Lloyds

The LIBOR-rigging scandal that engulfed the banks in 2012 further dented their badly tarnished reputation and dealt another blow to public confidence, leaving investors uncertain how to play the sector.

Lloyds Banking Group helped the FTSE 100 gain 6% over 2012 and reverse the losses of the previous year.

A transatlantic banking watchdog would protect American and British taxpayers from bailing out banks which are too big to fail, under new plans.

Artemis UK Growth managers Tim Steer and Stephen Yiu have bought into Lloyds as they increase exposure to domestic-oriented stocks and start shorting former favourites.

The state of banks' financial health remains "obscure" and means they should be avoided by investors for now, Liontrust's Jan Luthman has said.

The UK's accounting rules are distorting bank profits and leading to confusion over executive pay, some of the country's largest investors have have warned.

David Cameron has issued one of his strongest defences of the banking sector yet, telling the Lord Major's banquet those who "trash the banks would end up trashing Britain".

Lloyds' potential sale of its St James's Place (SJP) stake could be a landmark moment for the bank but the outlook for the wealth manager is less clear, according to investors and analysts.

Lloyds Banking Group is hoping to raise £1bn from the sale of its 60% stake in St James's Place Wealth Management(SJP), according to reports.

Royal Bank of Scotland has posted a pre-tax loss of £1.2bn in the third quarter, as it sets aside a further £400m to cover PPI mis-selling claims.