London market News

Fitch Revises Outlook for London Insurance Sector to Negative on COVID-19 Impact

Fitch Ratings has revised its outlook for the underlying fundamentals of the London market insurance sector to negative from stable. The sector outlook revision reflects increased concerns over the COVID-19 disruption and the related impacts on the credit quality of …

Growing Exodus of Workers from City of London Cripples Small Businesses

At lunch hour, James Leahy’s Burrito Joe stall in the City of London’s financial district is usually buzzing as people line up from around the corner for their fajitas, tacos, quesadillas and rice-and-meat bowls. Now, those same finance sector employees …

Lloyd’s Market Association to Close Office in Response to COVID-19

The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) is closing its office from Tuesday March 17 until the end of March in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While its “Work From Home Business Continuity Plan” is operational and the office is closed, the …

Private Equity Firm KKR Shuts London Offices on Employee Diagnosis of Coronavirus

Private equity firm KKR & Co Inc. said late on Monday an employee in its London office had tested positive for coronavirus, and that it would temporarily close both its London offices to have them sanitized. “Our London office has …

European Banks, Lloyd’s of London Develop Coronavirus Contingency Plans

Global banks and small investment firms in Europe are urging staff to work from home and curb travel as the financial industry braces for disruption from the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak. For many companies it will be a first-time experiment …

UK Financial Services Could Fare Less Well in U.S. Trade Deal than Energy, Cars

Britain’s financial services industry could fare less well than energy, autos and other sectors under a free trade deal with the United States, the government said on Monday. Britain said in its negotiating mandate for a free trade agreement (FTA) …

Britain’s Insurance Sector Urged to Compete by Selectively Diverging from EU Rules

A senior official from Britain’s insurance sector on Wednesday laid out the case for selective divergence from EU rules to add to London’s appeal as a competitive global financial center. Britain left the European Union on Jan. 31 and will …

Climate Change, Cyber Warfare Risks Are Key London Market Issues for 2020: IUA

Climate change and cyber warfare risks are two key London market issues highlighted by the International Underwriting Association (IUA) in its business plan for 2020. The association said it is establishing a new market group to examine the growing impact …

U.K. Aims to Ensure Post-Brexit Strength of Financial Services Sector: Minister

Britain will do whatever it can to ensure that its financial sector remains a major global player after Brexit, financial services minister John Glen said on Monday. “This government absolutely believes in the City,” Glen told a conference in London, …

London Retains Status as Top Global Financial Services Center, Despite Brexit Chaos

From the pinnacle of the City of London’s largest skyscraper, Stuart Lipton is wagering a $1.2 billion bet that the British capital remains a master of the international financial universe no matter what happens with Brexit. The 76-year-old property developer …