Podcasts

Now, who'd like to own the Co-Op bank? The financial institution says potential buyers have expressed an interest but as yet there was "no certainty that an offer will be made". The Co-OP put itself up for sale last month. James Brydges spoke to Mike Ingram, Market strategist at BGC Partners about what the problems were, and who might finally take the plunge.

Twitter's thinking of adding a paid membership option for businesses and power users. The micro-blogging service is canvassing opinion about charging people for access to enhanced version of Tweetdeck. The social network has struggled to grow its user base in recent years, while advertising revenues have declined. James Brydges spoke to tech journalist Chris Green.

According to the latest CBI and PWC Financial Services Survey, sentiment in the financial services sector stabilised in the three months to March, due to a broadly resilient UK economy. So even in the wake of Theresa May announcing she will trigger Article 50 on March 29th, optimism amongst firms seems unchanged. Although things seem rosy now, what is the future looking like for businesses involved in financial services? To discuss further, Nigel Cassidy was joined by Andrew Kail, Head of Financial Services at PwC.

On the latest Market Wrap, the US healthcare debate is dominating the agenda as markets await the results of a vote on Trumpcare this evening. Plus, British housebuilding company Crest Nicholson has been hit with a shareholder rebellion over its latest pay package for directors. Finally, the Co-operative Bank says a number of "credible" bidders are eyeing a takeover.

It's time to talk politics. Today: French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has visited the Kremlin to meet with Vladimir Putin; and with Republicans now struggling to agree on an Obamacare replacement, President Trump has stepped in to offer an ultimatum: pass the bill today, or keep Obamacare in place.

On this week's Serious Money, Claer Barrett previewed what's on the pages of the Financial Times' weekend money supplement, including how to understand PCP (Persona Contract Purchase) car financing deals, and Merryn Sommerset Webb's article on the current situation of the stock market.

Ian Forrest, Investment Research Analyst at the Share Centre, reviews this week's stock market activity with Share Radio's Simon Rose. They take a look at Kingfisher, Next, Vodafone, Wolseley, Saga, and TUI.

Join Share Radio's Alex Clark and Chris Bishop of Forbes for their Conversations from Africa. Today: calls for poultry protectionism has heated up a war over chickens; and South African competition regulators have set their sights on a fresh produce cartel.

On today's Business of Sport, Michael Considine looked at eSports with Dominic Sacco from the British eSport Association, after a report came out this week which shows that the economy will generate £1bln by 2020. Plus, Michael was joined by Tom Roddy from News Week to discuss whether China is using football to increase its interest around the world. Finally, Alex Clark had Extra Time.

The Business of Film with film critic, James Cameron Wilson looking at the biggest winners and losers at the box office this week, including Disney's Beauty and Beast live action name of the 1991 animated feature.