Halifax's close working relationship with Lazard helped conclude the negotiations with Bank of Scotland (BoS) for a £28bn (€45bn) merger.

Ten days after the news of the two banks' merger talks broke, Halifax and BoS have managed to agree terms for their merger. Halifax leant heavily on Lazard, its long-term financial adviser, to help it through the final stages of the merger talks. Marcus Agius, vice-chairman, and Jon Hack, a director, led the Lazard team.