London, United Kingdom | AFP | There had never been much doubt that in London’s testosterone-fuelled financial sector female workers’ salaries lagged far behind those of their mostly male colleagues. Now this has been confirmed in black and white after the British government forced UK-based banks to publish their own so-called …
Read More »Why Barclays is re-branding as Absa
The South African bank to open offices in London and New York to serve clients seeking to invest in Africa Kampala,Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Barclays Africa Group Limited (BAGL)plans to return to is former name, Absa, across its operations on the African continent. The bank’s executives said the move …
Read More »Standard Chartered brings back dividends as profits jump
Hong Kong, China | AFP | Banking giant Standard Chartered on Tuesday announced a return of dividends for shareholders after a two-year hiatus as it reported a surge in annual profits following restructuring and cutbacks. The Asia-focused lender said it would pay out a full-year dividend of 11 cents per …
Read More »Ecobank gets US$200million boost
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ugandan Small and medium enterprises banking with the Togo-based Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), have a chance to borrow part of $200 million, FMO, the Dutch development bank, has made available for SME growth across the continent. Ecobank Group CEO, Ade Ayeyemi, said new transaction …
Read More »New accounting standard will make loans, insurance expensive
Experts say financial institutions to prefer extending short term loans. New accounting standard will make loans, insurance more expensive Kampala, Uganda | ISSAC KHISA | Uganda’s banking and insurance industries are envisaging good times ahead as they embrace the new global accounting standards effective this year. The bad news is that borrowers …
Read More »Banks rollout agent banking
The new banking model is expected to deepen financial inclusion Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Uganda’s commercial banks have started rolling out agent banking following Kenya and Rwanda’s footsteps in an effort to grow deposits and customer base. This follows the coming into force of the Financial Institutions Act …
Read More »UK to hand out £330m from dormant bank accounts
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The British government announced plans Thursday to distribute £330 million ($447 million, 371 million euros) taken from dormant bank accounts to good causes, bringing the total handed out to almost £700 million. The Dormant Accounts Scheme was established in 2008, allowing the reallocation of money …
Read More »THE INDEPENDENT: Why BOU bosses’ fight isn’t helpful
COVER Saving Bank of Uganda: Why Kasekende, Bagyenda, Mutebile fight isn’t helpful THE LAST WORD Why our nations remain poor: African elites are victims of their own delusions about distorted history of developed countries. POLITICS Justice Kasule’s decent proposal on elections: Why not have regional Supreme Court to decide petitions? …
Read More »COMMENT: Banking on the unbanked
By ignoring poor people’s needs, financial institutions are overlooking a massive potential market COMMENT | REETA ROY | In a sea of gloomy news, one bright headline appears on the horizon. The World Bank’s latest figures on individuals’ bank accounts, to be released early next year, are expected to show that …
Read More »EU to vote on relocation of agencies after Brexit
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The fight for some of the most prized spoils of Brexit comes to a climax on Monday when 27 EU states pick the new host cities for two London-based regulatory agencies. In a process only half-jokingly compared to the Eurovision Song Contest, ministers will vote …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price