The crisis at US investment bank Bear Stearns will add to the funding pressure on UK banks and a squeeze on borrowers despite falling interest rates, experts warned.

Investors in stricken bank Northern Rock today faced the prospect of getting next to nothing for their shares after the British government’s decision to nationalise the lender.

British mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley said today that profits virtually halved last year after an "eventful and difficult" period for the banking sector.

British mortgage bank Alliance & Leicester today said it had further strengthened its funding position, despite a greater-than-expected £185 (€248m) hit amid the credit crunch.

Northern Rock’s biggest shareholder is today hoping for an improved offer for the lender after querying the value of the salvage bid led by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.

Shares in crisis-hit Northern Rock jumped today after one of the City’s foremost bankers unveiled rescue plans for the mortgage lender.

Northern Rock's share price fell by around 20% today as analysts said current shareholders could lose out if Virgin's plans to pump cash into the group and rebrand the business went ahead.

Crisis-hit Northern Rock's shares hit a new record low today on the 10th anniversary of its stock market flotation.

Shares in crisis-hit mortgage lender Northern Rock slumped again today as traders speculated over the future of the company.

Attempts by Northern Rock to soothe concerns about its exposure to recent market turmoil failed to lift its share price today.

UK mortgage lender Northern Rock eased market concerns today that the current credit crisis could force it to issue a fresh profits warning.

Banking giant Barclays is in exclusive talks with Dutch bank ABN Amro about a potential £80bn (€117bn) merger.

Banking giant Barclays is poised to reveal its intentions over a potential £80bn (€117bn) merger with Dutch bank ABN Amro amid reports today that the pair had entered exclusive talks over the deal.

Banking giant Barclays is set to reveal its hand amid speculation over a potential £80bn (€117bn) merger with Dutch bank ABN Amro today.