Citigroup, the huge financial organisation of which Citibank is a part, is being urged to break up by some union representatives.
A union president has written to the Citibank Chairman asking him to give some value back to the shareholders by breaking up the business into smaller parts. He does not want to see the supermarket approach of offering everything continued, preferring a more targeted approach.
Shares in Citigroup have fallen by over 60 percent in the last 12 months and it is felt that were the businesses to be split up so they stand on their own merits share prices in most of them would rise. Citibank is a part of all this and although there is no expectation of a shake up taking place it will still be interesting to see where the share price goes on the back of the discussion.
The Halifax is weighing in to the student bank account market with an offer that includes a GBP3,000 interest free overdraft, reduced cost card insurance and discounted AA membership.
An important aspect of this offer from the Halifax is that the overdraft is valid for up to five years, giving students a full year after graduation to find employment and be in a position to pay off the borrowing. Account holders will also find that, should they be in credit on their account the Halifax will even pay them interest of two percent.
Management of the Halifax student account can be done through branch, phone or online, making it easy for students to access and manage their finances at any time.
Having spoken with a sample of UK consumers Lloyds TSB can see how they are now feeling the pinch as the credit crunch and economic difficulties continue to affect lifestyles.
The view of the future is also seen rather negatively by those surveyed, with an expectation of inflation nudging the 3.8 percent mark in the next year. There were also worries about job security as they see costs spiralling for consumers and businesses. These views are part of the Lloyds TSB Consumer Barometer, where consumer views are reviewed on a monthly basis.
One of the biggest stresses facing the people of the UK are rising prices, with around nine out of ten people seeing prices up from the previous month. Roughly the same number expect to see this trend continue next month as well, further dampening their confidence in the future.