Citibank parent citigroup has posted another loss for the third successive quarter, though it is less than was expected.
Asset wise Citibank is the biggest bank in the United States but has been badly hit by the sub-prime lending troubles and is fighting to get out of the mire. The bank recorded losses of GBP1.3 billion in the three month period to the end of June, with around GBP5.8 billion of write-downs again hitting them hard.
The losses were less than anticipated though leading to their share price going up by a little less than 8 percent. The Citibank chairman said that although there is still a lot of work to do they are very encouraged by the progress that has already been made.
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.
The annual survey carried out by the Natwest Bank claims that over 40 percent of the 750,000 undergraduates will be working part time during the forthcoming academic year.
The study, called the Natwest Student Living Index, also concluded that working students will earn approximately GBP2 billion over the year, a substantial sum by anyones calculation. The reality of student life is that they have to take on a part time job in order to have enough money to get by.
The Natwest Bank survey is also helpful for students considering where to study as it highlights the best places money wise. Plymouth is deemed to be the best place to be a student where money is concerned, while Exeter is seen as the most expensive.
