you are the weakest link? :-)

Note from Merrill Lynch:
"ICB Interim report looks manageable sector can move on. Coming into today people had been worrying that:
1: Lloyds might be told to sell more branches and the industry might face price caps. 2: UK banks would have to separate their Investment banking businesses, (more recently this has been softened to just the UK Retail Banking and Payments systems). 3: Following research from the BoE, UK banks might need to hold 16-20% Core Tier 1 ratios.

Many of the worst case scenario recommendations have not been made. The main disappointment is that the Commission would like to see Lloyds sell more branches. The other proposals on capital, structure and competition, whilst costly, are better than feared. To be clear, most recommendations will cost the banks money, they are just not as draconian as widely feared a week ago. Key loser appears to be Lloyds (LLDTF, GBp62.2, C-1-9), with Barclays (BCLYF, GBp297.2, C-1-7) and RBS (RBSPF, GBp43.43, C-1-9) the relative winners."

LLOY would probably be only too happy to close branches where they currently have more than one in the same location, the naivety of making LLOY sell branches is that customers can choose to stay with them and cannot be forced to change their banking arrangements. Most people have moved onto internet banking and branch networks are no longer a major necessity in banking.

so holders of lloys to be destoyed yet again

did warn you .this gov are a disgrace mindless muppets

the libs will be wiped out in local elections it will be the end of this mindless gov

Lloyds Banking Group will face intense political pressure to sell more of its retail business even though the state-backed bank believes this would be detrimental to customers and shareholders. so the last gov destoyed lloys now this gov want to complete the job . looks like 50p on cards

Comment today from Nomura:
"Competition actions would leave Lloyds the most affected

Lloyds appears the most negatively impacted, relative to expectations. An enhanced disposal would increase the earnings dilution involved and have a more negative impact on the balance sheet structure of the on-going group. Assuming the sale is increased to 100bn of assets and deposits, we would venture earnings dilution doubles to 10% and the group L/D ratio rises by 30%. However, we would not regard the increased dilution as enough to offset the attractions we see in the shares; Lloyds remains our top pick in the sector."

Someone just picked 2.6 mill shares up on an 'O' trade

then NOMURA ARE FOOLS. if they have to sell more then holders are in the soup

or is it because they are trying to ramp to sell.

Is correct...The Lloyds shareholders, Trusting, Believing, Honest and above all the Mum and Pop's of Britain....Have taken a TERRIBLE financial beating in holding Lloyds shares/stock in the last few years.

We have taken everything from shaddy inside deals,secret illegal loans,incompetant leadership and a failed Board of Directors,lack of proper/ due dilligence,proped up a bankrupt HBoS.,been sucked into the Bogs of Ireland, Have been given forked tongue messages from Politicians of doubtful quality and integrity...and NOW the rules of divestment are being twisted,changed before our very eyes and possibly corrupted for what...just what?

Is there no end to how much we can take.?..Is there no justice out there other than the plaintive voice of Zorro.?..Has Britain as a country of once true value failed.? Has its word of standing up for Mum and pop failed.?..It sure looks like it... Zorro gave a lonely forlorn plea for help...and no one heard it.

"Now give them a Royal wedding ...that'll keep them in place for a while. Make them feel good...Make them eat cake. Make them suffer"

from i

Good post TANKER!

I have always and my big family voted for the TORYS . THINKING they where for investors and business our wrong we have been . we will never vote for this tory lying gov again the nhs is save in our hands they have BLOOD all over them
has for being for investors it speaks for it self . they are finished there will be an election with in 18 months that is a cert the libsare finished and will panic .cameron has proved he is a liar nhs is not safe

CEO Antio Horta-Osio said, 'We acknowledge that the commission has faced a challenging task in reaching options to meet its remit for greater stability and improving competition

this tells us why the gov did not say anything about is big payment
as he been put there to do the dirty work to holders ?

TANKER, likewise I have been a lifelong Tory and party worker. I am so disillusioned with them now as over the years they have told so many untruths, the latest being the reduction of the winter fuel allowance, something that Cameron pledged would be maintained...anyway I've finished voting now, why should I help to get someone into a cushy job only for them to wreck our standard of living!
As for Gordon Brown, he got us into this mess and ought to be brought to account over it.

rumour gov to sell its stake to voters at 50p a share ?
which would raise 14b

glad i do not hold these on side lines glad i put most of my fortune in MRW

When they have sold the stake, do you reckon they will then nationalise the bank :-/

op. i am going down to vote get my voting form and will rip it up in front of them and tell them it is worthless .and my wife and two girls . we are sick of there lies