Personal connections are often core to getting a deal done in the City of London and this week Arbuthnot Banking Group turned to a former senior director, now at Collins Stewart, to float a retail unit on the Alternative Investment Market.

This morning Secure Bank Trust, a retail banking unit within the Arbuthnot Banking Group, listed on London's Aim. Some 24.5% of the company was made available to selected investors and its stock priced at 720p a share. The parent group retained a 75.5% stake.