Insights
Our experts provide their insights on the latest industry developments and share tips on accountancy and business matters.
Ewen Fleming
London Office Head & Financial Services Partner
13 July 2021
Mergers & Acquisitions - on the brink of a boomIf you plot global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) activity over time, a very clear pattern emerges - economic downturns are followed by spikes in M&A. Data from the Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances reveals five increases in M&A activity over the last 35 years (in 1986, 1994, 2003, 2009 and 2014) each linked to an economic crisis. Our Financial Services team explore.
Ewen Fleming
London Office Head & Financial Services Partner
19 May 2021
Gradually, then suddenlyArguably, the last decade has seen the financial services sector facing the most fundamental attack that it has faced in over a century, due to technological changes leading to new competition and driving swings in consumer behaviour. Looking in more detail at obsoletion, we begin by examining the key threats to financial services firms and finish by providing a strategic framework which can be used to avoid long-term decline.
Ewen Fleming
London Office Head & Financial Services Partner
09 April 2021
The branch closure foxtrot – fast, slow, and then fast againUK Banks are facing a post-COVID identity crisis, and it’s essential that they think hard about completely discarding their physical outlets if they wish to stay relevant in the future.
Jack Elliot
Audit Manager
24 February 2021
Safeguarding audit opinion for payment and e-money firms: first time through FAQsSafeguarding of funds, particularly in relation to e-money and payment services firms, has been an area of increasing focus for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for a number of years, with this issue being referred to in the FCA’s “top priorities” in their Business Plan for 2020/21. Jack Elliot, Audit Manager, takes you through everything you need to know.
Ewen Fleming
London Office Head & Financial Services Partner
08 January 2021
Banking in a cashless society‘Card payments only’. ‘Contactless preferred’. ‘No cash accepted’. These phrases will be familiar to anyone who has ventured out to the shops since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. While businesses have embraced big change in an effort to protect staff and reduce unnecessary physical contact; ‘small change’ has suffered the opposite fate.
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