Banks are buying property

Banks are buying property

Your landlord is a banker

Banks are becoming landlords after a surge of interest in companies building new property specifically to let it out*. It’s been driven in part by a housing market that’s stayed strong through the pandemic. With 62,000 homes already built, and 40,000 in development, the trend looks to grow as companies like Goldman Sachs and Lloyds Banking Group look to secure long term predictable investment returns.

Covid takeaway

Spending on takeaways and home dining has increased even after lockdown has lifted, according to research. Britons’ spending has increased to £53 per person each month, up from £38 before the pandemic, according to KPMG. The change in habits is driving investment across the sector - Pizza Hut, for example, is looking to open 125 new locations to serve home delivery.

Holmes on the wrong side of the law?

The founder of failed blood testing company Theranos faces up to 20 years in prison as her trial begins in California. Elizabeth Holmes who founded the company, which was once worth up to $10 billion, is charged with 6 counts of fraud. Theranos finally dissolved in 2018 after years of controversy, after claims about its core technology were revealed to be fabricated.

Playtime's over?

Chinese authorities are looking to tighten restrictions on children's ability to play video games, limiting them to three hours a week. The system will be enforced by a real name based registration system. The new rules, which seem to specifically target online games, have been introduced as governing authorities are worried about the impact of games on children’s development.