Hong Kong government announces measures to lure wealthy family offices

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s government announced a series of measures on Friday to attract wealthy family offices to set up in the financial hub as authorities try to restore business confidence and investor allure after three years of severe COVID-19 rules. A revamped investment migration scheme, new tax concessions and incentives such as…

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Yellen promise on community bank deposits sparks relief in small-town America

By David Lawder and Douglas Gillison WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The brewing U.S. banking crisis seems far removed from the northeastern Vermont town of St. Johnsbury, but local Passumpsic Bank executive Daniel Kimbell grew concerned when he heard U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s congressional testimony last week. Yellen told a U.S. Senate hearing on March 16 that…

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Analysis-Credit Suisse collapse threatens Switzerland’s wealth management crown

By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) – The fall of Credit Suisse has dealt a serious blow to Switzerland’s credentials as the world’s leading wealth management centre, experts warn, calling into question its reputation for stability, regulation and corporate governance. Battered by years of scandals and losses, Credit Suisse had been fighting a crisis of confidence…

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US Treasury looks to strengthen financial stability; big focus on smaller banks

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury is continuing to monitor the health of mid-sized and regional banks and is considering what steps can be taken to further strengthen the country’s financial stability, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said on Tuesday. Adeyemo said “decisive action” taken by the Treasury, Federal Reserve and the Federal…

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Higher expenses weigh down U.S. bank profits in 2022 – FDIC

By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. banks reported a 5.8% decline in profits in 2022 as firms spent more on noninterest items and provision expenses against future losses, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported Tuesday. Bank profits dropped 4.6% in the last quarter of 2022, but overall profits remain above average profits seen by the…

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Britain sets out legislation to regulate buy-now-pay-later credit

By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Tuesday set out draft legislation to regulate “buy now pay later” (BNPL) credit, saying the sector posed potential harm to consumers without thorough affordability checks. BNPL companies are largely unregulated and typically offer on-the-spot interest-free short-term loans that spread payments for retail goods like clothing. The sector nearly…

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U.S.-China friction stokes concern among some top finance bosses

LONDON (Reuters) – The bosses of global investor Fidelity International and accountancy giant EY have voiced concerns about a fracturing of relations between the U.S. and China, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday. Anne Richards, CEO of the $610 billion money manager Fidelity International, put her level of worry about a…

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Analysis-Britain takes fight to restore investor faith into 2023

By Sinead Cruise, Kate Holton and Dhara Ranasinghe LONDON (Reuters) – Major investors are rethinking their support for Britain’s economy following months of political turmoil and persistent Brexit uncertainties, as experts predict its recovery from a global recession will be slow and painful. While governments worldwide are grappling with high inflation and low growth, UK…

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