As Optus Sport closes, subscription refunds are on their way – by cheque

Optus says cheque refunds are not standard practice but are implemented ‘where electronic banking is unavailable’

Tread carefully with reform of bank ringfencing, chancellor

Ditching the regulation in its entirety risks another financial crisis. Stamp duty on shares remains the background drag

‘Leeds Reforms’ include streamlined accountability for senior bankers and a campaign to get more consumers investing in stock market

Events such as the Iberian power blackout have led some to go back to physical money, but others are not convinced

Retail body says sales up by 3.1% year on year in June after drop in May, but Barclays finds shoppers are cautious

Levels even lower than in severe drought year of 2022, data shows, with water firms urged to ‘be proactive’

Campaigners condemn ‘troubling’ move that follows departure of six of largest US banks after Trump’s election

Chancellor, who had been expected to announce changes next week, faced backlash over move

Move hopes to push lenders to offer more high loan-to-income mortgages and help 36,000 buyers on to housing ladder

Conservative former PM to be restricted from lobbying government for another year and will give salary to charity

FCA finds digital bank failed to employ adequate controls when signing up new clients

Survey comes before supreme court decision on secret commission payments ruled unlawful by court of appeal

Wider range of firms must report harassment by senior employees to FCA as it seeks to prevent ‘rolling bad apples’

Purchase spares chancellor potential embarrassment of the Spanish high street lender giving up on UK

Purchase would be third major ownership shake-up for high street lender in 12 years