The state-owned bank wants to stave off criticism over its failure to meet certain government-set targets on availability of credit for small business

Eleven Swiss banks face questions over US investigation with the decision to accept business after the UBS settlement seen as incomprehensible

Funding gap for plans of S&P 500 companies almost doubled in 2011 to around $450bn as bond yields dropped

Japanese and South Korean companies are expected to lead a wave of acquisition activity out of the region this year

With Greece and Spain owing billions of euros to pharmaceutical groups and arrears slipping again, larger groups are taking remedial measures

Cucchiani to revamp top management, as Italy’s biggest bank by market value seeks to reinvent itself as ‘less Italian’ and more of a global player

The Costa Concordia and the less-known Ponta de Madeira incident have prompted disquiet over maritime industry’s pursuit of scale efficiencies

Spain’s most indebted large city plans a multibillion euro sell-off programme that could see chunks of the capital’s metro and water system sold to ease spiralling debts.

Lion Capital is in talks with three consumer groups including Switzerland’s Nestlé over a sale of Findus’s Nordic operations

Motorists are urged to take extra care in icy conditions as Heathrow Airport cancels half of its flights.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attend a church service on the eve of the Diamond Jubilee anniversary of her accession to the throne.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague says China and Russia will be "held responsible" for violence in Syria after vetoing a UN resolution condemning government repression.

Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.

More than 100 Conservatives are among MPs who have written to the prime minister calling on him to slash subsidies for onshore wind turbines.

Prince William's deployment to the Falkland Islands, along with that of a warship, is "entirely routine", the UK foreign secretary says.

A police officer is stabbed while responding to an emergency call in the Kilwilkie estate in Lurgan.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening says she will vote against bonuses for senior Network Rail executives at the company's annual general meeting.

Two people are injured and 10 homes evacuated after a gas explosion in West Yorkshire.