Fintech: a guide to financial technology
An overview of what 'fintech' is, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and how the Government has responded to it.

This note describes what Private Equity Funds do, who they are and the conflicting claims as to whether they are a force for good or harm in the world of business.
Private Equity Funds (349 KB, PDF)
In about 2007, Private equity funds (PEFs) went from being shadowy institutions about whom the general public and mainstream press either knew very little or cared less, to high profile organisations under intense political and media scrutiny, much of it accusatory and negative in tone. If one factor can be ascribed to this turnaround it is a campaign by one of the major trade unions in the UK highlighting what it sees as ‘asset stripping’ behaviour by such groups. PEFs were initially unprepared for their new found ‘celebrity’ status. When they did eventually respond it was with a combination of vigorous defence of past activities and their economic achievements, plus an acknowledgement that certain corporate governance reforms were overdue and the start of an action plan to remedy these perceived weaknesses.
Private Equity Funds (349 KB, PDF)
An overview of what 'fintech' is, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and how the Government has responded to it.
Cash remains a vital payment method for more vulnerable people, but its wider use is in decline. How will Government and industry protect access to cash?
An overview of how business interruption insurance policies have been interpreted in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.