Articles by Tasos Vossos and William Shaw

Libor Zombies Pit Hedge Funds Against Banks, Insurers in High-Stakes Feud

One of the most lucrative, and contentious, trades of 2023 has emerged in an obscure corner of financial markets, minting overnight profits for the hedge fund crowd of as much as 35%. The play: Load up on 1980s-era bank bonds …

Update: ION Trading UK Indicates Cyber Attack Could Take 2-3 Days to Resolve

UK regulators have started an investigation following a cyberattack on London-based ION Trading UK that’s snarled global derivatives trading. The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority are among departments involved in the probe, according to people familiar with …

UK Government Pushes Forward With Long-Awaited Insurer Reforms

After years of fraught debate between regulators, insurers and the Treasury, Jeremy Hunt confirmed Thursday that the government would push forward with reforms to a corner of the City of London that’s intended to release billions of pounds of investment …

UK’s Solvency II Reforms Could Open Door to Share-Buyback Bonanza for Insurers

Insurers would potentially be able to use billions of pounds of expected gains from a relaxation of capital rules for share buybacks and to pay dividends, under plans by both candidates to succeed Boris Johnson as UK prime minister. Foreign …

UK Insurers, Banks Risk Fines Under New Reforms Unless They Put Customers First

Financial firms may be fined and stripped of their regulatory authorization unless they put their customers’ needs first under far-reaching reforms from the UK City regulator. Banks, insurers and other companies will have to ensure their services are actually good …

UK Government Chaos Sparks Fears in City of London of More Post-Brexit Limbo

City of London executives have expressed anxiety that the turmoil rocking the UK government may delay or derail post-Brexit reforms aimed at boosting competition and growth. The resignations of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and John Glen, economic secretary to the Treasury, …

Staff at UK Financial Conduct Authority Vote to Strike Over ‘Unacceptable’ Pay Reforms

Staff at the UK Financial Conduct Authority have voted to go on strike for the first time in a dispute over pay and conditions. Unite, the trade union that represents staff at the regulator, said in a statement on Tuesday …

Only 3% of Employees Want to Return Full-Time to Their Offices: Survey

Just 3% of white collar workers want to return to the office five days a week, according to a poll by management consultancy Advanced Workplace Associates, which warned employees will quit if bosses force them back full-time. A full 86% …

Just 3% of White Collar Workers Want to Return Full-Time to Their Offices: Survey

Just 3% of white collar workers want to return to the office five days a week, according to a poll by management consultancy Advanced Workplace Associates, which warned employees will quit if bosses force them back full-time. A full 86% …

COVID-19 Cases Are Dropping, but Many UK Employees Still Opt to Work From Home

With pandemic restrictions in the UK largely gone, offices are getting busier. Yet vast numbers of desks still remain empty. Even with COVID-19 case numbers flat or falling in the UK, U.S. and much of Europe, many employees are still …