Aberdeen Asset Management's shares have crashed below the 420p reference point at which it is funding its £550 million purchase of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership. For every penny fall in the share price below this level Aberdeen will have to find another £1.3 million.

In its results statement today, Lloyds Banking Group confirmed that it expected to complete its sale of Swip to Aberdeen this quarter, pending regulatory approval, after agreeing the deal in the middle of November.