The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, apparently told the people of the UK that Northern Rock could be sold for a profit in the future while his own advisors had said otherwise.
Gordon Brown had stated in a press conference in February that Northern Rock could be sold for a profit when the financial markets had recovered, though the advisors brought in to look at the options for Northern Rock had said a GBP450 million loss was the best possible outcome, with the most likely result being a loss of GBP1.28 billion. This figure was based on stable house prices, so in the current climate the loss is expected to be even greater.
The Treasury has stated that its purpose in buying out Northern Rock was to stabilise the bank and also the rest of the financial sector, not to make a profit. However Mr Brown should not have misled the public by saying a sale would generate a profit. Oh to have an honest politician, we can but dream.
Northern Rock has named a new chief executive to lead the government funded bank forwards.
Gary Hoffman, previously the vice chairman at Barclays has taken on the role, replacing Andy Kuipers who had been at the bank for the last 20 years. Mr Hoffman will officially take over at the end of August and is very excited to be given the task of heading up Northern Rock.
When Mr Kuipers, the last person from the previous board remaining, leaves it will signify a new start for the Northern Rock, bringing an optimism for customers, staff and investors that the future will be better than the recent past.
A study by Natwest Bank has found that more workers than ever before are doing jobs in countries other than the UK.
The study found that more than 200,000 brits went to work in other countries, the Natwest Bank data based on 2006 figures, the most recent available. Over 40 percent of these workers were at a managerial or professional level, taking their skills and knowledge to develop businesses abroad.
When asked about the reasons for moving these overseas workers said that they were lured by a better job and better pay. The average salary for these expat workers is GBP67,000, and when combined with a lower cost of living and better living standards generally it is clear to see how attractive such a proposition can be said a Natwest Bank spokesman.
