Positive outlook in survey results
The 83rd CBI/PricewaterhouseCoopers Financial Services Survey carried out between 19th May and 2nd June, showed a continued gentle improvement in confidence and in levels of activity, but with increasingly upbeat predictions for the coming quarter. 73 companies operating in the financial services sector took part and provided response.
Further encouraging signs included plans to expand headcount and an expectation that non-performing loans will start to fall. On the downside, regulatory costs are rising fast and respondents are concerned about further deterioration in the financial markets.