NatWest yesterday scored a victory in the battle for the hearts and minds of the City, reports the Financial Times.

Michael Lever, a highly rated banking analyst at HSBC Securities,  said the bank should remain independent. Lever had been heavily courted not only by NatWest but also by its suitors, Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland. His argument, stating that a takeover would involve an unacceptable degree of risk, caused great irritation in Edinburgh.

Deutsche Bank

Royal Bank of Scotland

Private markets and competition for IPOs mean no respite for AIM’s woes

Trump is obsessed with crypto. But the UK can still lead the way on tokenisation

Why has HSBC failed? Former bankers blame the stifling culture and bureaucracy

Trading Places: BNP’s new COO, Clifford Chance poaches from KKR

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Find out who is on the move in the City and beyond this week

Clifford Chance hires KKR director in London private equity drive

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Magic Circle firm boosts London private equity offering

Proskauer Rose hires Hogan Lovells private equity partner in London

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The London-based bank said it is cooperating with the investigation.

Barclays Faces Probe From U.K. Regulator Over Money-Laundering Controls

Moscow has suggested that Washington has been responsible for prolonging the war and that it alone can agree with Russia on ending it.

By Matthew Luxmoore | Photographs by Serhii Korovayny for WSJ 

Putin Gets What He Has Long Wanted: Direct Talks With U.S.

The move ends months of speculation over how the company would move ahead with its plans to separate the business.

Unilever Picks Amsterdam Over London for Ice Cream Unit’s Primary Listing 

The regulator plans to speed up its decision-making on large deals amid concern its probes could be having a chilling effect on investment.

U.K. Competition Watchdog Targets Faster M&A Reviews

Tariff fears have roiled gold markets, pushing JPMorgan and others to stash bullion on passenger planes to sell at record prices.

Why Dealers Are Flying Gold Bars by Plane From London to New York

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