BBC Business News

BBC News - Business
The latest stories from the Business section of the BBC News web site.

• Co-op halts new business lending
  Co-operative Bank has stopped offering new business loans amid concerns over its capital position and talks with UK regulators.
• Germany reports sluggish growth
  Germany's economy barely grew in the first quarter of the year, figures show, as private consumption helped offset shrinking exports and investment.
• IMF chief Lagarde made key witness
  A French court does not place IMF head Christine Lagarde under investigation over a payout made when she was finance minister, making her a key witness instead.
• Manchester United cuts debt costs
  Manchester United has struck a new loan deal to cut the amount of interest it pays on its huge debts.
• London Market Report
  London's leading shares lose further ground in Friday trading, extending Thursday's global sell-off.
• Second RBS apology for app glitch
  RBS has apologised for the second time in two months after customers were unable to login to their accounts through their mobile phone app.
• Poor countries take on tax avoiders
  Developing countries are trying to stop mining companies shifting billions of dollars in profits out of their countries, depriving them of much-needed tax revenue.
• Euro bank chief sees UK improvements
  European Central Bank president Mario Draghi, visiting London's City district, says he sees "signs of tangible improvements" in the UK economy.
• News Corp to split in two on 28 June
  News Corp announces it will officially split its publishing and entertainment businesses on 28 June, two years after the UK phone-hacking scandal involving the News of the World.
• Amazon reveals fan fiction platform
  Fan fiction authors will be able to publish and sell some titles in the US via new e-book platform Kindle Worlds.