Banks and builders suffer in share sell-off

British banks and housebuilders remained in the spotlight on the London market today after sustaining heavy falls in a late session sell-off yesterday.

Rumours swirled about prospects for Halifax Bank of Scotland’s £4nm (€5bn) cash-call to investors after shares plunged below the 275p discount price. They were still below the benchmark today, despite gaining 5p to 263p in early trading.