OakNorth Banks on Regulatory Expertise with Appointment of Adair Turner as Chairman

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Adair Turner, former head of the Financial Services Authority, has been appointed chairman of OakNorth, a UK business bank backed by SoftBank. With his experience during the global financial crisis, Turner is expected to contribute to OakNorth’s strategic growth plans and business product diversification. The move follows the departure of Cyrus Ardalan, the current chairman, who adheres to Britain’s Corporate Governance Code. OakNorth, founded in 2015, aims to leverage Turner’s insights for scaling and achieving ambitious sustainability goals, targeting net-zero emissions by 2035. Turner’s regulatory expertise signals OakNorth’s commitment to navigating evolving financial landscapes.

UK Banks Show Resilience Amid Rising Interest Rates, Offering Support to Struggling Households

The Bank of England’s recent assessment provides reassurance that major UK banks are well-positioned to support struggling households amid rising interest rates. With a focus on managing potential risks and offering financial options to borrowers, the banking sector aims to mitigate the impact of increasing debt burdens. As individuals navigate the changing landscape, proactive financial management and open communication with lenders will play a significant role in achieving stability and mitigating potential hardships.

NatWest shares plunge after warning on rising costs

NatWest’s shares fell as much as 9% on Friday after the British bank warned of rising costs, and as its third-quarter results were hit by a deteriorating UK economic outlook that prompted an increase in bad debt provisions.

Japan raises FY2022 GDP growth estimate amid risks to outlook

Japan upgraded on Thursday its growth projections for the next fiscal year starting in April, saying it expected gross domestic product (GDP) to hit a record even amid risks from the Omicron variant and supply constraints, Cabinet Office officials said.