Banking 23 February 2026 - 10 March 2026

Lloyds Banking Group is leading the auction for Aegon’s UK business, valued at £1–1.5 billion, with final bids due next month and an announcement possible in April, Financial News reported. Phoenix and Canada Life remain contenders. Aegon’s UK arm serves about 3.7 million customers and manages £220 billion in assets. No final decisions have been made, and Aegon has not detailed the scope of any sale.

Westpac shares rose 0.9% to A$41.50 as the S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.48%, breaking a two-day losing streak. Australia’s Q4 GDP grew 0.8%, with the annual pace at 2.6%, but the household saving ratio climbed to 6.9%. Westpac economists pointed to a busy March with key RBA and inflation data ahead. National Australia Bank added 1.59%.

Standard Chartered shares dropped nearly 4% to 1,666 pence in early London trading Tuesday, following a 5.29% slide on Monday. The bank bought back 808,989 shares on March 2 and will redeem HK$1.1 billion in notes due 2027. Standard Chartered has asked staff to delay Middle East travel as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran rattles markets. European banks remained under pressure as oil prices surged and inflation fears grew.

Barclays shares fell 4.2% Friday after reports of exposure to failed UK lender Market Financial Solutions, which entered administration amid allegations of double-pledged collateral. Barclays reportedly froze MFS-linked accounts in January. The Financial Times said the collateral shortfall could reach £930 million. Investors also sued Barclays and others in New York over losses tied to bankrupt subprime lender Tricolor.

Goldman Sachs shares closed down 7.4% at $860.22 Friday, following a sharp selloff in banks and asset managers after the collapse of UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions. Investors focused on risks in private credit as court documents revealed a £930 million collateral shortfall. Jefferies and other lenders with UK exposure also fell. Goldman’s asset management arm reported redemptions at GS Credit running below peers.

Barclays shares dropped 1.1% in early London trading after a Times report said the bank has about £600 million exposure to collapsed mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions. The stock underperformed the FTSE 350 bank index, which rose 0.18%. Barclays continued its share buyback, purchasing over 3 million shares on Feb. 26. The bank has not commented on potential losses or provisions.

NAB shares hit a 52-week high Thursday before closing down 0.12% at A$49.04 as investors weighed sticky inflation and the prospect of another RBA rate hike. The consumer price index rose 3.8% in January, unchanged from December, pushing rate hike odds for May to about 80%. Regulators reported record civil penalties, including A$15.5 million against NAB over hardship failures.

Barclays bought back 4.2 million shares for cancellation on Feb. 23, spending about £19.9 million at an average price of 474.78 pence. The stock closed Monday down 2.3% at 463 pence, amid renewed U.S. tariff concerns and speculation over a possible Bank of England rate cut. Broader UK financial stocks also fell, with the FTSE 250 dropping 0.9%.