ECONOMY

Britain's second-biggest insurance group says dividend cut will free-up cash to reduce debts.

BCC expects medium-term improvement, reaching 2.2 percent in 2015.

As critics round on Bank of England Funding for Lending Scheme, research suggests limited appetite for credit.

Bank of Japan maintains the size of its asset-purchase programme and policy rate as governor Shirakawa departs.

Australia's coal exports have been hurt by closing of ports and mines due to flooding in Queensland.

While axing investment banking jobs Credit Suisse is also paring back security in line with cost cutting measures

Governor King tells banking commission that government should take full control of RBS and split it into two to get it back to private sector quicker.

Office of Fair Trading tells 90 percent of payday loans market to tighten business practices or face closure.

Halifax survey records positive February data for the housing sector, indicating signs of recovery.

Verizon considers buying Vodafone’s $115bn stake in joint venture Verizon Wireless

Inflation expectations poll by YouGov and Citi shows worsening outlook among Britons.

Australia's fourth-quarter GDP growth highlights increased public investments and exports.

Insurance group lifts shareholder payout by 20 percent and says 'bolt-on' acquisitions will enhance growth.

The new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) boasts tough powers over consumer credit industry.

However, shop price inflation rises as non-food chains withdraw post-Christmas sales discounts.

Conservative MP and chairman for unconventional oil and gas group tells IBTimes UK about energy security and economic development

Good and bad data from UK economy leaves additional quantitative easing in balance as MPC February meeting starts.

Sale nets $3.2bn in cash for loss-making subsidiary of HSBC as asset sales under CEO Stuart Gulliver continue

Unconventional gas, which has repeatedly been called an energy industry game-changer by the International Energy Agency for the past five years, has the potential to create 30,000 jobs in the UK, an MP who supports the controversial technology says.

FSA's Internal Audit Report hits back at politicians by saying it managed rate rigging crisis sufficiently.

The Financial Ombudsman Service's data shows Lloyds retains the crown for most complained about bank

Eurozone services sector continues to decline on persistent weakness in France, Italy and Spain.

UK economy likely to be buoyed by powerhouse service sector after disappointing construction and manufacturing data.

George Osborne looking less likely to get EU bonus cap plans changed at finance minister meeting.

Emerging markets bank posts nearly $7bn of profits despitehuge money laundering-related fines.

Glencore announces third extension of $33bn tie-up as both parties await approval from authorities in China.

Retail sales surge in February on higher demand for big-ticket items and household articles.

China's defence spending growth rate has slowed down in 2013, underlining the recent slowdown in the economy.

Swiss bank Wegelin & Co has been accused of aiding and abetting tax fraud.