Having forced Royal Bank of Scotland to adopt what it deems a less risky business model, the UK government can say goodbye to its chances of breaking even when it sells the bank.
Latest articles from Editor’s blog
Kuwait governor's Islamic finance agenda
February 14, 2014Kuwait’s central bank governor Mohammad al-Hashel is at the forefront of new thinking on Islamic finance.
The danger of unleashing a currency war
January 31, 2014Developed economies will only have themselves to blame if emerging economies start adopting China's approach to currency control.
Why Germany wins when it comes to financial regulation
January 27, 2014The financial regulatory landscape in Europe is being hailed as a better place by senior politicians, but better for whom? All of the victories seem to be German in nature, with the UK's influence diminishing ever further.
The banking bonus blind spot
January 15, 2014Banker bashing rhetoric is deflecting from the fact that large banking bonuses are actually good for the economy.
Strong economies are built on long-term thinking
January 8, 2014Government leaders that take unpopular decisions in the short term to bring long-term benefits to the economy are the most deserving of our praise.
Regulators need to take a step back
December 20, 2013Heavy-handed regulation is counterproductive and could make bank failures more likely.
Business trumps politics in the UK's EU decision
December 13, 2013The economic benefits of being in the EU mean that the UK will inevitably elect to maintain its membership, despite misgivings about EU labour rules.
A new banking model will have to break old habits
November 18, 2013As banks search for a new operating model that utilises technology to the full, Brian Caplen looks at alternative solutions for lenders, weighing up the age-old dilemma: to pay or not to pay?
Regulation should not be a political tool
October 23, 2013The UK and the US are taking very different regulatory stances, the former reverting to its characteristic light touch while the latter is taking a heavy-handed approach, but both regimes are driven by political considerations rather than market needs and are therefore at risk of damaging their respective banking systems.