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Opening Bell: Greece's banks, WTO tech breakthrough, Barclay's cuts

Greek bank branches are set to reopen across the country today after a three-week shutdown - but ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.37 20 Jul 2015


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Opening Bell: Greece's...

Opening Bell: Greece's banks, WTO tech breakthrough, Barclay's cuts

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.37 20 Jul 2015


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Greek bank branches are set to reopen across the country today after a three-week shutdown - but limits on withdrawals remain.

The limit for cash withdrawals of €420 per week is still in place, although customers will be able to take out the entire amount at once instead of just €60 a day.

Large queues are expected at bank branches as people access deposit boxes, which are not subject to any capital controls.

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In a televised interview German Chancellor, Angle Merkel indicated that she is open to the possibility of greater debt relief for Greece once its new package of economic reforms have been introduced.

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Barclays Plc is believed to be considering cutting up to one quarter of its staff numbers in a bid to cut costs.

John McFarlane took over as the bank's chairman in May, and promised to turn around what he described as a "cumbersome and bureaucratic" bank.

It has already reduced its staff numbers, sold off assets, and set up a bad bank.

Mr McFarlane previously carried out a similar job addressing costs in Aviva - this earned him the nickname “Mack the Knife.”

He has said that he hopes that he will be able to double the bank's share price within the next three or four years.

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The EU, US and China are set to sign the world's biggest tariff agreement struck at the World Trade Organisation in close to 20 years.

This wold cut tariffs on some 200 types of technology products - it is estimated that these tariffs are currently valued at $1tn.

It is 18 years since the last major tariff deal was agreed, all sides reported last night that a breakthrough had been reached.

The full list of products affected by this deal has not yet been revealed, but it set to include everything from semiconductors to ink cartridges and gaming consoles.

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Financial services group, Finance Ireland hopes to raise €230m in debt and equity funding to facilitate future growth.

Its chief executive, Billy Kane told the Irish Times that this funding would be used to “fuel growth in SME lending” and its agri-leasing activities.

The company is being advised by Goodbody Stockbrokers, it hopes to raise these funds by the end of the summer, it is expected that the money will be provided by international funds.

Finance Ireland currently controls a 10 percent share of the Irish motor financing market, where it acts as exclusive agent for Close Motor Finance of the UK. It says it plans to double this stake over the next couple of years.

The company was also the country’s largest provider of film finance last year by providing personal loans to investors participating in S481 tax relief investments. 

Finance Ireland recorded pre-tax profits of €3.7m last year on net revenues of just over €13m.

 

 


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