Co-operative Financial Services has announced its intention to shed 1000 jobs.

SCOTTISH Widows chief executive Archie Kane has been appointed as the new chairman of the Association of British Insurers.

Including: Italy - Retirement reform agreed on, US - New target maturity funds launched, Germany - Heissmann acquisition completed, UK - LAPFF encourages engagement, Chile - IMF lends support to reform, Netherlands - PGGM's cover ratio rises by 19% to...

GLOBAL - Emerging markets and particularly Chinese portfolios fuelled hedge fund performance in the second quarter of 2007, according to new Morningstar data.

NETHERLANDS - ABP's chief investment officer Tom Steenkamp has signalled the pension giant may reduce the stake of oil assets in its commodities portfolio.

THE Environment Agency has added Royal London Asset Management to its stable of specialist fund managers responsible for the watchdog's £1.5bn pension fund.

SWEDEN - Swedish automotive financing company AB Volvofinans has been at the centre of a deal featuring the Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP6), Ford Credit International (FCI) and the country's Volvo dealerships.

Plus wins right to set up as direct competitor to LSE; Market turmoil costs Man Group $1bn; Cable & Wireless to see off shareholder rebellion; FSA chief warns banks of credit risks

US - Legislators in Massachusetts have reportedly approved a bill allowing the state to seize the assets of 19 underperforming local government pension funds.

Société Générale Index has launched a benchmark index for the worldwide security sector.