Chairman quits as Blue Oar throws in towel

Blue Oar conceded defeat in the fight for control of the City stockbroker, which was led by Edward Vandyk, its founder

Business big shot: Martin Gilbert

The 53-year-old Scotsman capped a comeback with a £250million deal to buy parts of Credit Suisse Asset Management

Brokers like Blue Oar must merge to survive

With share prices of British companies falling, small stockbrokers are finding that their income is simply evaporating

Savers count cost as banks cut deposit rates

Increasing number of savings accounts structured for deposits of less than £5,000 pay interest of 1 per cent or less

Case study: A question of genes

For this sixth-generation chief executive, joining the Linney family business was simply a wonderful opportunity

Madoff breaks bail by mailing $1m in jewellery

Bernard Madoff violated the terms of his bail conditions by posting 'heirlooms' to relatives while under 24-hour house arrest

FSA calls end to ban on short-selling

Practice widely blamed for exacerbating the financial crisis is to be allowed, with conditions, from mid-January

HBOS retirement funds at risk, says trustee

Risk of 79,000 people not having their pensions paid in full by takeover partner Lloyds TSB as trustees try to block the deal

Manager who predicted slump leaves Paulson

The investor who helped John Paulson to make $15bn from predicting the US sub-prime mortgage crisis has left Paulson & Co

Bank faced with little choice on rates

City economists are unanimous in expecting that the Bank of England will cut rates still further this week

FSA was right to scrap the ban

Evidence suggests the ban on short-selling has had little or no effect in curbing price falls or reducing share price volatility

Bonus care on executive pay

The Association of British Insurers has criticised Bellway for giving bonuses despite missing its targets

Data from builders adds to case for stimulus

Activity across the construction industry plunged last month as survey shows sector shrinking at its fastest rate in 12 years

Congress questions SEC over Madoff scandal

US regulator questioned over Madoff scandal

SEC chief to face grilling for failure to spot alleged Madoff fraud despite investigating the fund eight times in 16 years

Private equity is thrust back into limelight

Highly leveraged retailers will struggle to meet covenants as the liquidity crisis continues and the M&A market is quiet

US banks drawn into Madoff scandal

Case of reportedly unwitting victims puts the role of lenders in the $50 bn investment scandal under question

Letter: Westport National Bank

Scottish Enterprise targets customers

New marketing drive, Now's The Time To Ask, is economic development agency's response to the recession

Clydesdale bank could be sold

National Australia Bank boss Cameron Clyne launches review to look at British operations