Insurer Axa is cutting 450 jobs in branches of The Co-operative Bank and Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks under plans to cease face-to-face financial advice.

Kelvin Wilson is hoping to be let off the hook when he appears at Hampden today to answer the charge of violent conduct following Celtic’s game against Dundee at Dens Park last week.

A further seven banks have agreed to review the sale of complex financial products to small businesses and compensate customers where evidence of mis-selling is uncovered, the City watchdog said today.

The Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks are to cut more than 1,400 jobs in the UK, their owner said today.

National Australia Bank is understood to be planning a bid for the 600 branches that Lloyds Banking Group is being forced to sell, it was reported today.

ANTHONY STOKES is hoping to make his Celtic debut against Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this weekend with one instruction from manager Neil Lennon – to score goals.

Spanish banking giant BBVA is considering a potential £2bn (€2.4bn) bid for the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, it was reported today.

Nationalised Northern Rock was split into two today as the race to take over the “good” part of the bank stepped up a gear.

Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady has decided not to appeal against the fine and first-team suspension imposed on him for his dressing-room bust-up with manager Gordon Strachan.

Jean-Claude Darcheville has been ruled out of Rangers’ Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Hibernian.

New Rangers signing Daniel Cousin is set to feature in tomorrow‘s Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against St Mirren.

The Australian owner of two historic British regional banks, Yorkshire and Clydesdale, has announced plans to close 100 branches in the UK.

THE Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA) has written to various banks concerned that hundreds of jobs may be under threat if they buy National Irish Bank (NIB).

Abbey National today said it had reached agreement with Banco Santander Central Hispano (BSCH) on the terms of a takeover by the Spanish bank.

NATIONAL IRISH BANK (NIB) will not be sold off by its Australian parent, employees were told yesterday.

Banking giants HBOS and Royal Bank of Scotland may be set for a bidding war for the Irish banking operations of National Australia Bank, which owns fellow Scottish bank Clydesdale.

Pre-tax profits at National Irish Bank were up almost 160% on the 2002 figure to €36.5m, the bank announced today.

Bank of Ireland has said savings generated by a proposed merger with Abbey National would reach as high as €631m before tax if it was accepted.

Speculation surrounding the future of Abbey National continued today with reports that Bank of Ireland is planning to offer shareholders up to €2.3bn cash as part of its merger proposal.

Troubled mortgage bank Abbey National today angered potential suitor Bank of Ireland by rejecting a takeover approach.

Mortgage bank Abbey National today rejected an approach by Bank of Ireland to create a London-listed bank with headquarters in Dublin.

The London stock market suffered another bloodbath today – sliding nearly 3% as investors suffered a deepening crisis of confidence.