The week was marked by two big deals - first NatWest's purchase of Evelyn Partners for £2.7bn and a huge £9.9bn deal as US giant Nuveen scooped up Schroders briinging the combined group into the trillions of assets club (both dollars or sterling.
Looking at the two deals in turn, it may be worth looking at the NatWest statement as, amid the welcomes it does seem to want to get more bank customers investing. To quote: "We look forward to welcoming our new clients and working with our colleagues at Evelyn Partners to transform the services our 20 million customers across the Group can expect from us.
"At a time when the benefits of saving and investing are increasingly part of the national conversation, we can help customers to make more of their money through a broader range of services, as well as helping to drive growth and investment across the economy."
The Times reports on the market and analysts querying the price paid by NatWest.
New Model Adviser's editorial warns banks getting back into advice to get it right this time.
NMA and Citywire have done some great coverage of all sorts of aspects of the deals. This is just one example honing in the success of private equity with a neat headline.
"From a £160m entry to a £2.7bn exit: How Permira cashed in on Evelyn.
Turning to the Schroders' deal, Morningstar does a neat analysis without emotion here.
Elsewhere the Telegraph reads as if it's in shock itself as it reports "shock in the City as billionaire Schroders family cash out after 222 years".
The Observer worries about the UK stock market reporting that the Schroders sale raises investor fears over London listings.
On Citywire, Schroders alumni Richard Buxton observes that the Schroders sale shows middle ground is unsustainable for asset managers.
Schroders had been reviewing options for Benchmark Capital prior to the big deal. An interesting sub-plot for many advisers to watch for.
The week ends with the likelihood of yet another deal and Citywire NMA has the news. It suggests that Stonepoint is closing in on Amber River for £900m.
New Treasury proposals will mean ARs may face FOS complaints in cases where the contested transaction is outside the principal/AR relationship.
Finally, annuities appear to be booming as bigger pots converting push sales to post pension freedom levels, Money Marketing reports.
