It is rumoured that the RBS could be ready to sell its stake in Tesco Finance, with a move expected within a few days.
Tesco Finance has RBS holding a 50 percent share of the business, which could be worth up to GBP950 million. This money would come in very handy for RBS, which has had a torrid time recently with the credit crunch denting its finances. This is just one of several sales that RBS appear to moving ahead with in their quest for GBP4 billion of extra money.
The management at Tesco Finance are unperturbed by the suggested sale since they have a very strong business position that would be attractive to any investor.
Looking at the small business environment in the UK Direct Line has found that nearly a quarter of people running small businesses will not enjoy a day off on bank Holiday Monday.
Compared with the minimum 20 days holiday entitlement given to employees, small business owners take an average of just over 13 days holiday per year. The 20 days does not include Bank Holidays either, of which there are 8 each year. Looking at new start up businesses the holiday situation is even worse. Direct Line found that over 65 percent of people in business for less than 6 months have not taken any time off at all.
A Direct Line spokeswoman, commenting on the findings, commended the dedication shown by small business owners, seeing them working so hard to make their business a success.
Long standing Citigroup executive is leaving the organization, of which Citibank is a major part, after 23 years with the organization. The move is seen to be part of the business transformation being led by new CEO Vikram Pandit.
Citibank and parent Citigroup have been well looked after by Mr Klein, who was a key part of the management team, using his influence to secure multi-billion dollar investments from overseas. These investments were instrumental in keeping the company in the game as they suffered at the hands of the US credit crisis.
The move is amicable it is understood, with many people expecting it since Mr Klein was moved away from running the day to day operations of Citibank. It is expected that, like others recently, Mr Klein will probably head up a different financial organization, especially with the contacts and experience the 44 year old can bring.
