Things we're reading today include ...
People
NatWest banker claims he was 'tortured' into pleading guilty over theft of $7.3m from RBS - The Telegraph
Former RBS banker Johnny Cameron returns to the City - The Telegraph
Treasury Select Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie: 'How much does your bank cost you?' - The Telegraph
How 'Papa Smurf' threatened to 'bring down' Blackstone chief - The Telegraph
Companies
Aviva confirms RSA bid rejection - BBC
Bank of China beats local lenders to finance £100m luxury London hotel - The Independent
Lending
Barclays opposes lending targets - BBC
Flaw in state scheme cited in weak bank lending to SMEs - The Independent
Bonus Taxes
UK banks claim FSA pay crackdown puts them at disadvantage - The Telegraph
Bankers threaten to move abroad over bonus restrictions - The Telegraph
HSBC to review London HQ as Osborne's levy hits banks - The Independent
Markets
2010 to witness lowest equity trading volumes for eight years - The Independent
Low share trades to cost state £1bn - Financial Times
Inflation is still worry a worry for Bank of England boss Mervyn King - The Telegraph
Japan economic growth slows down - BBC
Watchdogs raise concern over algorithmic trading - Financial Times
Chris M Skinner
Chris Skinner is best known as an independent commentator on the financial markets through his blog, TheFinanser.com, as author of the bestselling book Digital Bank, and Chair of the European networking forum the Financial Services Club. He has been voted one of the most influential people in banking by The Financial Brand (as well as one of the best blogs), a FinTech Titan (Next Bank), one of the Fintech Leaders you need to follow (City AM, Deluxe and Jax Finance), as well as one of the Top 40 most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal's Financial News. To learn more click here...