
North West equity market rebounds with growth in deals and value
Total equity investment into smaller businesses across the North West of England increased by 46.2% to £654 million in 2024, despite a nationwide slowdown in activity, the British Business Bank has found. The British Business Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker also noted the volume of … [Read more...]
HMRC names 74 North West employers for minimum wage breaches
HMRC has named 74 businesses in the North West for paying workers less than the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. The latest list published by the government includes 518 businesses in the UK which hadn’t correctly paid minimum wage. Some high-profile businesses are named, … [Read more...]
Vernon Building Society sees surge in Retirement Interest-Only mortgages
Vernon Building Society has seen a 158% increase in its retirement interest-only (RIO) mortgages from Jan to May 2025 compared to the same period last year. As the trend continues for retirees to access the wealth tied up in their property to fund their lifestyle in retirement or help children … [Read more...]
Government backed housing bank aims to support 500,000 new homes
A new government-backed 'housing bank' aims to unlock billions in private investment and enable the building of 500,000 new homes across England. The National Housing Bank, a subsidiary of Homes England, will be publicly owned and backed with £16 billion of financial capacity, on top of £6 … [Read more...]
Vernon Building Society joins Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Vernon Building Society has joined the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, having met its high standards for fair pay, secure work, and excellent people practices. The Society was formally welcomed into the Charter at a ceremony where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham presented Chief … [Read more...]
Together announces changes to senior leadership team
Stockport-based specialist lender, Together, has announced a number of changes of its senior leadership team and Board as Marc Goldberg, CEO of Sales and Distribution, announces his intention to retire. Marc Goldberg (pictured), CEO of Sales and Distribution, has decided to retire from Together … [Read more...]
Vernon Building Society joins Connect Mortgages’ lending panel
Vernon Building Society has joined the lending panel of Connect Mortgages, a network of brokers offering residential, commercial and buy to let mortgage solutions. It means that Connect Mortgages brokers will now have access to the Vernon’s range of mortgage products, including residential … [Read more...]
Cheadle lender completes £500 million bond issuance
Cheadle based property lender, Together, has announced the issuance of £500 million of 7½% Senior Secured Notes. The Notes, due in 2031 have been issued through Together subsidiary, Jerrold FinCo plc. Proceeds are to be used to redeem senior secured notes issued in January 2021 and due … [Read more...]
Expert Opinion: New IHT rules driving death tax disruption fears
Robert Wardle (pictured), Azets’ head of tax for the North West region, is urging businesses to plan ahead for the impact of new inheritance tax changes. A fear of major disruption resulting from new death taxes being introduced from 6 April 2026 onwards has sparked major concerns for business … [Read more...]
Restaurant Grant Programme returns for 2025
Independent hospitality businesses across Stockport are being invited to apply for grants of up to £11,000 via a scheme backed by American Express. The Association of Town and City Management and IDA Foundation are working with all Greater Manchester Local Authorities to distribute the funds to … [Read more...]