NatWest Now Admits To Online Problems

Further to my earlier post about problems with the NatWest app, and issued with the online system.

Having first stated that the online system was still working, Nat West now admit that there are problems wrt transfers.

We are aware of some issues with completing transfers on accounts, we are working hard to fix this. Sorry and thank you for your patience.

— NatWest (@NatWest_Help) April 28, 2017

NatWest App Crashes and Online Systems Stumbles

The NatWest banking app crashed this morning, and is still out of action.

NatWest have stated that they are working on the issue, and claim that the online system is working.

@muppetwho Hi, we are currently investigating reports of this issue. Online Banking is still available. Thanks for your patience. LB

— NatWest (@NatWest_Help) April 28, 2017

However, having had several unsuccessful attempts to login and access the payments section, I tried to transfer money from one account to another and whilst the money was debited from one it has not been  credited to another.

Southern Rail Emulates United Airlines' Approach To Customers

A Southern Rail staff member lobbed a bucket of water over a protesting vegan who had written on the ground in chalk at Polegate station.

Tsipras Demands Debt Relief

Alexis Tsipras, Greek prime minister, insists that Greece will legislate additional tax and pension reforms demanded by the Quadriga.

However, no legislation will be passed until a deal on debt relief was in place.

Notwithstanding this, Tsipras is confident that a deal to be wrapped up by May 22.

How many times have people expressed "confidence" that a deal for Greece would be "wrapped up"?

Delusion at the very height of government!

Paper Fivers Expire 6 May

As from May 6 paper fivers will not be able to be used in shops, cafes and restaurants.

Banks, building societies or post offices will usually exchange them after this date. 

If they refuse, the notes can still be exchanged with the Bank of England in London by post or in person.

Government Borrowing Falls

The Telegraph reports that the Government borrowed £52bn in the last financial year, a fall of £20bn compared to the year before, as the long struggle to eliminate the deficit moved closer towards its goal. That amounts to 2.6pc of GDP, the lowest level of borrowing since 2007-08.

The fall in the deficit is bigger than analysts forecast a year ago by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

For why are the figures better than forecast?

Strong economic growth, unexpected by the fear mongers!

Don't Dither wrt Financial Matters

Should you wait until after the UK Election to buy or sell a home? Here's what the experts say...https://t.co/0YCyqlVAyK pic.twitter.com/JDEkGL0Cui

— Myra Butterworth (@MyraButterworth) April 24, 2017

Whatever the outcome of the election, and whoever ends up trying to "manage" events, nature will take its course and the politicians will prove powerless to stop it.

Thus make your financial decisions without delay and procrastination.

Don't dither and don't look for excuses for delay!

Quarterly Retail Sales Fall - Monthly Sales Rise

UK retail sales posted their biggest quarterly fall in seven years in March, as the prices of everyday goods continued to climb.

Sales were down 1.4% year-on-year on a quarterly basis, and down 1.8% compared with February 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In March 2017, the quantity bought in the retail industry is estimated to have increased by 1.7% compared with March 2016 and decreased by 1.8% compared with February 2017; decreases are seen across the four main store types.

Average store prices (including fuel) increased by 3.3% on the year, the largest growth since March 2012; the largest contribution came from petrol stations, where year-on-year average prices rose by 16.4%.

Online sales (excluding automotive fuel) increased year-on-year by 19.5% and by 0.5% on the month, accounting for approximately 15.5% of all retail spending.

US Currency Monitoring

BREAKING: US has put China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany and Switzerland on currency 'monitoring list'

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) April 14, 2017

Facebook Down For Virgin Media Customers In UK

Those of you on Virgin Media will have been unable to access Facebook for at least the last two hours, as there is a technical glitch which Virgin have yet to resolve.

Why the hell would Facebook not be accessible for Virgin Media customers? Weird. @virginmedia

— William Stewart (@tynie18744) April 12, 2017

Toshiba's Unapproved Finances

Toshiba files delayed financial results without auditor approval!

Advice To The Board of United Airlines

RESIGN!

Or do we have to call security to remove you?

LIBOR Rigging

Following the acquittal of two former Barclay's traders last week, Panorama asks if the right people are being blamed for what has been called the biggest financial fix of all time.

Piecing together explosive new evidence, which calls into question the safety of other convictions, Panorama reporter Andy Verity reveals that manipulation of the world's most important interest rate, Libor, was allowed and even ordered by people at the highest levels of the financial establishment.

A secret recording that implicates the Bank of England in Libor rigging has been uncovered by BBC Panorama. 

The 2008 recording adds to evidence the central bank repeatedly pressured commercial banks during the financial crisis to push their Libor rates down.

In the recording, a senior Barclays manager, Mark Dearlove, instructs Libor submitter Peter Johnson, to lower his Libor rates.

He tells him: "The bottom line is you're going to absolutely hate this... but we've had some very serious pressure from the UK government and the Bank of England about pushing our Libors lower."
Mr Johnson objects, saying that this would mean breaking the rules for setting Libor, which required him to put in rates based only on the cost of borrowing cash.

Mr Johnson says: "So I'll push them below a realistic level of where I think I can get money?"

His boss Mr Dearlove replies: "The fact of the matter is we've got the Bank of England, all sorts of people involved in the whole thing... I am as reluctant as you are... these guys have just turned around and said just do it."

It is of course convenient for banks to blame others (eg the Bank of England).

The End of The Paper Fiver

BoE: "The Bank of England will be withdrawing legal tender status of the paper £5 note on 5 May 2017"

Riksbank: https://t.co/T6MlReEEjG

— Katie Martin (@katie_martin_fx) April 5, 2017

Meanwhile in Sweden:

Gör dig av med de gamla mynten innan de blir ogiltiga (30 juni). Ingen vill trängas för evigt i en liten burk... pic.twitter.com/ipcG9iYfgU

— Sveriges riksbank (@riksbanken) March 20, 2017

Greek Bailout Talks Grind To a Halt

'Greek bailout talks stumble on politically sensitive issues' -- my take → https://t.co/2XvV4guqxB #Eurogroup #Greece 🇪🇺 🇬🇷 💶

— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) April 4, 2017

Last week I warned people not to believe the hype over the alleged progress and agreement on the Greek bailout talks.

As can be seen, I was right to issue that warning.

Greece is unwilling and incapable of implementing the reforms that the Quadriga are demanding.