Europe

European leaders last night bowed to the inevitable and conceded Greece is likely to default on its massive debt burden, which would be a first among the 17 countries using the euro, according to reports.

The Treasury has confirmed new European rules outlawing the use of gender in underwriting will not affect policies taken out before 21 December 2012.

The Greek parliament has narrowly voted to approve a drastic austerity package despite facing widespread opposition.

The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) in Switzerland says new research reveals a willingness amongst trust practitioners to consider changes to the regulatory regime for trusts on the basis of a more trustee-specific regulator.

Standard Life Investments has appointed Séverine Laffineur as European Portfolio Manager in its Paris Office to expand its market share in the real estate sector.

Standard Bank Offshore has appointed Sheena Maddrell as its new European business development manager, as part of the bank's ongoing commitment to developing business through Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) distribution channels.

Governments across Europe are getting on board to help people stop smoking. Ross Campbell discusses nicotine replacement therapy's underwriting implications

Mike Benton, chief executive of Medicals Direct, shares his future of care provision with Paul Robertson.

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) is one big grizzly bear Guernsey regulators must wrestle with. Hannah Beecham reports on the latest round of negotiations and asks what deals must still be struck before Europe opens its doors...

Eurozone finance ministers have provisionally agreed a new bailout package for Greece as the embattled nation struggles with its mounting debt.